Murray School District Inclement Weather & Indoor Recess
Department of Personnel and Student Services Administrative Guidelines & Procedures
Organized sports, recreational activities and recess all contribute to the health and development of our students and should be encouraged and scheduled into the daily routines of all of our schools. Weather conditions need to be considered throughout the school day when students engage in outdoor activities. This is particularly true where our elementary students are concerned.
Rain and Wind
Rain and wind are frequent weather occurrences. Depending on the severity of the rain and/or wind (taking into consideration ambient air temperature, health and safety factors), elementary principals or designees will determine whether students should participate in recess or other outdoor activities.
Air Quality
It is recognized that poor air quality can have an adverse effect on the health of students. When the Air Quality Index is 100 (below 35.4ppm) or lower all students could go outdoors. (35.5-55.4ppm) students with respiratory symptoms and sensitive students stay indoors. When the Air Quality Index reaches over 151 (over 55.4ppm) all students should remain indoors.Principals will exercise discretion when declaring an indoor day within 5-10PM.
Winter Weather
During winter month elementary students must be reminded frequently to come to school dressed for the elements and to be prepared for outdoor recess. On a few occasions, the ambient temperature or the wind chill temperature will dip low enough that outdoor activities would be unwise.
Any time during the school day that the ambient air temperature or wind chill temperature is 15⁰ Fahrenheit (− 9.4⁰ Celsius), or colder, elementary students should be indoors. Any time during the school day that the ambient air temperature or wind chill temperature is between 15⁰ Fahrenheit and 20⁰ Fahrenheit (− 6.7⁰ Celsius), elementary principals or designees will determine whether students should participate in recess or other outdoor activities. Among the weather elements to be considered in this decision would be precipitation, wind, and the condition of playground surfaces and equipment (snow and ice). Additionally, under Board Policy PS 419, at 20⁰ Fahrenheit or colder, elementary and secondary principals or designees should ensure that the doors to the school are open 30 minutes prior to school start time or the arrival of the first bus, if applicable.
For purposes of these administrative guidelines and procedures, the District uses the temperature, humidity, wind speed, other weather indicators, and air quality information reported by local news outlets, on-site weather stations, The Weather Channel, and the Utah Department of Environmental Quality.
*The web site for The Weather Channel is weather.com. The zip code setting is 84107.
It is the responsibility of the elementary principal or designee to monitor the weather and air quality on a daily basis for their school. In the event that the ambient air temperature or wind chill temperature is below 15 degrees Fahrenheit the district will declare a mandatory in-day for all students. In the event that the Air Quality Index reaches 176 – 300 the district will declare a mandatory in-day for all students.
