Students at Moorhead's S.G. Reinertsen Elementary seemed prepared for cold, snowy weather Thursday.
Most were bundled from head to toe as they hopped in their parents' vehicles or onto waiting buses.
School officials say that is not always the case, especially in early winter. Children either leave their hats, scarves, mittens, boots or snow pants at home or can't find them. And in some circumstances, students' families can't afford the often costly winter gear.
"The problem is when the weather first changes and it's kind of getting kids used to putting on warm clothes," said Dennis Howitz, L.E. Berger Elementary School Principal.
"Whether it's because winter takes people by surprise or it's financial or it's because kids just don't want to bring their things, I would say when winter starts you see probably half of the kids unprepared to go outside," said Moorhead's Ellen Hopkins second-grade teacher Lisa Seljevold.
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Area school districts keep their students inside if weather conditions are severe. Fargo, West Fargo and Dilworth-Glyndon-Felton use a windchill index to determine whether students will be allowed outside for recess. Moorhead also goes by the temperature.
Anne Moyano, S.G. Reinertsen principal, says children are not allowed to be outside if temperatures are 5 below zero or lower or the wind chill factor is minus 10.
If children are dropped off early, Moyano says they have to be inside. She says a few students are dropped off an hour or so before school starts, which she says is discouraged because the school doesn't have staff to look after the kids.
Because of the restrictions, exposure-related injuries at school haven't been a problem.
"To my knowledge, in 13 years, we've never had a case of frostbite," Moyano said.
Frostbite and hypothermia hasn't been an issue in Fargo, either. Nancy Leith, Fargo Public Health nursing supervisor, said she couldn't think of a single case where a child had been treated for either.
The cases of children being treated for frostbite and hypothermia are also rare outside of school hours. Ron Miller, MeritCare Children's Hospital and Children's Services Director, says he does not see a lot of weather-related problems in children.
But he says when children are chilled, they are more likely to get sick if they are exposed to a virus.
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In addition to the safety concerns, Seljevold says children who are not dressed appropriately also miss out on exercise and socialization opportunities at recess.
"I want all kids to be able to play and if they don't have snow pants and boots, they can't play," Seljevold said.
Teachers and principals will often talk to parents if a child is repeatedly sent to school unprepared for the weather. All of the school districts also have resources for children who might not be dressed appropriately.
Readers can reach Forum reporter Tracy Frank at (701) 241-5526
