Shade
Shade Trees
Trees not only provide shade for outdoor activities, they can also help to keep school buildings cooler, reducing air conditioning costs.
Look for sites on the campus that could benefit from tree shade.
Check out the “Generation Earth” program for tree planting at schools by the California nonprofit, Tree People.
Make Your Own Shade
Personal umbrellas aren’t just for rain. They provide nice shade when the natural type isn’t available.
Small, compact, portable, or travel umbrellas are so convenient.
Always keep an umbrella readily accessible.
In your car, purse, pocket, backpack, suitcase, camping/tailgating gear, on a hook near the door, etc., stash or hang an umbrella so that one is always available when you need it.
The School Gym
In areas of the country where winters are cold, there is usually a gymnasium, even at elementary schools, to provide children with a protected environment for physical activity.
During sunny weather, capitalize on a gym’s capacity to protect against UV radiation as well.
Architecture
The area adjacent to a building can sometimes be a good source of shade.
Locate and encourage the utilization of such existing areas. Any plans for new construction or remodeling should include shade provision as an important and desirable feature.
Factors such as height, positioning of the building(s) on the lot, overhangs, and breezeways can significantly increase shade availability.
Shade Structures
For an outdoor area where students are required or encouraged to spend time, such as the lunch area or an outdoor classroom, shade is highly desirable and perhaps should be required.
When possible, placing tables on the north side of a building or wall can yield no-cost shade.
When a shade structure is needed, canvas is most common but a steel-roofed model might be considered due to durability and the added rain‑protective feature.
For play equipment and large or irregular shaped areas, a UV‑blocking fabric cover would be a logical, although possibly expensive, choice.
Scheduling of Outdoor Activities
There usually aren’t sufficient resources for making substantial changes, but try to take advantage of lower UV levels before 10:00 a.m. and after 4:00 p.m. by prioritizing outdoor activities during those periods.
Block the Sun
Not the Fun!
Between 10 and 4, which is of course most of the schoolday, don’t discourage outdoor physical activity but, particularly during the high UV season, strongly promote sun safety measures to “Block the sun; Not the fun.”
When Shade Is Not An Option
There will almost certainly be areas that cannot reasonably be covered, such as the playground or field, and perhaps areas where shade is not affordable. The solution is to promote individual sun-protective behaviors including hats, long clothing, sunglasses, and use of sunscreen.
