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St. Gregory Guideline on Sun Safety
St. Gregory School recognizes that the sun’s ultraviolet (UV) radiation can cause skin cancer. To help prevent the development of skin cancer, students shall receive instruction, encouragement, and environmental support to avoid overexposure to the sun when they are outdoors. This sun safety policy is then recommended and addresses the following points:
Hats and Protective Clothing
Students shall be allowed, year round, to wear articles of sun-protective clothing, including hats, when outdoors, and shall be encouraged to do so between March 1 and October 31. St. Gregory School may specify the type(s) of clothing and hats that are, or are not, permissible on campus.
Sunscreen and Lip Balm
Students shall be allowed, year round, to use sunscreen and/or sun-protective lip balm, and shall be strongly encouraged to do so between March 1 and October 31. Sunscreen should be applied in the morning before coming to school and will be re-applied at least once in the afternoon while at school. Students will bring their own sunscreen to school. The sunscreen should be at least SPF 15 (greater SPF is better) and due to safety reasons, should not be of the “spray on” application type. Students will not be allowed to share sunscreen and lip balm. Due to allergy possibilities, sunscreen will not be provided by the school and should have already been tested on the student before sending it to school.
Sunglasses
When students are outdoors they shall be allowed, year-round, to wear sunglasses that protect the eyes from UV rays, and they shall be encouraged to do so between March 1 and October 31. St. Gregory School may specify the type of sunglasses that are, or are not, permissible on campus.
School Environment
The principal or designee of St. Gregory School shall survey the school campus to identify existing shaded areas, and non-shaded areas where the addition of shade would be practical and desirable. Priority shall be given to including ample shade in new construction plans and adding shade when remodeling school facilities.
Shade Options
During the time span of March 1 and October 31, the principal or designee shall optimize shade options for students and personnel, and shall encourage the utilization of existing shaded or indoor areas for congregation and recreation. As resources permit, outdoor activities shall be preferentially scheduled to occur before 10:00 a.m. or after 4:00 p.m. However, scheduling constraints shall not reduce the total time students engage in physical activity.
Instruction
Teachers and/or the school nurse shall provide education at each grade level, Pre-school through 8 that relates to skin cancer, including information about the harmful effects of UV rays and recommended practices for preventing skin cancer.
Parent /Guardian Communication
Schools shall inform parents and guardians about the importance of, and strategies for, preventing skin cancer, and shall alert them that the risk of developing skin cancer is highest for individuals with lightly or moderately pigmented skin. The communication shall include, but shall not be limited to, details of the school policy relating to hats, sun-protective clothing, sunscreen usage, and sunglasses. Schools shall also urge families to reinforce sun-safe behavior outside the school and to support the school’s sun safety programs.
Personnel
All personnel shall be educated about skin cancer’s impact and prevention, including sun protection methods. Employees shall be strongly encouraged to protect themselves from overexposure to the sun and to model sun-safe behavior for students.
Health Services
School nurses, health educators, and school health resources specialists shall promote, reinforce, and support sun protection and skin cancer prevention efforts for students and their families, and for personnel.
Evaluation
Schools shall evaluate and revise sun safety programs, and address identified shade needs, annually.