Thousands of Missouri school children are headed for school…in buildings that are not air conditioned. The number of air-conditioned Missouri schools continues to grow but a lot of the older buildings hold heat well and now they’re starting to hold children.
The state health department’s Lori Harris-Franklin says parents can send their children to school ready to deal with the heat..She suggests light-weight, loose-fitting, clothing for school children, caps with bills that protect the face, and maybe even umbrellas to keep the sun off the child when they’re outside. The department also suggests parents send water to school with their children and that teachers make sure their students have access to plenty of liquids.
Recess might be spent out doors but Harris-Franklin suggests activities be the kinds of things that can be done in the shade with minimum time spent on hot asphalt playgrounds.
She says schools do not often consult with the health department but the department does have suggestions on its website for safe band and athletic practices on days like these.