Goddard School of Old Town Alexandria adds Water Days amid extreme heat

The Goddard School of Old Town Alexandria is urging families to take extra precautions as record summer temperatures hit the Washington, D.C. region. The school is expanding Water Days and sharing heat safety tips to help young children stay cool and avoid heat-related illness.

Why it matters: - Young children are more vulnerable to heat-related illness because their bodies heat up faster than adults. - Families in the Washington, D.C. region are facing prolonged heat waves and record-breaking summer temperatures. - The school’s expanded Water Days give children supervised ways to cool off while staying active outdoors.

What happened: - The Goddard School of Old Town Alexandria said July 22, 2026, that it is reminding parents to take extra precautions during extreme summer heat. - The school is expanding its Water Days throughout the summer. - Water Days include supervised sprinkler play, water games and other age-appropriate activities on the playground. - Owner and operator Akhil Govil said teachers monitor outdoor activities, adjust schedules when temperatures rise and are adding more Water Days because children enjoy them. - Madhu Govil said the school wants children to keep learning and having fun while staying safe.

The details: - The school recommends keeping children well hydrated throughout the day, even before they feel thirsty. - The school recommends lightweight, loose-fitting, light-colored clothing. - The school recommends applying sunscreen before going outdoors and reapplying it according to product directions. - The school recommends limiting strenuous outdoor activity during the hottest part of the day, typically from late morning to early evening. - The school recommends frequent breaks in the shade or indoors in air-conditioned spaces. - The school warns never to leave a child unattended in a parked vehicle, even briefly. - The school says parents should watch for heat exhaustion signs including excessive sweating, fatigue, dizziness, headache, nausea and unusual irritability. - School officials also urge parents to check local weather forecasts and heat advisories before planning outdoor activities. - Families should modify schedules when temperatures or humidity become excessive. - The school says summer water-based activities support physical activity, social interaction and outdoor exploration. - More information is available at the school’s website.

Between the lines: - The message combines a safety reminder with a marketing-friendly showcase of the school’s summer programming. - The expanded Water Days position the school as both cautioning families about heat risk and offering a practical, child-friendly response.

What's next: - The school plans to continue Water Days through the summer. - Families are expected to keep using the heat-safety guidance as hot weather continues. - Parents seeking an interview with a school spokesperson can contact Dan Rene at 202-329-8357 or dan@danrene.com.