5360 - RECESS GUIDELINE FOR HARSH WEATHER

West Clermont Local School District

Administrative Guidelines

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:

	A.	temperature;

	B.	wind chill (see next page);

	C.	age;

	D.	length of time outdoors;

	E.	adequacy of clothing of the children.

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.

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:

	A.	Provide for frequent water breaks or have plastic water bottles easily accessible.

	B.	Watch carefully for possible heat exhaustion or over-exertion but do not give salt tablets, unless authorized.

	C.	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.

Following is a chart which gives the wind chill temperatures. For example, if the temperature is 25 degrees and the wind 20 mph, the wind chill temperature is -4 degrees. In other words, the above mentioned condition of 25 degrees and a wind of 20 mph will have the same effect on the human body as no wind and a temperature of 4 degrees below zero.

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.

WIND-CHILL CHART

Estimated
Wind Speed					Actual Thermometer Reading ^oF.
mph	50	40	30	20		10		0	-10	-20		-30	-40	-50	-60
EQUIVALENT TEMPERATURE ^oF.
Calm	50	40	30	20			10	0	-10		-20	-30	-40	-50	-60
5	48	37	27	16			6	-5	-15		-26	-36	-47	-57	-68
10	40	28	16	4			-9	-21	-33		-46	-58	-70	-83	-95
15	36	22	9	-5			-18	-36	-45		-58	-72	-85	-99	-112
20	32	18	4	-10			-25	-39	-53		-67	-82	-96	-110	-124
25	30	16	0	-15			-29	-44	-59		-74	-88	-104	-118	-133
30	28	13	-2	-18			-33	-48	-63		-79	-94	-109	-125	-140
35	27	11	-4	-20			-35	-49	-67		-82	-98	-113	-129	-145
40	26	10	-6	-21			-37	-53	-69		-85	-100	-116	-132	-148
Wind speeds	LITTLE DANGER FOR						INCREASING				GREAT DANGER
greater than	PROPERLY CLOTHED						DANGER
40 mph	PERSON
little additional
effect							DANGER FROM				FREEZING OF EXPOSED FLESH

To use the chart, find the estimated or actual wind speed in the left-hand column and the actual temperature in degrees F. in the top row. The equivalent temperature is found where these two intersect. For example, with a wind speed of 10 mph and a temperature of �10^o F., the equivalent temperature is � 33^oF. This lies within the zone of increasing danger of frostbite, and protective measures should be taken. (National Science Foundation, Washington D.C.)