INSTRUCTION Participation Guidelines for Outdoor Activities Guidelines for Excessive Heat

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Jeremy Holt
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1 Notice To: Principals, Athletic Directors, Athletic Coordinators, Health and PE Teachers, and Coaches Approved By: Rita Everett Goss, Associate Superintendent for Student Learning and Accountability Contact Person: Kelly Gardner, Supervisor of Health, Physical, and Driver Education, and Student Activities July 22, 2016 Participation Guidelines for Outdoor Activities This notice will expire June 30, This notice addresses the actions to be taken by schools and school personnel when weather conditions may impact school activities during or after school. Included in this notice are guidelines for the following: 1) Physical Education classes and recess during Heat Advisory Alerts (Attachment I); 2) Extracurricular Activities (athletic practices, marching band, etc.) during Heat Advisory Alerts (Attachment II); 3) Air Quality/High Ozone Alerts (Attachment III); 4) Cold Weather (Attachment IV); and 5) Thunder and Lightning. Guidelines for Excessive Heat When extreme heat conditions exist for outdoor athletic and marching band activities, teachers, coaches, principals, activity directors, and athletic trainers will consult this regulation to identify the appropriate action for activities for that day. Alerts may be issued separately for Heat Advisories and Air Quality Index for Ozone Alerts. Each may require a different response for outdoor athletic activities and regular outdoor class activities. The charts attached are for your use to institute the appropriate action. Principals (or their designee), athletic directors, athletic trainers, and coaches are expected to follow the appropriate guidelines concerning the participation in physical education class activities, recess, and athletic outdoor activities for all practice and game participation. Guidelines for Physical Education Classes and Recess During Heat Advisory Alerts Attachment I This chart will provide the action to be taken for all students during the school day when Heat Advisories are posted. Guidelines for Extracurricular Activities During Heat Advisory Alerts Attachment II This chart will provide the action to be taken for all athletic practices, marching band practices, or other after school activities that require students to be outside after school hours when Heat Advisories are posted.

2 Notice July 22, 2016 Page 2 Guidelines for Air Quality/High Ozone Alerts for all Activities Attachment III This chart provides information on the appropriate action to be taken when Air Quality/High Ozone alerts are issued. Action that is to be taken is provided for normal school day activities and for extracurricular activities. Guidelines for Cold Weather Attachment IV When the temperature goes below 32 degrees, teachers and administrators should exercise caution when taking students outside for physical education classes and recess. When outside, all students shall be wearing appropriate clothing and should remain physically active. For all athletic practices, marching band practice, or other after school activities that require students to be outside after school hours, the air/wind temperature should not be below 30 degrees with the following stipulations: 1) Coaches/sponsors are responsible for making sure all students are appropriately dressed and wearing adequate layers. 2) Athletes/students should be engaged in constant activity. 3) Game cancellations and practice modifications due to cold weather will be made on an individual site basis by the Director of Student Activities. Practice and Game Guidelines during Thunder and Lightning The National Lightning Safety Institute teaches this safety slogan If you can see it flee it; if you can hear it clear it. Lightning is the most frequent weather hazard impacting athletic events. Education is the single most important means to achieve lightning safety. When you hear thunder or see lightning, fields should be cleared. All participants should seek the closest safe structure immediately. 1) When thunder is heard, or a cloud-to-ground lightning bolt is seen, the thunderstorm is close enough to strike your location with lightning. Suspend play and take shelter immediately. 2) Thirty Minute Rule. Once play has been suspended, wait at least 30 minutes after the last thunder is heard or flash of lighting is witnessed prior to resuming play. 3) Any subsequent thunder or lightning after the beginning of the 30 minute count, reset the clock and another 30 minute count should begin. Evacuation Plan: The closest safe structure is any sturdy building normally occupied or frequently used by people, i.e., a building with plumbing and/or electrical wiring that acts to electrically ground the structure. Avoid using shower facilities for safe shelter and do not use the showers or plumbing facilities during a thunderstorm. In the absence of a sturdy, frequently inhabited building, any vehicle with a hard metal roof (not a convertible or golf cart) and rolled-up windows can provide a measure of safety. A vehicle is certainly better than remaining outdoors. It is not the rubber tires that make a vehicle a safe shelter but the hard metal roof which dissipates the lightning strike around the vehicle. Do not touch the sides of the vehicle.

3 Notice July 22, 2016 Page 3 If no safe structure or location is within reasonable distance, find a thick grove of small trees surrounded by taller trees or a dry ditch and follow guidelines below. 1) Assume a crouched position on the ground with only the balls of the feet touching the ground, wrap your arms around your knees and lower your head. Minimize your body s surface area, and minimize contact with ground. Do not lie flat. 2) Be farther than 50 yards from the tallest trees or object since the lightning flash will search for up to 50 yards for a ground strike. Do not take shelter under a single, tall tree. A person, who feels his or her hair stand on end or skin tingle, should immediately crouch as described in item 1. How to Determine the Heat Index The heat index or real feel temperature can be determined by the following methods: Heat index information is provided by all weather services and is available online at Choose a location closest to you for the most accurate reading. The heat index will vary from one location in the county to another. Athletic trainers may use the Wet Bulb Readings (use of a Sling or Digital Psychrometer) to determine local heat index to determine level of participation of athletes. Athletic trainers will perform readings between 11-11:30 a.m. and take the appropriate action in accordance with the direction provided in this notice. Information will be given to the Supervisor of Athletics by 11:30 a.m. A decision can be made by Central Office by noon, if necessary. The heat index can be determined by combining temperature and relative humidity readings and using the following chart to determine the heat index. HEAT INDEX CHART Relative Humidity (%) 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100% Temp 105º º º º º º º º º º º º º º º º Heat related illnesses that are possible when the heat index reaches: Index of 90 to 105 Sunstroke, heat cramps, and heat exhaustion possible with prolonged exposure or physical activity. Index of 105 to 130 Sunstroke, heat cramps, and heat exhaustion likely with prolonged exposure or physical activity.

4 Notice July 22, 2016 Page 4 HUMITURE RECOMMENDED ACTION 105º and up: Recommend no outside activities. 95º to 104º: Recommend no equipment (helmets, pads, etc.) be used during activity. 90º to 94º: Recommend equipment be removed as often as possible (during rest breaks, on sideline, etc.). Careful monitoring of all athletes for signs of heat problems. Below 89º: Recommend adequate water supply at all practices and competitions with breaks every 20 to 30 minutes for rehydration. Attachments: Attachment I Attachment II Attachment III Attachment IV PRINCE WILLIAM COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS

5 Attachment I Notice Prince William County Public Schools Guidelines for Physical Education and Recess During Extreme Hot and Humid Weather Conditions Level Heat Duration Fluid Consumption and Recommendations Index 1 <87 Normal class time/recess Insist that adequate water be ingested every minutes. Never restrict water consumption Time as allotted by school program. Normal class time/recess. Insist that adequate water be ingested every 20 minutes with helmet removal. Provide minimum of 3 water breaks per hour. Make water available throughout /2 hours, every 45 minutes of work > 15 minutes of rest each hour. Reduce class/recess time to ½ for outside activities. class. Insist that adequate water be ingested every 20 minutes. Reduce intensity of activity. Re-hydrate 24 ounces for every pound of body weight lost per day. Follow the Heat Policy for practices/activities conducted indoors NO OUTDOOR ACTIVITY Insist that adequate water be ingested every 15 minutes (allow 3-5 minutes for water break). Re-hydrate 24 ounces for every pound of body weight lost per day. Follow the Heat Policy for practices conducted indoors NO OUTDOOR ACTIVITY Outdoor Activity Practice Level Humiture WBT Equipment Restrictions Work/Rest Ratio Green - 1 <87 <75 Full uniform Yellow Remove helmet when not active in drill Orange Remove helmet when not active in drill 50 minute work / 10 minute rest per hour 45 minute work / 15 minute rest per hour Red No equipment* 45 minute work / 15 minute rest per hour Black No outside practice * Field Hockey Goalies may wear full protective equipment not to exceed 10 minutes on 20 minutes off cycle for live goal tending drills.

6 Prince William County Public Schools Guidelines for Extracurricular Activity During Extreme Hot and Humid Weather Conditions Attachment II Notice Level FWBT Heat Duration Attire Fluid Consumption Recommendations Index 1 Less than <87 3 hours Full Gear Insist that adequate Never restrict water consumption 60 fluid be ingested <87 3 hours Full Gear Insist that adequate fluid be ingested Provide minimum of 2 water breaks per hour <87 3 hours Full Gear Insist that 4 6 oz. of fluid be ingested every Provide minimum of 3 water breaks per hour hours hours, every 45 minutes of work > 15 minutes of rest each hour* hours 6 every 45 minutes of work > 15 minutes of rest each hour* up 105> NO OUTDOOR PRACTICE Remove helmets unless active in drill Protective equipment removed for non-contact drills Shirt, shorts only No helmets or equipment 20 minutes Insist that 6 8 oz. minimum fluid be ingested every 20 minutes Insist that 8 10 oz. fluid be ingested every 15 minutes Insist that 8 10 oz. fluid be ingested every 15 minutes Re-hydrate 24 oz. for every pound of body weight loss per day Monitor athletes and rest as needed Removal of helmet unless active in drill, removal of pads (i.e., shoulder pads) when teaching or non-contact portions of practice exceed 10 minutes in length Reduce intensity of activity, no equipment or helmets Practices conducted indoors must follow the Heat Policy

7 Attachment III Notice Prince William County Public Schools Air Quality/Heat Guidelines RESPONSIBILITIES: Information from the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments that is available to the public will be used to guide decisions about appropriate activity levels for students on high heat or high ozone alert days. The ozone forecast is based upon meteorological data; it is available and updated one (1) to three (3) times a day from May through September when ground ozone is most problematic. The Air Quality Hot Line can be reached at or on the Web at The information is reported daily in the form of a color code as follows. You can review the information map that directly impacts your area. Guidelines for Activity during Air Quality Ozone Alerts/High Ozone Alerts When the air quality has reached or is anticipated to reach Code Orange or Code Red the following guidelines will be implemented by the school principal/designee. AIR QUALITY ALERT Guidelines for Outside Activities Alert Level Meaning Group and Consideration Action for Outdoor Class & Activities Code Green Good Air No action necessary 0-50 Quality Code Yellow Moderate Air No action necessary Code Orange Code Red Code Purple Quality Unhealthy for sensitive groups Very Unhealthy Very Unhealthy People with heart or lung disease, older adults, and children should reduce prolonged activity or exertion People with heart or lung disease, older adults, and children should avoid prolonged activity or exertion; everyone else should limit strenuous outdoor activity Everyone should avoid prolonged or heavy exertion, especially outdoors Students with respiratory diseases and asthma should refrain from outdoor activity No outdoor recess and no outdoor physical education activities No outdoor recess and no outdoor physical education activities Action for Athletic & Extracurricular Activities No action necessary No action necessary Students with respiratory diseases and asthma should be closely monitored All outdoor physical activity shall be suspended between 11 a.m. and 6 p.m. No outdoor sports or activities; no outdoor marching band practice

8 Guidelines for Extracurricular Activity during Extreme Cold Weather Attachment IV Notice Level Temperature, Wind Chill and/or Real Feel Readings degrees F degrees F 3 30 degrees F or below Attire Recommendations Options Activity Level Athletes must have ears, head, and throat covered and light gloves. All athletes must wear one (1) layer of clothing. No shorts or t-shirts. Athletes must have ears/head and throat covered and light gloves. All athletes must wear two (2) layers of clothing. Recommendation: the layer closest to the skin should be polypropylene, if available; The second layer should be wool or fleece for warmth. A third layer, should be a wind-proof and rainproof slicker. No activities or practices outside Notify administrators, coaches, and students of the potential for cold injuries. Notify administrators, coaches, and students of the potential for cold weather injuries. Outdoor activities/practices are limited to one (1) hour. Monitor for cold related illnesses (frostbite or hypothermia) If not clothed properly: going home, calling home for someone to bring them outdoor gear, or practicing inside under the supervision of a coach. If not clothed properly: going home, calling home for someone to bring them outdoor gear, or practicing inside under the supervision of a coach. Athletes should be engaged in constant activity, with standing periods limited to 15 minutes. Athletes should be engaged in constant activity. WHAT IS WIND CHILL? Wind chill is the human perception of temperature created by the combination of the actual temperature and the additional heat loss from exposed skin caused by the wind. This is how cold it "feels" outside (the apparent temperature). The higher the wind speed and the lower the temperature, the greater the wind chill effect. Wind chill does not affect inanimate objects, nor does it affect humans who are sheltered from the wind. If the actual air temperature is 40 F and the wind speed is 10 miles per hour (mph), the apparent temperature is 28 F; at 32 F with a 10-mph wind speed, the apparent temperature is 21 F. Go to for an online wind chill calculator.

9 WHEN IS IT TOO WINDY TO SEND STUDENTS OUTDOORS? Professional judgment should provide the answer to this question. Keep in mind that the wind speed on your playground will depend on the natural shelter created by topography, trees, and other barriers that may deflect the wind. Do not rely on forecasted wind speeds. Refer instead to the wind force scale below to estimate local wind speed. The effect that increasing wind speed has on wind chill must also be considered. It is recommended that when sustained wind speed is in the moderate range younger students be kept indoors. HOW DO I KNOW WHAT THE WIND SPEED IS? The following terms used by the National Weather Service are based on the Beaufort (Wind Force) Scale: Calm - smoke rises vertically. (0-1 mph) Light Air Direction - of wind shown by smoke drift, but not by wind vanes. (1-3 mph) Light Breeze - Wind felt on face; leaves rustle; ordinary vane moved by wind. (4-7 mph) Gentle Breeze - Leaves and twigs in constant motion; wind extends light flag. (8-12 mph) Moderate Breeze - Raises dust (consider the eye hazard) and loose paper; small branches are moved. (13-18 mph) Fresh Breeze - Small trees in leaf begin to sway; wavelets form on puddles. (19-24 mph) Strong Breeze - Large branches in motion; whistling in power lines; umbrellas useless. (25-31 mph) HOW DO I GET DETAILED INFORMATION ON CURRENT LOCAL WEATHER CONDITIONS? The best source of local weather information is a weather radio. Regional information is available from radio and television broadcasts. Current weather information is also available from Accuweather ( the National Weather Service ( and the Weather Channel (

Weather Policy. Overview. Monitoring Weather

Weather Policy. Overview. Monitoring Weather Overview Iona College Sports Medicine recognizes the importance of closely monitoring heat and cold conditions for practices and competitions. Especially in extreme cases of heat or cold, athletes are