FALL-LIKE WEATHER MOVING IN

While it may be too soon to claim an end to summer weather, a cold front pushing through the region should bring relief from summer's heat.

Daytime highs today are expected to be between 75 and 80 degrees.

"We will probably have some shower and thunderstorm activity moving through ahead of the front," said Butch Dye with the National Weather Services. "Then a little drier and much cooler air will filter into your area."

The cooler weather should stick around through the weekend, Dye said. A warming trend is predicted to Saturday, but highs should top out in the mid-80s.

That's welcome relief for Dr. Dan Tallent, Cape Girardeau school superintendent. Schoolchildren have attended just one full day of classes since the school began Aug. 27.

"We would like to have a full day of school," Tallent said, after dismissing classes early Tuesday because of the heat.

On Tuesday, the heat index in classrooms was 109 degrees. "We can't expect students and teachers to function in that kind of heat," Tallent said.

If humidity levels would drop, classroom temperatures would be more bearable. On Tuesday, the humidity registered at 77 percent in classrooms. The temperature was 90 degrees.

Some parents have been inconvenienced by early dismissals, which aren't announced until midmorning.

Tallent said, "We can't presume in advance that it's going to be hot. We have to wait and see what the weather is going to be."

In addition to troubles for parents, the shortened schedule has caused problems for teachers who are attempting to establish a routine at the beginning of the school year.