The National Weather Service out of Pueblo issued a Heat Advisory for El Paso County on Monday morning. It runs from 11:00 AM to 7:00 PM MDT today, with Colorado Springs forecast to reach 95°F. This is the fourth consecutive heat advisory for the area — a stretch that has Colorado Springs tracking toward one of its warmest August stretches in recent years.

The timing matters for families: D11's first day for all K-12 students is Wednesday, August 12. Jumpstart Day for kindergarteners, 6th graders, and 9th graders is tomorrow, Tuesday, August 11. This week is a warm one to navigate.

The D11 Week Ahead

School buildings are air-conditioned. The heat exposure for students is primarily during outdoor drop-off, pickup, recess, and any before- or after-school activities. If your school has a long outdoor pickup line, early arrivals tend to get shorter waits and less time standing in direct sun.

First Week Heat Safety for Kids

The first week back tends to be more physically demanding than kids expect — new routines, more time on their feet, and less time than over summer to rest when they want to. In heat, that combination can catch families off guard.

A few practical things that help: send a water bottle that's large enough to last a full school day without refilling if needed, because access to water fountains during class varies by school. Put the bottle in the freezer the night before so it starts cold. Pack a lunch that doesn't rely on staying cool — sandwiches with mayonnaise or dairy-based sides can become a problem in a warm backpack.

For outdoor activities in the first week: early morning is best. Colorado Springs mornings this week should be in the high 70s before 9:00 AM even with the overall hot pattern, dropping considerably from the afternoon peak. If your family has outdoor weekend plans, Saturday August 15 looks slightly cooler than Sunday.

Quick Reference

• Heat Advisory: Monday August 10, 11:00 AM – 7:00 PM MDT
• COS forecast high: 95°F
• D11 Jumpstart Day: Tuesday August 11 (kindergarteners, 6th graders, 9th graders)
• D11 first day for all K-12: Wednesday August 12
• Heat tip: Outdoor activities before 11:00 AM; afternoon storms possible after 1:30 PM
• Hydration: Large, pre-frozen water bottle; avoid dairy-heavy lunches in warm backpacks
• D11 enrollment: d11.org or 1033 N. Franklin Street, M-F 8 AM – 4 PM MT

What's Next

The heat advisory pattern is forecast to ease somewhat as the week progresses, with a gradual cooling trend heading toward the weekend. Wednesday's first day should be warm but within the normal August range for Colorado Springs rather than the advisory-level heat of today. D20 Academy District's first day is Monday, August 17 for preschool, elementary, 6th, and 9th graders, with all other students starting Tuesday, August 18. If you have students in multiple districts this year, mark both first days on your calendar now.