by Dr. Andrew Davies
andrewd@isb.ac.th
Dear ISB Community,
Following last Thursday’s tragedy, a number of parents have expressed concerns relating to children participating in physical activity outdoors in the heat. We fully understand these concerns and I will do my best to address them below.
First, we know that Patrick’s passing was due to a rare heart condition. Patrick played in a soccer game of two 15-minute periods, with a 5-minute water break in between. The game commenced in the afternoon at 4:05pm. Patrick was a fit and very capable young athlete. The tragedy involving Patrick was not a result of strenuous activity in extreme heat.
Second, we do know that physical activity in hot conditions can have serious consequences and that these are very preventable. This begs the very understandable question of what ISB does to safeguard student well being during physical activity in hot conditions. Please see a list of current safeguards below:
1. ISB hires trained and experienced physical education teachers that understand the dangers of heat and recognize the early warning signs of heat stress.
2. Lessons are adjusted according to the conditions with more frequent water breaks and close monitoring during hot weather.
3. School nurses are always available during physical education classes and during school sponsored athletics.
4. Every PE station/athletics area has iced water available.
5. PE uniforms are made of modern fabrics that assist in cooling the body.
6. ISB regularly trains and retrains staff in CPR and First Aid.
7. The school has four automated external defibrillator (AEDs) and these are strategically placed around campus.
8. Students are educated as to the importance of drinking water and to inform a teacher if they feel unwell either prior to or during physical activity.
9. Recess for ES students is monitored by Instructional Assistants and teachers on duty. ES students that play in the sun must wear hats.
Third, are we sure that we are following best practices and that we have everything possible in place to ensure that students are as safe as possible? To answer this question, we have set up a review committee to thoroughly review our practices and procedures related to student safety and the issue of exercise and heat will be a significant component of this. This review will involve outside experts and will examine (among other aspects) school supervised physical activity, community sponsored physical activity, and unsupervised physical activity when students come on campus to play. We will examine activities that take place in the school day, after school, in the evenings, on the weekends, and off campus
While we await the conclusions of this review, we ask the ISB community to rest assured that student safety will be our paramount concern. To this end:
1. In Physical Education classes and school sponsored athletics we will continue to closely monitor students and ensure regular water and shade breaks are taken.
2. Lesson and coaching plans will be adjusted according to the conditions.
3. In community-sponsored sports, games have been adjusted to encompass regular water breaks and coaches have been informed to monitor students. Soccer games, for example, have been divided into quarters rather than halves to provide more opportunities for drinks and rest. This practice will continue.
4. PE teachers and coaches will reinforce the importance of healthy habits, the signs of heat related illness, and will be sensitive to any anxieties that students may have.
5. At this time and until the end of the semester, ES PE classes are taking place in either the gyms or the swimming pool. Grade 6 students are learning gymnastics in the new air-conditioned gym.
6. We will continue to monitor changes in temperature and humidity.
Parents can assist by ensuring students regularly drink water, bring a water bottle to school, sleep well, eat breakfast, and avoid caffeine. If students are not feeling well, PE teachers and coaches should be informed.
Parents can also assist through greater awareness of the signs of heat related illness and appropriate actions. Please click here for an American Red Cross bulletin entitled “Heat-Related Illness—Do You Know What to Do?” ISB is a busy school with many sports related activities taking place. The more eyes we have on our students the better.
It is also important to consider this issue in context. ISB has a long history of students participating safely in physical education classes and athletics. We are situated in Southeast Asia, the climate will always present some challenges, and our students will always be participating in a variety of physical activities. Our task is to adjust sensibly to the conditions and ensure the best possible safeguards are in place.
This will not be the final communication on this issue. Our review team will carefully study best practices related to exercise and heat in our context and we will report back to the ISB community as soon as we are ready.
Parents may contact us at any time with questions or concerns.
Sincerely,
Dr. Andrew Davies
Head of School