Purpose
● To ensure effective management of students at RIS Ruamrudee International School during extreme heat.
● To state guidelines for outdoor activity during specific Heat Index ranges.
● To protect children and staff from the environmental effects of heat-related illness.
Rationale
The RIS Heat Management Policy has been designed to ensure that all students and staff at RIS Ruamrudee International School are protected from Heat-Related illnesses. This policy will be implemented for all outdoor-related activities at RIS, including before-school, during-school, and after-school hours.
The activity modifications below will be in effect when the Heat Index exceeds 33 degrees.
LEVEL 1 – CAUTION
Heat index below 33°C
The following actions are standard prevention and response practices for all RIS-affiliated outdoor activities, including during school hours and after-school hours.
- The School shall provide an adequate water supply at all teaching stations.
- Students should be encouraged to wear hats when outside in MS, HS, and ES.
- All students should bring a water bottle to school and utilize it throughout the day.
- Spend transitions, rest periods, and direct teaching moments in shaded areas around facilities where possible.
- Students showing signs and symptoms of heat-related illness should withdraw from the activity and be escorted to the nurse
- Students who want to take a break should do so at any time.
- Students should drink water every 10-15 minutes during exercise or outdoor activities.
LEVEL 2 – EXTREME CAUTION
Heat index 33 to 40.9 °C
All actions as per Heat Index Level 1 and additionally:
- During competitive and training matches, students should be rotated out on a regular basis.
- Recommended water breaks every 10 – 15 minutes when students are outdoors.
- Water breaks and instruction should take place in shaded areas when possible.
- Students showing signs and symptoms of heat-related illness should withdraw from the activity and be escorted to the nurse.
- Athletics: Fans/Iced Towels should be utilized for outdoor activities.
LEVEL 3 – DANGER
Heat index 41.0 to 44.9 °C
All actions as per Heat Index Level 2 and additionally:
- A message will be sent to all staff indicating Level 3. Faculty will remind students of the risk of heat illness and to hydrate at the beginning of each class period.
- ES/MS/HS Outdoor activities may continue with water breaks in shaded areas every 10-15 minutes for a duration of at least 5 minutes.
- Cool-down areas include:
- ES/MS/HS Breezeway
- ES Multipurpose Room
- Canteen Area
- Shaded ES Playground
- Sectional Libraries
- ES Computer Lab
- Indoor Playground
- Cool-down areas include:
- A maximum duration of 90 minutes should be implemented for all outdoor activities, including after-school practices.
*Practices and or fixtures can be canceled at the discretion of the Athletics Director
LEVEL 4 – EXTREME DANGER
Heat index above 45 °C
All non-air-conditioned physical activities are canceled.
