Schools Get A Failing Grade On Skin Cancer Smarts
If experts were to issue report cards on the welfare of our children, American schools would receive a big "F" in skin cancer protection and education.
There have been recent studies indicating that school in the United States are not up to par in protecting our kids from the ultraviolet rays that cause skin cancer. These studies show that schools not only fail to help protect our kids, but they may actually be discouraging the students who try to protect themselves.
In recent years, a study was conducted at schools across the United States to see what steps were being taken to encourage students to take precautions in the sun. The somber indications are that most schools were doing absolutely nothing. Only three percent of schools had guidelines in place to share with their students. Those sun-smart schools are planning outdoor activities during off-peak sunlight hours and offering alternate indoor activities on high UV index days.
Children taking part in outdoor activities should be encouraged to wear hats, sleeves and sunscreen during the peak sunlight hours of 11 am to 3 pm. Again, only a little more than three percent of schools have made the grade by following these protective guidelines.
Here's another frightening statistic: over 66 percent of schools do not allow teachers to apply sunscreen on students, unless the request was accompanied by a doctor's prescription. To make matters worse, fewer than five percent of schools are prepared to provide sunscreen to students who request it. That is simply teaching kids the wrong lesson. Most schools ban hats, in the fear that students will spread head lice by sharing hats. Sunglasses are also banned at most schools. Fewer than 20 percent of outdoor school areas have shaded areas available to allow students a protective escape from the sun.
It seems that school principals are in need of some lessons in sun safety. At the time of this research study, nearly 70 percent of school principals felt that it was a waste of time and resources to be concerned about the outdoor safety of their students. Some claim to have had no idea that students spending a lot of time in the direct sunlight on the school playground could face an increased risk of skin cancer. A full 84 percent of principals, however, admitted that their students often spent a lot time outdoors during peak sunlight hours.
If schools are really going to provide the protection and education that our children need and deserve, they're going to have to make some changes. The report suggested the following improvements:
* Trees provide an excellent natural source of shade for students. Planting trees helps to beautify the schoolyard, too.
* Schools should build structures to create shaded areas, and extend the overhangs on all school buildings. Many students would benefit from these projects.
* Every effort should be made to schedule outdoor activities before or after peak sunlight hours.
* The use of sunscreen should not only be permitted, but also required, for all students. A doctor's note should never be a prerequisite for teachers applying sunscreen.
* Students must be allowed to wear sunglasses and hats while spending time outdoors.
* The health class curriculum should include lessons on skin cancer, to explain the causes, effects and prevention of this potentially deadly disease.
It's not always easy to encourage children and teenagers to make smart choices, particularly when the negative effects won't come into play until decades later. Even so, these are lessons that must be taught, and school is the sensible place to start. As parents, teachers and principals, we all share a responsibility and a duty to keep our kids well educated and safe.
Schools that have been found to discourage kids from making healthy choices are definitely failing. It's time to send our teachers and principals back to the classroom, because if they fail at sun safety, our kids will be the ones who suffer.
There have been recent studies indicating that school in the United States are not up to par in protecting our kids from the ultraviolet rays that cause skin cancer. These studies show that schools not only fail to help protect our kids, but they may actually be discouraging the students who try to protect themselves.
In recent years, a study was conducted at schools across the United States to see what steps were being taken to encourage students to take precautions in the sun. The somber indications are that most schools were doing absolutely nothing. Only three percent of schools had guidelines in place to share with their students. Those sun-smart schools are planning outdoor activities during off-peak sunlight hours and offering alternate indoor activities on high UV index days.
Children taking part in outdoor activities should be encouraged to wear hats, sleeves and sunscreen during the peak sunlight hours of 11 am to 3 pm. Again, only a little more than three percent of schools have made the grade by following these protective guidelines.
Here's another frightening statistic: over 66 percent of schools do not allow teachers to apply sunscreen on students, unless the request was accompanied by a doctor's prescription. To make matters worse, fewer than five percent of schools are prepared to provide sunscreen to students who request it. That is simply teaching kids the wrong lesson. Most schools ban hats, in the fear that students will spread head lice by sharing hats. Sunglasses are also banned at most schools. Fewer than 20 percent of outdoor school areas have shaded areas available to allow students a protective escape from the sun.
It seems that school principals are in need of some lessons in sun safety. At the time of this research study, nearly 70 percent of school principals felt that it was a waste of time and resources to be concerned about the outdoor safety of their students. Some claim to have had no idea that students spending a lot of time in the direct sunlight on the school playground could face an increased risk of skin cancer. A full 84 percent of principals, however, admitted that their students often spent a lot time outdoors during peak sunlight hours.
If schools are really going to provide the protection and education that our children need and deserve, they're going to have to make some changes. The report suggested the following improvements:
* Trees provide an excellent natural source of shade for students. Planting trees helps to beautify the schoolyard, too.
* Schools should build structures to create shaded areas, and extend the overhangs on all school buildings. Many students would benefit from these projects.
* Every effort should be made to schedule outdoor activities before or after peak sunlight hours.
* The use of sunscreen should not only be permitted, but also required, for all students. A doctor's note should never be a prerequisite for teachers applying sunscreen.
* Students must be allowed to wear sunglasses and hats while spending time outdoors.
* The health class curriculum should include lessons on skin cancer, to explain the causes, effects and prevention of this potentially deadly disease.
It's not always easy to encourage children and teenagers to make smart choices, particularly when the negative effects won't come into play until decades later. Even so, these are lessons that must be taught, and school is the sensible place to start. As parents, teachers and principals, we all share a responsibility and a duty to keep our kids well educated and safe.
Schools that have been found to discourage kids from making healthy choices are definitely failing. It's time to send our teachers and principals back to the classroom, because if they fail at sun safety, our kids will be the ones who suffer.
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