What This Story Is About
- Norris Elementary School is adjusting recess schedules and monitoring students for heat-related symptoms as temperatures climb into the 90s.
Why It Matters
- Tennessee law requires 40 minutes of daily recess in elementary schools, so schools must balance that mandate with student safety during extreme heat.
- No future actions or planned changes were mentioned beyond current daily practices.
NORRIS, Tenn. (WVLT) — Norris Elementary School is changing how it handles recess as temperatures climb into the 90s, with staff shortening outdoor time and watching students for signs of overheating.
Fourth grade teacher Kelsey Mitzelfeld said her class came in from recess after 20 minutes outside.
“We were out there for 20 minutes. And they are definitely like by the 20 minute mark, red faced, hot, you know, sweating,” Mitzelfeld said.
Shaded playgrounds and a gym backup
Principal Renee Branham said the school relies on shaded playgrounds, shortened outdoor time and the gym as a backup plan…