A Passaic County, New Jersey, school district has rescheduled graduations at five high schools after
more than 100 attendees at a joint graduation ceremony were sickened
by
the heat wave
Monday, prompting emergency management workers to shut down the event.
Paterson will hold separate ceremonies Thursday at John F. Kennedy High School and Eastside High School so the students can graduate indoors, the school district announced Tuesday.
Students and families from both schools were attending an outdoor graduation ceremony at Hinchliffe Stadium in Paterson on Monday afternoon as temperatures surged.
More than 100 people required treatment for heat-related illnesses, according to a spokesperson for Paterson Mayor Andre Sayegh.
Another 16 were sent to the hospital for treatment for more serious levels of heat exhaustion during the course of the two ceremonies, Paterson Fire Department Deputy Chief Jason Macones told NJ Advance Media.
The city’s office of emergency management made the call to shut down the graduation, the spokesperson said.
“We understand the extreme heat at yesterday’s high school graduation ceremonies caused discomfort for our attendees and we regret that some became ill,” Paterson Schools Superintendent Laurie W. Newell said in a statement announcing the rescheduled graduations.
“The original decision to hold Monday’s graduation at Hinchliffe Stadium was made well in advance, and with the goal of giving our students a meaningful and memorable send-off in a location that holds deep historical and cultural significance for the Paterson community. Thursday’s ceremony will bring our Class of 2025 celebrations to a meaningful close,” Newell said.
Students from four schools — P-TECH High School, Rosa L. Parks School of Fine and Performing Arts, STARS/T.I.E.S. Academy and STEAM High School — will graduate at 5 p.m. Thursday at John F. Kennedy High School, the school district said.
Eastside High School will host a graduation ceremony for its seniors at 7:30 pm Thursday, the district said.
Almost all of New Jersey is under an extreme heat warning until 8 p.m. Wednesday.
Rob Jennings may be reached at
.
Weather reports
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Heat advisory continues across central Pa. with scattered storms, muggy conditions
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Heat advisory issued for part of Pennsylvania for Thursday
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Weather alert issued for strong thunderstorms in central Pa. until early evening
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Heat wave brings record-setting temperatures: When to expect relief, and when it will come back
