Fire Season Safety‌ ‌Protocol ‌

This ‌protocol ‌will‌ ‌be‌ ‌followed‌ ‌to‌ ‌the‌ ‌extent‌ ‌possible and ‌will‌ ‌be‌ ‌adjusted‌ ‌based on our experiences on campus and as‌ ‌we‌ ‌continue‌ ‌to‌ ‌receive‌ ‌updated‌ recommendations.

If and when the outdoor AQI reaches 100, EBSB will enact the Smoke Day plan and can remain open if:

  • Indoor AQI remains around or below 100.

  • Contingent on weekly COVID testing of all students & staff and air

It is important to note that, in order to stay open, the factors listed above must hold so that we do not put our children and staff at risk of exposure to smoke and/or covid.

If we are able to remain open, based on the criteria listed above, the Smoke Day plan will go as follows:

  • Students will be brought indoors,

  • All windows and doors will be closed,

  • HVAC system will be turned off (because it pulls air from outside),

  • Industrial HEPA filters (see below) and fans will be turned on (assuming we have power),

  • Outdoor time will be adjusted according to outdoor AQI levels recorded on our closest Purple Air Sensor throughout the day.

    • For example: It is safe for children to play outside with an AQI of 110 for 30 minutes, but not for several hours.

We use the following guide to make decisions to ensure the health and safety of our students and staff:

AQI Level (PM 2.5) and Guidance
Activity / School Actions
Communication
Good 0-50 
CAMPUS OPEN
  •  Regular schedule, including outdoor activities.
  • None (assume campus is open)

Moderate 51-100 
CAMPUS OPEN

Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups 101-150
CAMPUS OPEN AS LONG AS WE HAVE CRITERIA IN PLACE FOR ABOVE
  • Ventilation on our campus requires doors and windows open and pulling air from outside to circulate air. If the air is dangerous for sensitive groups, we will have to close campus once we move higher in this category. 
  • Plan for the day sent by 7 AM.
  • Mid-day update sent if conditions change.
Unhealthy 151 - 200
CAMPUS CLOSED
 
PARENTS PICK UP STUDENTS
 (if classes already started)
  • If classes are already in session, parents are asked to pick up students as soon as possible.
  • Schedule modified until pick-up: All students come indoors, maintain COVID-19 protocols (masks, distancing, etc.).

Very Unhealthy 201 – 300
 CAMPUS CLOSED

  • Schedule switches to remote learning for all students.
  • None (unless significant change is forecast). 
Hazardous 301 - 500
CAMPUS / SCHOOL CLOSED
  • Remote learning may be limited / curtailed.
  • Staff and families should heed public agency warnings and notices.