Things heat up as Canyons District students return to school

Temperatures lately have been the warmest we have seen them this year. The same has been true for the inside of 12 schools in the Canyons School District. Typically, the warmest time of the year is the last week of July, but not this year. Outside temperatures soared into the high 90s as students were filing into classrooms Aug. 22 after a long summer break.

“This is only our third academic year. We were created by voters and inherited a lot of old buildings,” said Jennifer Toomer-Cook, school district communications director. “In fact, the average age of our building is about 40 years old.”

In June 2010, voters passed a $250 million bond which would only put a small dent in the $650 million worth of building needs the district has for these schools.

For now, the first five projects are under way, making significant progress since the start of the summer. Albion Middle, Butler Middle and Midvale Elementary are all undergoing major renovations. Sandy Elementary was seismically upgraded and has been completed, along with a high school in Draper that is under construction, preparing to welcome new students by fall 2013.

“These are huge upgrades for them,” said Toomer-Cook, speaking of Albion Middle School. “This is a major renovation that will bring in more natural light, wire all the classrooms for the type of learning that they’re doing with new technology, and also close off the open classrooms. It will also have air conditioning so we don’t lose instruction time due to discomfort.”

Many teachers have been doing all they can to improve classroom conditions, especially late in the afternoon when temperatures reach daily highs. At Albion Middle School’s temporary home at the former Cottonwood Elementary, roasting pans were brought in with a block of ice on top and fans blowing behind them, to act as swamp coolers.

“I’ve been here enough years now to know how to deal with this,” said Margaret Gant, a sixth grade teacher at Alta View Elementary. “It’s not enjoyable the first couple of weeks. Basically, if you haven’t taught them by about one o’clock, they’re done.”

 “I have a job, so I’m fine,” said Gant optimistically. “I’ll adapt, because I know that I’m one of the lucky ones who has a job.”

Albion Principal Joanne Ackerman opened classroom windows and turned the sprinklers on so that even a slight breeze would blow a little cool air into the rooms.

Administrators are hoping now that the weather should start to cool down, heat inside won’t be such an issue. Parents in each of those 12 schools were notified on Aug. 24 that the district was allowing excused absences and early check-outs for those who have a hard time focusing due to the heat problem. This means the students will be able to collect their homework and return it in a timely manner without being penalized.

Schools affected by this heat-related issue are Alta View, Edgemont, Midvale, Midvalley and Peruvian Park elementary schools; and Albion, Butler, Crescent View, Indian Hills, Midvale, Mount Jordan and Union middle schools.