HEAT DAY: GRPS to dismiss early Thursday due to high temps in the forecast

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (GRPS) — Grand Rapids Public Schools will conduct classes for a half day on Thursday, August 24, 2023, due to the extreme heat.

With heat index temperatures reaching into the upper 90s on Thursday, Grand Rapids Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Leadriane Roby decided to cancel classes for the second half of the day.

“With the humidity and air temperatures in the forecast tomorrow, it will simply be too warm in some of our buildings as we move into the afternoon,” Dr. Roby said. “It’s a difficult call to make so early in the school year but when temperatures reach such high levels it raises a safety concern.”

While most are equipped, some GRPS schools do not have air conditioning. Because many families in the district have children at multiple school sites,  district leaders felt a district-wide decision was most appropriate.

This closure includes the cancelation of all afternoon and evening student-involved activities.

The district administration offices will remain open.