Air Quality Guidelines

The health and safety of our students and staff are the Redondo Beach Unified School District's top priority. Per LACOE and LACDPH, clear protocols for determining when we should make adjustments to our regular school day due to the local air quality have been established.

 

The RBUSD uses primarily the South Coast Air Quality Index (SCAQI) and the scale provided by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) as a first indicator, RBUSD uses the AQI scale provided by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) or the South Coast Air Quality Management District (SCAQMD).

• • • Good (0-50): Outdoor activities are safe.
    • Moderate (51-100): Outdoor activities are safe for most but consider limiting strenuous activities for sensitive groups.
    • Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups (101-150): Limit or restrict outdoor activities for students with asthma, allergies, or other respiratory conditions (Per parent notification of health conditions)
    • Unhealthy (151-200): Restrict or limit all outdoor activities.
    • Very Unhealthy (201+): Cancel all outdoor activities.

RBUSD monitors the air quality in real time using SCAQI mobile app with notifications set to provide information to staff when the AQI level reaches moderate. The Executive Director of Student Services (EDSS) is the designated monitor and is supported by all administrators throughout the district. The EDSS takes readings during critical times (e.g. during local wildfires) at least three times throughout the day whether prompted or not, early morning at approximately 6 am, midday at approximately 11 am, and early afternoon at approximately 2 pm. RBUSD also takes into account local factors such as whether we smell smoke and can see ash to inform our decision making with regard to outdoor activity. Additionally, we consider whether reports of wind speed and direction in our decision making.

 

RBUSD is committed to clear and proactive communication. When we have determined that outdoor activities or the regular school day should be adjusted, we will provide timely updates about those changes  via email, or texts. This will typically include the air quality status, our rationale for the changes being made and details about what activities are being adjusted as well as what other options, such as indoor activities and support, will be offered. 

 

Finally, we are always considering vulnerable populations and regardless of the air quality, if a student is in need of indoor options in order to feel safe and comfortable, we provide indoor options for snack, lunch, and recess. Masks are also available at all school offices

 

Jason Kurtenbach

Executive Director of Student Services