Student-Athletes 
Prosper ISD remains committed to prioritizing the safety of our athletes by closely monitoring weather conditions in all circumstances. We take precautionary measures daily to prevent and address any weather-related illnesses that may arise proactively.

To ensure the well-being of our athletes, Prosper ISD Athletic Trainers employ various methods to assess heat conditions during practices and games. These methods include monitoring temperature, heat index, humidity, and wet bulb globe temperature. By gathering this crucial information, our Athletic Trainers and Coaching staff can collaboratively determine if any adjustments are needed to ensure safe and effective practices.

To tackle weather-related illnesses promptly, our medical teams have established protocols that are developed in conjunction with reputable organizations such as the National Athletic Trainers Association, the National Federation of High School Sports, The University Interscholastic League, Children’s Health Andrews Institute, Prosper Fire and Rescue, and Frisco Fire and Rescue.

We kindly request your assistance in ensuring the well-being of our athletes by encouraging them to stay well-hydrated and well-nourished before engaging in any athletic activities. With your support, we can continue to maintain a safe and healthy environment for all our athletes.

Tips for Athletes and their families
During hot weather, student-athletes can take certain precautions to stay safe and prevent heat-related illnesses. As parents, you can help educate and support your child in maintaining their well-being during these conditions. Here are some tips for student-athletes and their parents:

1. Stay Hydrated: Encourage your child to drink plenty of water before, during, and after physical activities. Hydration is crucial in preventing heat-related issues. Sports drinks with electrolytes can also be beneficial during intense exercise, but water should be the primary source of hydration.

2. Know the Weather Conditions: Stay informed about the weather forecast, particularly the temperature and heat index.

3. Dress Appropriately: Wear lightweight, light-colored, and breathable clothing that evaporates sweat. Avoid dark colors and heavy fabrics that can retain heat.

4. Use Sunscreen: Apply sunscreen with a high SPF to protect against harmful UV rays. Reapply it as needed, especially if it involves water or excessive sweating.

5. Take Frequent Breaks: Encourage your child to take regular breaks during physical activities, especially in extreme heat. Rest in shaded or cooler areas to give their bodies time to recover.

6. Acclimatize Gradually: If there's a sudden increase in temperature, allow time for your child's body to adjust to the heat gradually. Avoid intense workouts during the first few days of hot weather.

7. Recognize Warning Signs: Educate both yourself and your child about the signs of heat-related illnesses, such as heat exhaustion and heatstroke. These may include excessive sweating, dizziness, nausea, headache, rapid pulse, or confusion. If any of these symptoms occur, seek medical attention immediately.

8. Communicate with Coaches: Establish open communication with coaches about your child's well-being. Ensure they are aware of any medical conditions your child may have that could be affected by hot weather.

9. Encourage Responsible Decision-making: Teach your child to recognize their limits and not to push themselves excessively during extreme heat. Remind them their health and well-being are more important than pushing through extreme conditions.

By following these tips, student-athletes can enjoy their physical activities safely during hot weather.

Elementary Students
We often receive weather alerts during the hot days of summer, early fall, and late spring. To ensure the safety of our children at elementary school, we have some guidelines in place.

The campus team will regularly check the air quality using a website called http://www.enviroflash.info/.  We won't have outdoor activities to protect the kids if specific alerts occur.  These alerts can and often do occur at different hours of the day.  For instance, if the feels like temperature at 9 am is 95, the kids may go outside at that hour -- but later in the day, when the feels like temp is 106, they will not. Campus teams check the alerts before their grade level is scheduled to go to recess.

• One of the alerts is when the "feels like" temperature goes above 100. This temperature considers factors like the heat index to measure how hot it feels accurately.

• Another alert is related to the air quality levels. If the air quality is in the purple or red zone, which means unhealthy levels, we won't have any outdoor activities. If it's in the orange zone, there might be a respiratory alert, and we'll be cautious with outdoor activities.

Parents of students with asthma, respiratory problems, or environmental allergies that could be significantly affected by the weather should provide the classroom teacher with a one-time written letter to indicate that they would like their child to stay indoors on orange alert days or specific temperature days, different from what we mentioned earlier.

Air Quality

How can Elementary families help their students in hot weather?
As we return to school during hot weather, here is a list of tips that parents can follow to help their children stay comfortable and safe:

• Hydration: Encourage your child to drink plenty of water throughout the day. Provide a reusable water bottle for them to carry to school.

• Dress for the weather: Choose lightweight, breathable clothing that covers their skin and protects them from the sun. Hats and sunglasses can also be helpful.

• Sunscreen: Apply sunscreen with a high SPF to protect your child's skin from harmful UV rays. Teach them to reapply it during school hours if needed.

• Inform teachers: Let your child's teachers know about any specific concerns or medical conditions related to hot weather, such as heat sensitivity or allergies.

• Cooling snacks: Pack refreshing snacks for school, such as fruits like watermelon, grapes, or cucumber slices, to help keep them cool and hydrated.

• Cooling techniques at home: Show your child how to use cooling techniques like a cool bath or a damp washcloth on their forehead to relieve heat.

• Stay informed: Keep an eye on weather forecasts and any heat advisories in your area. Be prepared for sudden changes in weather.

• Transportation: If your child walks or bikes to school, consider providing them with a shaded route or arranging transportation during extreme heat.

Remember, the most crucial aspect is ensuring your child understands the importance of staying hydrated, cool, and safe during hot weather. By following these tips, parents can help their children have a pleasant and safe return to school during the hot season.