IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT HEAT EXPOSURE AND SCHOOL ACTIVITY

IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT HEAT EXPOSURE AND SCHOOL ACTIVITY


Dear Lafayette School District Community,


I hope all of you are well - and that opening two weeks of school has been calm, focused, and fun. 


This is a brief note about students’ exposure to heat, how to think about outside time, and when the District will step in to limit students’ outside time.


CDPH has offered updated guidance to schools about heat, which I have linked here. The new color coding relates directly to the National Weather Service’s Heat Risk categories, which are updated continually. The color codes account for multiple factors, such as how much warmer it is than typical temperatures in a specific area, the duration of a heat event, overnight temperatures, and the time of year.


Here are key points from the guidance that we should all take into account as you plan outside time with students:


  • Be aware of students in your care who are at higher risk from heat exposure, including students with known medical conditions.
  • Hydration is important as the temperature climbs. Water breaks, as well as encouragement and education to stay hydrated, are important.
  • Moderate to strenuous activity should be limited as the temperature climbs. as should prolonged exposure to the outdoors.

Although CDPH and the National Weather Service do not make explicit reference to temperatures, broadly speaking, the new guidance corresponds to temperature in this way:

Temperature Range

CDPH Color Code

Actions to Take

About 

75-85 degrees

Yellow

Stay hydrated

School staff should monitor students during outdoor time

School Staff should reduce outdoor time for at-risk students

About

85-95 degrees

Orange

Stay hydrated

Stay in the shade

Modify PE and other outdoor activity

School staff should reduce outdoor time from 10am to 5pm

About 95-110 degrees

Red

Stay hydrated

School staff should cancel school day outdoor activity

The District may cancel school day outdoor activity and may begin communication with families, depending on circumstances

About 110+ degrees

Purple

Stay hydrated

The District will cancel school day outdoor activity and communicate with staff and families


It is important to note that air quality (as measured by the Air Quality Index, or AQI) can interact with heat, and may cause additional risks. The District will assess conditions and issue additional information in the event of a weather event that involves both extreme heat and AQI concerns.


As we continue into the warm season, we appreciate your time with this information. Please reach out if you have any questions or concerns.


Sincerely,

Brent Stephens

Superintendent