Protecting students from the sun

Barbara Jo Smith, skin cancer survivor and principal of Juniata Elementary School in DuBois, Pennsylvania, knows the importance of seeking shade.

Barbara’s story

Juniata's wellness curriculum provides the students with information and guidance on sun-related issues and how to prevent them. I’ve already noticed students taking a couple of minutes to come in the shade and cool themselves down and then go back out and play with their friends. This structure shows the students a useful means to prevent overexposure to the sun.

Skin cancer is the most common cancer in the United States and our shade structure, which covers a portion of the playground, will help protect 274 students each day from the sun’s harmful ultraviolet rays as they play outdoors. Now our students, both this year and in the future, will have the benefit of this wonderful structure. We’re so happy that all of these students will now have shade while they use the play area. Our students, faculty, and families have all said how thankful they are for this shade structure.