The school year start date used to be after Labor Day for a reason--excessive heat. 

Louisiana have extremely high summer temperatures, particularly in the month of August when they are at their highest. 

The majority of Tangipahoa School District School Buses have no air conditioners and our children are having to ride home on these buses during the peak hours of heat. Many children have issues that cause them to be sensitive to heat and this could potentially cause health issues. They are also not provided water, and sometimes the windows are even left up because of safety issues with smaller children.  

This will benefit the children, parents, teachers, and the school district alike because it will allow more time for families, and decrease excessive energy bills for the school having to operate during the peak of the summer heat. It will also help our bus drivers, since they are the ones that spend the most of the time on the buses. Do you really think that tiny little fan they have does them any good? 

It is also entirely too hot for kids to be participating in PE, sports, or any other outdoor activities at school. 

One of the main reasons we start so early is to make room for hurricane and extreme weather make up days. This really makes no sense because the peak of hurricane season is in August. Most hurricanes that have hit the gulf coast have been BEFORE Labor Day.

Please, if you think this is something you would want to support and keep our children free from heat related health risks that could happen on a bus, sign the petition now.