This week the OMS and OHS Activity Directors will be evaluating the heat and our ability to participate in outdoor extracurricular activities. The IHSA has guidelines around the Wet Bulb temperature and the level of outdoor athletic participation allowed both in practices and in competitions. The Wet Bulb temperature is a combination of air temperature, humidity, wind speed, and cloud cover. Olympia uses a weather station that is installed on campus to take these readings to determine what level of competition can take place each day.
The IHSA guidelines around managing heat and illness can be found here: IHSA Managing Heat and Illness (full link found below) It is worth noting that when the Wet Bulb Temperature is in the “orange” zone, practices can take place, but competitions cannot begin. There may be instances this week where start time of competitions in one activity are pushed back, but coaches still hold practices outside for a different activity. During practices, coaches can control the level of participant exertion to a much higher degree as compared to competitions where participants will be exerting maximum effort at all times.
If there are any changes or adjustments to competition or practice schedules, the Activity Directors will notify parents directly as well as post something on our school website and social media pages. We appreciate your patience as we navigate through the impending heat this week.
IHSA Managing Heat and Illness: https://archive.ihsa.org/documents/sportsMedicine/current/Managing%20Heat%20and%20Heat%20Illness.pdf