As heatwave rolls through Kentucky, Fayette County schools prohibits outdoor activities

Amid an excessive heat wave, Fayette County Public Schools is prohibiting all outdoor activities including athletics and band each night until 7:30 p.m. for the rest of the week, said district spokesperson Dia Davidson-Smith.

After 7:30 p.m. each night Monday through Friday, outside activities will resume pending Kentucky High School Athletic Association heat index guidance, which outlines procedures that coaches and teams must follow when the index climbs above 95 degrees. Under the guidelines, outdoor activities are canceled if the heat index rises above 104.

Recess is not included in the prohibited activities and will continue as scheduled, according to Davidson-Smith.

The Paul Laurence Dunbar High School band will practice indoors, officials told families in a letter.

An excessive heat wave is expected to push temperatures into the 90s in western and Central Kentucky this week. As a result, the National Weather Service has issued a heat advisory for Anderson, Fayette, Franklin, Harrison, Jessamine, Mercer, Scott, Washington and Woodford counties.

In a news release, Fayette schools officials said the National Weather Service has issued a heat advisory for Lexington until 9 p.m. Monday. Temperatures are expected to reach 94, with a dangerous heat index between 105 and 110. Peak temperatures are expected to rise between 96 and 99 later in the week, officials said.

Due to extreme temperatures and high levels of humidity this week, it may not be safe for some students to be outside for extended periods of time, district officials said.

Principals were asked to use their best judgment when planning outdoor activities and recess, and make alternative plans for indoor physical activity during the heat advisory period which may extend through Friday, officials said.

Other guidance included:

• Schools should perform outside activities early in the day and move physical activity indoors later in the day
• Students should be removed from areas with air conditioning issues
• When the temperature reaches 95 or above, principals should reconsider outside student recess and physical education classes and provide for indoor physical activity in an air-conditioned environment. Teachers should provide students with a water break before and after recess or any physical activity.
• School staff and teachers should monitor students for signs of heat exhaustion or overheating
• Teachers need to be aware of medical conditions such as asthma, epilepsy and allergies which may place some students at higher risk for heat-related illness
• Frequent water breaks should be allowed while students are participating in physical activity
• Families can access additional information about cooling centers and other resources by calling 211 or going to https://www.bereadylexington.com/.

This story was originally published August 21, 2023 at 2:12 PM.