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Parents concerned about no playground shade covers at new Henderson school

Posted at 7:04 PM, Aug 29, 2017
and last updated 2017-08-29 22:23:15-04

Near-record heat has prompted excessive heat warnings across the Las Vegas valley, which has some parents at a recently built elementary school asking why the playgrounds are lacking protective shading.
               
Josh Stevens Elementary School near Lake Las Vegas is brand new this school year at a cost of more than $28 million.
               
Parents noticed the three playgrounds were not covered, despite online artist renditions of the school showing a blue canopy.
               
According to the Burn Foundation, playground surfaces can reach temperatures hot enough to cause serious burns.
               
One parent says she reached out to teachers at the school about her concerns.
               
Contact 13 brought her worries right to the attention of the Clark County School District.
               
The district released this statement:
               
"Josh Stevens Elementary School students are not outside on the playground for more than 10 minutes a day during recess. Water and water bottle refill stations are featured throughout the school. Shade structures will be installed in the coming months. In the meantime, Stevens Elementary School will keep close watch on the safety of the students during play time."
               
Contact 13 asked about the delay, despite the school being under construction for more than a year.
               
The district is checking with their facility crews for the answer.