By Fred Jedder, Courier Staff Writer
The continuing presence of smoke from Northern California fires prompted the Alameda County Superintendent of Schools L. Karen Monroe to warn students reduce outdoor activities until the air clears.
“Over the course of this week, air quality in Alameda County has tipped into Unhealthy levels,” she said in an official statement, During this time, the Alameda County Public Health Department advises that children should “limit prolonged outdoor exertion.”
“In the past week we have witnessed devastating effects of the ongoing Northern California wildfires,” Monroe wrote, “At this time, my heart goes out to the students, families, and entire communities impacted by these fires.”
Logan Principal Abhi Brar yesterday asked teachers to open their rooms during lunch so students could escape the smokey air from the North Bay fires, while revealing that the school has received several calls wondering whether school has been canceled because of the unhealthy air.
“The air quality across the Bay Area has been poor this week and we have received several calls/emails to inquire if school is cancelled today,” Brar wrote in an email to his staff, “A news story from 2014 about school closure has been circulating on social media that may have added to the confusion. School is in session today.”
Monroe said, “The safety of students and staff is always the top priority of every school leader. The decision to keep schools open or to close them is not made lightly. When schools are closed, the burden that many working families shoulder to provide childcare is large. For many, schools are a safe haven during difficult times.
“In making this critical decision, the leaders of Alameda County’s 18 school districts weighed numerous factors, taking into consideration the best interest of our community. All school districts in Alameda County will be open tomorrow, October 13th, and will continue to follow inclement weather protocols – which may include recess, lunch, and PE indoors – as well as limiting and/or canceling after school outdoor activities,” she said.
Some school activities at Logan are being limited due to the air quality. “We are limiting outdoor activities,” he wrote, “PE will be indoors. We are working on adjusting after school activities and will update those impacted.”
The New Haven Unified School District sent the following email message to all NHUSD families yesterday:
“The North Bay fires are creating air quality issues across the Bay Area, including Union City. According to the Bay Area Air Quality Management District , the Air Quality Index for our area is listed as “unhealthy for sensitive groups”. Both Monday and today, we notified principals to be very mindful of PE classes, sports events/practices, and lunch/recess periods, and to also be mindful or any students who have respiratory issues.
“The air quality is expected to be worse tomorrow. According to the Bay Area Air Quality Management District, the air quality on Thursday will be “Unhealthy”. They recommend that active children and adults, and people with respiratory disease, such as asthma, should avoid prolonged outdoor exertion; everyone else, especially children, should limit prolonged outdoor exertion.” School sites will work with their PE and athletic staff to determine how best to ensure the health and wellness of all students.
“We will continue monitoring local air quality daily and will communicate with schools as long as the fires remain active or until the air quality has been reported as “good” by the Bay Area Air Quality Management District.”
To deal with the smoke, dozens of students have taken to wearing surgical masks and the like.