Heat Warning Issued for Durham Region

Dear Families,

Environment Canada has issued a heat warning for the Durham Region, with high temperatures anticipated in the coming days. We want to assure you that our schools are prepared and will be taking steps to keep students and staff safe.

Across the Durham Catholic District School Board (DCDSB), schools vary in their cooling systems - some are fully air-conditioned, some are partially air-conditioned, and others do not have air conditioning. This means that some classrooms may become quite warm during the day.

To help your child stay cool and safe, please:

• Dress them in light, breathable clothing
• Send them with a hat and sunscreen
• Make sure they bring a refillable water bottle to stay hydrated

When a heat warning is in place, schools will follow the established protocols to protect the health and safety of students and staff, which includes:

• Encouraging students and staff to drink water regularly
• Using fans, where available, throughout the school
• Closing blinds or curtains to block direct sunlight
• Moving classes to cooler areas of the school when possible
• Limiting physical activities like gym, sports, and outdoor recess, along with exposure to the sun and hot environments
• Increasing rest periods and water breaks

Please be aware of the signs of heat-related illness, which can include headache, nausea, dizziness, thirst, dark-colored urine, extreme tiredness, etc. Learn more about heat related illness and the symptoms to watch for at durham.ca/heat.

For more information about heat safety and current warnings, visit the Durham Region website at durham.ca/heat. Additional resources have also been compiled on the DCDSB Weather Safety page. 

If you have any questions or concerns, please contact your school office.

By working together, we can continue to maintain safe and welcoming learning and working environments for our Durham Catholic learning community.

Sincerely,
Durham Catholic District School Board