Do you think it is fair for schools to..?

Question

make children go outside at recess when the weather is up to minus 27 degrees? Thats the rule where I live but it is mighty cold then. What are your opinions?

Answer 1

Is the school looking for a lawsuit?? No way!! Our school used to only be above -3 windchill and above 0 degrees i tihnk. but no way, that's too cold.

Answer 2

I work at a school in Colorado. I am one of the people who supervises recess. We keep the kids outside as long as the wind chill is over 23 degrees. Because the weather here can be so fickle (sunny and warmish and then freezing a little later) kids don't always dress appropriately but yet they still have to stay outside. We (the people who are outside with the kids) have little if any control over whether or not we get to come inside. There have been many times where I think we should've but the higher up people (principal) keep us out. There have been times it's been raining and turning to snow and we stayed outside way longer than we should have. When it does snow though, we have a number of indoor activities for the kids to do but after a few days they do start to get stir crazy so I think that's one reason that people try to keep them outside as long as possible.

Answer 3

When we lived in Fairbanks, AK I think the rule was -40 degrees F. Different rules for different places but I have to side with the school on this one. The actual temperature is less important than the fact that a rule is established and enforced. That is, you know what to expect.

Sorry, I know that isn't what you wanted to hear but that's my opinion.

BTW, While in Fairbanks I worked outside on one occasion when the temperature/wind chill factor was off the scale. And the scale went to -125 degrees F. That, my young friend, was cold too. All you could do was get in the lee of something to get some relief. I think the ambient temperature was about -65 degrees F.

If you want to hear weird, We lived in Phoenix, AZ for 5 years and went directly to Fairbanks, AK for 3 years. Now the weird part: I loved both places and would return to either tomorrow.

Answer 4

Well I know the lady in Michigan is wrong. Not all schools in Michigan do that. Most schools and districts follow the guidelines of if the windchill is zero below then children must stay inside.
And don't blame the teachers and principals. It is a state mandated thing. Teachers and principals are the ones outside watching them in the cold.
Why not have all the parents who are against it help out. They coud volunteer to come to the schools and set up sporting events in the gym with two hundred children for twenty minutes.
Great idea.
Or they could travel from classroom to classroom and teach the children games.....or computer skills, etc.

Answer 5

Wow that should be considered child abuse. I live in Michigan & none of the schools let the children out for recess if the temp is below 30. They do however send home note a few times a year asking you to send children w/ boots snow pants, gloves etc. so they can play in the snow. Yes that is uderlly rediculous I would not allow my child to go outside in that kind of weather, I would just tell the principal NO!

Answer 6

I'm not sure where you live that it gets to minus 27 degrees. I can't imagine any school sending kids outside if it were that cold. My daughter's school has a policy that the kids go out for recess unless it is raining or extremely muddy. If the kids were to stay inside all day they would be more likely to get sick and they'd go stir crazy.

Answer 7

I don't agree with kids being outside when the temps are real low. My oldest daughter is allergic to cold weather so for her I would be raising cain at the school. Our school is really good about things though. They don't allow the kids outside if the temps fall below a certain point. I would talk to the school if you feel it is a concern for your child. They should be willing to keep him/her inside during recess. I know our school won't allow mine outside if it's 50*f or lower per my request. She can't be in it longer than going from car to door or something quick like that. Just talk to your school. Make sure you have warm enough clothing for your child as well as a thick coat, gloves, scarf, and hat.

Answer 8

Our school district has a strict policy when it comes to the weather. If the wind chill is below zero they are on a 2hr delay. If the temperature drops below 20 they are not allowed outside for recess. We have a great number of kids that walk to school & the school superintendent has a son in the same grade as our son. I think that helps. Personally, I would send a note to school that prevents my child from going outside when the temperature dropped below something you are comfortable with.

Answer 9

Yes I think it's fine. Kids need to exercise and sitting in a classroom all day drives them "crazy". As long as they are dressed appropriately they will be fine. My daughter grew up in Central New York and they had MANY minus 27 days outside she managed to live through it and is now almost 21 years old.

Answer 10

That is so wrong! My daughter (7 yr old) is at a school where the rule is if it too cold or raining they stay inside. I can't believe that they think it's OK to have them out in that weather! I live in Jersey and it is getting cold, if that was the rule at my daughter's school. I would talk to someone in high authority to get something done ASAP! I feel for you, tell your son/daughter to tell the people that are telling him/her to go outside ,to sit out there with them! Jerks!

Answer 11

It is unacceptable for the children to be out in that type of cold. I hope the principal and all the staff are forced to be outside to show their "support " of this ridiculous policy.If the staff isn't outside I'd contact the school board and find out why the staff can stay indoors, drink a coffee and stay warm while their students are outside shivering.