The importance of students participating and learning through outdoor play, nature, walking to school, and discovery is paramount to student achievement. As a community we must ensure that teachers, students and parents/guardians are aware of safety precautions related to environmental factors (e.g., temperature, weather, air quality, humidity, UV index, insects, frostbite, dehydration).
The resources below include sun safety information as well as lesson plans that can be used by both teachers and parent/guardians.
UV Index
Environment and Climate Change Canada developed the UV Index to inform Canadians about the strength of the sun鈥檚 UV (ultraviolet) rays. UV rays can cause sunburns, eye cataracts, skin aging and skin cancer. The higher the UV Index number, the stronger the sun鈥檚 rays, and the greater the need to take precautions.
THIS TABLE聽outlines the sun protection actions recommended at different levels of the UV Index.
Fact Sheet: Sun Safety
Learn more about sun safety and protecting skin and eyes from the sun.
Sun Safety - Children Fact Sheet
Sun Safety - Outdoor Sports and Recreation Fact Sheet
Sun Safety - Sunscreen Fact Sheet
Appendix A: Heat Stress Hazards
Heat Stress Hazards
Occupational Health and Safety - Extreme Heat Guide
Helpful information about extreme heat indoors and outdoors, including heat exhaustion and prevention.
Project Refill
To support schools in curbing plastic water bottle consumption, EcoSchools created a reusable water bottle refill program called Project Refill. By providing select schools with water bottle refill stations, this project will help schools move from landfill to refill.
Lesson Plans
Sky Watchers: Interactive meteorology for students and teachers, lesson plans, ideas for activities
:聽 Resources for schools (K-6) from Toronto Public Health
SunSense Program - Canadian Cancer Society:聽 Learning about sun safety and how to enjoy the outdoors in a healthy and safe way is an essential part of every child鈥檚 education.
: Program for Educators to help students understand how to help protect themselves against skin cancer
York Region: Health Resource for Schools re: Sun Safety
Safe Fun in the Sun:聽 A Sun Protection Curriculum Resource - grades 1-4