policy information
Sui
a program that radiates good ideas
A Partnership Program of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
www.epa.gov/sunwise
-------
Becoming a
SunWise School
The school day makes up a major part of a
child's everyday life. The time children spend
outside of the classroom, including recess, lunch,
physical education classes, field trips, and
after-school activities, can result in a significant
amount of sun exposure, especially if it occurs
during the hours of peak sun intensity from
10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Children need to be physically
active, but must learn to protect themselves
from overexposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation.
Given that sun damage is cumulative, schools
need to recognize that everyday exposure counts.
Overexposure to the sun can cause serious
health problems such as skin cancer, cataracts,
and immune system suppression. Schools can
play a major role in preventing these adverse
health effects by:
• Instilling SunWise behaviors in students and
staff through education.
• Providing a school environment that is
SunWise, including both physical and policy
enhancements.
Becoming a SunWise School may require
changes to the school's physical environment
and policies and practices. Some changes
may take longer than others to implement.
Some changes may involve costs, but many
can be implemented with little or no cost
to the school. The key is to recognize sun
safety as an important health issue, and to
make changes that are feasible and realistic
for your school. Skin cancer and the other
harmful health effects from overexposure are
largely preventable, and by making these
changes, positive steps are taken toward a
healthier future.
a program that radiates good ideas
A Partnership Program of (fie U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
www.epa.gov/sunwise
-------
a program that radiates good ideas
A Partnership Program of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
www.epa.gov/sunwise
Why Being SunWise is Important for Children
School Age Focus
Skin cancer experts and researchers
used to warn the public that children
need to use sun protection to prevent
skin cancer later in life. Now the
experts and researchers are warning
the public that children need to
use sun protection to prevent skin
cancer at an early age and later in
life. Two recent studies find that
melanoma and the two major types
of nonmelanoma skin cancer—basal
cell and squamous cell carcinoma—
are rising dramatically in young
Americans. First, the incidence of
pediatric melanoma in US cancer
registries increased 46 percent from
1973 to 2001 among children (age <
20 years) and young adults (age 20
to 24 years). Second, a population-
based study using very complete
and extensive data from Minnesota
demonstrated an increase in the
incidence of nonmelanoma skin
cancer among young women and
men, with a particularly strong
increase in basal cell carcinoma
in young women. The authors of
both studies concluded by calling
for a strong focus and emphasis on
skin cancer prevention in young
populations, including young adults.
Melanoma: A Teen Survival Story
As mentioned, it is important for people of
all ages, young and old, to be sun safe. Kim
Clark, a high school soccer star from Arizona
and a volunteer for The SHADE Foundation,
knows how important it is to be SunWise.
Here is her story:
How old were you when you were diagnosed
with melanoma?
Kim: I was 13. But I had my first mole
removed when I was 9 years old. Then at 13, I
was told it was Stage IV melanoma. Again, now
at 14, I have had a couple more moles removed.
What was it like when the doctor told you that
it was melanoma ?
Kim: I was very shocked. I didn't know
what melanoma meant. When you read on
the Internet or in books, people don't get
melanoma at the age of 13. It affected my
family drastically, but we became stronger.
I went through the church and talked with
many of my friends and family. They all gave
me a lot of support. We realized that it does
happen to young kids and we need to really
think about how we are protecting ourselves.
I made a saying with my dad that we're going
to score the goal and we're going to win the
game to fight cancer.
How difficult was it to go through treatment?
Kim: I had to get 4 radiation shots for the
surgery so they could find where the cancer
was feeding from. The radiation shots hurt
really bad. They took lymph nodes out of my
underarm and a few sentinel nodes. They cut
down to the muscle in my back and there is
now a 5-inch scar. The results came back that
they got it all, so I was lucky not to have to
get chemo.
You've been playing soccer for a long time,
so you've spent a lot of time outside. Was sun
protection anything you ever thought about
before ?
Kim: I put sunscreen on, but I never really
thought about if I was putting it on the right
way or if I was putting on enough. I wasn't
really aware of what could happen. I'd put it
on because my parents told me to, but then I
never reapplied it while spending hours in the
sun. I never really burned and I have never
used a sun-tanning booth.
How have your sun protection behaviors
changed?
Kim: I've learned how to put on sunscreen the
right way. An hour before I go out into the
sun, I glaze it over my body and let it soak in.
Then when I get to my destination, I put it on
again and rub it in. I do it every hour while
I'm outside. There are some special shirts that
have sun protection in them that I wear under
my soccer jersey and then I put sunscreen
on. My parents also bought portable shade
structures to use on the soccer fields so we can
sit in the shade on the sidelines.
How easy is it to follow sun protection practices
now?
Kim: I find it pretty easy. Easy enough that I
should have done it before. Most of my friends
have realized that, "Hey, we know someone
who has gone through this." They have pulled
together and wear sun protection. All of my
friends do it.
What is your opinion on the look of being tan?
Kim: I think it looks ugly and it's kind of
stupid to be doing that. I think that pale
is pretty. All of my friends say that they're
going to be pale with me. Some kids at school
comment on how pale I am, but I just tell them
that I know the consequences.
Why is it important for you to become a
spokesperson for sun protection?
Kim: I want to help spread sun protection
awareness to everybody. I want to let people
know that it can happen to young people too.
-------
Becoming a SunWise School
a program that radiates good ideas
A Partnership Program of the U.S. Envitvnmental Protection Agency
www.epa.gov/sunwise
Step One
Define Goals
Examples of some goals that you
might set for your school are:
• Increase sun safety awareness
in your school and surrounding
communities.
• Adopt practical sun protection
measures.
• Help students acquire SunWise
behaviors through education about
the dangers of overexposure to
ultraviolet (UV) rays and measures
they can take to protect themselves.
• Encourage students and staff to
use broad-spectrum SPF 15+
sunscreen and wear protective
clothing, appropriate hats, and
sunglasses when outdoors.
• Provide a physical environment
that is sun safe, i.e., with shade
coverings or trees.
• Communicate with parents and
community members about your
school's SunWise practices.
Step Two
Evaluate Your School
The "Evaluate Your School" tool
is located on page 5 of this policy
section. This tool can be very helpful
in assessing the current state of your
school's sun protection practices and
what you can do to make your school
more SunWise. Please take a couple of
minutes to take this "quiz" and add up
the total number of points to obtain
your score. Refer to the score key for
helpful hints for what steps to take to
implement SunWise practices in your
school. Then advance to Step Three.
Step Three
Write an Official SunWise School Sun
Safety Policy
Formalizing your school's Sun Safety
Policy in writing will assist in putting
your goals into action. It will also help
you communicate your school's policy
to staff, students, and the surrounding
community.
Please note, the term "policy"
throughout this document may be
defined somewhat loosely. School
policy can often imply official
regulations. Here, we are referring to
practices and procedures that are
developed and adhered to within each
school to benefit the health and safety
of its students.
The SunWise policy section contains
many helpful ideas for practical and
feasible practices that your school can
adopt. We realize that some may be
easier to implement than others. In
addition, some may require permission
and/or input from school principals,
the superintendent, other staff, and
community members. We offer a
number of suggestions to facilitate
the process of involving school leaders
and getting them on board with these
practices, including:
• Make an appointment with the
school principal to discuss sun
protection practices you would like
to implement in your school.
• Be prepared with background
information on the importance
of sun protection in general,
development of sun-safe health
habits, and having a sun-safe school
environment.
-------
a program that radiates good ideas
A Partnership Program of the U.S. Envitvnmental Protection Agency
www.epa.gov/sunwise
Step Three continued
• Have support from parent-teacher
organizations, other parent groups,
and/or other staff members.
• Include an action plan with ideas
of what practices you would like
to implement, how they can be
implemented, how funds can be
made available, and what contacts
you will likely need.
Suggested Focus Areas for Your
SunWise School Sun Safety Policy
By completing and reviewing the
Evaluate Your School tool, you
are now ready to develop a school
sun safety policy. Please refer
to the Checklist (page 7) of this
policy section. Use this Checklist
as a goal-setting tool and check off
which practices you will work on
implementing in your school. Options
include:
Environment
• Increase the number of shelters and
trees to provide adequate shade on
the school grounds.
• Schedule outdoor activities before
10 a.m. and after 4 p.m., especially
during the months when UV
radiation is most intense.
• Hold outdoor activities in shady
areas whenever possible.
School Practices
• Incorporate the SunWise
curriculum into the health or
regular classroom curriculum. (See
Integrating Sun Protection into
Lesson Plans, page 16).
• Work with parents to provide
SPF 15+, broad-spectrum, water-
resistant sunscreen for student use.
• Make sunscreen available to
students.
• Find out if any students have sun
sensitivities or sunscreen allergies
and allow for necessary precautions.
• Allow children to wear sunglasses
that block 100 percent of UVA and
UVB, and hats, which will help
protect the face, neck, eyes, and
ears, whenever the children are
outside.
• Ensure that sun safety policies
are reflected in the planning of all
outdoor events, including field trips.
• Provide resources and education
to staff on sun protection and the
SunWise curriculum.
• Sign up to receive the daily UV
Index and occasional UV Alerts
(visit www.epa.gov/sunwise/
uvindex.html and click on Enviro
Flash), and let children and staff
know what the UV intensity
is expected to be. For more
information on the UV Index,
please see the SunWisdom section.
Behavior
• Encourage staff and parents to
act as role models for students by
practicing sun-safe behaviors.
• Encourage the daily application of
sunscreen before school and prior
to outdoor activity.
• Encourage students to use available
shaded areas for outdoor activities.
Look to your community to help
enhance your program ideas. Local
medical professionals, business
people, media, and others can provide
skills, information, and materials to
support your SunWise School Sun
Safety Policy. Also, remember to
include parents in your efforts. They
can help raise awareness and support
in the community for future funding
of environmental changes, such as
planting trees or building shade
structures.
Step Four
Communicate with Parents and
Community Members
SunWise safety messages must be
reinforced beyond the classroom in
order to change policies and behaviors.
Making sure that the SunWise
-------
a program that radiates good ideas
A Partnership Program of the U.S. Envitvnmental Protection Agency
www.epa.gov/sunwise
Step Four continued
message is reinforced in both home
and community environments is a vital
component in the creation of sun-safe
behaviors in students. This can be
achieved through active communication
with parents, guardians, area news
services, and other community
members.
• Communicate your rationale for the
policy changes and the goals that
you expect to achieve.
• Use language that is inclusive and
understandable to your audience
(parents, staff, students, and the
community at large).
• Regularly reinforce sun safety
behaviors in a positive way through
newsletters, parent-teacher
meetings, and student/teacher
activities.
• Refer to templates located in this
policy section for communication
outlets, including permission slips,
a parent handbook, and example
blurbs and articles for newsletters
and nurse's notes.
The following are some other
suggestions for getting students, staff,
parents, and your community involved
with your school's sun safety policy:
• Distribute your school's SunWise
policy, as well as relevant fact
sheets from the SunWisdom section
of this Tool Kit, to staff, parents,
and the local community.
• Forge partnerships with other
teachers and administrators, parent
organizations, local nonprofit and
civic organizations, recreational
programs, businesses, and the
media, in particular weathercasters.
Use partnerships to build support
for the program and sun safety
policies.
• Involve the media to the fullest
extent. Distribute press releases
about SunWise activities that your
school is sponsoring to local media
outlets.
• Encourage students, staff, parents,
and other community members to
sign up for EnviroFlash UV Index
e-mails.
• Present a sun safety information
session at a staff, school council,
and/or PTA meeting.
• Network with your local businesses
and encourage them to provide
incentives, such as hats, sunglasses,
and sunscreen, to reinforce the
habits and messages of sun
protection.
• Get your local community involved
and excited by organizing a SunWise
block party, field day, or assembly.
Invite all of your students, staff,
parents, and community members.
Keeping your SunWise School Sun
Safety Policy fresh in the minds
of your community will ensure
enduring SunWise behaviors and
better health for all.
• Team up with organizations listed
in the Resources section of this
Tool Kit to help promote sun safety
awareness and practices.
• Participate in and sponsor
commemorative programs where
donations can lead to planting trees
or constructing shade structures on
your school grounds.
The following pages contain examples
of correspondence you might use to
inform parents about your SunWise
School Sun Safety Policy and alert
the media to your SunWise activities.
In addition, you will find a sample
SunWise School Sun Safety Policy.
Use these examples as starting points
for your own outreach activities.
-------
Evaluate Your School
a program that radiates good ideas
A Partnership Program of the U.S. Envitvnmental Protection Agency
www.epa.gov/sunwise
Use this evaluation tool by answering the following
questions to determine your school's current sun
protection practices. Add up the total number of points
from all of the questions below and refer to the key for
suggestions on how to make your school more SunWise.
Assess the use of school grounds in relation to availability
and use of shade:
How many trees or shade structures are on your
school grounds?
Many
Few
None
Are shaded areas available to students during lunch,
recess, physical education, and sports?
Yes
Somewhat
No
Approximately what proportion of outdoor space is
sheltered by structures and/or trees?
66-100%
33-66%
0-33%
Can the amount of shade be realistically increased
in areas of high student use?
0 Yes
Somewhat
No
Are there currently any future plans for adding new
trees/structures or new construction or renovations
that would provide more shade?
0 Yes
0 Possibly, if can secure funding
O Not at this time
Assess current school policies for aspects that encourage
or discourage SunWise practices:
Are the students allowed to apply sunscreen in
school?
0 Yes
Q Only on field trips/field days
O No
Are teachers and nurses allowed to apply/help apply
sunscreen to students?
O Yes
Q Teachers monitor while students
apply it themselves
O No, they are not allowed
Are students allowed to wear hats on school
grounds?
0 Yes, but not in the building
O Only allowed on field days/field trips
O No
At what time of day are outdoor activities scheduled?
0 All activities are before 10 a.m. and after 4 p.m.
0 Try to avoid 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
0 Most activities are between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.
-------
a program that radiates good ideas
A Partnership Program of the U.S. Envitvnmental Protection Agency
www.epa.gov/sunwise
Are sun safety facts and reminders often
communicated with parents through the use of
newsletters, nurse's notes, education pamphlets,
etc.?
HI Yes, written forms of communication often include
sun safety information
UP A summer reminder is usually distributed
• No
Are parents or guardians included in sun safety
decisions made by the school?
Yes
Somewhat
No
Look at current student and staff behaviors through a
SunWise lens:
How many students come to school wearing
sunscreen?
Most
Some
None
What are the sun safety behaviors of school staff and
administration? Do they act as role models in the
reinforcement of school policies?
Up Most wear sunscreen and protective clothing,
seek shade
Up Some try to practice a few sun safety behaviors
O None
Do students and staff make use of available shade
during outdoor activities?
fjp Yes, shade is mostly utilized
||p Somewhat
• No
0-9 Points
Your school still has some work to do to make it SunWise.
The SunWise Program will greatly help in the efforts to
integrate sun safety into your school's daily practices. The
first step is realizing that this is an important issue that
affects your students' and staffs health. The next step is
to raise the awareness of your school community. By using
this Tool Kit to integrate a sun safety curriculum into
classroom lessons and to establish sun-safe practices, your
school will become SunWise. Please review the Checklist
(see page 7) for many important steps that can be taken in
your school.
10-19 Points
Your school has already taken some important steps
toward becoming SunWise. However, by using this Tool
Kit, you can improve your school's efforts even further.
It may be helpful to take a closer look at your school
grounds to assess where it may be possible to increase the
amount of shade. Consider adding other practices noted
on the Checklist (see page 7). Other ideas are to increase
the amount of communication already sent to parents
regarding the importance of sun safety through outlets
such as newsletters, and to develop protocols for sunscreen
and protective clothing, hats, and sunglasses use.
20-28 Points
Your school is doing a really good job at being SunWise.
By using this Tool Kit, you can help improve the efforts
even further. Besides supplying a creative curriculum,
it also suggests further opportunities that your school
can take to expand current practices. In addition to
suggestions from above, it might be beneficial to work on
fundraisers to increase the amount of available shade on
the school grounds, or to try to adjust outdoor activities to
occur outside the 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. time period.
-------
a program that radiates good ideas
A Partnership Program of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
www.epa.gov/sunwise
Developing a School Sun Safety Policy
Checklist
Please review the following menu of sun protection practices. Check off (/) the selections that are most feasible to
implement in your school (select all that apply).
Environment
Q Increase the number of shelters and trees on the school
grounds.
Q Adjust schedule of outdoor activities.
Q Hold outdoor activities in shady areas whenever
possible.
School Practices
Incorporate the SunWise Program into the health or
regular classroom curriculum (see Integrating Sun
Protection into Lesson Plans, pages 16-18).
Q Work with parents to provide sunscreen for student
use.
Q Make sunscreen available to students at school.
Q Allow children to wear sunglasses and hats whenever
they are outside.
Q Ensure that sun safety policies are reflected in the
planning of all outdoor events, including field trips
(see Sample Language template, pages 11-12).
Q Provide resources and education to staff on sun
protection and the SunWise Program.
Q Sign up for EnviroFlash UV e-mails and report the
daily UV Index to the student body and staff.
Behavior
Q Encourage staff and parents to act as role models for
students by practicing sun-safe behaviors.
Q Encourage the daily application of sunscreen before
school and prior to outdoor activity.
Q Encourage students to use available shaded areas for
outdoor activities.
Communication
Q Communicate your rationale for the policy changes and
the goals that you expect to achieve with the school
community.
Q Regularly reinforce sun safety behaviors and facts
through newsletters, a parent handbook, parent-
teacher meetings, and student/teacher activities (see
Sample Language template, pages 11-12).
Q Work with parent-teacher organizations to coordinate
fundraisers for sun protection initiatives and to
organize educational opportunities in the community
(see Donation Letter template, page 13).
-------
Sample Letter to Parents
a program that radiates good ideas
A Partnership Program of the U.S. Envitvnmental Protection Agency
www.epa.gov/sunwise
Dear Parent/Guardian/Caregiver:
At [School Name], we are committed
to providing your child with a healthy
environment. Overexposure to the sun
can cause serious health problems such
as skin cancer, premature aging of the
skin, and other skin disorders; cataracts
and other eye damage; and immune
system suppression. We know children
need to be physically active, but they
must learn to protect themselves
from overexposure to ultraviolet (UV)
radiation. The amount of time children
spend outside the classroom, including
recess, lunch, physical education
classes, field trips, and after-school
activities, can result in a significant
amount of sun exposure. Our school
has developed sun safety practices
to provide each student the support
needed to be sun safe. Sun damage to
the skin is cumulative. Because of these
factors, we ask that you support us as
we strive to make [School Name] a sun-
safe school.
Please help us reinforce the sun safety
messages that children will be learning
in school by encouraging them to use
and practice the following actions:
Do Not Burn
Overexposure to the sun is the most
preventable risk factor for skin cancer.
Avoid Sun Tanning
and Tanning Beds
UV light from tanning beds and
the sun causes skin cancer and
wrinkling. If you want to look like
you've been in the sun, consider using
a sunless self-tanning product, but
continue to use sunscreen with it.
Generously Apply Sunscreen
Generously apply sunscreen to all
exposed skin using a Sun Protection
Factor (SPF) of at least 15 that
provides broad-spectrum protection
from both ultraviolet A (UVA) and
ultraviolet B (UVB) rays. Reapply
every two hours, even on cloudy days,
and after swimming or sweating.
Wear Protective Clothing
Wear protective clothing, such as
a long-sleeved shirt, pants, a wide-
brimmed hat, and sunglasses, when
possible.
Seek Shade
Seek shade when appropriate, remem-
bering that the sun's UV rays are
strongest between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.
Use Extra Caution Near Water,
Snow, and Sand
Water, snow, and sand reflect the
damaging rays of the sun, which can
increase your chance of sunburn.
Watch for the UV Index
The UV Index provides important
information to help you plan your
outdoor activities in ways that
prevent overexposure to the sun's
rays. Developed by the National
Weather Service and EPA, the UV
Index is issued daily nationwide. To
receive daily UV forecasts via e-mail
sign up for EnviroFlash at www.epa.
govlsunwiseluvindex.html.
Get Vitamin D Safely
Get Vitamin D safely through a diet
that includes vitamin supplements
and foods fortified with Vitamin D.
Don't seek the sun.
Skin cancer and the other harmful
health effects from overexposure are
largely preventable, and by making
these changes, positive steps are
taken toward a healthier future.
Enclosed with this letter is a copy
of [School Namejs new sun safety
policy. Please contact [contact name
and phone number] if you have any
questions or concerns, or if you would
like further information on sun
protection.
Sincerely,
[School Contact or Official]
8
-------
Sample Press Release
a program that radiates good ideas
A Partnership Program of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
www.epa.gov/sunwise
[Date]
[Contact Name and
Telephone Number]
[Your City, State]
[School Name]
Kicks Off Sun Wise Program
• [School Name] announced this week
that it will initiate a new policy of
sun protection practices to become
a SunWise School. Overexposure to
the sun's harmful ultraviolet (UV)
rays can result not only in a painful
sunburn, but can also lead to serious
health problems, including skin
cancer and eye damage.
• [School Name] believes that it is
important to get involved because
the school environment provides the
opportunity to reach a significant
number of youth at a time when
health habits are still being formed.
• [Optional: If events are planned,
include:] Locally, an event will be
held in recognition of [School Name]'s
partnership with the U.S. Environ-
mental Protection Agency to become
a SunWise School. There will be a
[details of event—what, where, when,
contact information]. All community
members are welcome to attend.
• The SunWise Program consists of a
variety of efforts that the school will
undertake to encourage children
and their families to be sun safe.
SunWise aims to create a healthier
environment by minimizing
overexposure to UV radiation.
Facts about Sun-Related Illnesses
• Overexposure to the sun may lead
to skin cancer, cataracts, immune
system suppression, and premature
aging of the skin.
• Skin cancer is more common than
all other types of cancer combined,
with more than 1 million new cases
diagnosed each year nationwide.
• Locally, [add recent local state
statistics, visit statecancerprofiles.
cancer.gov]
Action Steps for Sun Protection
Do Not Burn
Overexposure to the sun is the most
preventable risk factor for skin cancer.
Avoid Sun Tanning and Tanning Beds
UV light from tanning beds and
the sun causes skin cancer and
wrinkling. If you want to look like
you've been in the sun, consider using
a sunless self-tanning product, but
continue to use sunscreen with it.
-------
a program that radiates good ideas
A Partnership Program of the U.S. Envitvnmental Protection Agency
www.epa.gov/sunwise
Generously Apply Sunscreen
Generously apply sunscreen to all
exposed skin using a Sun Protection
Factor (SPF) of at least 15 that
provides broad-spectrum protection
from both ultraviolet A (UVA) and
ultraviolet B (UVB) rays. Reapply
every two hours, even on cloudy days,
and after swimming or sweating.
Wear Protective Clothing
Wear protective clothing, such as a long-
sleeved shirt, pants, a wide-brimmed
hat, and sunglasses, when possible.
Seek Shade
Seek shade when appropriate, remem-
bering that the sun's UV rays are
strongest between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.
Use Extra Caution
Near Water, Snow, and Sand
Water, snow, and sand reflect the
damaging rays of the sun, which can
increase your chance of sunburn.
Watch for the UV Index
The UV Index provides important
information to help you plan your
outdoor activities in ways that
prevent overexposure to the sun's
rays. Developed by the National
Weather Service and EPA, the UV
Index is issued daily nationwide.
Get Vitamin D Safely
Get Vitamin D safely through a diet
that includes vitamin supplements
and foods fortified with Vitamin D.
Don't seek the sun.
For more information on these
Sun Wise events or [School Name]'s
Sun Wise Program, please contact
[Contact Name and telephone
number/e-mail] and visit
www.epa.gov/sunwise.
10
-------
a program that radiates good ideas
A Partnership Program of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
www.epa.gov/sunwise
Sample Language
Newsletters & Parent Communication
For Newsletters and Nurse's
Notes
Including sun protection awareness
information and action steps in
school newsletters is a productive
way of communicating these
important messages to parents. It
is suggested to use a combination
of types of messages including some
awareness and action messages.
Focus on specific action steps that
parents can take to help make
their child sun safe, as well as on
providing the information to explain
why it is so important.
Awareness Information
• Sunburns during childhood are
harmful and painful. It can take
less than 10 minutes for a child's
skin to burn. Childhood sunburns
increase the risk for skin cancer
later in life.
• Childhood burns can begin to
increase the risk for skin cancer
occurrence as early as the late teen
years and early to mid-twenties.
• A significant amount of lifetime
sun exposure occurs before age 18.
Protecting skin and eyes during the
first 18 years of life can reduce the
risk of some types of skin cancer
by up to 78 percent. Melanoma is
a cancer that can affect younger
people and can start as early as
adolescence.
• Children learn healthy habits best
at a young age. With sun damage
accumulating over a person's
lifetime, teaching the importance of
sun safety habits at a young age is
a priority.
• Your child is at the age when
important health habits are still
being formed. Now is the time to
help your child learn necessary
sun protection behaviors to protect
his/her skin from the damage that
can appear later in life. Prevention
efforts are needed across settings
targeting schools, families, and
conini unities.
Action Steps
• On appropriate days, please apply
sunscreen to your child prior to
sending him/her to school. We
strongly encourage that your child
bring and wear a sun-protective
hat for all outdoor activities. To
find out what the UV intensity is
predicted to be, sign up for Enviro-
Flash daily UV Index e-mails by
visiting www.epa.gov/sunwise/
uvindex.html.
We encourage children to enjoy
physical activity and fresh air year-
round. However, proper precautions
should be taken to ensure that
your child's outdoor time is a safe
time. It is very important for all
children to protect themselves from
overexposure to the sun.
I Limit sun exposure, especially
during the sun's peak hours of
10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
I Use a sunscreen with an SPF of
at least 15 every day.
I Reapply sunscreen every 2 hours
during outdoor activity.
I Apply sunscreen at least 20
minutes prior to going outdoors.
I Wear a hat with a wide brim to
protect the face, neck, and ears.
I Wear protective clothing, such
as long pants and a long-sleeved
shirt, and UV-protective
sunglasses, to help protect skin
and eyes.
11
-------
a program that radiates good ideas
A Partnership Program of the U.S. Envitvnmental Protection Agency
www.epa.gov/sunwise
I Encourage play in the shade.
I Watch for the daily UV Index.
I Be aware that water, sand,
snow, and concrete can all reflect
the sun's UV rays.
I Avoid and discourage tanning
salon use.
Example Article
Most children enjoy spending time
outdoors, whether it is before or
after school, during recess or gym
class, or on weekends. We encourage
children to enjoy physical activity
and fresh air year-round. However,
proper precautions should be taken
to ensure that when outdoors, your
child is safe from the sun. Just like
children need mittens and warm hats
to be safe from the cold, they need
sunscreen and hats to be safe from
the harmful rays of the sun.
Skin cancer is the most common
form of cancer in the United States,
but it is also the most preventable.
Children can learn good health
habits while they are young to help
them be sun safe. Excessive and
unprotected sun exposure increases
the risk of skin damage later in life.
[School Name] believes that this is
an important health issue; therefore
we are taking some necessary
steps to incorporate sun safety into
our school day. If you have any
suggestions or comments regarding
these sun protection practices,
please contact [Contact Name and
telephone number] or your own
health care provider.
For Permission Slip
In order to ensure that sun
safety policies are reflected in the
planning of all outdoor events,
including field trips, consider adding
language about sun protection to
the permission slip. An example of
wording on a permission slip follows:
"During this field trip/field day,
your child will be outdoors for a
substantial period of time. Please
send your child to school with
sunscreen and a hat. Your child's
teacher will give him/her time to
put on the sunscreen. Also, please
apply sunscreen to your child before
sending him/her to school."
For Parent Handbook
Most school handbooks currently
contain a section on appropriate
clothing suggestions for winter
weather, such as coats, boots, and
gloves. The suggested language
below expands the clothing section
to include suggestions for warm
weather and sun protection.
Example: "We request that parents
provide appropriate clothing and
hats for their children, with attention
to weather conditions—cold or warm,
sunny or rainy. It is also strongly
encouraged that parents apply
sunscreen to their child prior to
sending him/her to school on days
where the weather warrants it."
For Sample Policy: Curriculum
Addition
The inclusion of a sun safety
program such as SunWise in health
or regular classroom education is one
key part of the new policy. Providing
students with the necessary
knowledge and skills, while creating
an environment that reinforces these
practices, will be most effective.
Example: "Incorporate the SunWise
Program into the health or regular
classroom curriculum. Included is
a chart designed to assist staff in
determining how this integration
can be accomplished."
12
-------
a program that radiates good ideas
A Partnership Program of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
www.epa.gov/sunwise
Donation Letter—Sample
John Smith
Town Tree Farm
111 Main Street
Town, State 00000
Dear Sir/Madam:
I am the [insert title/position] at [School Name]. The purpose of this letter is to inform you that we
are committed to providing our children with a healthy and safe environment. Overexposure to the
sun can cause serious health problems such as skin cancer, premature aging of the skin, and other
skin disorders; cataracts and other eye damage; and immune system suppression.
We know children need to be physically active, but they must learn to protect themselves from
overexposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation. Our school has developed sun safety practices to provide
each student the support needed to be sun safe. Sun damage to the skin is cumulative. At [School
Name], we recognize that everyday sun exposure matters.
Because of these factors, we're asking businesses like yours, who believe in the health and safety of the
children in our communities, for donations to help our school increase the shade on our school property.
Our school needs to improve sun protection for our children. The plan is to plant trees and construct
shade structures to optimize the shade usage for our children and staff. These trees and shade structures
will contribute to the beautification of our school environment, but more importantly, they will provide
much needed shade and reduce the possible risk of skin cancer for our children.
I will give you a call in the near future to see if a donation would be possible. In the meantime, if
you have any questions, please contact me at [insert phone number] or [insert e-mail address].
Thank you in advance for your consideration and support.
Sincerely,
[Name]
[Title/Position]
13
-------
Sample SunWise School Policy
a program that radiates good ideas
A Partnership Program of the U.S. Envitvnmental Protection Agency
www.epa.gov/sunwise
To assist you with the development
of your Sun Wise School Policy, refer
to the Checklist (see page 7) to select
the practices that your school has
chosen to implement. Adapt this
template with your new school policy
for inclusion in the school handbook:
At [School Name], we are dedicated
to the health and well being of our
community. Because of this, we have
developed this Sun Wise policy to
ensure that all students and staff
attending our school are protected
from overexposure to the harmful
ultraviolet (UV) rays of the sun.
This policy documents our SunWise
protection practices in the areas of
environment, school policies, and
behavior. These practices will be
applied to all outdoor school events,
including recreational activities and
field trips.
Objectives
The goals of our SunWise policy are:
• Increase sun safety awareness in
our school and in our surrounding
communities.
• Adopt practical, realistic sun
protection measures.
• Help our students acquire SunWise
behaviors by educating them about
the dangers of overexposure to UV
rays and measures they can take to
protect themselves.
• Develop strategies that encourage
students and staff to make
responsible decisions about sun
safety.
• Encourage students and staff to
use broad-spectrum sunscreen
and wear protective clothing,
appropriate hats, and sunglasses
when outdoors.
• Open a line of communication with
parents and community members
about our school's SunWise policy.
Environment
In the creation of a sun-safe
environment for staff and students,
[School Name] will:
• Increase the number of shelters and
trees to provide adequate shade on
the school grounds.
• Try to schedule outdoor activities
before 10 a.m. and after 4 p.m.,
especially during the months when
UV radiation is most intense.
• Hold outdoor activities in shady
areas whenever possible.
14
-------
a program that radiates good ideas
A Partnership Program of the U.S. Envitvnmental Protection Agency
www.epa.gov/sunwise
Policy
It is our policy that [School Name]
will:
• Subscribe to EPA's daily
EnviroFlash UV e-mails and
disseminate UV Index values when
appropriate.
• Include parents and guardians in
creation of all SunWise school
policies.
• Work with parents to provide
SPF 15+, broad-spectrum, water-
resistant sunscreen for student use.
• Make sunscreen available to
students and staff.
• Ensure that sun safety policies
are reflected in the planning of
all outdoor events, including field
trips.
Behavior
Our school believes in encouraging
sun-safe behaviors in our students
and staff. [School Name] will:
• Encourage staff and parents to
act as role models for students by
practicing sun-safe behaviors.
• Encourage the daily application of
sunscreen before school and prior
to outdoor activity.
• Allow children to wear sunglasses
that block 100 percent of UVA and
UVB, and hats, which will help
protect the face, neck, eyes, and
ears, whenever they are outside.
• Encourage students to use available
shaded areas for outdoor activities.
Evaluation
[School Name] will, in collaboration
with parents, guardians, and
community members, review the
effectiveness of this SunWise policy
each year. We will:
• Review the SunWise behaviors of
students and staff.
• Assess the amount and quality of
shade provided on school grounds.
• Assess the use of shade by students
and staff.
References from:
Fun for Everyone, Anti-Cancer Council of
Victoria, SunSmart, 1994.
The Sun Safety Activity Guide, National Safety
Council.
Special thanks to Karen Emmons, Ph.D.
and Jodie Zwirn, MPH, Dana Farber Cancer
Institute, and Alan Geller, RN, MPH, Boston
University, for their contributions to the
updated Policy Information section.
15
-------
a program that radiates good ideas
A Partnership Program of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
www.epa.gov/sunwise
Integrating Sun Protection into Lesson Plans
Instructions: Sun protection can be integrated throughout all aspects of the regular classroom
curriculum in each grade. Use this tool as a guide to find appropriate sun protection lessons for the
classroom. Determine the skills to be used and the amount of time alotted before selecting an activity.
Grades K-2 Activities
A SunWise Legend
Hot Potato with the Sun
A SunWise Beach Party
Buy SunWise
Speedy Sun Relay Race
Sunny Says
Watch Your Shadow
The Sun Shines Around the World
Subjects
English/LA, Social Studies
Health, P.E.
Math
Math
P.E., Health
P.E., Health
Science
Social Studies, English/LA
Approximate Time
(Minutes)
15-20
varies
15
20-30
30
20
2 intervals of 15
minutes each
20-45
Focus/Skill
Story, sun
Reinforcement
Addition, drawing
Counting, money
Running, game
Game
Shadows, demonstration
Geography, research, customs
Pages
1-3
5
7-8
9-10
11-12
13
15-16
17
SUPPLEMENTAL
Wacky Paper Sunglasses
SunWise Word Search
Art
English/LA
20
varies
Crafts, cutting, demonstration
Reinforcement
19-20
21-22
Grades 3-5 and 6-8 continue on the following pages.
16
-------
a program that radiates good ideas
A Partnership Program of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
www.epa.gov/sunwise
Grades 3-5 Activities
Sun Scoop
SunWise Word Scramble
SunWise Virtual Vacation
The Sun Shines Around the World
Sun Myths from the Internet
SunWise Fashion Show
UV Frisbee® Fun
Personal Skin Assessment
Sun Safety Survey
SunWise Word Problems
Measure Your Shadow
Speedy Sun Relay Race
Sun Science
The Ozone and Me
UV Frisbee® Science
Map a SunWise Town
Be a SunWise Traveler
A SunWise Legend
Subjects
English/LA, Health
English/LA, P.E
English/LA, P.E., Social Studies, Computers
English/LA, Social Studies
English/LA, Social Studies, Computers
Health, Art
Health, P.E.
Health, P.E., Social Studies
Math
Math
Math, Science, Health
Health, P.E.
Science
Science
Science
Social Studies, English/LA, P.E., Art
Social Studies, Math, Science, Computers
English/LA, Social Studies
Approximate Time
(Minutes)
30-60
15-20
45
20-45
30-45
60
30
30
20
40-50
3 intervals of 15
minutes each
30
30
30
30-40
40-50
45-60
60
Focus/Skill
Investigating, reporting
Reinforcement
Internet, research, writing
Geography, research, customs
Internet, research, writing
Presentation
Demonstration, game
Self-assessment
Percentages, graphs
Word problems
Shadows, demonstration, graphs
Game
Demonstration
Reading, ozone, atmosphere, Earth
Demonstration, charting
Maps, measure, draw, writing
Computations, maps, reading
Creative writing, mythology
Pages
1-2
3-4
5-7
9-10
11-12
13-14
15-16
17-18
19-20
21-22
23-25
27-28
29-30
31-34
35-37
39-40
41-43
45-47
SUPPLEMENTAL
Sunny Crossword
WordWise
English/LA
English/LA
10-15
45-50
Reinforcement
Writing
49-54
55-56
UV METER ACTIVITIES
What Works? Effectively Blocking UV Rays
Chart and Graph UV Intensity
Reflecting UV Radiation
Science
Science, Math
Science, Math
40-50
40-50
30
Demonstration, observation
Charting, measure, predicting
Demonstration, predicting
UV3-4
UV5-6
UV7-9
17
-------
a program that radiates good ideas
A Partnership Program of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
www.epa.gov/sunwise
Grades 6-8 Activities
A Sunny Performance
SunWise Show
Sun Scoop
SunWise Virtual Vacation
Sun Mythology
Sunsational Scientists in History
The Sun Shines Around the World
Why Does Winter Make Some People SAD?
Sun-safe Beach Party
UV Frisbee® Fun
Personal Skin Assessment
Bargain Shopper
Skin Cancer in Your State
SunWise Surveyor
You Are the Architect
Detecting UV Light Using Tonic Water
Gumdrop Science
UV Frisbee® Science
Be a SunWise Traveler
A SunWise Legend
Subjects
English/LA, Art
English/LA, Art
English/LA, Health
English/LA, P.E., Social Studies, Computers
English/LA, Social Studies
English/LA, Social Studies
English/LA, Social Studies
Health
Health, P.E.
Health, P.E.
Health, P.E., Social Studies
Math
Math
Math
Math, Art
Science
Science
Science
Social Studies, Math, Science, Computers
English/LA, Social Studies
Approximate Time
(Minutes)
50-60
2-3 classes
30-60
45
30-45
30-45
20-45
30-45
30-45
30
30
45
40-50
1 -2 classes
more than 1 class period
40-50
40-50
30
45-60
60
Focus/Skill
Presentation, creative thinking
Creative writing, presentation, crafts
Investigating, reporting, writing
Internet, research, writing
Creative writing, mythology
Research, astronomy, writing
Geography, research, customs
Comprehension, health effects
Situational
Demonstration, game
Self-assessment
Budget, research
Percentages, ratios, graphs
Maps, dimensions
Drawing, creative thinking
Demonstration, writing
Demonstration, ozone,
atmosphere, Earth
Demonstration, charting
Computations, maps, reading
Creative thinking, mythology
Pages
1-2
3-4
5-6
7-10
11-12
13-15
17-18
19-22
23-24
25-26
27-28
29-30
31-35
37-38
39-40
41-42
43-46
47-49
51-53
55-57
SUPPLEMENTAL
SunWise Flier
SunWise Word Problems
Art, Computers
Math
30-45
40-50
Computer graphics
Word problems
59-61
63-64
UV METER ACTIVITIES
What Works? Effectively Blocking UV Rays
Chart and Graph UV Intensity
Reflecting UV Radiation
Science
Science, Math
Science, Math
40-50
40-50
30
Demonstration, observation
Charting, measure, predicting
Demonstration, predicting
UV3-4
UV5-6
UV7-9
18
------- |