What do you think about the kids going outside for recess?

[baxjul]

It was 96 degrees (105 heat index) yesterday, and 98 degrees (108 heat index) today, and dd's school sends them outside for recess. Yesterday she sent a note home telling the parents to send water bottles because it was extremely hot! DD and her friends are calling it "Hot Recess". Do you think that they should go outside, or stay in?

I'm thinking that they should stay in if it is over 95 degrees out. I mean, yeah, this is Florida, but I don't want any of them to get sick.

[mommy4ever]

We get hot weather here, and we get the extreme opposite -40. So, I'd vote get them outside, as in the winter when it gets cold, there is no way. Once we hit -20ºC with windchill, they keep kids in. We get so little sunlight through winter, that I think it's important they get the sun when they can. I send water bottles with a touch of sea salt in it for the electrolytes, there's not enough to taste it, the kids will drink it

[LexTysMommy]

In Wisconsin I have rules I have to follow for the daycare. If the heat index is above 100 then I cant take daycare kids outside at all. Under that they Recommend going out for at least 10 minutes for air. Also we have air qualities here as well that I must follow. BUT I personally do not take them outside any hotter then 90 or when it is too hot to play for 5 minutes and not sweat. What fun is that?!

SO to end my ramble...I think they should be inside for recess at those temps. Have you tried annonomysly (SP?) calling school board to see what the rules are for the district. That seems awful hot to let that many kids run aroudn outside...then to ask for you to send water bottles!?!?

[GFNancy]

It was 96 degrees (105 heat index) yesterday, and 98 degrees (108 heat index) today, and dd's school sends them outside for recess. Yesterday she sent a note home telling the parents to send water bottles because it was extremely hot! DD and her friends are calling it "Hot Recess". Do you think that they should go outside, or stay in?

I'm thinking that they should stay in if it is over 95 degrees out. I mean, yeah, this is Florida, but I don't want any of them to get sick.

I think here in Sacramento it's 100 degrees before they keep them in side. We don't get humidity though, so I'd think our 100 degrees is a lot more pleasant than Florida's.

Personally, I don't let my kids play outside in the middle of the day if it's over 100. They can play outside in the morning or in the evening when it's cooler though.

I think that's kind of messed up. If the kids are getting so hot that the teachers are worried about their water intake, it's TOO HOT. I'd call the district, find out what the policy is and what the logic behind it is.

Since we start school in the middle of August (!) now, I think most districts should ammend their policies when it comes to playing outside in the heat. When everyone used to start in September, the occasional 95+ temperature would still show up, but it wasn't nearly every day for a couple weeks at a time.

Nancy

[PB&J]

Ours school don't send kids outside if it is over 95 or under 40 degrees.

[annymoll]

When we were kids we used to play out all the time in the heat of the summer. If we stayed in, mom made us work. All the other kids in the neighborhood did the same. No one got sick or overheated.My kids always played out in the summer and winter. Things change.

[Dixie]

Our temps were the same as yours yesterday, Baxjul. The school where my ddil teaches allow the kids to go out for only 10 minute intervals, twice a day.
When I was a kid growing up here, near 'Hotlanta' I don't remember the school ever restricting our recess. We didn't have bottled water, but we sure made use of the water fountain!
In the winter, I do remember a few times that it was too cold to play outside. (Ok, cold for us!,lol)

[FreesiaE]

Sure; I can remember when sometimes the outside felt cooler than the inside since there was no AC, only the occassional donated box fan. I don't think kids spending 15-20 min outside will do any damage.

[Neeley]

The school my kids go to a school that has a total of 36 students from K-12th. They all go outside from 10:30-11:00, 12:30-1:00 and from 2:30-3:00. Then when they finish their last lesson of the day they go outside to play. This is usually around 3:45 and they stay there until their parents come which is between 4:00-5:00. The instructors keep a water cooler outside for them and there is some shade if needed. The kids all also bring water battles from home to keep with them throughout the day.

We have been in the middle of record breaking temps her. For the past 15 days we have gotten above 100* each day and broken high temp records for 9 days. Heat index has been averaging around 104* to 106*. We are in Alabama and we have really high humidity.

My kids are use to it and dress in light clothing. They wear light colored shorts and t-shirts. DS practices football 4 days a week for 2-3 hours each in full pads. They really don't mind the heat.

[baxjul]

I guess I'm just being over protective. There are no shade trees at all on the playground. The teachers sat on the bench with umbrellas. I'm sure that she'll be okay. I used to play outside too, must be I just can't take it anymore!

[lullaby80]

Ours school don't send kids outside if it is over 95 or under 40 degrees.

I think this is a great rule!!

[ilovechocolate]

We have also been breaking records for the high temps, so our school system has been sending out directives. We are NOT to be outside (on carpool duty the other day, one of our campus police officers told us teachers that we weren't supposed to be out--but how else are we going to get the kids in cars to go home?!?!?). We are to make sure that kids stay hydrated. We are to allow kids to drink water before they go home on the un-air conditioned buses. We are to hydrate those severely handicapped students who cannot do it themselves.

The kids are going crazy, being cooped up in the building, but it really is horribly hot. Our students started on August 6 and that is just too early to start school. All of us teachers and lots of parents feel that way but our local leaders just don't quite get it.......

[Dixie]

[QUOTE=ilovechocolate;756800
Our students started on August 6 and that is just too early to start school. All of us teachers and lots of parents feel that way but our local leaders just don't quite get it.......[/QUOTE]

The GA BOE doesn't want to get involved and leaves it to the local boe's, at least that's what I've heard. i think one Atlanta area school started July 30th!

[PurpleButterfly]

I live in Southern Cali, and it is still hot when my kids start. I will dress them in light clothing, make them take a water bottle. If the children really dont want to be outside in the hot weather they can usually go back into thier classroom to read, do puzzles, etc.