Sequoia Union High School District

 

SUHSD, in coordination with our partner districts and the County Office of Education, has developed these FAQs to help guide a parent’s understanding of our district’s response to poor air quality. SUHSD reserves the right to update this FAQ and its protocol if and when reliable information would necessitate.

 

SUHSD, along with all school districts in San Mateo County, uses two sources to track air quality: the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) website, AirNow.gov, and Bay Area Air Quality Management District, BAAQMD.gov. With the advisement of the County Health Department, we use these sources because they are calibrated and regulated. Other popular websites are part of the “internet of things” and are not currently calibrated and regulated, resulting in less reliable readings. We encourage parents and community members to use AirNow and BAAQMD, as well. To help inform the district's response, SUHSD refers to the California Department of Education's Memo on Guidelines for Schools and Wildfire Smoke. The San Mateo County Office of Education has adapted these guidelines locally, as interpreted in their School Air Quality Activity Guidelines document.

 

Using Air Quality Index (AQI) numbers from AirNow and/or BAAQMD, we apply the recommendations from the Air Quality and Outdoor Activity Guidance for Schools to determine the appropriate activities based on the AQI.

 

 

SUHSD refers to the Air Quality and Outdoor Activities Guidance for Schools set by the EPA to make decisions on the location of activities. If the AQI enters the unhealthy range, SUHSD will implement Shelter in Place Protocol. During “Shelter in Place,” students and staff may move freely inside buildings, and teaching and work continues. Breaks and outdoor activities will be canceled or held indoors; movement outside between buildings is okay. Staff should close and seal doors, windows, and vents; shut down the classroom/building heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems to prevent exposure to the outside air. “Shelter in Place” may be modified depending on the air quality level, the distance between buildings, and other factors.

 

Parents are encouraged to talk to their teens about air quality concerns. Feel free to share this Guide to Air Quality and Your Health (PDF), published by the Environmental Protection Agency. Being in conversation with your teen and referring to facts helps reduce confusion. Other steps parents can take include:

• If your student has asthma or related health concern, please refer to the above “sensitive groups” question.
• Remind youth to drink plenty of water.
• Remind students to report symptoms including coughing, wheezing, difficulty breathing, and chest tightness. If symptoms occur, your child might need to take a break, do a less intense activity, stop all activity, go indoors, or use quick-relief medicine as prescribed. If symptoms don't improve, consult your physician.
• Rather than walking or biking to school, youth should be transported via public or private transportation.
• If weather is cold, send student to school with long pants and a heavy coat or jacket in case the HVAC system is turned off. Conversely, if warm, please encourage students to dress comfortably.

Parents are welcome to provide face masks for their student; unfortunately, face masks may not provide the protection we seek. They may in fact cause issues. San Mateo County Health notes, “Masks such as the N-95 are not effective for untrained and unfit-tested users and may be more harmful than helpful for people. A properly fitted N-95 respirator makes it difficult to breathe and is difficult to use for long periods of time. N-95s may be dangerous for certain persons with lung or heart conditions. Bandanas and typical surgical masks do nothing to protect against wildfire smoke particles.” These masks may give a false sense of security. Limiting outdoor exposure is most important.

 

YES, parents who wish to keep their student home and have the ability to do so are supported in making that call. The absence will be excused and students will be responsible for making up the work they miss.

 

Yes, SUHSD staff are required to report to work as per the California Government Code § 3100 & 3101. Like accommodations made for students when following “Shelter in Place,” the same protocols will be available for employees.

“It is hereby declared that the protection of the health and safety and preservation of the lives and property of the people of the state from the effects of natural, manmade, or war-caused emergencies which result in conditions of disaster or in extreme peril to life, property, and resources is of paramount state importance requiring the responsible efforts of public and private agencies and individual citizens. In furtherance of the exercise of the police power of the state in protection of its citizens and resources, all public employees are hereby declared to be disaster service workers subject to such disaster service activities as may be assigned to them by their superiors or by law.” Cal. Gov’t Code § 3100

“For the purpose of this chapter the term “disaster service worker” includes all public employees and all volunteers in any disaster council or emergency organization accredited by the Office of Emergency Services. The term “public employees” includes all persons employed by the state or any county, city, city and county, state agency or public district, excluding aliens legally employed.” Cal. Gov’t Code § 3101.