Don’t count on sunscreen to provide complete
protection from the sun. Wearing a
sun-protective hat is a simple and effective
strategy for reducing ultraviolet radiation to
the face, head and neck. If children could
become accustomed to wearing a hat when outdoors
at school it should increase the likelihood that
they will routinely wear one for non-school
outdoor activities as well. But, the fear of
ridicule from one’s peers can certainly be a
strong deterrent. Without a school policy to
encourage, require, or reward, students for
wearing a sun-protective hat, it is somewhat
unlikely that children will allow themselves to
benefit from using this practical and
inexpensive cancer-prevention device.
Most schools have, or had, a policy to prohibit
children from wearing a hat at school. Concerns
about hats being used as a sign of gang
identification are most frequently cited as the
reason behind such policy. After learning that
some California schools would not even allow a
hat to be worn by a child with a strong genetic
susceptibility to skin cancer and a doctor’s
note, Mrs. Karen Graham took action.
Following the death of her son at an early age
from melanoma, Mrs. Graham initiated
legislation that resulted in an amendment to the
California Education Code as follows:
35183.5. (a) (1) Each schoolsite shall allow for
outdoor use during the schoolday, articles of
sun-protective clothing, including, but not
limited to, hats. (2) Each schoolsite may set a
policy related to the type of sun-protective
clothing, including, but not limited to, hats,
that pupils will be allowed to use outdoors
pursuant to paragraph (1). Specific clothing
and hats determined by the school district or
schoolsite to be gang-related or inappropriate
apparel may be prohibited by the dress code
policy.
Many California parents and students remain
unaware
that children now have the right to wear a hat
outdoors at school. Although some schools
and districts have amended their policy or dress
code to remove the prohibition against hats, few
have taken the important additional step of
encouraging sun-protective
hats and clothing. In effect, there is
room for improvement in most schools.
By implementing policies and incentives aimed at
encouraging the use of sun-protective hats and
clothing, schools have the no-cost opportunity
to reduce the risk of skin cancer among the
students and staff.
Many schools already sell articles of attire,
such as T-shirts. Why not encourage sun safety
by adding sun-protective items? A hat sporting
the school name or mascot could not only promote
school pride but also bring in additional
revenue.
While California law gives students the right to
wear a hat outdoors at school, schools retain
the discretion to determine the type of hat.
Whatever policy the school adopts, the goal
should be the wearing of a hat by most or all
students and personnel.
Policy Options:
Students may procure/wear any hat
or visor that provides reasonable sun
protection.
Hats meeting certain design
criteria (as defined by the school or
district) are allowed.
Certain types of hat (definition
supplied) are not allowed.
Only specific hat(s), that the school or
district provides for sale or to be ordered,
are allowed.
Young children will likely wear whatever hat
is recommended. Primary schools could provide a
helpful service by educating parents about the
features to look for in a sun-protective hat
and/or offering proper hats for sale or to be
ordered. Policy might be implemented to more
strongly encourage, or possibly require,
hat-wearing for outdoor activities at this
level. As these children proceed into secondary
school, they might be less likely to object to
hats.
Teenagers are notoriously fashion conscious.
For any success with a campaign to encourage
hat-wearing in secondary school it might be
necessary to allow students considerable
flexibility in their choice of a hat. Although
baseball caps are not ideal, one school of
thought among sun safety advocates is that “Any
hat is better than no hat.” For students who
object to a hat that disturbs their coiffure, a
large clip-on visor could be a satisfactory
compromise.
Most school or physical education uniforms
are not particularly stylish but they are worn
because it’s the rule. If only one or a limited
number of hats is allowed (equalizing the
fashion disadvantage to every student), and if
effective incentives are provided for wearing
the hat, reasonable success might be
achievable. However, there is a significant
risk of total failure with this approach.
The chance of success might be improved if
students are invited to participate in
determining what type of hat(s), or what
specific hat(s), will or will not be allowed.
Securing the cooperation of school leaders,
trend-setters, and teachers in wearing and
promoting the hats might help to establish their
acceptability. It may also be advisable to
develop a strategy for discouraging and
punishing harassment of a child who does wear a
hat or long clothing.
California has granted its school children
the right to wear long clothing for outdoor
activities while at school. Schools can now
help to prevent skin cancer by promoting long
clothing.
Parents of young children should be asked to
provide a long sleeved garment for their child
to bring to school and slip on (unless already
wearing long sleeves) before outdoor
activities. This could be called a “playshirt.”
To prevent overheating on a warm day, it should
be lightweight and loose fitting.
Schools may re-think their dress policy about
shorts in light of the increased exposure to UV
radiation that they permit. It might be a hard
sell to students and parents alike, but loose
fitting, lightweight long pants or dresses can
be just as cool and comfortable during warm
weather.
The traditional physical education uniform
consists of a T-shirt and short shorts. To
promote sun safety, schools could re-configure
the P.E. uniform to incorporate longer sleeves
and shorts, and a sun-protective hat, for the
benefit of all students. Rather than merely
recommending sweatshirts and sweatpants, choose
cover-up clothing that is lightweight and loose
fitting to prevent overheating.
With numerous research studies clearly
linking childhood sun damage to the later
development of skin cancer, a passive allowance
of hats and long clothing is not sufficient.
With virtually no impact on the budget, schools
can actively encourage sun-safe behavior so that
fewer of today’s children will have to face the
morbidity or mortality of melanoma as adults.
