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Aug 4, 2008 4:57 pm US/Central
Schools Working To Keep Student Athletes Cool
DALLAS (CBS 11 News) ―
The heat can be especially dangerous for North Texas students who are taking part in mandatory outdoor training sessions.
The triple-digit heat has local school officials taking extra precautions. School districts are keeping a close watch for heat-related injuries among students returning to campuses early.
This is the time of year when practice for extra curricular activities kick into high gear.
There are students across the metroplex doing everything from practicing football at Dallas' Carter High School, to taking the field with musical instruments at Highland Park High. Regardless of the activity, schools are splitting practices to accommodate for the extreme heat.
Most practice sessions begin in the morning and wrap up before noon. Any type of afternoon practice takes place inside. There are plenty of cool liquids to keep kids hydrated.
Fans and misters are used to keep young athletes cool on the field. School officials say they are key to combating against heat stroke and exhaustion.
"What we try to do is get the kids done in the morning from 8-12, and usually try to get them a treat and let them off a little bit early. We usually have parents here delivering popsicles at the end of it," explained Highland Park Band Director Chad Brooks. "But it's hot, so we give them as many water breaks as we can."
Schools beginning football practice this week are trying to ensure that players stay off the field during peak periods of heat. "One thing we do, we always have a lot of different water stations, so that kids know they're not too far from water. We also got a tent area that they can go to and cool off," said Carter High School Football Coach Allen Wilson.
Four years ago a Carter High student athlete died after a football practice.
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