The opening day of school in Lewiston-Auburn on Wednesday was humid with temperatures in the low 90s, but “people were coping very well,” Lewiston Superintendent Bill Webster said.
Webster toured all of the city’s schools. “I walked all the hallways and got to see a lot.” People were not overjoyed with the heat, “but I was very pleased with what I saw.”
Temperatures varied from air-conditioned classrooms at Farwell Elementary School’s new addition to the third floor of Martel Elementary, which is not air-conditioned.
“Martel was one of the hotter ones,” Webster said. “They had the windows open, the fans going.” Despite the heat, students were engaged, he said. “It was a low-key day in terms of academics. Despite the weather I think things went well.”
Auburn Superintendent Katy Grondin said nearly all of Auburn’s schools are air-conditioned. The exception is Edward Little High School.
At elementary schools, teachers limited or postponed outdoor recess. At the high school the second floor was hotter “so they limited activity on the second floor. At Edward Little they were passing out water and were mindful of the students.”
Grondin visited the high school and Washburn, Park Avenue and Sherwood elementary schools.
“Staff was happy to be back,” she said. “It was great to see the halls filled with smiling faces.”
The weather is expected to be cooler Thursday and Friday.
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