As temperatures climb into the 90s this week, a few school districts are making the difficult call to dismiss early.
The superintendent in West Haven made the decision on Monday, on the first day of school, to dismiss two hours early on Tuesday.
Officials said that some of the schools in the district do not have air conditioning.
Some students at Pagels Elementary said the heat was unbearable, even on Monday.
"It's really hard to concentrate because you're sweating," said Lia Petrucziello.
In a letter to parents, the superintendent said he made the call for "an early dismissal schedule due to the extreme heat in the forecast."
While some parents said the decision was unnecessary, other parents supported it.
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"I think it's unfortunate, but I also think that in the Board of Education's defense, they're just looking out for the best interest of the children," said Melissa Pereira, a parent from West Haven.
"I understand it I guess to a certain extent, but I don't really see that it's necessary at this heat level," Brian Duffy, a parent from West Haven said.
West Haven's superintendent said they are taking the heat one day at a time. He said he has not made a decision yet about Wednesday and Thursday.
In neighboring Milford, which is also dismissing early on Tuesday, parents said they support the decision.
I'm okay with it because they are not going to have to use a sick day or use a snow day so it's okay and it's good for the kids if they're going to get too hot," said James Maurice, a parent in Milford.
The kids don't mind getting out a little early either.
"I kind of feel kind of good because it's a half day because not everybody likes school," said Luciano Gardino, a student at East Shore Middle School.
Some schools in Naugatuck are also dismissing early Wednesday and Thursday. K-6 schools including Andrew Ave., Maple Hill, Hop Brook, Salem, Western, Cross St. and Hillside will dismiss early. The elementary schools will dismiss at 1:00 p.m. and the intermediates will dismiss at 12:30 p.m. All other schools, including the Early Childhood Center, will have a full day.
Norwalk Public Schools, which start on Wednesday, has already made the decision to dismiss early at the 11 schools that do not have air conditioning.
