Guidelines for Outdoor Play in Cold Weather

All NYC Public Schools
1/25/2012

Guidelines for Outdoor Play in Cold Weather           

All NYC Schools

Some schools choose to keep children inside when the temperature is below 32 degrees. This is not consistent with current Health Department recommendations or current NYCDOE policy. Children benefit from vigorous exercise and should be given the opportunity to play outside whenever possible. Unless it is snowing or there is ice on the playground, low temperatures should not be a barrier to outside play, as long as children are appropriately dressed. The City’s Health Department strongly encourages principals to maintain outdoor play periods on the vast majority of winter days.

 

For questions, email Roger Platt, M.D. rplatt2@schools.nyc.gov