New Jersey

Dozens of School Districts Closing Early Due to Excessive Heat

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.

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.

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