• Weather Advisory Guidelines for Physical Education & Recess
  • Category Recommendation for Outdoor Instructional Activities, Including PE, Recess, TDPE, and Special Events
    Under 95°F Heat Index
    “Green Flag”

    If indoors with no AC: increase room ventilation (open windows/doors, use fans).

    If Outdoors: use strategies below as needed.
    95°F to 99°F Heat Index
    “Yellow Flag”

    Activity: decrease physical activity at recess and in physical education classes; and limit recess to cooler morning hours.

    Clothing: loose-fitting, light colored, lightweight clothing; encourage wide brimmed hats.

    Sunscreen: Sun protection Factor (SPF) 15 or higher.

    Access to water: encourage students to take a drink of water prior to and after physical education, recess, and TDPE. If permissible, students can bring water bottles to activity space.
    100°F to 105°F Heat Index
    “Red Flag”

    All of the above.

    Move students/staff to cooler areas of campus, as often as necessary to avoid being in the above 90°F Heat Index areas for longer than 90 minutes at a time.

    Consider rescheduling or delaying the event until safer conditions prevail.
    Above 105°F Heat Index
    “Black Flag”

    All of the above and immediately move the students/staff to cooler areas of the building/facilities. If there are no suitable locations below the “Green Flag” level, activities should be kept in the building in alternative spaces (i.e. cafeteria, multipurpose rooms, hallways, instructional rooms).

    *Heat Index temperature is NOT the same as regular thermometer temperature. For definition of Heat Index and/or more information, please see the Physical Education page at www.duvalschools.org. For the current Heat Index, go to to enter your location. The Heat Index will be listed under Detailed Forecast, Current Conditions and/or Hourly Weather Graph, but only during excessively hot weather.