We wanted to share some information to help you prepare your child for school on cold days.
The York Catholic District School Board (YCDSB) has an Extreme Weather Policy that puts in place steps to minimize, to the greatest extent possible, risks associated with extreme temperatures while supporting the Ministry of Education’s directive for daily physical activity for students.
Extreme cold weather is defined as temperatures between -15 and -20 degrees Celsius, including wind chill. The YCDSB uses The Weather Network for information on weather conditions.
Every year, the school principal, with the advice of the Catholic School Council, sets a temperature between -15 and -20 degrees Celsius at which point the school’s Cold Weather Action Plan will be implemented. When the Cold Weather Action Plan is in effect, the principal may operate an indoor recess or a shortened recess. At school, students will also be reminded to dress for the weather and they will be monitored for signs that they are having an adverse reaction to the cold.
Dressing for Cold Weather
The YCDSB’s Active School Travel team has also provided the following tips for cold weather days:
- Wear a base layer
- Wear an insulating layer (wool socks, shirt and pants but not jeans or cotton)
- Wear an outer shell (windproof jacket with a hood and snow pants with elastic or velcro fastening at the cuff)
- Wear insulated waterproof snow boots
- Have a hat that covers the ears (and a spare!)
- Add a neck warmer
- Finish with waterproof mittens
- Keep moving!
- Eat healthy snacks to keep your body going.
- Drink water! Even though it’s cold, the air is dry and your body can become dehydrated.
