RAM Construction Services workers Kevin Hamm of Howell and Joseph Zucca of Westland find some shade during their lunch break Wednesday in downtown Ann Arbor.

Melanie Maxwell | AnnArbor.com

Meanwhile, Washtenaw County deputies are investigating whether a man who was found dead Tuesday in a bathroom at the Ypsilanti District Library had been walking or jogging outside before he collapsed.

The death occurred on a scorching day that reached 94 degrees and pushed the heat index to near 100 degrees. It tied the record high, recorded in 1933.

Today is also pushing record highs, with temperatures in the mid-90s and a heat advisory in effect until midnight.

The majority of Ann Arbor public schools are not air-conditioned and despite mandatory water breaks and shortened recesses, the students are feeling the heat.

Jenny York, a fourth-grade teacher at Allen Elementary, noticed that her students slowed down as the heat swept in.

“It’s definitely harder for them to stay focused,” York said. “But we buckle down and get through it.”

Liz Margolis, district spokeswoman, said that if the temperature is between 85 and 100 degrees with humidity above 70 percent, all athletic events and outdoor after-school activities are canceled.

Due to today’s forecasted heat index, AAPS moved its all-city middle school track meet to Thursday afternoon.

While athletic events may be moved or canceled, the district does not plan to take any days off for the heat, Margolis said.

“We’ve never closed for heat conditions,” she said. “We have some parents who are asking us to do that, but we don’t think that it’s educationally sound. It is uncomfortable in some of our classrooms, but we are getting through the day.”

York said AAPS students aren’t allowed outside for more than 10 minutes without coming inside for a water break.

Construction workers in downtown Ann Arbor aren’t quite as lucky.

Tim Tilton, an inspector for ISC Inspection Services Company inc., has been working at a construction site on Fifth Avenue and East Liberty Street.

“It’s hot out here, but we all have jobs to do,” Tilton said. “The foreman has a cooler full of chilled water for the guys, and we all make sure we don’t go into heat stroke or anything.”

Joe Zacaro, working at the Fifth and Liberty site, said he’s used to the heat, but it still takes its toll.

“I’ve lived in Michigan my whole life,” he said. “And it seems like it just gets hotter and hotter every year.”

As temperatures rise, local authorities are urging residents to take extra care when bringing children or pets along for a car ride.

Ann Arbor Police Lt. Angella Abrams said officers responded to one report of a toddler locked in a car Wednesday afternoon on the city's east side, but said authorities later found the air conditioning was running and the child was in no danger.

She suggested, in general, that if a driver notices uncomfortable heat after sitting in a vehicle for 5 minutes after parking, it isn’t safe to leave anyone in the backseat— even for a quick trip into the grocery store.

Matt Schaecher, supervisor of cruelty rescue department for the Humane Society of Huron Valley, said reports from people concerned for the well-being of animals are up this week.

Reports typically entail animals being left in parking lots as their owners run errands, or animals left in the sun with no shade or water.

Schaecher said pets should be left at home on hot days like today.

Some residents are able to escape the heat at the Shelter Association of Washtenaw County’s cooling center, located on the first floor of the Delonis Center in downtown Ann Arbor.

According to Don Austin, chief operating officer at the Shelter Association, the Delonis Center's cooling site, 312 W. Huron St., is open to anyone when the heat index tops 91 degrees for more than two hours or 95 degrees for any period of time.

“There are a number of conversations going on around the county about what resources are available for people without their own air-conditioning systems to keep cool,” Austin said. “District public libraries are open for public use, and can act as cooling centers” as well.

The good news is that a cool down could be on the way.

According to forecasts, high temperatures will stay below 80 degrees for at least the next 10 days, and scattered thunderstorms are expected for the rest of the week.

Stay up to date with the forecast at AnnArbor.com's weather page.

Ben Freed is a summer intern at AnnArbor.com. You can reach him by email at benfreed@annarbor.com or by phone at (734)-623-4674. Follow him on Twitter @BFreedInA2.