Weather Safety Protocols

The Governing Board recognizes that extreme weather may pose significant risks to the health and safety of students participating in physical activities during extreme weather conditions, including students who are at higher risk of health impacts from extreme weather. The Board desires to protect students from such risks. Additionally, because children are particularly vulnerable to the effects of overexposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun and artificial sources, the Board desires to support the prevention of harmful effects of excessive UV radiation exposure by students and to assist students in developing sun-safe habits to use throughout their lives.

Extreme weather conditions means occurrences of unusually severe weather conditions, including, but not limited to, periods of extreme heat, excessive precipitation, and floods, that may pose significant harm to students.  (Education Code 33355)

Physical activity means physical education classes, sports, and athletic practices and games sponsored by a district, except for those relating to an interscholastic athletic program administered by the California Interscholastic Federation.  (Education Code 33355)

The Superintendent or designee shall develop, maintain, and implement weather protocols for extreme weather conditions, which incorporate the standardized guidelines compiled by the California Department of Education and detail specific measures to be taken during extreme weather conditions, including, but not limited to:  (Education Code 33355)

1. Clear criteria for determining when weather conditions are considered extreme weather conditions and warrant modification or cessation of outdoor physical activities
2. Procedures for monitoring weather forecasts and alerts to anticipate extreme weather conditions
3. Protocols for communicating with staff, students, and parents/guardians regarding changes to outdoor activities due to extreme weather conditions
4. Designation of indoor alternative activities that can be safely conducted during extreme weather conditions
5. Staff training on recognizing signs of weather-related distress in students and appropriate response measures
6. Coordination with relevant local agencies and experts to ensure timely access to weather-related information and resources

The district's weather protocols may include:

1. Considering air quality conditions when determining whether outdoor physical activity should be modified
2. Maintaining air quality index thresholds for reducing or discontinuing strenuous outdoor activities
3. Having procedures for relocating activities indoors during periods of poor air quality or wildfire smoke
4. Identifying and maintaining adequate mitigation resources, such as shade structures, hydrations stations, and indoor cooling areas
5. Providing equitable access to mitigation measures across school sites
6. Planning for flexible scheduling to accommodate weather variability

The Superintendent or designee shall annually review, evaluate, and, if necessary, update the weather protocols to incorporate best practices and address any emerging concerns or challenges, and to reflect changes in weather patterns, advances in safety practices, and feedback from stakeholders.  (Education Code 33355)

Sun Safety

The Superintendent or designee shall establish a developmentally appropriate prevention/intervention program for grades transitional kindergarten-12 to prevent student overexposure to UV radiation. The Superintendent or designee may coordinate sun safety and UV radiation education and policy efforts with the California Department of Public Health, the local health department, and other local agencies and/or community organizations. Such school-based programs shall involve students, parents/guardians, and the community.

The Superintendent or designee may incorporate sun safety elements into the curriculum in order to increase students' understanding of the health risks associated with overexposure to UV radiation from the sun or artificial sources and to encourage students to engage in preventive practices.

Students may take reasonable measures to protect their skin and eyes from overexposure to the sun while on campus, while attending district-sponsored activities, or while under the supervision and control of district employees.

To encourage and assist students to avoid overexposure to the sun when they are outdoors, students shall be allowed to:

1. Wear sun-protective clothing, including, but not limited to, hats  (Education Code 35183.5)

2. Wear UV-protective sunglasses outdoors

3. Use sunscreen during the school day without a physician's note or prescription  (Education Code 35183.5)

   Those students using sunscreen shall be encouraged to apply sunscreen at least 15-20 minutes prior to any outdoor activity that will require prolonged exposure to the sun. School personnel shall not be required to assist students in applying sunscreen.

4. Use UV-protective lip balm

The Superintendent or designee shall evaluate the adequacy of shaded and/or indoor areas for recreation at each school and consider the provision of sufficient shaded areas in plans for new construction or modernization of facilities.

The Superintendent or designee may monitor the UV Index and modify outdoor school activities with regard to the risk of harm associated with the Index level.

Staff shall be encouraged to model recommended sun-safe behaviors, such as avoiding excessive sun exposure, using sunscreen, and wearing hats and other sun-protective clothing.

The Superintendent or designee shall inform school staff and parents/guardians of the district's sun safety measures and encourage parents/guardians to provide sunscreen, lip balm, hats, and other sun-protective clothing for their children to use at school. Additionally, the Superintendent or designee may provide information to parents/guardians about the risks of overexposure to UV radiation and preventive measures they may take to protect their children during nonschool hours. 

The District is committed to providing a safe learning environment and protecting students, staff, and visitors from heat-related illness during periods of elevated temperatures and extreme heat events.

These guidelines are established pursuant to California Education Code Section 33355 and are based upon guidance from the California Department of Public Health (CDPH), California Department of Education (CDE), and National Weather Service (NWS).

These procedures apply to:

• Physical Education (PE)
• Recess and lunch activities
• Athletic practices and competitions
• Outdoor classroom and extracurricular activities
• Field days and school events
• After-school programs
• Any other school-sponsored outdoor activity

District Standard for Heat Monitoring

The District shall use the National Weather Service (NWS) HeatRisk Forecast as the primary decision-making tool to determine activity modifications during periods of elevated temperatures and extreme heat.

The District recognizes that heat-related health risks are not determined by temperature alone. The NWS HeatRisk Forecast is a science-based tool that evaluates:

• Forecasted daytime temperatures
• Overnight temperatures
• Duration of heat events
• Local climate conditions
• Population acclimatization
• Potential health impacts

Because HeatRisk considers multiple factors that affect human health, the District will rely on NWS HeatRisk levels rather than fixed temperature thresholds when determining activity restrictions.

Site administrators may implement additional restrictions whenever local conditions warrant a more protective response.

Notwithstanding the NWS HeatRisk level or any other provision of these guidelines, the Superintendent or designee may temporarily modify, relocate, postpone, or suspend outdoor activities whenever weather conditions or other environmental factors present an imminent risk to the health, safety, or well-being of students, staff, or visitors. Such determinations may be based on local conditions, NWS advisories or warnings, air quality conditions, facility limitations, emergency conditions, or any other circumstance that, in the judgment of the Superintendent or designee, warrant additional protective measures.

Daily Heat Monitoring Procedures

The site administrator or designee shall:

1. Review the NWS HeatRisk Forecast each school day when elevated temperatures are forecast.
2. Monitor local weather conditions throughout the day when conditions are expected to worsen.
3. Communicate activity modifications, cancellations, or relocations to affected staff.
4. Implement additional protective measures when necessary.

Additional precautions should be considered when:

• An NWS Heat Advisory is issued.
• An NWS Extreme Heat Warning is issued.
• Multiple consecutive days of elevated temperatures occur.
• Poor air quality occurs simultaneously with heat conditions.
• Students are not acclimated to heat.
• Students have medical conditions that increase sensitivity to heat.

NWS HeatRisk Forecast: https://www.wpc.ncep.noaa.gov/heatrisk/

Quick Reference Guide

Heat Risk Level and Required Action

• 0: Normal activities
• 1: Hydration and monitoring
• 2: Increase breaks and reduce intensity as needed
• 3: Modify activities and move strenuous activities indoors when possible
• 4: Cancel or relocate strenuous outdoor activities

When conditions appear unsafe, staff shall select the more protective option and consult the site administrator.

The safety of students and staff shall remain the District's highest priority during periods of elevated temperatures and extreme heat.