New Britain, Litchfield, Torrington, Danbury and several other districts dismissed school early Wednesday. School superintendents throughout Connecticut were also watching Thursday's forecast with concern.
Many schools statewide do not have air-conditioning, leaving teachers and administrators to set up fans and close blinds to keep sunlight out. They also canceled outdoor recess breaks, brought in extra water for students and turned off classroom lights.
Some districts, including Hartford, also ditched their rules for mandatory school uniforms and are letting children come to classes in shorts and T-shirts Wednesday and Thursday.
Wednesday's midday temperatures passed 90 degrees in much of Connecticut, and were expected to be even higher Thursday.
(Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.) AP-NY-06-08-11 1445EDT
