Excessive heat warning sparks concerns for Valley students

Last Update: 8/28 6:04 pm

Excessive Heat Warning sparks concerns for Valley students

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Marching band practice

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Jennifer Parks
ABC15.com

TEMPE, AZ -- The Marcos de Niza marching band knows all about beating the heat.

Every weekday the 57 member band assembles on the school's baseball field around 6 a.m. so they can practice while temperatures are still in the 80's. Band Director Brandon Burr said he was aware of the Excessive Heat Warning issued Friday.

He said band members are required to take water breaks. "They must bring a water bottle to every practice," said Burr.

While the temperatures are much cooler in the morning, Burr said it can really get warm in the band uniforms.

"We don't wear the polyester uniforms anymore," Burr said. "But if it's 110 you can guarantee it's about 10-15 degrees warmer in the uniform."

Friday night the Marcos de Niza marching band travels to the the town of Marana for the school's football game.

Turns out last week the band got an up close view of the mercury. The band played at one of the WNBA Phoenix Mercury games.

Other valley schools are also taking notice of the heat. Arcadia High School in Phoenix posted the Excessive Heat Warning on its school website.

A staffer at the school told ABC15 the football, swimming and cross country teams also practice before school.

The staffer said they would most likely keep students inside Friday for all the P.E. classes.