On Sept. 27 students from Bandelier Elementary School will smear on sunscreen, don Coolibar hats and hoist shade banners as part of their Sun Safety Project
On September 27th at 10:30 a.m., 575 students from Albuquerque's Bandelier Elementary School will be gathering to support the improvement of sun protection in schools. The students will be wearing sunscreen and Coolibar’s sun protective hats while playing beneath the school’s new yellow and blue shade structures, constructed as part of their parent-led Sun Safety Project.
The celebration is the culmination of a four-year effort by Albuquerque parents to raise sun awareness and provide a safe environment for outdoor play. Over the four-year period, parents created a sun safety curriculum and worked to raise money to buy two large shade structures for the playground and provide every student and staff member with a sun protective Coolibar hat.
"We know that childhood exposure to the sun is a major risk factor for the development of skin cancer later in life," said Dr. Jason Cohen, parent of a Bandelier kindergartener. “I am so thankful to the group of dedicated parents who made this Sun Safety Project a reality for my new kindergartener."
A press conference on the playground will follow the celebration with remarks from Secretary of Health and Human Services, Dr. Alfredo Vigil or his representative, Bandelier Principal, Glenda Armstrong and PTA President and Sun/Shade Committee Founder and Chairperson, Erika Harding. They will discuss the importance of sun safety for children and adults, which is of particular importance in New Mexico with high rates of sun-related skin cancer.
"With the support of generous grants from the state Health Department, the Shade Foundation, legislative funds, private donations and the Coolibar School Hat Program, these parents have provided a shining example of the power of parental involvement in public schools," said Bandelier Principal Glenda Armstrong.
Coolibar: Head of the Class
Children’s sun hats are an excellent way to protect vulnerable young skin, from ears to chin. Coolibar has specially designed a small number of hats that are offered to not-for-profit organizations, such as schools and PTAs, at a significant discount, including a UPF 50+ bucket-style hat with a chinstrap for $7.47. Coolibar also provides adult hats to schools at half the regular price, helping teachers and parents model healthy sun-protective behavior. All of Coolibar’s sun hats sport a generous brim, providing optimal protection during recess and gym. Additionally, Coolibar has made gallon pump size sunscreen for complete protection available for school settings.