“What dreadful hot weather we have! It keeps one in a continual state of inelegance.”
Jane Austen
Thank you. Spidey, and Ms Austen. Excuse me as I wipe the glow from my brow!
Trying to be elegant there with the wording. You see, it is not proper to say a lady sweats or perspires. Rather, we ‘glow’.
Sounds lovely, but in reality, it feels bloody awful!
If you weren’t aware, the UK is about to be hit with a heatwave which is promising temperatures never before experienced here.
Yes, the UK might, in some areas, hit 40℃ on Monday or Tuesday.
It was pretty warm the past week, but we managed to host two short sports days at school, in the mornings, so it was slightly cooler, and we were lucky that there was cloud cover.
Still, I have to say that glowing really doesn’t cover what I looked like by the time we walked back to the school from the sports ground. I was hot, sweaty, tired. Did I mention hot? My clothes were stuck to me.
And this is me; an adult, who knows how to regulate my temperature. We knowingly engineered the sports day so there wasn’t too much running, and plenty of rest time for the children, but still they were left with the feeling of having taken part, and the parents who came to watch, had something to photograph and enjoy. But those children were hot and bothered too.
I’ve taken to keeping a spray bottle filled with clean, fresh water in my classroom, and we spray the kids regularly. They love it. They think I’m playing a game when in actuality I am trying to keep them as cool as I possibly can.
We aren’t blessed with a/c in our building.
Being an old Victorian school the parts that are the original building (my department being one of those parts) are unable to have a\c fitted. Some newer classrooms are though. Plus, though we have windows, they can only open a small amount (health and safety, y’all!) I have a door that opens up to the outside, but I can’t just leave it open as I have runners in my class, who need constant watching. These children are also the reason I can’t have a fan, as they could put fingers in the fan head.
So, yes, it is hot.
Some classrooms end up like saunas, and with 30 little bodies, as well as the adults, coupled with the still, warm air, it is not comfortable. Definitely not conducive to a productive learning environment.
What can we do in the next few days? We’re not closing, despite the government declaring the situation a National Emergency, and issuing the first-ever RED weather warning for extreme heat with could cause death…
The official advice is to:
- not go outside – great. Swelter in airless rooms that end up a few degrees hotter than outside!
- or, go outside and stay in the shade – because all schools have shaded areas of the playground, big enough to accommodate a few hundred pupils…
- move to a cooler room – because all schools have ten spare classrooms kept cool for this specific reason
- open windows overnight – because that isn’t another safety concern for schools, is it?
- switch off all computers, lights and devices – and sit in a sweltering room in darkness, straining your eyes trying to read the class a story…
- draw blinds to stop direct sunlight – well, we can do that!
- tell parents to provide a hat, water bottles and ensure suncream is applied – because we don’t do that already, whenever the summer hits…
Great advice if we could soundly follow it, but I have highlighted the above issues some schools might have with following it.
I have been looking on various social media channels, and it is amazing how many educators have expressed concern about the temperature and its effect on their pupils, only to have parents and others comment that teachers are just looking for a day off!
Oh, my goodness, after the disruption of the last two years that is the LAST THING WE WANT!
What we want is our children to be COMFORTABLE and SAFE.
Some schools have loosened uniform policy to allow pupils to come in P.E. Kits or cooler non-uniform. Some have reduced the length of the school day for those couple of days. Some have even made the decision to close the school building and do remote learning for those two days.
Some parents will keep their children off, knowing it won’t be right for their child to suffer in this heat, unable to cool down.
Extenuating circumstances, considering we are not equipped to deal with this level of heat.
Yet I read that schools would have to mark that choice as unauthorised absence. So when a parent is looking out for the health and wellbeing of their child, they will get penalised, yet if they send their child in, and they possibly suffer heatstroke, or as many of our younger ones do, have a meltdown because of the extreme heat, that’s okay, even though it could have been avoided?
On Saturday it wasn’t half that hot, but still very warm. I was able to keep my home cool with windows open at night, the blinds kept drawn, and only four people in the house, keeping body heat to a minimum.
If only we were able to do that in school… but it will be hard. Unless you are in one of the 4 classrooms where they do have a/c, because they were part of a newer structure so they got lucky.
I don’t want schools to have to shut their doors. We didn’t in the lockdowns and had remote learning to stop the spread of a virus. But what I think is not right, is not giving parents the choice about the welfare of their child, especially in circumstances beyond our control.
(By the way, Lil Man is playing a match this afternoon, in this heat… It hasn’t been cancelled so far… pray for him!)
So, what do you think about this heatwave?
Wishing you a wonderfully peaceful Sunday, Peeps!
But I Smile Anyway... 
Jul 22, 2022 @ 06:30:35
Hello, Ritu, I have been watching Britain and France burn with horror and wondering what we, who regularly get very hot temperatures, have in store for us this summer. What I think is that the governments of first world countries need to stop messing about and treat global warming like a real threat and do something about it!
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Jul 22, 2022 @ 06:37:52
So true, Robbie. Here, we are so unprepared for extremes, that doesn’t help. An inch of snow makes areas ground to a halt. Heat like this week is an emergency.
We are unequipped.
And the warnings, and signs gave been there for over 30 years, yet still countries haven’t taken things seriously!
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Jul 22, 2022 @ 17:48:28
It is a bit ridiculous, isn’t it? Anyhow, it sounds like you did okay and were very sensible.
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Jul 22, 2022 @ 18:24:22
We tried, anyway, Robbie!/
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Jul 20, 2022 @ 02:08:05
Ritu, your monumental heatwave has made the news over here. Here in New England many people don’t have AC, including me. Fortunately our school does. I can picture your class with no fans and having to close the door. 😩 My thoughts are with you, as your clothes stick to your body. Today is Day #1 of our heatwave. We’re in this together, girlfriend!
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Jul 20, 2022 @ 06:27:20
Good luck to you too, Jennie!
Just got through the tap apparent worst days… But last might out area ended up with no water!!! Still not on this morning! 😩
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Jul 20, 2022 @ 11:39:06
Oh no!!!
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Jul 18, 2022 @ 18:04:26
Hi, Sis! I hope you had a beautiful weekend, and the yard behind your house is good enough for realizing a great swimming pool. 😉 Give Sonu the chance of learning to swim. Don’t forget you are living on an isle, there everyone needs to have skills in swimming. .-)) My excuse for another late re-visit! Enjoy your evening! xx Michael
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Jul 18, 2022 @ 18:20:45
Ha ha! It’s hard enough to get him.to drink water, let alone go in it!
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Jul 18, 2022 @ 20:22:35
What? He can’t drink whiskey dayover. Lol xx Michael
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Jul 18, 2022 @ 18:01:55
Reblogged this on NEW BLOG HERE >> https:/BOOKS.ESLARN-NET.DE.
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Jul 17, 2022 @ 16:42:38
Ritu, my wife and I were just in Europe and it was 100 one day in Paris, 98 in Rome, and even high 90’s in the French wine country of Bordeaux…it was always hot, much like what I experience in the western part of the US now…bad signs…especially when you live in a place that doesn’t have A/C – but we have plenty, just also “surge alerts” for electricity, so a double edged sword…
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Jul 17, 2022 @ 16:49:33
I’m dreading it, John, for the kids sakes!
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Jul 17, 2022 @ 16:35:41
Love the ‘spray game’, Ritu! Such a great idea and how caringly conceived!
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Jul 17, 2022 @ 16:48:47
It works a treat, Steve. The kids love it!
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Jul 17, 2022 @ 15:17:20
That’s rough, especially in school when the heat is sweltering like that and there is little to no relief. When the heat and humidity are high it can be suffocating. Stay hydrated and do the best that you can for yourself and the kids 🌞🙏🏽💛
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Jul 17, 2022 @ 15:36:22
Thanks, Brother. The best we can do, indeed 🙏🏼
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Jul 17, 2022 @ 18:31:25
You’re very welcome, Sister 🙏🏽💛🙏🏽
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Jul 17, 2022 @ 12:38:49
Sending cooling breezes your way! ❤
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Jul 17, 2022 @ 13:07:28
Thank you Sis 🥰
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Jul 17, 2022 @ 11:42:40
Oh! I know all the advice is like a twin edge sword. I fear this is our future, things will have to change.
I hope Lil big man survives the match this afternoon….I hope you do too 💜💜💜💜
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Jul 17, 2022 @ 11:50:10
Thanks, Sis. Right now it doesn’t seem too bad, but as it gets on in the afternoon, I know things will change! 💛
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Jul 17, 2022 @ 12:01:35
Yes indeed be careful both of you 💜
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Jul 17, 2022 @ 12:29:51
🥰🥰
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Jul 17, 2022 @ 09:00:33
my school is 100 years old and doesn’t have air either, it’s always a balancing act when the heat comes. i love your suggestions. here is the states, it’s not crazy unusual to have very hot weather at times, so most people are pretty prepared, but i worry about the young, the elderly, or infirm, or those who have very low incomes and no options. stay safe
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Jul 17, 2022 @ 09:02:42
The vulnerable are always at the forefront, Beth.
I think, for 2 days, parents should be allowed to make the call regarding their children’s safety, especially as we as a country are so unprepared, without the chance of consequence.
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Jul 17, 2022 @ 09:04:34
I so agree
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Jul 17, 2022 @ 07:31:22
I’m fortunate enough to be able to stay at home for the most part, starting the day at the back of the house while the sun is at the front and moving to the front in the evening. I was at school during the heatwave of 1976 and I can remember us having some lessons outside because it was cooler. At that particular school there was space to allow that, but there wasn’t at my infant school.
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Jul 17, 2022 @ 07:50:06
This is just it, April. If we had the space and shade to, I’d move everything outside… But when the heat will be at it’s highest, there is barely any shade, and no alternative rooms, either!
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Jul 17, 2022 @ 07:11:49
Over here, and I think in India as well the schools close for summer break in early June till mid August. The worst of the summer heat is over by then.
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Jul 17, 2022 @ 07:48:28
Yes, so countries who have the intense heat every year, have a system in place.
Longer breaks at the time of year when that heat is likely to be present.
They also have different, earlier timetables lijevesrky start, early finish. Some have longer lunch breaks where kids go home and siesta.
Unfortunately, because this is so unexpected, it’s harder to cope with, as well as the fact we don’t usually get this heat, so are truly unprepared!
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Jul 17, 2022 @ 07:52:45
I know! It would be better if the government closed the schools for a couple of days.
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Jul 17, 2022 @ 07:55:39
So much to think about. What about parents who work? If they can’t work from home they have to take days off, unpaid, too!
But it’s going to be hard, whatever.
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Jul 17, 2022 @ 08:46:00
Oh yes, that’s a big problem
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Jul 17, 2022 @ 08:59:40
See, we will never be able to.make the right decision for all…
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Jul 17, 2022 @ 09:00:30
Yes, that’s true. 🥺
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Jul 17, 2022 @ 06:58:23
I don’t envy you Ritu working in a school and an old school building at that! Try your best to stay cool! ❤
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Jul 17, 2022 @ 07:43:43
Will try, Carol Anne! 😳 thank you
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Jul 17, 2022 @ 05:26:25
Nice
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Jul 17, 2022 @ 07:43:25
Thanks
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