Outdoor Activity Guidelines for Extreme Temperatures
When properly clothed, elementary school‐aged children can participate in safe, vigorous play in an outdoor environment in most weather conditions. However, increased caution should be practiced when temperatures reach above 90 degrees or below 40 degrees, including the wind chill factor.
Schools, to the best degree possible, may accommodate reasonable parent requests that a student be allowed to stay indoors. Requests based on health documented reasons will be honored. The parent and school will work to determine when the child should be excluded from outdoor activities due to health concerns.
Cold Weather Precautions
- When the temperature falls below 60 degrees, it is recommended to wear a jacket or coat, long sleeves, and long pants.
- Increased caution should be practiced when the wind chill factor reaches below 40. Wind chill is the temperature a body feels because of wind.
- When the wind chill falls below 30 degrees, it is recommended that students be kept indoors.
- Asthmatic children may need special accommodation of their need during cold weather.
- The parent and school must work to determine when the child should not participate in outdoor activities due to health.
Cold Weather Guidelines
If precipitation occurs in cold weather, reduce exposure time by 20 minutes**
Hot Weather Precautions
- Reduce the intensity and duration of strenuous physical activity initially and gradually increase to accomplish proper acclimatization.
- Fully hydrate students prior to strenuous physical activity.
- Provide access to cool water and schedule frequent rest periods. Teachers should ensure that water is available to all scholars (water bottles, water fountain, etc.)
- Plan strenuous outdoor activities for early morning when possible.
- Be aware of chronic health issues and medications of scholars so that heightened surveillance of scholars with special needs occurs.
- Scholars with certain conditions are at a greater risk of heat stress. Included (but not limited to): cystic fibrosis, asthma, vomiting, diarrhea, fever, obesity, diabetes, chronic heart failure, caloric malnutrition, anorexia nervosa, sweating insufficiency syndrome.
- Check to see if a scholar’s medication has specific precautions regarding heat, sunlight, etc.
- Scholars should be educated on signs of dehydration and heat related conditions. Use a “buddy system” to help scholars monitor each other.
- Implement extra precautions when practicing on concrete or asphalt.
- Watch out for signs of heat related illness.
Hot Weather Guidelines
School Closures & Delays
When inclement weather is in the forecast, Wayside Schools may choose to delay the start of school or cancel school altogether. This is a decision made for the safety of our families and staff.
How and When Are Decisions Made?
Because our campuses are within AISD’s geographical boundaries, our school closures and delays are in line with AISD. Whenever there is compelling information the day before anticipated inclement weather, a decision will be made regarding delays/closures before 9 p.m., if possible. If there is no information before 9 p.m. the day before, a decision will be made the next day by approximately 6 a.m.
How Will I Be Notified?
Wayside Schools will notify parents via email, text, Facebook and Twitter about any school closures. To receive these alerts, please ensure that you are subscribed to our mailing list, and we have your cell phone number on file. In addition, if you are concerned about inclement weather, please monitor your local news channels for an announcement.
Please note that Wayside Schools will only send notifications if school is delayed or cancelled. We will NOT make an announcement if there is no impact to the school schedule.
When Are Make-Up Days?
Each year, Wayside Schools schedules two make-up days, which can be found on our academic calendar. In the event of a school closure due to inclement weather, we will notify parents about these dates.
Are Extracurricular Events Canceled?
In the event of a school cancellation, the campus will remain closed for the entire day. This means that all extracurricular events will be canceled and rescheduled when possible.
How Do Delays Work?
Unless otherwise noted, delays typically mean the school day begins two hours later than usual. This means elementary schools will begin at 9:45 a.m., while Wayside: Middle School will start at 10 a.m. and High School will begin at 10:15 a.m. In these instances, morning Pre-K is canceled and afternoon Pre-K schedule is unchanged.
Drop-off begins 30 minutes prior to the changed start time.
