Regina Public Schools assess future of outdoor recess during extreme heat

Regina school officials say recess continues as normal despite high temperatures but will consider new extreme heat guidelines. Mick Favel reports.

Elementary school students throughout Regina went out for recess this week despite the extreme heat, but changes to guidelines may be coming to Regina Public Schools.

Mark Haarmann, the director and CEO of Regina Public Schools, said student safety is top priority in looking into any possible changes.

“We have actually begun conversations this week around establishing a procedure of how schools will deal with heat going forward,” he said.

“[High temperatures] haven’t really been an issue, but it has been the last year or two, and we are feeling it right now,” he added.

There are many school policies in place for extreme weather temperatures and conditions in Saskatchewan, but few policies addressing hot weather.

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Schools 50 years or older are not the best in regulating temperatures during hot days, compared to modern schools equipped with air conditioning.

When high temperatures do happen, schools take steps to help keep students comfortable. This includes bringing in fans, turning lights off and even relocating to cooler areas of the school.

“It’s having an impact in terms of activities indoors and outdoors. Particularly in our older schools and we are conscious of that,” Haarmann explained.

“The safety and health of our kids is paramount. It is very difficult to learn in extreme heat,” he said.

Inner city feeling the heat

Carmichael Outreach is noticing an uptick in water usage and bottled water requests from the population they support.

“We see people coming in with a little bit of heat exhaustion, especially those staying at the encampment beside us,” said Tyler Gelsinger, the executive director of Carmichael Outreach.

“We do see an increase in the morning.”

Because of the unusually hot weather, Carmichael Outreach has decided to leave a water fountain on overnight for those in the area.

The non-profit has also altered their menu to cooler food options and have cooled drinks on hand for those in need of a drink.

“We have had individuals come in and use our shower program to cool down, after being out there all afternoon,” Gelsinger said.

Carmichael Outreach welcomes donations of water bottles and iced treats.