Air Quality Index

Sunol Glen School Air Quality

School Year Sunol Glen School can stay open during most instances when smoke from wildfires is present in the East Bay. All classrooms are equipped with a MERV 13 HEPA Air Purification Unit that functions effectively with windows opened or closed. Additionally, filter upgrade work for poor air quality index levels has been completed on existing HVAC systems, including MERV 13 filtration. When necessary, students may have lunch, recess, and PE indoors, as they would during a rainy day.

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Determination of AQI Levels

The district assesses AQI using several measurement and predictive tools. We use the Bay Area Air Quality Management District (BAAQMD) measurement to determine our AQI response. This is what the Public Health Department advises the District to use to report local AQI conditions to our school community and to make decisions. BAAQMD also provides advisory messages when poor air quality is forecast.

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For more accurate AQI levels, please visit: https://www.airnow.gov/?city=Sunol&state=CA&country=USA

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Poor Air Quality

In summary: At AQI levels between 51-100, sensitive individuals (those with asthma or heart/lung conditions) should be observed to ensure they are able to manage their conditions.

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At AQI levels between 101-150, sensitive individuals should exercise indoors or avoid vigorous activities. Teachers may elect to close windows, based on local conditions or when observing how their students are managing this.

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AQI level. At AQI levels between 151-200, classroom windows will be closed and students will eat and exercise during the school day indoors. Schools will select the largest available indoor space(s) for lunch and maximize the spacing of students to the extent possible.

 

At AQI levels over 201, Sunol Glen School leadership will meet to consider closing schools as a safety measure. Decisions about school closures for very high AQI-level events will take place on a case-by-case basis, given that every situation is unique.

 

It may be the case that AQI events are further complicated by a PG&E Public Safety Power Shutoff (PSPS) due to wind conditions in the East Bay. A power outage at School Glen School could impact the school’s ability to implement the COVID-19 safety precautions described in the preceding paragraphs.