San Diego Unified School District News Releases: San Diego Unified Prepared for High Heat, Plans in Place to Protect Students and Staff

EDITOR NOTE: On Wednesday, August 26 between 10:30 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. we will have Jennifer Alfonso, RN, MSN, Program Manager for Nursing & Wellness at San Diego Unified School District available for interviews to speak about what our schools and district do to keep staff and families safe from the heat, and to share tips with families. Let me know if you are interested, and we will schedule you a slot. Thanks. James

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Media Contact:

James Canning, 313-580-2845, jcanning@sandi.net

San Diego Unified Prepared for High Heat, Plans in Place to Protect Students and Staff

SAN DIEGO (August 25, 2026) – San Diego Unified School District schools are prepared to help keep students and staff safe during periods of high heat this week, with air conditioning available in all educational spaces and Hot Weather Plans in place at schools across the district.

When temperatures rise, schools will closely monitor weather conditions and adjust activities as needed. Hot Weather Plans may include modifying instructional activities or schedules, limiting or rescheduling strenuous physical activities and recess, utilizing shaded and air-conditioned spaces, providing additional access to drinking water, and monitoring students and staff for signs of heat-related illness.

“Our schools are prepared to respond when temperatures rise, and our priority is always the health, safety and well-being of our students and staff,” said Deputy Superintendent W. Drew Rowlands. “We have plans in place to adjust activities and schedules when needed, while keeping our schools open and learning moving forward whenever it is safe to do so.”

Adjusting Outdoor and Indoor Athletic Activities

Teachers, coaches, and staff supervising outdoor activities – including athletics, physical education, cheerleading, recess, and other programs – closely monitor weather conditions and students throughout the day. Staff provide additional water, rest breaks, and make adjustments to outdoor activities when necessary.

All San Diego Unified high school coaches are trained in district hot weather procedures and certified through the National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS) on heat illness prevention and school sites receive guidance from the California Interscholastic Federation (CIF) for emergency action plans.

Through NFHS’s “Heat Illness Prevention Course,” coaches learn both preventative and emergency measures, such as adjusting intensity and rest and ensuring all participants stay hydrated, as fundamentals of a strong heat acclimatization plan to help recognize signs early.

In addition, San Diego Unified Registered Nurses (RN) and trained health office staff prevent, recognize and manage heat illness.

Athletic practices and competitions are monitored in accordance with State legislation, district protocols and the California Interscholastic Federation (CIF) rules, including daily WetBulb Globe Temperature readings through the newly installed Perry Weather monitoring and alerting systems when appropriate. Based on those conditions, schools may modify, relocate or reschedule outdoor activities.

Schools may also relocate students from non-air-conditioned areas , such as gyms, when needed and will make use of shaded and air-conditioned spaces whenever available.

Air Conditioning in Educational Spaces

All educational spaces in San Diego Unified schools are air conditioned. Gyms, kitchens, restrooms and locker rooms are not equipped with air conditioning. Proper ventilation is available in these spaces, including operable windows to support air flow.

Air conditioners are working overtime during extreme heat, and San Diego Unified’s Physical Plant Operations (PPO) team members are standing by ready to take action if an air conditioning unit malfunctions. The district has dedicated HVAC technicians and contracted support. Repair orders are triaged and prioritized based on student impact. For example, a large unit servicing an entire building would be prioritized rather than a single unit serving one classroom.

How Families Can Help Students Prepare

Families can help students stay comfortable and safe during warmer weather by encouraging them to:

Wear lightweight, comfortable clothing.
Bring extra water to school and stay hydrated throughout the day.
Wear sunscreen when appropriate.
Immediately tell a teacher, nurse, coach or other staff member if they feel overheated, dizzy, or unwell.

“Keeping students safe during hot weather is a shared responsibility,” said Jennifer Alfonso, RN, MSN, Program Manager for Nursing & Wellness at San Diego Unified School District. “We encourage families to send students to school prepared with water and appropriate clothing, and we encourage our students to speak up if they are not feeling well. Our staff will continue to closely monitor conditions and make adjustments when necessary.”

For additional information, families can review the district’s Administrative Procedure 4032 (Link), which outlines procedures and precautions for periods of hot weather.

The district will continue monitoring weather forecasts and conditions throughout the week and will communicate any changes to the school schedule or outdoor activities as needed.

Schools will remain open as long as a safe learning environment can be provided.

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