Harlingen CISD

• In the event of any schedule changes due to the weather, HCISD will share updates via the following platforms.
• Click here for HCISD Website
• Our social media platforms:
  • HCISD Facebook
  • HCISD Instagram
  • HCISD ParentSquare
• Automatic messaging goes out via email and text to all parents, but please ensure that your contact information is up to date so that you can receive notifications. Contact information can be updated by calling your child’s campus.
• Local News: Channel 5: www.KRGV.com,Valley Central, Telemundo,FoxRGV, MyRGV
• Thank you for helping us keep our students safe, warm, and ready to learn.

Home Maintenance & Heating

• Cabinet Doors: Open kitchen and bathroom cabinet doors to allow warm air to circulate around plumbing.
• Heating Safety: Keep space heaters at least 3 feet away from flammable items (bedding, curtains). Never use a gas stove or oven to heat your home.
• Water Supply: Fill bathtubs or containers with water in case pipes freeze or local water service is interrupted.
• Carbon Monoxide: Only operate generators outdoors, far from windows and doors, to prevent deadly poisoning. 

Resources in Cameron County

• Warming Centers: Local shelters such as the Good Neighbor Settlement House (956-542-8352) and Salvation Army Brownsville (956-542-9188) typically activate during extreme cold events.
• Emergency Alerts: Residents are encouraged to sign up for RAVE alerts or monitor the Cameron County Emergency Management Facebook for real-time updates.
• Weather Updates: Follow the NWS Brownsville/Rio Grande Valley for current freeze warnings and forecasts. 

Estimadas familias de HCISD:

Debido a la inminente helada invernal y por precaución, todas las escuelas del Distrito Escolar Consolidado Independiente de Harlingen (HCISD) comenzarán las clases con dos horas de retraso el lunes 26 de enero.

Los autobuses escolares operarán con dos horas de retraso y se servirá un desayuno caliente al llegar a la escuela. Los horarios de salida se mantendrán sin cambios.

Los horarios de inicio de clases modificados son los siguientes:

• Escuelas Primarias: 9:40 a. m.

• Escuelas Secundarias: 9:55 a. m.

• Preparatorias: 10:15 a. m. (NOTA: Los estudiantes deberán presentarse en su escuela regular a las 10:15 a. m. e ir directamente a su clase de segundo período. Después del segundo período, los estudiantes seguirán su horario regular durante el resto del día)

Tome en cuenta:

• Si su hijo normalmente camina a la escuela o espera en la parada del autobús, le recomendamos que se asegure de que esté abrigado adecuadamente para el frío.

• Se servirá chocolate caliente a los estudiantes.

Lo más importante es que esperamos que usted y sus seres queridos se mantengan seguros y abrigados durante la helada. Estamos ansiosos por dar la bienvenida a nuestros estudiantes el lunes, listos para aprender y prosperar.

Manténganse abrigados y seguros,

Harlingen CISD 

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Horario extendido del Armario de Ropa de HCISD

El Armario de Ropa del Departamento de Participación Familiar y Comunitaria de Harlingen CISD está disponible para los estudiantes de HCISD y sus familias que necesiten ropa invernal y cobijas.

Horario Especial

Fechas: Sábado, 24 de enero de 2026 de 9:00 a.m. a 12:00 p.m

Ubicación: Armario de Ropa de HCISD, 216 N. 21st Street

Número de Teléfono: 956-427-3084

 

HCISD ATHLETICS WEATHER PROCEDURES

Guidelines for Modification of School Outdoor Activities Related to Weather and Environmental Conditions

Purpose of policy:

The Sports Medicine Department has instituted these guidelines & procedures to protect the student-athletes of the Harlingen Consolidated Independent School District of Heat Related Illnesses. Exertional heat illness includes exercise associated muscle cramps, heat syncope, heat exhaustion, and exertional heat stroke (EHS). Current best practice guidelines suggest that the risk of exertional heat injuries can be minimized with heat acclimatization and diligent attention to monitoring individuals participating in activities that place them at a higher risk for these types of injuries. In the event an athlete sustains a heat illness, immediate and proper treatment is needed. National governing bodies, such as the National Federations of High School Associations, and numerous state athletic/activity associations, have published guidelines for the prevention, monitoring, and treatment of exertional heat illnesses. In addition, national authorities such as the National Athletic Trainers’ Association and the Korey Stringer Institute have published research to support best practices in this area. The development of the organization’s heat acclimatization guidelines will be based on the current best practice documents.

This guideline will be a living, working document that is continually reviewed and updated yearly as the organization and our community changes.

Definitions:

• Acclimatization – The process of gradually increasing the intensity of activity in a progressive manner that improves the body’s ability to adapt to and tolerate exercise in the heat.
• Wet Bulb Globe Temperature – The WBGT is a measurement tool that uses ambient temperature, relative humidity, wind, and solar radiation from the sun to get a comprehensive measure that can be used to monitor environmental conditions during exercise. WBGT is different than heat index, as it is a more comprehensive measurement of environmental heat stress on the body.
• Non-Practice Activities – Activities that include meetings, injury treatment, and film study.
• Practice – the period of time that a student-athlete engages in coach-supervised, school approved sport or conditioning related-activity. Practice time includes from the time the players report to the field until they leave.
• Full Contact – Any football drill or live game simulation where players are at a “competitive” full-speed pace and players are taken to the ground. Sports Medicine – Exertional Heat Illness Guidelines & Procedures 2
• True Walk Through – A period of time where players are reviewing positional strategy and rehearsing plays. Players do not experience contact and thus they do not wear equipment and the intensity of the activity is minimal often involving walking. This period of time shall last no more than one hour. It is not considered part of the practice time regulation. It may not involve conditioning or weight room activities. Players may not wear protective equipment during the walk through.
• Recovery Time – This period of time is defined as non-activity time outside of practices or games. NO ACTIVITY, including non-practice activity, can occur during this time. Proper recovery should occur in an air-conditioned facility, when possible and usually is a minimum of 3 hours in duration.
• Rest Breaks – This period of time occurs during practice and is a non-activity time that is in a ‘cool zone’ out of direct sunlight.
• Exertional Heat Stroke (EHS) – Defined as having a rectal temperature over 104°F-105°F (40.5°C), and central nervous system dysfunction (e.g. irrational behavior, confusion, irritability, emotional instability, altered consciousness, collapse, coma, dizzy, etc.).
• Cooling Zone- An area out of direct sunlight with adequate air flow to assist in cooling. A cold-water or ice tub and ice towels should be available to immerse or soak a patient with suspected heat illness. This may be outdoors or indoors depending on proximity to field.
• Qualified Health Care Professional (QHP) - As defined by the American Medical Association (AMA), “is an individual who is qualified by education, training, licensure/regulation (when applicable), and facility privileging (when applicable) who performs a professional service within his/her scope of practice and independently reports that professional service.”
• Hypohydration- (reduced hydration status) is a deficit of body water that is caused by acute or chronic dehydration.
• Central Nervous System dysfunction- includes any sign or symptom that the central nervous system is not working properly; including dizziness, drowsiness, irrational behavior, confusion, irritability, emotional instability, hysteria, apathy, aggressiveness, delirium, disorientation, staggering, seizures, loss of consciousness, coma, etc.

Hot Weather Procedures

Section I:

Chain of Command

• When necessary, the Athletic Trainer will obtain the weather report/wet bulb globe temperature and provide it for the Head Coach approximately 30 minutes prior to practice/game time.
• The Athletic Trainers will advise the Middle School Coordinators of any temperature restrictions and the Middle School Coordinators will then set their practices accordingly.

Section II:

Enforcement of Procedures

• Head Coach/Staff Athletic Trainer/Middle School Coordinator will monitor time of exposure.
• Any violations will be reported to the Athletic Director verbally as well as in writing.
• Athletic Director will meet with Head Coach/Middle School Coordinator.

 

Section III:

Environmental Monitoring and Activity Modification/Cancellation 

• Environmental monitoring will occur any time it is warm outside (i.e. WBGT over 82°F).
  • This will occur at all High School and Middle School campuses.
  • Middle school Coaches need to contact their nearest High Schools athletic trainer for readings
• Monitoring of WBGT will occur every 30 minutes beginning at the scheduled practice/game time
  • The athletic trainer will monitor the WBGT
  • The athletic trainer will make the modification/cancelation of activity
  • WBGT will be taken on the field where the athletic activity will take place 

Modifications are meant to be fluid, meaning if the environment gets more oppressive, the modifications get stricter. However, if environmental conditions improve, the modifications will be in line with the new environmental conditions.  Modifications can also be made by changing playing/practice fields from hotter surfaces (i.e. turf fields, blacktops) to cooler surfaces (i.e. grass fields, shaded areas).

WBGT	Activity Guidelines
< 82.0	Normal Activities – Provide at least three separate rest breaks each hour with a minimum duration of 5 min each during the workout.
82.1 – 87.0	Use discretion for intense or prolonged exercise; Provide at least three separate rest breaks each hour with a minimum duration of 5 min each
87.1 - 90.0	Maximum practice/exposure time is 2 h. For Football: players are restricted to helmet, shoulder pads, and shorts during practice. If the WBGT rises to this level during practice, players may continue to work out wearing football pants without changing to shorts. For All Sports: Provide at least four separate rest breaks each hour with a minimum duration of 5 min each
90.1 – 92.0	Maximum practice/exposure time is 1 h. For Football: No protective equipment may be worn during practice, and there may be no conditioning activities. For All Sports: Five (5) separate four (4) minute rest breaks.
> 92.1	No outdoor workouts. Delay practice until a cooler WBGT is reached.

 

            The WBGT color scale guidelines will be implemented for all athletic periods, outdoor conditioning, and practices.  Game day procedures/play will only be adjusted/altered at discretion of the Athletic Director.

Section IV:

Monitoring

• Monitoring of student-athletes safety will be continuous during any physical activity.
• Athletic trainers, coaches, administrators, and other athletics personnel will be educated on the signs and symptoms of exertional heat illness.
• These signs and symptoms include (but are not limited to) the table below:

 

 

 

Diarrhea, Nausea, or vomiting	Rapid pulse, low blood pressure, quick breathing
Headache	Dehydration, dry mouth, thirst
Confusion or just look “out of it”	Decreasing performance or weakness
Disorientation or dizziness	Profuse sweating
Altered consciousness, coma	Collapse, staggering or sluggish feeling
Irrational behavior, irritability, emotional instability	Muscle cramps, loss of muscle function/balance, inability to walk

 

Section V:

Specific Heat Illnesses

• Heat Cramps – Painful cramps involving abdominal muscles and extremities caused by intense, prolonged exercise in the heat and depletion of salt and water due to sweating.

• Heat Syncope – Weakness, fatigue and fainting due to loss of salt and water in sweat and exercise in the heat. Predisposes athlete to heatstroke.

• Heat Exhaustion (Water Depletion) – Excessive weight loss, reduced sweating, elevated skin and core body temperature, excessive thirst, weakness, headache and sometimes unconsciousness.

• Heat Exhaustion (Salt Depletion) – Exhaustion, nausea, vomiting, muscle cramps, and dizziness due to profuse sweating and inadequate replacement of body salts.

• Heatstroke – An acute medical emergency related to thermoregulatory failure. Associated with nausea, seizures, disorientation, and possible unconsciousness or coma. It may occur suddenly without being preceded by any other clinical signs. The individual is usually unconscious with a high body temperature and a hot dry skin (heatstroke victims, contrary to popular belief, may sweat profusely).

Section VI:

To decrease the risk of heat illness/emergencies:

• Gradually Acclimatize Athletes-getting them accustomed to working out in the heat.

For example:

Football-the first 5 days of practice can be in shorts and helmets only and then proceed on the 5th day to full pads. (Each athlete must complete the 5 days of Acclimation)

Cross Country-these athletes MUST be monitored closely at all times. Running distances should be increased gradually. Monitor weather conditions closely with staff Athletic Trainers as outlined above.

Volleyball and Basketball (indoor sports)-coaches should be aware that heat problems could occur indoors if the athletes are not properly hydrated. If the indoor sports coaches choose to practice outdoors they should be aware of the weather conditions. These athletes will not be accustomed to the heat outdoors. They MUST be monitored very closely and water should be readily available. The first 3-4 practices (indoors or out) should not be overly strenuous.

Soccer, Track, Tennis, Baseball, Swim and Softball-the first 3-4 practices should not be overly strenuous. Overuse/friction injuries will be dramatically decreased in these sports if these athletes start workouts at 50% and ease up to a full 100%. This usually takes two to three weeks for track athletes.

Golf-weather conditions need to be monitored daily.

• Identify Susceptible Athletes-those athletes who are obese or have a larger muscle mass tend to have more heat related problems. Keep a close eye on these athletes.

• Uniforms-should be lightweight, breathable jerseys/pants in hot weather months. Watch for athletes wearing unnecessary extra clothing.

• Allow Fluid Replacement-Athletes should have unlimited access to cold water at all times. DO NOT RESTRICT WATER AS A FORM OF MOTIVATION!

• Encourage a Good Diet-Athletes MUST eat lunch to workout in extreme heat. Fat intake should be somewhat decreased. Salt intake can be slightly increased. Athletes should stay away from carbonated beverages during season.

 

Section VII:

Treatment of Heat Related Illnesses

Recognition

• Any athlete with signs of central nervous system dysfunction during exercise in the heat should be suspected to be suffering from EHS until proven otherwise by advanced medical care providers.
• Core temperature will be recorded by best practice standards as established be NATA/KSI:

 Exertional Heat Illnesses Position Statement

• Cooling will begin immediately, and EMS will be called.

Cooling

• Initiate cooling via cold water immersion and or rotating cold wet towels.
• Contact EMS services immediately.
• The patient must be moved to a cooling zone, begin appropriate treatment, and continuously monitor the patient.
• Excess clothing shall be removed to aid cooling. 
  • If removal of clothing and/or equipment would cause delays of 5+ minutes, do not remove and initiate cooling.
• Place patient in a cold-water (35-59°F) tub up to the neck.
  • Wrap a towel across the chest and beneath both arms to prevent the athlete from sliding into the tub.
  • Ice shall cover the surface of the water at all times.
  • Water shall be continuously and vigorously stirred to maximize cooling.
  • An ice-cold towel will be placed over the head/neck and rewet and replaced every 2 minutes.
  • Cooling shall cease around the 15-minute mark or when EMS arrives and is ready to transport.

Cold Water Immersion (CWI) Tub

• Must be set up:
  • Designated shaded area on campus near field
  • Designated area at the Stadium sites
• Proper set-up includes:
  • A tub half-filled with water.
  • Minimum of two 10-gallon water coolers with ice next to the tub ready for treatment.
  • Misting fan, ice towels/sponges.
  • Drinking water. Water coolers or water cows, water bottles and/or cups.
  • Treatment table to administer care to an injured athlete.
  • Completion of set-up within 5-10 minutes prior to the practice/competition/event site.
• Cool First, Transport Second
  • When a patient is diagnosed with EHS, the principle of Cool First, Transport Second will be used.

Section VIII:

Water Replacement Guidelines

• Student-athletes should adequately gain weight back that is lost during workouts. Anything over 3% of the athletes' total body weight should be monitored closely by all coaches and Athletic Trainers.
• Recommendation for water replacement are as follows:
  • What Not to Drink
    • Drinks with carbohydrate (CHO) concentrations of greater that 8%
    • Fruit juices, CHO gels, and sodas
    • Beverages containing caffeine and carbonation
    • All drinks promoted as “energy drinks”. Examples include Amp, Rock Star, Red Bull, Full Throttle, etc.
  • Hydration Tips and Fluid Guidelines
    • Drink before, during, and after exercise
    • Drink at least 20 oz. of water or sports drink 2-3 hours before exercise begins
    • Drink another 7-10 oz. of water or sports drink 10-20 minutes prior to exercise
    • Drink fluid during practice at least every 10 minutes
    • Drink beyond your thirst level, once you are thirsty, you are already dehydrated
    • After practice, drink at least 20oz of water or sports drink for every pound lost

 

 

 

 

Cold Weather Procedures

Section I:

Chain of Command

• When necessary, the Athletic Trainer will obtain the weather report and provide it for the Head Coach approximately one hour prior to practice/game time.
• The Athletic Trainers will advise the Middle School Coordinators of any temperature restrictions and the Middle School Coordinators will then set their practices accordingly.

Section II:

Enforcement of Procedures

• Head Coach/Staff Athletic Trainer/Middle School Coordinator will monitor time of exposure.
• Any violations will be reported to the Athletic Director verbally as well as in writing.
• Athletic Director will meet with Head Coach/Middle School Coordinator.

Section III:

Specific Cold Weather Restrictions for Practice and/or Games

• Wind Chill Factor under 29oF (with rain)
  • A maximum of 60 minutes of continuous exposure.
  • Coaches must make sure that the athletes are dressed warm.
• Wind Chill Factor under 22oF (with rain)
  • All practices will be indoors.
• Wind Chill Factor under 22oF (without rain)
  • A maximum of 60 minutes of continuous exposure.
  • Coaches must make sure that the athletes are dressed warm.
• Wind Chill Factor under 15oF (without rain)
  • All practices will be indoors.

Section IV:

Specific Cold Weather Illnesses

• Mild Hypothermia – Shivering, cold sensation, goose bumps, numb hands
• Moderate Hypothermia – intense shivering, muscle incoordination, slow and labored movements, mild confusion, difficulty speaking, signs of depression, withdrawn
• Severe Hypothermia – shivering stops, exposed skin is bluish and puffy, inability to walk, poor muscle coordination, muscle rigidity, decrease in pulse and respiration rate, unconsciousness
• Frostbite – Thermal injury to the skin caused by cold exposure
  • Frostnip – Only the outer layer of skin is frozen. Skin appears white and waxy or possibly gray or mottled. It may have sensation or may be numb. May be painful.
  • Superficial Frostbite – Skin appears white, mottled or gray. It feels hard or rubbery on the surface, but deeper tissue is still soft. Skin is insensitive to touch.
  • Deep Frostbite – Includes all the layers of the skin. Skin is white and has a “wooden” feel all the way through. There is numbness and possible anesthesia. Can include the muscle and bone.

Section V:

Treatment of Cold Weather Illnesses

• Remove the athlete from the cold environment.
• Remove wet clothing and replace with dry clothing and/or blankets.
• Refer all moderate and severe cases of hypothermia to emergency room once it is safe for transport.
• If it is an isolated frostbite injury:
  • Do not rub area. o Gently re-warm area by blowing warm air onto the area, placing the area against a warm body part, or placing the affected area into warm water for several minutes.
  • Make sure you begin to warm core of body as well.
  • Refer to emergency room as soon as possible. Section VI: Cold Weather Games
• Games to be postponed due to cold weather will be determined on a case by case basis by the Athletic Director. Postponed games to be re-scheduled will be determined by the Head Coach of that sport as well as the Athletic Director.
• Recommendations for cold weather events are as follows:
  • It is recommended, but not required, that all events be rescheduled if the wind chill factor is below 22oF (with rain) or 15oF (without rain).
  • It is recommended that all athletes be allowed to change socks, t-shirts, gloves, etc. when possible if the clothing is wet.

Section VII:

 School Day Cancellations

• No practices or games will be held without approval from the Athletic Director on days when school is cancelled due to bad weather. The Head Coach or Athletic Director will then notify the Athletic Trainer of any changes to the practice and/or game schedules.

Lightning Procedures

Section I:

Chain of Command (Practices)

• The Athletic Director, Athletic Trainer, and Head Coach will assume responsibility for implementation of lightning procedures for practices.

Section II:

Enforcement of Procedures

• Head Coach/Staff Athletic Trainer/Middle School Coordinator will monitor exposure.
• Any violations will be reported to the Athletics Director verbally as well as in writing.
• Athletic Director will meet with Head Coach/Middle School Coordinator.
• The UIL clearly states the following: “All individuals have the right to leave an athletic site in order to seek a safe structure if the person feels in danger of impending lightning activity, without fear of repercussions or penalty from anyone.”

Section III:

Detection of Lightning (Practices Only)

• Lightning will be monitored by the Athletic Trainers and Coaches using (TBA). The text alert system has two ranges:
  • 10.1 – 18.0 miles: All coaches will receive a text alert notifying them that lightning is in the advisory range and they should prepare to move indoors. Athletic Trainer will have someone monitoring radar on a computer or iPad and notify the coaches of any weather bulletins that are posted by the National Weather Service.
  • 0.0 – 10.0 miles: All coaches will receive a text alert notifying them that lightning is in the warning range and they should move immediately indoors. Athletic Trainer will have someone monitoring radar on a computer or iPad and notify the coaches of any weather bulletins that are posted by the National Weather Service.
  • Once the threat has passed, and 30 minutes has elapsed since the last lightning activity detected within the 10 mile range, coaches will receive an alert text stating that all is clear in the area and they may return outside.
• In the absence of a lightning detector, Head Coach/Athletic Trainer will utilize the “30-30” Lightning Safety Rules. This method uses the Flash to Bang method. An audible range for thunder is approximately 8-10 miles. The sound travels at a speed of one mile for every five seconds. To use this method, use the following:
  • Once lightning is sighted, begin counting until you hear thunder.
  • Divide by 5 to obtain how far away in miles the lightning is occurring.
  • Example: If you see lightning and count to 15, then hear thunder, the lightning is approximately three miles away.
  • A good rule to remember is that if you hear thunder, it is probably time to head indoors.

Section IV:

 When to Return to the Field

• No team shall return to the field until at least 30 minutes has elapsed from the last detection of lightning activity within the 8-mile range. A text for all clear in the warning range will be sent to all coaches. Section V: Game Day Procedures
• The Head Coach, Athletic Trainer, Game Administrator, and Game Officials will work together to implement the lightning procedures prior to any athletic contest.
• Once the contest has begun, the Game Official is responsible for the decision and has authority to suspend any event, even when lightning may not be within the warning range.
  • However, once lightning is within the warning range all play will be suspended immediately.
• The Athletic Trainer will closely monitor all lightning activity in the area. The Athletic Trainer will be in charge of communicating all updates to the Game Officials, Head Coach, and Game Administrator.
• The Game Administrator assumes the responsibility as spokesperson to participating teams, school administrators, press box, and news media.
• No athletic contest will resume until at least 30 minutes has elapsed from the last detection of lightning activity within the 10-mile range.

Section VI:

Game Day Shelter

• If it is determined that the game will be suspended due to lightning, the following procedures will be followed:
  • Boggus Stadium (Football, Track):
    • Respective Home/Visitor Locker Rooms
    • Spectators to under visitors stands/respective (personal) vehicles, buses
  • HCISD Softball/Baseball Complexes (Baseball/Softball):
    • Restroom area and Concession Stand  
    • Visiting Teams to their Bus
    • Spectators to respective (personal) vehicles
  • HCISD Respective Mini Stadiums (Soccer, Football, Track):
    • Respective Fieldhouse (Locker rooms/Weight Rooms)
    • Spectators to respective (personal) vehicles
  • HCISD Tennis courts (Tennis):
    • Respective Fieldhouse (Locker rooms/Weight Rooms)
    • Visiting team and players Bus/Vans/Cars
  • HCISD Golf Facilities
    • Nearest indoor area (Clubhouse, Locker Room, etc.)

Open shelters, dugouts, golf carts, and similar structures are not safe locations from lightning hazards.

In any structure during a lightning storm all electrical conducting materials that are exposed to lightning are potentially unsafe and should be avoided: i.e. plumbing fixtures and pipelines, land line telephones, and electrical appliances