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Sample Board Policy on Sun Safety

The Governing Board of _______________ School District (along with the California Department of Health Services and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, among other organizations) recognizes that the sun’s ultraviolet (UV) radiation can cause skin cancer.  To help prevent the development of skin cancer, students shall receive instruction, encouragement, and environmental support to avoid overexposure to the sun when they are outdoors.  Accordingly, the Board recommends that schools implement a sun safety program that addresses the following elements.

Note:  California Education code 35183.5 requires every schoolsite to allow for outdoor use during the schoolday, articles of sun-protective clothing that pupils would be allowed to wear outdoors, including, but not limited to, hats, and authorizes school sites to set a policy related to that clothing.

Hats and Protective Clothing
Students shall be allowed, year-round, to wear articles of sun-protective clothing, including hats, when outdoors, and shall be [encouraged / strongly encouraged / required] to do so between March 1 and October 31.  Schools may specify the type(s) of clothing and hats that are, or are not, permissible on campus.  The principal or designee may assess school uniforms, including physical education uniforms, to determine if and how they might be modified to better protect students from exposure to UV rays.

Note:  California Education Code 35183.5 requires every schoolsite to allow pupils to use sunscreen during the schoolday without a physician’s note or prescription and authorizes school sites to set a policy related to the use of sunscreen.

Sunscreen and Lip Balm
Students shall be allowed, year-round, to use sunscreen and/or sun-protective lip balm, and shall be [encouraged / strongly encouraged / required] to do so between March 1 and October 31.

Sunglasses
When students are outdoors they shall be allowed, year-round, to wear sunglasses that protect the eyes from UV rays, and they shall be [encouraged / strongly encouraged / required] to do so between March 1 and October 31.  Schools may specify the type(s) of sunglasses that are, or are not, permissible on campus.

School Environment
The principal or designee of each schoolsite shall survey the school campus to identify existing shaded areas, and non-shaded areas where the addition of shade would be practical and desirable.  Priority shall be given to including ample shade in new construction plans and adding shade when remodeling school facilities.

Shade Options
During the time span of March 1 to October 31, the principal or designee shall optimize shade options for students and personnel, and shall encourage the utilization of existing shaded or indoor areas for congregation and recreation.  As resources permit, outdoor activities shall be preferentially scheduled to occur before 10:00 a.m. or after 4:00 p.m.  However, scheduling constraints shall not reduce the total time students engage in physical education or activity.

Instruction
Teachers shall provide education at each grade level, Kindergarten through 12, that relates to skin cancer, including information about the harmful effects of UV rays and recommended practices for preventing skin cancer.

Parent/Guardian Communication
Schools shall inform parents and guardians about the importance of, and strategies for, preventing skin cancer, and shall alert them that the risk of developing skin cancer is highest for individuals with lightly or moderately pigmented skin.  The communication shall include, but shall not be limited to, details of the school policy relating to hats, sun-protective clothing, sunscreen usage, uniforms, and sunglasses.  Schools shall also urge families to reinforce sun-safe behavior outside the school and to support the school’s sun safety programs.

Personnel
All personnel shall be educated about skin cancer’s impact and prevention, including sun protection methods.  Employees shall be strongly encouraged to protect themselves from overexposure to the sun and to model sun-safe behavior for students between March 1 and October 31.

Health Services
School nurses, health educators, and school health resource specialists shall promote, reinforce, and support sun protection and skin cancer prevention efforts for students and their families, and for personnel.

Evaluation
Schools shall evaluate and revise sun safety programs, and address identified shade needs, annually.