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Communication for classroom teachers to send to families:
Communication for classroom teachers to send to families:
Dear Oak Ridge Families,
Winter has arrived, as a reminder, Oak Ridge students spend time learning outdoors every day. We have attached an Outdoor Gear Guide with recommendations, discounts, and essential items for students.
For their safety and comfort, it's require that each student comes prepared each day with:
Basic Gear: Socks, winter coat, gloves, hat (over ears).
Snow boots and snow pants
Please remember to label your child's gear with first initial and last name. If you need assistance acquiring outdoor gear, let us know.
At Oak Ridge Elementary, we take students' safety and well-being seriously. Thank you for helping us by sending your child with their outdoor gear every day.
Oak Ridge Cold-Weather Outdoor Learning Expectations
Oak Ridge Cold-Weather Outdoor Learning Expectations
All students must bring weather appropriate gear with them for outdoor learning, including specialists classes that happen outside.
All students must bring weather appropriate gear with them for outdoor learning, including specialists classes that happen outside.
As safe keepers, it is our responsibility to ensure every child at Oak Ridge has what they need to be comfortable and safe during outdoor learning. Gear checks before you leave your classroom will ensure you have done your part to make sure every student has what they need to be safe, warm and dry.
As safe keepers, it is our responsibility to ensure every child at Oak Ridge has what they need to be comfortable and safe during outdoor learning. Gear checks before you leave your classroom will ensure you have done your part to make sure every student has what they need to be safe, warm and dry.
Required Winter Gear (temperatures below 40 degrees):
Socks, Hat, Mittens/Gloves & Jacket (Snow pants & boots required once it snows)
Required Winter Gear (temperatures below 40 degrees):
Socks, Hat, Mittens/Gloves & Jacket (Snow pants & boots required once it snows)
Did you know:
Did you know:
Children are more prone to frostbite than adults because they lose heat from their skin faster and do not want to come inside when they're having fun playing outdoors. Children will likely not be aware of frostbite until it is too late. This is why proper gear and active supervision by Oak Ridge Staff is expected during recess and outdoor learning.
Strategies for communicating requirements to students:
Strategies for communicating requirements to students:
All Students:
All Students:
Clearly Communicate WHY to Students:
"We need to wear appropriate gear to protect ourselves from frostbite, frostnip & hypothermia."
Child friendly definitions:
Frostbite is what happens when skin is exposed to cold temperatures and freezes. This can damage the skin and parts of the body, such as fingers and toes. Frost nip is early stages of frostbite.
Hypothermia is when the body gets so cold that it can't warm itself up again. This can be dangerous because the organs inside the body will stop working if they get too cold.
Adult definitions/explanations: visit Stanford's Fost bite and Mayo's hypothermia pages
Clearly communicate what is expected for gear. As a safe keeper, you are responsible for ensuring EVERY child has what they need EVERY time they go outside. Check & double check before going outside. Put extras in your backpack.
Wet + Cold = DANGER! Avoid puddles & water play/exploration during cold weather. Pull up sleeves when washing hands before going outside (wet sleeves on skin = frost bite!).
Younger Students:
Younger Students:
Create a gear visual by your door that shows which gear items they need to wear. Images of clothing items hung by clothespins or magnets allows for it to be easily changed as the weather shifts.
Older Students:
Older Students:
Work with students to establish a set of agreements on what gear is required for different temperatures.
Oak Ridge Staff Lending Closet
Oak Ridge Staff Lending Closet
Forget something or don't own everything you need?
We are working on stocking the lending closet with the items you need. List will be updated as new items are added. If you have something in good condition that you no longer wear, we're accepting donations!
Inventory:
Rain Pants (Adult Sizes: Small, Medium, Large & Extra Large)
Page updated
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