Predicted Heat Wave Prompts Early School Dismissals To Start Year In Camden County

CAMDEN COUNTY, NJ — The start of the 2023-24 school year may feel a bit more like the end of the school year for some students, as hot weather has prompted some districts to announce early dismissals to start the year.

The Gloucester Township, Camden and Winslow school districts in Camden County all announced the first days of classes for students will be four-hour sessions.

The National Weather Service has issued a heat advisory through Wednesday, with temperatures in the upper 90s expected and a heat index of more than 100 degrees. High temperatures on Thursday and Friday are anticipated to be above 90 degrees as well, according to the forecast.

The Gloucester Township School District, where classes begin Wednesday, announced the change on its website: "Due to forecasted high heat, Sept. 6th, 7th, and 8th will be a 1/2 day for all students in all grades." Find the half-day schedule here.

In Winslow Township, where classes start Tuesday, school will be dismissed early all four days, Superintendent H. Major Poteat said. The schedule is posted online.

The Camden City Schools, meanwhile, announced early dismissal for Wednesday and Thursday, the district's first two days of the 2023-24 year. The district will consider further early dismissals depending on the weather, officials said.

The Haddonfield School District has half-days scheduled for Tuesday and Wednesday, but they appear to have been planned half-days and not related to the weather.