Golden State Today

The California Department of Education (CDE) has released updated guidance to help local educational agencies (LEAs) make informed decisions about school activities and closures during periods of poor air quality caused by wildfire smoke. These recommendations aim to assist schools in navigating the increasing challenges posed by wildfires.

State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond emphasized the importance of having a clear plan for dealing with wildfire smoke. "It is vital that we understand the harm of wildfire smoke and our schools have a clear plan for how to safely navigate these unfortunate circumstances," said Thurmond. He noted that these guidelines encourage coordination with local health and air agencies, complementing other emergency preparedness efforts by the CDE.

Senate President Pro Tempore Mike McGuire also highlighted the impact of continued exposure to wildfire smoke on students' health across California. "Whether that’s getting to and from school, playing outside, or learning in the classroom, our kids deserve to breathe clean, healthy air," McGuire stated. He believes these new standards will aid local school districts in responding effectively to smoke-related impacts.

To implement these guidelines, LEAs are advised to monitor local air quality using tools recommended by their Air Districts via the California Air Resources Board website. They should align their findings with the CDE's Air Quality Index and Activity Recommendation chart while considering factors like building air filtration systems before deciding on class cancellations or modifications due to smoky conditions.

This guidance was developed through collaboration between several state bodies including the CDE, California Department of Public Health, California Air Resources Board, California County Superintendents, and California Air Pollution Control Officers Association.

For further resources on managing air quality in schools, visit the CDE Air Quality web page.