Jalen Hurts, the Philadelphia Eagles’ quarterback, has shown his affection for the community by contributing $200,000 to fund the installation of air conditioners in Philadelphia-area schools so that students may be comfortable during the hotter months.
According to the Philly Voice, the School District of Philadelphia stated that the money will “improve the learning environment and comfort for students and staff.”
Speaking at a Philadelphia-area school in April, Hurts said, “I think back to my time as a student not being able to imagine some of the things that you guys have to go through. I just want to serve you guys and help in any way I can.”
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The superintendent of the Philadelphia school district, Dr. Tony B. Watlington Sr., stated in an address, “More than half of our schools lack appropriate air-conditioning such that when the temperature climbs higher than 86 to 90 degrees, we too often have to let our kids go home early. And that really impacts student achievement.”
In addition to the students, the superintendent stated that having air conditioning “benefits teachers, as well, because when teachers have optimal teaching conditions, they’re more likely to return as teachers.”
Research shows that hot classrooms make learning difficult for students and can lead to lower test scores.
In an interview with “Good Morning America“, Watlington Sr. stated that the donation is expected to provide 300 air conditioning units to ten nearby schools and will ultimately benefit over 5,000 students in the district.
Watlington Sr. reported in April that installation of the air-conditioning systems has begun and will be completed before the start of the next school year.
The Clara Barton School, Gloria Casarez Elementary School, Castor Gardens Middle School, D. Newlin Fell School, Thomas K. Finletter School, Fitler Academics Plus, Abram Jenks School, Edward Gideon School, Theodore Roosevelt School, and Science Leadership Academy at Benjamin Franklin High School are among the schools set to receive the ACs, per the Philly Voice.
The news source stated that due to the extreme heat, all ten schools were part of the early dismissal policy in September 2023 for the first days of classes.
