Petaluma City Schools believes that schools are the best place for students to be when air quality is poor as they are well-supervised, can be kept indoors, and are able to continue to learn. This page includes information to help you track air quality and prepare for when air quality is not good.
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Children with certain medical conditions may be impacted by air quality in the moderate (yellow – 51-100) and unhealthy for sensitive groups (orange – 101-150) levels. Parents/guardians of these children should notify their schools.
When air quality dips to very unhealthy levels (purple – 201-300), many schools in Sonoma County will practice the Shelter in Place protocol, which includes keeping all activities indoors, limiting physical activity, and minimizing the opening and closing of doors. Regular classroom instruction continues during Shelter in Place. If AQI hits 250+ a school may consider closing.
If air quality becomes hazardous (maroon – 301-500) and schools do not have the ability to keep outdoor air from easily entering the school, then a school may decide to close. Schools make this decision based on their own local factors.
This resource from airnow.gov is specifically designed to give communities timely information about fire and smoke in their communities. It is recommended by Sonoma County's air quality districts as the best resource to use to monitor air quality during a smoke event.
Visit Website(Guidance on Wildfires and Children's Health)
Visit WebsiteAir Quality Resources
Visit WebsiteWildfire Information
Visit WebsiteThe Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) provides flags for all of the EPA Air Quality levels as well as information on the types of outdoor activity and exposure that are appropriate for each level. While these resources are aimed at schools, they provide helpful information on activities that are appropriate for each air quality level.
Visit WebsiteThe Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has compiled resources to prepare for and respond to wildfires and smoke during the COVID-19 pandemic.
View Website
