Dozens of school districts, mainly in New Jersey, are dismissing early Thursday as temperatures are expected to soar into the 90s across the tri-state with heat indexes reaching 100 degrees or more.
On Wednesday, several students in New Jersey were overcome by the heat and collapsed in gym class. Many school districts around the tri-state started the school year this week, but a late-summer heat wave has been wreaking havoc across the region.
Sheila Coles picked up her granddaughter during early dismissal at Fair Mount Elementary School in Hackensack, where not all rooms have air conditioning.
"First thing she said to me yesterday is, 'It's hot Nonni, it's hot,'" said Coles. "So I think this was a good decision."
At Fort Lee High School, only half the rooms have A/C, making it tough for students returning for the first day of school.
"With the oppressive heat and humidity, we thought we'd give them a break today," said superintendent Ken Rota.
The weather is supposed to be hot and humid for one more day Thursday before a strong cold front arriving later in the day brings some much needed relief.
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Here's a list of the New Jersey schools announcing early dismissal Thursday and click here for further updates:
Bergen County
Fort Lee Public Schools: Early dismissal schedule
Hackensack Public Schools: Early release at 12:30 p.m.
Hasbrouck Heights School District: Early dismissal schedule
Lodi Public Schools: Half day session
Midland Park Public Schools: 12:30 p.m. dismissal
Norwood Public School: Early dismissal schedule
Teaneck Public Schools: Half day schedule
Tenafly Public Schools: Early dismissal schedule
Ramsey School District: Minimum day schedule
Waldwick School District Early dismissal schedule
Westwood Regional School District: Early dismissal schedule
Passaic County
Clifton Public Schools: Early dismissal Schedule
Hawthorne Public Schools: Early dismissal schedule
Paterson Public Schools: 1:10 p.m. dismissal for students
Wayne Township Schools: Minimal day schedule
Union County
Scotch Plains-Fanwood School District: Single session day
Union Township Public Schools: Half day schedule
Essex County
Belleville Public Schools: Early dismissal schedule
Bloomfield School District: Half day schedule
Verona Public Schools: Early dismissal schedule
Montclair School District: Early dismissal schedule
Hudson County
Jersey City Public Schools: School closes at 12:45 p.m.
Morris County
Hanover Park High School: Early dismissal schedule
Madison Public Schools: Early dismissal schedule
Montville Township Public Schools: Early dismissal schedule
Morris School District: Early dismissal schedule
Netcong Elementary School: Early dismissal schedule
Parsippany-Troy Hills Township Schools: Half day schedule for secondary schools, full day for preschool and elementary
Dover High School in Morris County is also closed Thursday because of mold. School officials tell News 4 that they believe school will resume on Friday.
