Instructional Considerations for Winter Outdoor Activities
- Teacher should discuss frostbite and hypothermia with students and how to recognize and treat.
- Teachers should be aware of students with history of asthma and other respiratory problems and severe allergies. Those students should be encouraged to carry inhaler/auto-injector.
- Students and parents should be informed of the importance of sun protection.
- Students should be informed of the importance of proper hydration.
- Students should be provided with access to water or water bottles and with the opportunity to re-hydrate during activity.
- Teachers should refer to school board policy regarding temperature/weather conditions.
- Teacher must postpone activity if there is an indication of inclement weather severe enough to put student safety at risk.
Equipment/Facilities for Winter Outdoor Activities
- Students should wear appropriate cold-weather outdoor clothing, especially hand and head wear.
- When choosing a location, the teacher should consider the following conditions: sun, wind, wind chill and snow conditions as well as suitability of terrain for the activity.
- If using an outdoor pond or lake, choose a designated and maintained skating area.