Who at my school makes the decision to conduct activities when there's a high Air Quality Index (AQI)?
The school administrator is responsible for deciding if students should participate in outdoor activities during school hours. Athletic Directors are responsible for deciding if student athletes should participate in after school activities/athletics.
Can individual staff make decisions regarding student activities for their classes due to high AQI readings?
No, the school administrator(s) will make the decision for their individual school’s participation in outdoor activities based on the AQI readings closest to their school throughout the school day.
What AQI map does Bend-La Pine Schools use?
Bend-La Pine Schools uses Duty Watch website or mobile app, or the EPA Air Now Fire and Smoke Map website or mobile app. Both of these air quality monitoring websites or mobile applications utilize real time data to provide current AQI levels and wind direction and speed, providing the most accurate information on air quality for our school administrators to make an informed decision.
*Bend-La Pine Schools is currently meeting with a stakeholder committee to include district and school administrators, partner agency representatives, and parent input to review the AQI threshold protocols. Final updates to threshold levels will be updated upon completion of the committee work.
What resources does my school administrator use to make their decision about sending students outside for activities?
School administrators utilize the Oregon Health Authority (OHA) Public Health Guidance: School Outdoor Activities During Wildfire Events guidelines in conjunction with the EPA Air Now Fire and Smoke Map and/or the Duty Watch AQI map readings, to determine outdoor activity levels for their students.
AQI COLOR | AQI VALUE OF INDEX | AQI LEVELS OF CONCERN | ADMINISTRATOR ACTIONS |
---|---|---|---|
0 - 50 | GOOD | Safe for all students to be outside | |
51 - 100 |
MODERATE | Safe for all students to be outside | |
101 - 150 | UNHEALTHY FOR SENSITIVE GROUPS | OK to be outside - administrator's discretion to move activities inside - consider alternative indoor activities for students with sensitivity to air pollution | |
151 - 200 | UNHEALTHY | Strongly consider moving students indoors - still administrator's discretion - follow OHA AQI guidance | |
201 - 300 | VERY UNHEALTHY | Suspend outdoor activities - keep students indoors | |
301 & above | HAZARDOUS | Suspend outdoor activities - keep students indoors |
What additional resources does my school administrator have to support their decision on student outdoor activities?
If conditions are safe for outdoor activities based on the AQI numbers, but it is still smoky near your school, school administrators may need to use the 5-3-1 index as an additional decision-making tool to estimate smoke levels in your area.
What discretion does my school administrator have regarding outdoor activities for their students?
Regardless of the AQI reading, if the administrator believes that AQI is too high, based on AQI readings and visual observations of the smoke levels immediately outside their school, they have the discretion to keep students indoors if necessary.
What facilities mitigation strategies are in place to help reduce smoke inside of school buildings?
Mitigation strategies to reduce exposure to unhealthy air can include adjusting the HVAC air flow, closing windows, and limiting or eliminating outdoor work, sports and activities during unhealthy air quality conditions. Thanks to the installation of MERV-13 filters in our buildings, schools will not turn off the air handlers during smoke events.