Recess Temperatures

[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?

[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.

[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.

[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?

[GLC1968]

Elementary school with a gym? Must be nice!

WAIT?! Most elementary schools don't have gyms? All the ones I attended did (and I attended 5 in three different states)! Have things changed a lot since I was a kid?

(I don't have my own kids, so this is not something I'd pay attention to... I'm just curious)

[Irulan]

The kids might melt if they go out in the rain,too.

[Possegal]

My mother told me that when we were really little, she'd bundle us in our snowsuits, put us in our crib, and open all the windows to the cold winter air. That was her busy-mum-of-six way of making sure we got our fresh air.

[Veronica]

No gyms at any of the elemtary schools in my district. We do have a cafeteria and the kids spend their lunch recess in there on rainy days, playing board games. Maybe it's a CA thing. We had a gym at my elemtary school in Maine, but my school was the old town high school.

It's not the same as getting out and running around though.

Veronica

[shootingstar]

For the elementary school teachers,

Ever thought how immigrant children from warmer climates now living in colder climates adjust on the playground?

And there are tons of them in the major Canadian cities!! From southern Asia, the Carribbean etc. As long as the children are dressed warmly and playing/socializing with others, it's a good thing.

I witnessed first-hand the delight of my cousins' 2 sons, ages 9 & 7 at the time, of their first snowflurries, 3 months after they immigrated to Canada from southern China...which is tropical. It really was something to see. They wanted to be outdoors to play.

(And people complain that immigrants can't adjust, assimilate. Good heavens.)