The first full week of school brought record heat indexes to the Kansas City area. With temperatures of 100+° and “feels like” temperatures soaring over 120°, the school modified recess, PE classes, and athletic practice times and locations to ensure the safety of students and athletes. The Excessive Heat Warning and Air Quality Alert in effect through Friday evening also prompted the postponement of the boys varsity soccer home opener originally scheduled for August 25th.

Heat concerns are usually not addressed with school beginning each August. This week has provided an opportunity to discuss the school’s procedures regarding hot temperatures and its impact on activities and events.

The school uses a wet bulb globe thermometer to measure the overall safety of its playing surfaces in hot conditions. The National Weather Service says that the Wet Bulb Globe Temperature (WBGT) “is a measure of the heat stress in direct sunlight, which takes into account: temperature, humidity, wind speed, sun angle and cloud cover (solar radiation). This differs from the heat index, which takes into consideration temperature and humidity and is calculated for shady areas.” 

The wet bulb globe thermometer assists the administration in ensuring conditions are safe for student athletes. The readings from this thermometer inform decisions about outdoor practices, contests and activities. Athletic Director Don Stelting shows how the thermometer is used on our turf field here.

Athletics at Barstow are governed by the Missouri State High Schools Activities Association (MSHSAA). MSHSAA has published participation guidelines based on wet bulb globe thermometer readings that are considered best practice in accordance with other high school associations throughout the country.

Fortunately, cooler weather is on the horizon, allowing the school to complete activities and contests as they are currently scheduled.