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Health, Safety, & Wellness » Health & Safety: Heat Advisory

Health & Safety: Heat Advisory

This is a heat advisory to provide recommendations and tips to protect yourself and others from the effects of the heat. Heat waves can be dangerous and can potentially lead to heat stroke. A very high body temperature can damage the brain and other vital organs. Some health conditions can make it even harder for the body to stay cool in hot weather. 


Each school site has water refilling stations for students to use to fill their water bottles. Students will be able to use the stations as often as they need. Fans and air-conditioning will be used throughout the day to ensure adequate air circulation


To protect your student and others when temperatures are very high:


Hydrate:

  • When it’s hot, drink water. Don't wait until you are thirsty to hydrate.
  • Please provide students water breaks, as often as needed.
  • Avoid sugar or caffeinated drinks. Be sure to eat regularly.
  • Pack your student a hydrating snack, such as watermelon, strawberries or cucumber.
  • Encourage students to bring their water bottles with them throughout the day.

Stay cool Indoors:

  • The best way to beat the heat is to turn on air conditioning and fans.
  • Avoid direct sunlight.
  • Apply cool compresses to foreheads to reduce body temperature.

Wear light clothing and sunscreen:

  • Wear lightweight, light-colored, loose-fitting clothing.
  • Wear a hat to keep your head cool.
  • Use sunscreen when out in the sun, reapply as needed (per CA Ed Code, sunscreen is permitted to use on campus without a prescription from a physician).

Schedule outdoor activities carefully:

  • Try to be less active during the hottest part of the day, late afternoon.
  • While outdoors, rest often in a shaded area.
  • Encourage students to drink water often throughout recess or PE

Pace yourself:

  • Start slowly and pick up the pace gradually when outside.
  • Take frequent breaks, as needed.
  • If a student becomes lightheaded, confused, weak or feels faint, stop the activity, get in the shade, hydrate and seek help.

Reference Links:

CDPH Health Guidance for Schools on Sports and Strenuous Activities During Extreme Heat

CDC HeatRisk Website: https://ephtracking.cdc.gov/Applications/HeatRisk/

 

heat advisory

These guidelines are not to be considered exhaustive. Reason and good judgment must be used at each site to protect students and to indicate to parents and the community that the district continues to provide a safe environment for students.

The District is concerned about the welfare of students and has developed some basic guidelines related to hot weather. A high level of student activity can affect a student’s ability to learn and can create health problems for some students on unusually hot days.

  1. Each site should have a thermometer in place to read outside temperatures (can be an app on a smartphone).
  2. When temperatures are between 85° and 95°, the principal will evaluate weather conditions related to temperature such as shade structure, breeze factor, and humidity. A decision will be made concerning a reduction in directed physical activities.
  3. When temperatures are 95° and above, the principal should consider a reduction in PE activities such as running, jumping, and prolonged exposure to the sun. Activities should be adjusted to reduce strenuous exercises. Lunch should be under shade structures or in a classroom/building.
  4. When temperatures reach 100° or over, outside PE activities should be moved indoors if possible.
  5. With all warm days, teachers and aides should be encouraged to remind students to reduce running/exertion activities and allow any student who complains to reduce strenuous activity and staff should monitor. With direct sun, certain areas of a school site may increase heat exposure, such as blacktop or concrete areas. Caution should be taken to observe all students for signs of overexposure.
  6. Students who are abnormally affected by high temperatures should be given special consideration, and require follow-up by the school nurse if needed. These students are identified by parents and health providers.
  7. Each site should develop activities which students may be involved in during critical temperature periods.
  8. Athletic coaches are trained on Heat Illness Prevention and should follow the guidelines per CIF guidelines for extreme heat (SEE BELOW).