Heat and cold stress are environmental hazards. Because of their unique physiology, young children are more susceptible to temperature extremes and their health effects. Children have greater surface area-to-body mass ratio than adults. Therefore, children do not adapt to extremes of temperature as effectively as adults when exposed to heat stress or to cold. Children produce more metabolic heat per mass unit than adults when walking or running. They also have a lower sweating capacity and cannot dissipate body heat by evaporation as effectively. In cold weather, because they are less able to regulate their body temperature than adults, children can quickly develop a dangerously low body temperature and become hypothermic.
Heat-induced illness and cold injury are preventable and children’s safety is our priority. Coralwood School has the following guidelines in effect to determine if children will be taken outside for recess or Motor class: Staff are to check wsbtv.com for the most up to date temperature. If the “Feels Like”temperature is below 40 degrees or above 90 degrees, students will stay inside. Also, children will stay inside if the Air Quality Index (AQI) is 101 (Code Orange) or higher.
We understand the need for children to be active and get plenty of physical activity. When the outdoor conditions are not conducive for recess or Motor class, Motor class will be held in the Motor Room and teachers do have resources for indoor recess movement activities. Therefore, our children will get opportunities for the exercise and physical activity that they need while being safe from extreme temperatures.