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Air Quality Alerts

The Los Gatos-Saratoga Union High School District strives to provide a safe and healthy environment for all students, staff, and community members. LGSUHSD's Environmental Safety Board Policy and Administrative Regulation, most recently updated in March 2023, outline the District's response to mitigate environmental hazards when air quality levels and/or forecasted levels indicate a health risk.

Monitoring Air Quality

The district will monitor air quality through Airnow.gov, as this site utilizes a network of sensors that are regularly monitored and calibrated to ensure accuracy. Based on the readings, we will follow the School Air Quality Activity Recommendations as published by The Bay Area Air Quality Management District:

SchoolAirQualityActivityRecommendations

Other Mitigation Strategies

In addition to monitoring air quality, the district has implemented the following precautions:

  • As recommended by health experts, the air in all of our classrooms and office spaces is cleaned with either MERV 13 filters or portable air purifiers using MERV 13 or better filters. These systems effectively remove smoke and COVID-19 particulates from the air. 
     

  • The district regularly monitors and replaces the air filters to ensure safe and efficient operation.
     

  • Following the advice of air quality and health experts, when our local Air Quality Index (AQI) reaches 101 (see chart above), we will close all doors and windows and continue to pull in and filter outside air via ventilation and filtration systems to remove smoke particulates and ensure the continuation of appropriate circulation and filtration of air.
     

  • Both schools have air quality monitoring sensors on the football field and/or the large gym which give staff real-time readings on the air quality around campus.
     

  • For outdoor classes and outdoor extracurricular activities, staff will modify activities if our local air quality is at 100 AQI or above and will move indoors or be canceled if our local AQI reaches 151 or above.
     

  • If we were to lose power at a school site during a time of air quality degradation and therefore not be able to appropriately ventilate and filter the air in our buildings, we would likely close our schools until power is restored and/or air quality improves.
     

  • If our local AQI were to reach 301 or above, we will consult with local air quality and health experts and our feeder districts to decide whether or not to close schools due to health concerns.

Watch for Symptoms

 

If your student has allergies, asthma, or other medical conditions that are aggravated by the poor air quality, please be sure to contact your school Health Clerk or the District Nurses so our staff can help to monitor student health and well-being. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact your school office.