Rockville Centre students treated for heat-related illness

Hours before a line of heavy thunderstorms brought temperatures down 20 degrees on Thursday night, 10 students and one teacher at Riverside Elementary School were treated for heat-related illnesses.

A school district official said that six students were taken to local hospitals by Rockville Centre fire and police personnel — five to South Nassau Communities Hospital and one to Mercy Medical Center. All were given juice or Pedialite and released within an hour. The stricken teacher was also treated and released. The four other children who showed signs of heat exhaustion were taken home by their parents.

School Superintendent Dr. William Johnson said the youngsters were in the auditorium of the school that afternoon, taking part in a dress rehearsal for a concert that night. In addition to ceiling vents, the auditorium had four fans going. The temperature in the room was measured in the mid-80s.

"We always err on the side of caution," said school Superintendent Dr. William Johnson. "So the call will go out if there's any suggestion that there is a problem that our nurse in the building is not prepared to handle.