Going back to school can be hard after a long summer, but when your school doesn't have air conditioning and the heat rises outside - learning can be almost impossible. Luckily, schools like Delphos St. John's have a plan to keep their students cool when the heat becomes too much.
"Really kind of our best tool for the students, especially with the uniform, is we allow the gentlemen to take off their ties and we allow the ladies to take off their sweaters or vests. It's part of the uniform, but on a hot day like today is we can allow them to be cool in any way possible. That's our best option," said Adam Lee, principal of the Junior High and High Schools at Delphos St. John's.
Without air conditioning, a little improvisation needs to be done. just to keep everything comfortable. "A lot of the classrooms will have fans, some of the classrooms have air conditioning, if the students are lucky enough to be in one of those classes," Lee said.
Students not being able to pay attention because of the heat doesn't get past the teachers, who are trying to run class despite the unfavorable conditions.
"I would definitely say that it's more difficult to concentrate when the weather is this warm because it's hard to focus on the teacher; you're thinking about how warm you are instead of the lesson that's taking place. I do feel badly for them," said Chrissy Elwer, a teacher at Delphos St. John's High School.
But the school prides itself in being able to trudge on through the first months of the school year. "Especially in the afternoon, when that heat begins to set in and the building really does get warm. Sometimes it is a challenge, but for the most part it's a testament to our kids and our staff that they preserver through the day and they make it through," said Lee.
Of course, other area schools without air conditioning follow a similar plan - all keeping learning in mind.
