May we suggest that you form a student committee to assist in the hat
selection process. We highly recommend hats with a two inch brim all the
way around. Sale of the hats could be used as a fundraiser.

Perhaps a designated school hat w/ school colors and insignia.

CALIFORNIA GOVERNOR DAVIS SIGNS CHILDREN'S SUN SAFETY BILL

SACRAMENTO, CA [DATE] - Governor Gray Davis has signed SB#310 authored by Senator Don Perata (D-Sacramento). The legislation requires that California schools allow children to wear sun protective clothing while at school.

SB310, known as "Billy's Bill for Sun Safety", is named in honor of William S. Graham, who died at age 22 from melanoma. The new legislation signed by the Governor amends the California Education Code to require schools to allow children to wear sun-protective clothing while outdoors at school. This clothing includes, but is not limited to, hats.

California has the highest incidence of melanoma diagnoses and deaths in the country. Exposure to UV sunrays is the single most important environmental factor in the development of skin cancer (i.e., the best way to prevent skin cancer is to prevent exposure to UV sun rays). The majority of exposure and resulting sun damage, approximately 80 percent, occur under the age of 18.

"This new law will help put a cap on the rapidly rising rate of melanoma in California," said Karen Graham, president and founder, The William S. Graham Foundation for Melanoma Research. "If we can protect children while they are outdoors at school, we can really reduce their risk of developing skin cancer later in life."

"The Billy Foundation"
The William S. Graham Foundation for Melanoma Research, fondly known as "The Billy Foundation" was established in 1996 and is the non-profit melanoma foundation dedicated to saving lives through awareness leading to early detection, prevention and eventual cure of the fastest growing and deadliest form of skin cancer. The Billy Foundation brings hands-on awareness and screening programs into communities across the country.

SB # 310-Billy's Bill For SunSafety
Parent's Letter Sample
November 2001 Dear Parents:

On October 8, 2001, California Governor Gray Davis signed into law bill SB310, known as "Billy's Bill for Sun Safety." Named in honor of William S. Graham, who died at age 22 from a form of skin cancer called melanoma, SB310 amends the California Education code to require that schools allow students to wear sun-protective clothing (including but not limited to hats) while outdoors on campus.

The passage of this bill is a watershed for the health and future health of our children. Here's why:

• California currently leads the nation in diagnoses and deaths from melanoma, a rapidly rising and often fatal form of skin cancer
  
• Exposure to UV sun rays is the single most important environmental factor in the development of skin cancers, including melanoma
• The majority of UV exposure and skin damage is accumulated under the age of 18

Our [school district or school] has joined the fight against melanoma and will comply with the regulation created by SB310. This means that if you send your child to school with sun protection - including hats, sun visors and/or sunglasses - we will allow the child to wear the pre-determined appropriate style and color of headgear for this protection while outside at recess, during gym class, etc. ***Please see schools notation regarding the styles and colors permitted.

Please note that teachers and staff can not be responsible (and are not required by law to be responsible) for ensuring your child wears his or her sun protection, nor can the school provide this protection for each student. We strongly encourage you to talk with your student about the need for sun safety and agree between you what type of sun protection he or she will wear while outdoors at school. It is then the child's responsibility to remember their sun protective clothing before heading out to the play yard each day.

If you have any questions or concerns, or would like more information about SB310 or how to prevent melanoma, please contact ( School's contact name and number ) or Karen Graham of "The Billy Foundation" at: 1-888-88BILLY.

Sincerely,


[School Principal or Superintendent]



Karen L. Graham, Chair./Pres.
The William S. Graham Foundation
for Melanoma Research
The "Billy Foundation"

School District Implementation of SB-#310
"Billy's Bill for SunSafety" Sample Letter to Schools

To: California School District Supervisors and Staff
From: (Name of School or District) and The Billy Foundation
Subject: Passage of California Bill SB310, "Billy's Bill for Sun Safety"
Date: November 2001

On October 8, 2001, California Governor Gray Davis signed into law bill SB310, known as "Billy's Bill for Sun Safety." Named in honor of William S. Graham, who died at age 22 from melanoma, SB310 amends the California Education code to require that schools allow students to wear sun-protective clothing (including but not limited to hats) while
outdoors on campus.

Initiated by "The Billy Foundation," the non-profit melanoma foundation dedicated to saving lives through awareness leading to early detection, prevention and eventual cure of the disease, and authored by California Senator Don Perata, SB310 offers California schools and children the best of both worlds: The bill does not require school staff to provide sun protection nor to ensure students are wearing protective clothing they bring from home -- it only mandates that children be allowed to wear protective gear while outdoors at recess, gym, etc. While districts retain the determination of what style and colors are acceptable we must, non-the less give permission to wear a pre-determined headgear.

The passage of this bill is a watershed for the health and future health of California's children. California currently leads the nation in diagnoses and deaths from melanoma, a rapidly rising and often fatal form of skin cancer. The purpose of SB310 is to reduce children's risk of developing this disease by reducing exposure to UV sun rays, the single most important environmental factor in the development of skin cancers, including melanoma.

Presently, Americans incur the majority of UV skin damage between the ages of 0 and 18. With the passage of SB310 - and your invaluable help -(name of school or school district) and "The Billy Foundation" hope to significantly reduce California children's exposure to damaging sun rays and put a "cap" on the alarming rise in melanoma diagnoses in our state.

Together, we can beat this disease. Please support us in our efforts by:

• Ensuring administrators and staff at your schools understand the mandate of SB310 and allow children to wear sun protective clothing while outdoors on campus. Of course, while allowing your district to be able to determine the perimeters of such headgear. i.e. type, style, color. But never the less permitting children to wear a hat while outside, of whatever type determined acceptable.
• Informing parents about SB310 and the need for sun safety so that they will provide appropriately deemed by the school, protection for their children as appropriate . If you need more information about melanoma, prevention of the disease or SB310 to share with parents in your District, please contact "The Billy Foundation" at 1-888-88-BILLY

If you have any questions or concerns, or need more information, please contact (School or School District information) or Karen Graham of The Billy Foundation at 1-888-88-BILLY