September 08, 2016
Thom Carroll/PhillyVoice
The School District of Philadelphia headquarters on North Broad Street.
Public schools in the city will close at noon Friday due to the excessive heat and humidity expected to hit the area.
The district announced Thursday that classes in all district schools would close early and that after-school activities — including athletic programs and professional development classes —were canceled.
All Archdiocesan high schools and Catholic elementary schools in the city will be closed as well, according to a statement that the Archdiocese of Philadelphia released on Thursday afternoon.
According to the National Weather Service, temperatures are expected to hit 93-degrees, with a 30-percent chance of showers and thunderstorms in the afternoon.
Lee Whack, school district spokesperson, said the district decided to "play it safe" by allowing for the early dismissal on Friday, as only about 60 percent of Philly's public schools have air conditioning.
The rest, he said, make sure to have fans and water available for students on hot days.
"This is just a precautionary measure... We want to make sure kids aren't too hot or uncomfortable," said Whack. "When temperatures get a little too high, out of precaution, we want to play it safe."
All of the district's early childhood centers, however, will remain open on their regular schedule.
In addition, administrative offices will be open.
