Just a reminder:
Students should be suitably dressed for current and forecasted weather conditions (in winter clothing, including snow pants, socks and warm boots, not shoes). They are expected to play outside before the 9:03 am bell and during morning and lunch recess periods. Students remain outside of the school until the bell rings. A general guideline for coming inside is when winter temperatures reach below -20°C, but they still need to be fully prepared every day as we know that weather warms up and cools down throughout the day. In addition, classes often go outside for Daily Physical Activity, or outdoor learning.
Consistent with CBE guidelines, we begin to monitor the local weather conditions on our schoolyard very carefully for when temperatures fall below -20°C. On these days, we will:
1. Shorten the length of time students are outdoors.
2. Make announcements to remind students to wear appropriate winter wear.
3. Monitor as students are getting ready to go outside to ensure that they are wearing appropriate clothing for the weather.
4. Provide access to an entrance off of the back of the school to come in and warm up if needed.
5. Keep classes inside if the wind is really blowing.
When walking / outdoor field trips are modified, students will go a shorter distance, stay out for less time, stay closer to available buildings or structures, as well as be monitored and asked to communicate when they are cold.
Caring for your children is a top priority for our staff.
Tips to Keep Kids Safe in Cold Weather
As indicated above, on most cold winter days students will continue to have regularly scheduled outdoor play time at school. Students will be safe and have fun outdoors if they:
1. Dress in layers, with a wind resistant outer layer
2. Wear a winter jacket, snow pants, and a warm hat or hood
3. Have waterproof mittens or insulated gloves (thin fabric gloves are not warm enough and soak through easily)
4. Have something to cover their face, such as a scarf, neck tube or facemask
5. Wear warm and waterproof footwear (not running shoes or rubber boots)
6. Have extra socks and mittens / gloves in their backpack in case they get wet
*In case of an unplanned fire alarm during very cold weather, students are expected to wear shoes when indoors at all times. We also recommend wearing warmer clothing to school (pants / sweater shirts / tall socks rather than leggings / shorts / shirts / short sleeved shirts / ankle socks) or keeping a long-sleeved hoodie / sweatshirt / sweater nearby.
If you need assistance obtaining warm winter gear for your child that fits, please email mlbrinson@cbe.ab.ca so we can help you out.