Outdoor Play & Cold Weather Policy

At Stevenson, we believe that play is important.

A healthy mind and healthy body go hand-in-hand. Outdoor recess is a time to connect with friends, and recharge through exercise. In this light, all students are expected to go outside for recess. 

Generally speaking, a child who is too sick to go outside at recess is too sick to benefit from attending school. We do not have indoor supervision for students during recess. Indoor recess is only permitted in exceptional circumstances. 

During severe weather conditions, as outlined by division policy, all students will be supervised indoors. When the wind chill hazard is at or colder than -28 degrees, students will not be permitted outdoors. When the wind chill hazard is between -25 degrees and -28 degrees students may go outdoors for a shorter outdoor recess, up to 10 minutes.  We call this shorter recess a "fresh air break". 

The same rule applies to our student safety patrols. We ask that in these cold weather conditions that parents assist with the safe arrival of your children to and from school. There will not be any student safety patrols on duty on these days.

Please ensure your child is dressed for the weather everyday as conditions often change throughout the day.  Many families also choose to send extra socks and/or mittens in their child's backpack for extra comfort when gear ends up wet.