SOMBA K'E/YELLOWKNIFE
How cold is too cold? The citywide mark for keeping students inside at recess is when the thermometer hits -30 C with windchill. The end result, particularly during cold winters like this one, is that children rarely get outside.
Ben Bonnetrouge, 8, left, Billie Tsetta, 14, and Nikita Constant, 13, take advantage of some of the warmer weather during March break on Monday to get outside. - Danielle Sachs/NNSL photo |
Recess was cancelled for 35 days this winter in Yellowknife Catholic schools, with a similar figure for Yk Education District No. 1.
Yk1 trustee John Stephenson wonders, considering that Northern winters can last half a year, whether the district should consider lowering the temperature limit so students can get outside more often.
The subject that came up during the March 12 Yk1 regular school board meeting.
"There's been a number of proposals to help get kids outside," said Stephenson. "Maybe if we remove the windchill from factoring in or lower the temperature regulation, they could get outside more often."
The concern about cold weather limitations was raised at a J.H. Sissons School parent advisory committee meeting, according to Stephenson, who is the board representative for the school.
"It's a very active group of parents this year and there's a lot of fun things going on, but the cold weather is a big issue," said Stephenson. "It doesn't take much to keep them indoors."
One of the strategic priorities the Yk1 board adopted is to ensure students stay active and lead healthy lifestyles. This includes the development of an active living steering committee to promote exercise and nutrition.
"There are kids who are really active and getting outdoors is important," said Stephenson.
"We can educate parents and children on dressing warmly and provide extra clothing for anyone who needs it, like neck warmers."
The board agreed to look into what could be done to maximize outdoor activities.
Claudia Parker, superintendent for Yellowknife Catholic Schools, said while cold weather this winter has kept students inside more than a month, there has been no discussion at her district to change the temperature guidelines for recess.
"We're not going to change that unless a parent raises it as a concern and so far no one has brought it up," said Parker.
Ben Bonnetrouge, a Grade 2 student at St. Joseph School, said he prefers to stay inside when it's cold.
"When it's cold we stay in and my favourite part is playing floor hockey," he said.
Grade 8 students at St. Joe's get two recesses a day and some said they rather be outside when it's recess.
"We would rather be outside but at least we still get to visit each other at recess even if it is inside," said Billie Tsetta, 14.
