From USA Today: Heat wave sparks drive to start school after Labor Day
A heat wave that has forced some schools to hold classes for only half a day, is renewing interest in a school calendar that delays the return to classes until after Labor Day when the weather is cooler.Posted by Forkum at August 22, 2007 04:51 PMLegislation that would have prohibited school start dates before Aug. 25 failed two years ago, but some parents say lawmakers would have more luck now after a recent round of early school closings and canceled athletic practices in Middle Tennessee.
Tennessee has sweltered in a heat wave that began more than two weeks ago. The National Weather service has issued a heat advisory in effect from noon Wednesday to 7 p.m. CT Thursday for much of the eastern two-thirds of the state, where high temperatures will climb above 100 degrees.
Tuesday marked the 12th day of 100 degrees or above in Nashville this month, by far the most ever recorded in August. It is also the most ever recorded in any month for the city.
The hot weather has been cited in 13 deaths in Shelby County and one in Wilson County.
Temperatures are predicted to climb above 100 degrees through Friday for the eastern two-thirds of the state, including Memphis and Nashville. In East Tennessee, Chattanooga was expected Wednesday to see a high of 100, while in Knoxville highs were predicted in the high 90s. The Tri-Cities area was expected to hit the mid-90s.
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