Last modified: December 5, 2023

Policy 3401 P3 Wellness: Air Quality and Outdoor Activities

Download Policy 3401 P3 Wellness: Air Quality and Outdoor Activities

The Provo City School District Board of Education recognizes the link between healthy active bodies and productive minds. The Board places value on regular exercise as part of the curricular and extra-curricular dimensions of the educational program.

Air quality plays a key part in keeping our students healthy, especially on days when air quality is not optimal, and for those with asthma or other breathing-related health concerns. Provo City School District school administrators are to make the most informed decision possible when determining inside or outside recess or activities.

Until the time comes when a government-sponsored air quality monitoring system is located in Provo, the following sequence of considerations and resources will be employed by school and district administrators.

Review the Utah Recess Guidance Alert system http://health.utah.gov/asthma/pdfs/airquality/recessguidance.pdf
Review data from State Air Quality sensors in Utah County in both Lindon and Spanish Fork, giving consideration to which air quality station is closest to the given school. Principals should also follow https://air.utah.gov/currentconditions.php?id=ln
In the event that discrepancies exist in the data from the Lindon and Spanish Fork meters, principals are also asked to consider other local monitoring stations, such as from KSL, specifically those located in Provo and Orem. https://www.ksl.com/?nid=1314
Once all of the above monitoring locations have been checked, the administrator will make a judgement call on outside activities/recess. Caution will be exercised in consideration of student health concerns.

Outdoor activities will be curtailed (cancelled, postponed) when the air quality is rated to be in the high-moderate level and above. This includes athletic competitions, practices, marching band events, and recesses of all varieties. Parent(s)/guardian(s) of students with a health condition should work with school personnel to develop a health plan. Parent(s)/ guardian(s) are encouraged to regularly check to ensure their child’s health plan is current. School administration, in coordination with school health staff, will provide teachers/ coaches with individual student health plan requirements, including those related to air quality and respiratory issues.

For the most recent and accurate readings, administrators will check the air quality conditions as close to recesses, lunchtimes, and after school events as is possible. All parties must recognize that weather conditions can change quickly, with improving or deteriorating conditions occurring regularly.

Adopted

Sept. 24, 2018

Policy and Procedures

Policy No. 3401 Wellness

Policy 3401 P1 Wellness: Vending Machine Guidelines

Policy 3401 P2 Wellness: Physical Activity Guidelines

3401 P4 Wellness: Recess and Inclement Weather