RECESS GUIDELINE FOR HARSH WEATHER

RECESS GUIDELINE FOR HARSH WEATHER

ag5360Adopted December 5, 2023

5360 - RECESS GUIDELINE FOR HARSH WEATHER

Each principal, in collaboration with staff, is to establish the criteria (weather conditions) for determining, on a day-by-day basis, when recess will be held. The decision may vary from grade to grade.

Conditions that should be considered are:

  1. temperature
  2. wind chill (see below)
  3. humidity
  4. age
  5. length of time outdoors
  6. adequacy of clothing of the children
  7. condition of the playground

Exercise outdoors is healthy and is strongly encouraged. If conditions preclude the full recess time, even a five (5) minute break can revitalize children and prepare them for more sitting and academic learning.

The school's recess guidelines should be placed in the student/parent handbook and/or included in parent orientation meetings.

All staff members who have recess duty need to be familiar with the recess guidelines.

IMPORTANT - Children with special health conditions, in particular, asthmatic children, may need special accommodation of their needs during cold weather or periods of high pollen or inversion. The parents of these children are to be consulted in creating a workable system for determining when other arrangements are necessary and for the child's supervision.

Hot Weather Guidelines:

  1. Provide for frequent water breaks or have plastic water bottles easily accessible.
  2. Watch carefully for possible heat exhaustion or over-exertion but do not give salt tablets, unless authorized.
  3. Plan for less vigorous physical activity after mid-day.

Cold Weather Guidelines

WIND CHILL TEMPERATURES

How cold it feels on a winter day is a complex function of several factors, of which the most important are air temperature and wind speed. The wind moving past the skin during cold weather increases heat loss from the body. As the heat is lost, the body continues to pump new, warm blood to the outer extremities in an attempt to maintain the proper body temperature. If the air temperature is quite low and the wind strong, the body, in some cases cannot keep up with the heat loss and, therefore, the skin temperature decreases. The freezing of exposed portions of the body can result. However, the usual effect of the wind chill is plain old discomfort. Feeling colder than it really is, so to speak.

A chart which gives the wind chill temperatures may be found at www.weather.gov/om/windchill/index.shtml.

It should be noted that water will not freeze until the actual air temperature is 32o F or less, regardless of what the wind chill temperature is.

© Neola 2009