2,100 Oakland classrooms are too hot to learn in.
2,100 Oakland classrooms are too hot to learn in.
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We are Oakland parents, teachers and students. Last year, we cooled one school ourselves, with $6,000 worth of supplies and donated portable A/Cs. Now, we're bringing these proven solutions district-wide.
What your money does
What your money does
$50
$50
Provides the installation supplies needed to cool one classroom.
$500
$500
Cools one classroom TODAY, meaning students learning this year are kept safe.
8°F
8°F
The drop we measured per classroom at Sequoia Elementary last September.
Heat is quietly taking a year of learning.
Heat is quietly taking a year of learning.
Classrooms across the district sit in the 80s and 90s through August, September, October and May... and last year, even in March. Climate change continues to bring heat to Oakland, and our old school buildings were not built for this reality. Students report headaches, nausea and trouble concentrating. In one week last March, several students ended up in hospital.
20%
20%
The rise in student cognitive performance when a room goes from 86°F down to 68°F. — Harvard Center on the Developing Child
5%
5%
Hot school days disproportionately impact minority students, accounting for rougly 5 percent of the racial achievement gap. – American Economic Journal
We are not asking anyone to wait for an HVAC system overhaul. This money will be used immediately to cool Oakland classrooms, benefitting today's students and teachers.
We already did this at one school. It worked.
We already did this at one school. It worked.
Last September, parents at Sequoia Elementary put $11 bluetooth thermometers in every classroom. Then we had 30 days before the second heat wave. We installed UV film and portable units ourselves.
7 → 1
7 → 1
7 classrooms sat above the 82°F OSHA threshold at 2pm in August. After these interventions, only one remained that hot in September.
2.5°F
2.5°F
Average drop across the school. The best rooms fell 6–8°F.
From the people in the rooms.
Last September, parents at Sequoia Elementary put $11 bluetooth thermometers in every classroom. What we found shocked us. We acted immediately, installing DIY insulated portable A/Cs and UV film. It made a noticeable difference.
You have truly made my life (and I think the kids) so much better since the temperature has gone down.
You have truly made my life (and I think the kids) so much better since the temperature has gone down.
Teacher Sarah
Our daughter used to say she hated math. It was always taught during the hot part of the day. Now that her classroom is cooler, we don't hear these complaints.
Our daughter used to say she hated math. It was always taught during the hot part of the day. Now that her classroom is cooler, we don't hear these complaints.
Parents Kate and Reid
When it's hot, it's hard to learn becuase it makes me feel tired, bad, anxious, and confused. Also, the class is just always hot.
When it's hot, it's hard to learn becuase it makes me feel tired, bad, anxious, and confused. Also, the class is just always hot.
Jeremy, 1st grade student
Every $500 cools a classroom.
Every $500 cools a classroom.
A classroom is approx. 30 kids.
A classroom is approx. 30 kids.
Donations are handled by the Oakland Public Education Fund, a registered 501(c)(3).
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