- Belton School District
- Weather Guidelines for Outdoor Play
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Weather Guidelines for Outdoor Play
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**When a child is healthy enough to attend school, he/she is healthy enough to participate in playground and/or physical education activities in and out of doors. A child may be exempted from physical education and /or outdoor play due to injury or illness with a physician’s note for a specified period of time.**The following guidelines have been established for healthy outdoor play:
Temperature/Heat Recommendations
Outdoor Policy
Heat index 90-95 degrees Fahrenheit Outside for 15-30 minutes or less Heat index greater than 95 degrees Fahrenheit No outdoor play time Air Quality index between 151-200 Vigorous outside activities in morning hours only Air Quality index above 200 No outside recess and physical education classes Recommendations for HEAT: If the heat index is 90 to 95 degrees, or if there is a heat advisory in effect, children should only be outside for short periods of time (15 -30 minutes or less). Time is based on the children’s appearance and behaviors. If the children are running around and playing, and do not exhibit any signs of heat illness, they can be out on the longer end. However, if children are sitting or standing around in the shade, staff are to bring them inside.All teaching, coaching, recess, and nursing staff have been made aware of signs indicating heat illness, including; muscle cramps, paleness or flushing, heavy sweating or complete lack of sweating, skin that is cold or clammy to the touch, excessive tiredness, weakness, dizziness, headaches, nausea, vomiting, or fainting.On “extreme” heat days – it is recommended any scheduled field trips visit inside, air-conditioned locations. If the mode of transportation is in a vehicle without air-conditioning or by walking, the predicted temperature/heat index at the time of return trip must be considered. Most buses, even without air conditioning, still have good circulation when all windows are lowered.Anytime the temperature reaches 85 degrees Fahrenheit or higher, children and staff are encouraged to drink plenty of water while they are in the classroom, at recess, or in the lunchroom. People who are active should drink at least 4 ounces of water every 15 minutes.
Recommendations for COLD:Temperature/Wind Chills
Outdoor Policy
Between 50-30 degrees Fahrenheit Regularly scheduled outdoor play times Between 29-20 degrees Fahrenheit 15-20 minutes maximum Between 19 degrees Fahrenheit and below No outdoor play time We ask children to have winter outerwear such as a winter coat, hat, and gloves each day during the winter season.The cold weather guidelines also apply for BHS students who walk to the Yeokum Center of Innovation for classes and back to BHS. Buses will be provided if the weather is below 19 degrees.