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Extreme Heat Resources

The importance of students participating and learning through outdoor play, nature, walking to school, and discovery is paramount to student achievement. As a community we must ensure that teachers, students and parents/guardians are aware of safety precautions related to environmental factors (e.g., temperature, weather, air quality, humidity, UV index, insects, frostbite, dehydration).

The resources below include sun safety information as well as lesson plans that can be used by both teachers and parent/guardians.


UV Index

Environment and Climate Change Canada developed the UV Index to inform Canadians about the strength of the sun’s UV (ultraviolet) rays. UV rays can cause sunburns, eye cataracts, skin aging and skin cancer. The higher the UV Index number, the stronger the sun’s rays, and the greater the need to take precautions.

THIS TABLE outlines the sun protection actions recommended at different levels of the UV Index.


Fact Sheet: Sun Safety

Learn more about sun safety and protecting skin and eyes from the sun.

Sun Safety - Children Fact Sheet
Sun Safety - Outdoor Sports and Recreation Fact Sheet
Sun Safety - Sunscreen Fact Sheet

Appendix A: Heat Stress Hazards
Heat Stress Hazards


Occupational Health and Safety - Extreme Heat Guide

Helpful information about extreme heat indoors and outdoors, including heat exhaustion and prevention.


Project Refill

To support schools in curbing plastic water bottle consumption, EcoSchools created a reusable water bottle refill program called Project Refill. By providing select schools with water bottle refill stations, this project will help schools move from landfill to refill.


Lesson Plans

Sky Watchers: Interactive meteorology for students and teachers, lesson plans, ideas for activities

Sun Safety Activities:  Resources for schools (K-6) from Toronto Public Health

SunSense Program - Canadian Cancer Society:  Learning about sun safety and how to enjoy the outdoors in a healthy and safe way is an essential part of every child’s education.

Sun Safety Alliance: Program for Educators to help students understand how to help protect themselves against skin cancer

York Region: Health Resource for Schools re: Sun Safety

Safe Fun in the Sun:  A Sun Protection Curriculum Resource - grades 1-4