Recess Temperatures

[jobob]

When I was a kid in western MA, elementary school was fairly close to home, but both jr high and high school were about a mile away -- I lived a few blocks shy of the school bus-eligible boundary in both instances.

I remember in particular walking with a neighbor to high school during the winter over snow so cold it squeaked, and be chanting in our newly-learned Spanish "¡Muy frio! ¡Es muy frio!"

Oh, and in elementary school, we had one of those tongue-frozen-on-cold-metal incidents during recess. I kid you not.

[Irulan]

Oh good Lord. Let's bubble wrap kids some more.

[zoom-zoom]

10ºF is the limit that my son's school has in place, which seems reasonable to me. I think when I was growing up the limit was 0.

Seriously, I am starting to think people south of the Mason-Dixon are kinda wussy. I have friends in TX and Alabama and they whine when it gets below 50 that it is too cold to go outside (most runners will agree that 50 is ideal for running). Then all Summer long they whine that it's too hot. These are people who use treadmills more than 6 months of the year and think I'm nuts when I go running in below-freezing or even sub-zero temps with ample snow on the ground. I think they are nuts for being willing to run or bike indoors when the roads are dry and temps are not dangerous in either extreme.

[MartianDestiny]

Seriously, I am starting to think people south of the Mason-Dixon are kinda wussy.

Not really. It's what you are used to and what you are prepared for; especially when it comes to cold (hot you can't really do much about). I lived in Ga most of my life, and indeed WAS miserable at ~40.

I now live in CO, and while I still prefer 75 and sunny, am happy down to the upper 20's. Why? I think some of it may be the different humidity and wind levels, so it does feel slightly different. But primarily? I'm prepared for it. I've spent a small fortune on GOOD cold weather gear that you can't even really FIND much less purchase or justify in Ga. That makes a WORLD of difference.

[PamNY]

Not really. It's what you are used to and what you are prepared for; especially when it comes to cold (hot you can't really do much about). I lived in Ga most of my life, and indeed WAS miserable at ~40.

I now live in CO, and while I still prefer 75 and sunny, am happy down to the upper 20's. Why? I think some of it may be the different humidity and wind levels, so it does feel slightly different. But primarily? I'm prepared for it. I've spent a small fortune on GOOD cold weather gear that you can't even really FIND much less purchase or justify in Ga. That makes a WORLD of difference.

I agree with this exactly. I lived in the South and 40 degrees in Georgia or Florida is miserable. I think part of it is humidity. Plus, it doesn't make sense to invest in good cold weather gear (or even good wool blankets) in those places. I'm in NYC now and well prepared to dress for anything. It doesn't get terribly cold here, but I like to be outdoors, so I'm ready.

As far as the kids and recess, I bike down to 20 degrees or so, and I do see some kids in the park playgrounds. But they are acclimated and they have the clothing for it. And they are having fun.

[Veronica]

Well the OP is in MO. I went to school in St Louis. It seems to me winters were pretty darn cold. She's not talking about some weird weather. I would imagine most winter days in MO were sub 40 degrees.

I can't imagine keeping the kids in EVERY day all winter long.

Veronica

[GLC1968]

Well the OP is in MO. I went to school in St Louis. It seems to me winters were pretty darn cold. She's not talking about some weird weather. I would imagine most winter days in MO were sub 40 degrees.

Yeah, I noticed that after I posted and I totally agree with you. That is ridiculous. I have family that lives just outside of St Louis and the winters there can be VERY cold (and summers VERY hot). 40 degrees as a cut off is really, really strange in that environment.

Plus, kids have wicked metabolisms. 40 degrees to them probably feels more like 60 degrees to the rest of us. Why do you think you have to remind most kids to put on coats all the time?

[uforgot]

When I was a kid in western MA, elementary school was fairly close to home, but both jr high and high school were about a mile away -- I lived a few blocks shy of the school bus-eligible boundary in both instances.

I remember in particular walking with a neighbor to high school during the winter over snow so cold it squeaked, and be chanting in our newly-learned Spanish "¡Muy frio! ¡Es muy frio!"

Oh, and in elementary school, we had one of those tongue-frozen-on-cold-metal incidents during recess. I kid you not.

When I ride my bike to school I see lots of parents, sitting with their kids in the car at the end of the DRIVEWAY! The weather doesn't matter, they are always there.

Oh, and did you catch the Mythbusters and the frozen metal/ tongue episode? It's true...

[lph]

I agree with Grog, and think you have to take into consideration what the normal temperature range is around there. Here in Oslo everyone is used to temps down to -10 to -15 C, but -15 to -20 is quite rare. It happens, but not every winter, and not for long. Last week we had a cold snap, and when it was colder than -15 C the kids were allowed to stay indoors for recess. I think it was a combination of a bit too much hassle to get dressed, and that some of them maybe didn't have warm enough clothes. Not everybody around here is born and raised in a cold climate.

[TsPoet]

Is ice/slick playground the issue? According to my car (which is my authority), the roads might be slick when it gets <37 degrees F. My car has never been right, though.
but, that was my first thought for the regulation, slip and fall problems?

[SadieKate]

uforgot, Is 40F unusually cold for your area? Do you have many children who don't own the appropriate clothing due to poverty? And what about windchill taking it sub-freezing?

40F to a Floridian is pretty miserable and s/he probably doesn't have the clothes to deal with the temperature.

40F for a Minnesotan in winter is a heat wave and time for short sleeves.

[sfa]

I agree that these things tend to be relative, and a lot should depend on whether or not the kids have the clothing appropriate for the weather (not necessarily a poverty issue as someone suggested--it could well be that it doesn't make sense for *anyone* to buy snow boots or warm parkas if the normal winter includes no snow and temps in the 50's).

But 40 degrees still seems pretty warm (says me, living south of the Mason Dixon line!) to keep kids indoors during recess. My daughter's school has a cutoff of 25 degrees, although if it's dry and not windy they'll often send the kids out in colder weather, and if it's wet or really windy, they might keep them indoors. Even if they have indoor recess, they still get the run of the gym so they can burn off some steam.

Sarah

[GLC1968]

I agree that these things tend to be relative, and a lot should depend on whether or not the kids have the clothing appropriate for the weather (not necessarily a poverty issue as someone suggested--it could well be that it doesn't make sense for *anyone* to buy snow boots or warm parkas if the normal winter includes no snow and temps in the 50's).

Ditto this.


As an aside - when I was in grade school in Wisconsin, school was canceled when temps dropped below -20F because it was too dangerous to be standing around at the bus stop. I think windchill was colder than -50F or something... now THAT's cold.

[Veronica]

Elementary school with a gym? Must be nice!

Speaking as a teacher, it's darn hard to be "on" all morning. If it's raining and I have no prep time (like today) I am "on" with no break from 8:15 - 12:30.

Yes, I want to get them out for their 15 minute recess so I can turn my brain off! Oh and a trip to the restroom would be welcome.

Veronica

[SadieKate]

sfa, when I googled this issue I found many references to kids not having the clothing due to poverty. Hence, all the Coats for Kids programs run in many communities.

Not having the clothing because it's a freaky weather spell is a different problem covered in an "act of nature" clause.