• Sherman ISD Hot Weather Policy

    Practice or competition in hot and humid environmental conditions poses special problems for student-athletes. Heat stress and resulting heat illness is a primary concern in these conditions. Although deaths from heat illness are rare, constant surveillance and education are necessary to prevent heat-related problems. The following practices should be observed.

    Sherman Independent School District coaches, UIL sponsors and students will follow special procedures to ensure students maintain proper hydration and body temperature levels during extra-curricular practices in extreme heat.

    Sherman ISD retains an open water policy – with students allowed water at all times – for the entirety of all practice sessions, regardless of activity.

     

    Additional Considerations for Risk Reductions

    NOTE: All UIL sponsors with Sherman ISD will adhere to the following practices:

    1. Encourage proper education regarding heat illness (for athletes, teachers, coaches, parents, medical staff, etc.) Education about risk factors should focus on hydration needs, acclimation, work/rest ratio, signs and symptoms of exertional heat illnesses, treatment, dietary supplements, nutritional issues, and fitness status.
    2. Assure that onsite medical staff has authority to alter work/rest ratios, practice schedules, amount of equipment, and withdrawal of individuals from participation based on environment and/or student’s medical condition.

    General Guidelines:

    1. All SISD UIL participants need an initial complete medical history and physical exam on file with UIL sponsor.
    2. Gradual acclimation of the student to hot/humid conditions is a must. We advise students should gradually increase exposure to hot and/or humid environmental conditions over a period of seven to ten days to achieve acclimation.
    3. During the acclimation period, students need to have their weight loss monitored. Athletes must weigh-in before practice and weigh-out after practice.  Readings should be recorded for coaches and/or athletic trainers to evaluate.  Athletes that lose 2% or more of their body weight during practice must regain ALL of the lost weight in order to participate in the next scheduled practice.
    4. Clothing and protective gear can increase heat stress. Dark colors absorb solar radiation.  Clothing and protective gear interfere with the evaporation of sweat and other avenues of heat loss.  During the acclimation process, a student should practice in T-shirts, shorts, socks, and shoes (helmets are allowed in football).
    5. To identify heat stress conditions, measurements of environmental conditions will be taken daily. At the practice time, on the practice field, Sherman ISD athletic trainers will use a thermal indicator to monitor the heat index and the actual temperature. If such a device is not present then weather.com , Sherman, TX will be used to maintain consistency.  All campuses will follow the guidelines set forth in this document.
    6. Heat Index or actual temperature at the start of practice determines the policy for that practice. Practices will be shortened due to a rise in the heat index or actual temperature.

     

    Specific Guidelines:

    • Heat Index of 95-100 degrees:
    • Unrestricted access to water at all times. Asthmatic athletes may remove themselves from workout without repercussions or penalties:
    • No restrictions

    The district emphasizes this policy on any days were the temperature is at or above 100 degrees, with most coaches, band directors or UIL sponsors opting to practice in the morning or evening if possible.

    With high school football players and marching band participants taking on the brunt of the summer heat prior to the start of the school year, the district has a protocol in place for those students. These steps include:

     

    Football

    Players in shorts, shoulder pads, and helmets, will take water breaks every 30 minutes. Each break will be 5 minutes of total rest time with helmets off. Practice will not exceed 2 hours of full heat exposure. Open water policy during entire practice.

    Full pad workouts will have water breaks every 20 minutes. Each break will be 5 minutes of total rest time with helmets off. Practice will not exceed 1.5 hours of total heat exposure. Athletes should be allowed to remove helmets while not in contact drills.

    (Should the temperature exceed 105 degrees or 115 heat index) Players will be in no more than shorts and shoulder pads, and helmets. Breaks will occur every 20 minutes, with 5 minutes of total rest time. Workout will be 2 hours of total heat exposure. A 1- minute station break every 2 five-minute periods. Athletes should be allowed to take off helmets when not actually participating in drills. Water is available at each work station.

     

    Band

    Band members and auxiliary groups will be required to take a water break every 10 minutes with 5 minutes of total rest time in each hour. Practice will not exceed 4 hours of full heat exposure. The emphasis will be on taking many short breaks instead of a few long ones.  Students will be given a 10-minute break at 10am each day where they will be given some kind of frozen snack and be encouraged to sit in the shade.

    Students are also given literature before each summer addressing clothing, hats, sunscreen, etc.  They will be reminded to reapply sunscreen if the band goes out at any time in the afternoon.

    On the rare occasion that the band goes outside in the afternoon, it will be for no more than an hour and will not include marching, only playing at a standstill. The band will always maintain an open water policy and encourage students to sit down, take a break, and drink more water if they feel ill.  We will also encourage drinks that contain electrolytes if water isn’t helping a student who feels sick to their stomach.

    • Heat Index of 100-105 degrees:
    • Unrestricted access to water at all times. Asthmatic students may remove themselves from workout without repercussions or penalties. 
    • After 20 minutes of participation, each athlete will have a 5-minute break (shade if possible).

     

    Heat Index of 106-110 degrees:

    • Unrestricted access to water at all times. Asthmatic students may remove themselves from workout without repercussions or penalties. 
      • Limit padded equipment-increase skin exposure to open air flow
      • Exposure time will not exceed 2 hours
      • After 20 minutes of participation each athlete will be given a 10-minute break in the shade
      • All conditioning to be done indoors

     Heat Index of 110-115 degrees:

    • Unrestricted access to water at all times. Asthmatic students may remove themselves from workout without repercussions or penalties. 
    • Walk through only
    • Exposure time will not exceed 1 hour
    • After 20 minutes of participation each athlete will be given a 10-minute break in the shade
    • Shorts and t-shirts should be worn (no helmet for football)
    • All conditioning to be done indoors
    • Consider moving practice time to the AM
    • Middle school football practice moved inside
    • All outdoor activities for students moved inside

     Heat Index of Greater than 115 degrees:

    • Unrestricted access to water at all times. Asthmatic students may remove themselves from workout without repercussions or penalties. 
      • Change practice time to a cooler time of the day
      • Practice to be done indoors, in air-conditioning or well ventilated building
      • No outdoor activity.

    More information can be found on the UIL Website for Heat Stress and Athletic Participation. We adhere to district guidelines for the safety of our students.