09/25/2026
A little more shade. A lot more sun protection.
Dallas Harris Elementary celebrated its new permanent shade structure with a ribbon cutting that was very clearly taken seriously — by the principal, the PTO, the kids, and an impressive number of tiny sun-safety spokespeople.
The project was made possible through the American Academy of Dermatology’s Shade Structure Grant program, with support from Dr. Lisa Swanson and the Dallas Harris PTO.
For parent Amaya, the project was personal. After experiencing basal cell skin cancer herself, she became more aware of the long-term effects of UV exposure and how important it is to protect skin early.
As Dr. Swanson explains, sun damage is cumulative. Every bit of UV exposure adds up over time, so creating shaded places where kids learn and play can make a meaningful difference.
The ribbon cutting was such a great reminder that sun safety doesn’t have to be complicated — sometimes it looks like sunscreen, sometimes it looks like a hat, and sometimes it looks like a giant permanent shade structure over a playground.
And judging by the kids’ enthusiasm, this one is already getting five stars.
