Weather Protocol

The Roseville City School District is committed to protecting the health and safety of all individuals during adverse weather and environmental conditions. This protocol establishes districtwide procedures for modifying, relocating, postponing, or canceling outdoor activities when weather conditions may create an unsafe environment.

These procedures establish districtwide expectations for responding to extreme weather conditions in accordance with California Education Code 33355.

Weather Conditions Covered

This protocol applies to:

• Extreme Heat
• Lightning
• Air Quality (fire/smoke)
• Heavy Rain/Flooding
• High Winds
• Severe Weather Watches or Warnings issued by the National Weather Service

Activities covered include/apply to:

• Preschool and TK-8
• Recess
• Lunch
• Physical Education (PE)
• Outdoor classroom instruction/assemblies
• Before and after-school school-run activities
• Athletic practices and games
• Summer school
• Field trips

Weather Monitoring

Sites should monitor:

• National Weather Service – Sacramento Office (official weather forecasts, warnings, and advisories)
• National Weather Service HeatRisk (heat risk guidance)
• AirNow.gov (real-time Air Quality Index and wildfire smoke)
• Placer County Air Pollution Control District (local air quality information)
• WeatherBug Spark Lightning Network or another district-approved lightning detection application
• Placer County Office of Emergency Services and CalAlerts for local emergency notifications and incident information

Decisions should be based on current conditions at the time of the activity, not solely the forecasted daily high. Example:

• Forecast high: 103°F
• Current lunch temperature: 92°F
• Outdoor recess may proceed with hydration and shade

Heat Protocol

General Safety Measures

During warm weather:

• Increase hydration opportunities
• Encourage individuals to carry water bottles
• Provide frequent shade breaks
• Reduce strenuous activity as temperatures increase
• Monitor younger individuals more closely
• Increase adult supervision

Hydration Expectations

All individuals should have:

• Regular access to drinking water
• Shade during outdoor activities
• Rest opportunities

Staff should encourage drinking water before individuals become thirsty.

Heat Illness

Staff should monitor for: 

• Dizziness
• Headache
• Fatigue
• Nausea
• Muscle cramps
• Confusion
• Excessive flushing
• Vomiting

If an individual shows signs of heat illness:

• Move the individual immediately to a shaded, cool, or air-conditioned location.
• Notify the school office immediately so additional assistance can be coordinated and emergency contacts or emergency services can be activated if needed.
• Begin active cooling measures, including:
  • Remove excess outer clothing or protective equipment.
  • Apply cool, wet towels or cloths to the neck, armpits, and groin.
  • Fan the individual or move them in front of air conditioning.
  • If the individual is alert, conscious, and able to swallow safely, provide cool drinking water in small sips. Do not force fluids.
• Remain with the individual and continuously monitor their condition. Never leave someone experiencing symptoms of heat illness alone.
• Contact the school nurse or other trained health personnel as soon as possible for assessment and guidance.
• Call 911 immediately if the individual:
  • Loses consciousness or becomes difficult to wake.
  • Has altered mental status, confusion, or unusual behavior.
  • Experiences seizures.
  • Stops sweating despite high body temperature or has hot, red skin.
  • Has difficulty breathing.
  • Vomits repeatedly or is unable to drink fluids.
  • Shows any signs of heat stroke or their condition rapidly worsens.
• Notify the parent/guardian as soon as practical for any student experiencing heat illness, even if symptoms improve.
• Document the incident according to district procedures and review whether additional precautions are needed before the individual returns to outdoor activity.

Heat Action Levels

Air Temperature/HeatRisk	Action
Below 90°F	Normal outdoor activities with hydration
90–94°F	Increase water breaks, reduce strenuous activity, and encourage shade
95–99°F	Modify PE and vigorous activities; shorten outdoor exposure; increase rest periods
100°F or higher	Move PE and organized physical activities indoors whenever possible; recess/lunch may be shortened or relocated based on site conditions (please note employee contracts)
National Weather Service HeatRisk “Major” or “Extreme”	Suspend nonessential outdoor activities and relocate indoors whenever feasible

Administrators should consider:

• student age
• humidity
• duration of exposure
• activity intensity
• availability of shade
• medical conditions
• acclimatization
• playground equipment is often hotter than outside air and should be used with extreme caution instead of relying upon temperature alone. 

Lightning Protocol

Lightning presents an immediate life-safety hazard.

If thunder is heard or lightning is observed in the vicinity of the activity:

• All outdoor activities stop immediately.
• All individuals move inside a permanent building.
• Covered structures, shade structures, and trees are not safe shelters.

Outdoor activities may resume 30 minutes after the last observed lightning or thunder.

Meal Service During Lightning

If lightning is detected or the site has suspended outdoor activities due to lightning, students should not wait outdoors in lunch lines or walk between buildings unless it is determined to be safe by the site administrator. Schools should implement alternate meal service procedures as needed, such as:

• Delaying student movement until the lightning threat has passed.
• Serving students in the nearest safe indoor location, classroom, or multipurpose room when feasible.
• Staggering student release to minimize time outdoors once the all-clear is given.
• Working with Nutrition Services to adjust meal service times or locations as necessary.

Student safety takes precedence over maintaining the regular meal schedule.

Air Quality

When wildfire smoke or poor air quality exists, sites will follow current AQI guidance.

Air Quality Response Actions

• Green (Good)
  • Normal outdoor activities may continue.
  • Encourage students to stay hydrated.
  • Continue to monitor conditions.
• Yellow (Moderate)
  • Outdoor activities may continue for most students.
  • Monitor students for signs of respiratory distress or discomfort.
  • Consider modifying activities for students with asthma, respiratory conditions, or other health concerns.
• Orange (Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups)
  • Reduce strenuous outdoor activity.
  • Increase opportunities for rest and hydration.
  • Consider moving sensitive students indoors or providing alternative activities.
  • Closely monitor students for symptoms.
• Red (Unhealthy)
  • Cancel or move strenuous outdoor activities indoors.
  • Limit outdoor exposure for all students.
  • Students with respiratory conditions or other medical concerns should remain indoors whenever possible.
• Purple (Very Unhealthy)
  • Move all students indoors.
  • Cancel all outdoor activities, including PE, recess, and athletics.
  • Keep exterior doors closed as practical and minimize outdoor exposure.
• Maroon (Hazardous)
  • Suspend all outdoor activities.
  • Keep students and staff indoors except in emergencies.
  • Follow guidance from local public health and emergency management officials.

Student Health Considerations

Air quality guidance is intended to support decision-making but should not replace staff judgment or attention to individual student needs. Students often recognize when they are becoming overheated, short of breath, dizzy, or otherwise uncomfortable before symptoms are outwardly visible.

Staff should:

• Encourage students to immediately report if they are feeling unwell, short of breath, dizzy, nauseated, or experiencing difficulty breathing.
• Take all reports of distress seriously, regardless of the current Air Quality Index (AQI) level.
• Allow students to stop participating, rest, move indoors, or seek assistance whenever they indicate they are not feeling well.
• Provide additional accommodations for students with asthma, respiratory conditions, other medical needs, or health plans as appropriate.

When in doubt, prioritize the student’s condition over the AQI level. If a student appears to be in distress or reports not feeling well, remove them from the activity, assess their condition, and follow the school’s health staff or emergency procedures as needed.

Heavy Rain / Flooding

Administrators should evaluate:

• Standing water
• Slippery surfaces
• Playground safety
• Visibility
• Student supervision

Outdoor activities may be modified or moved indoors when conditions create safety concerns.

High Wind

Outdoor activities should be modified or suspended if wind creates hazards, including:

• Falling branches
• Flying debris
• Unsafe playground equipment
• Reduced visibility

Indoor Alternatives

Sites should identify indoor options for:

• Recess
• PE
• Lunch activities
• Student movement breaks

Examples include:

• Classroom games
• Multipurpose room
• Library activities
• Movement videos
• Cooperative classroom activities

Annual Review

The District will review this protocol annually and update it as needed to reflect:

• Revised California Department of Education guidance
• Updated weather safety recommendations
• Changes in law
• District operational experience