Keeping Students Safe in Poor Air Quality

MSD staff monitor air quality and bring students inside when necessary.

Summary

The health and safety of our students, staff, and community continues to be at the center of our decision making at the Medford School District. We closely monitor air quality during wildfire season. Air quality impacts which activities are allowed as well as their duration. We are checking the Air Quality Index (AQI) frequently throughout the day to make decisions and then communicate what’s allowable to schools. You can view the breakdown of AQI’s from the Oregon Health Authority here. 

Standards

The OSAA requires schools to follow these standards for outdoor activities. In summary: 

• Recess and outdoor sports practices and athletic events can continue up to 150

• Schools will consider rescheduling to a different time and/or area with a lower AQI when the AQI is between 101‐150 (orange)

• Cancellation is required for outdoor events when AQI reaches 151 (red) or moved indoors

Air Quality Categories

• Green (Healthy) – 0-50

• Yellow (Moderate) – 51-100

• Orange (Unhealthy For Sensitive Groups) – 101-150 (Restrictions Start To Apply Here)

• Red (Unhealthy) – 151- 200

• Light Purple (Very Unhealthy) – 201-300

• Dark Purple (Hazardous) – 301-500

We will close off fresh air intakes on HVAC systems and use air scrubbers when/where necessary.  Keeping doors and windows closed is critical to preserving indoor air quality to the fullest extent possible.

Thank you for entrusting us with your most precious resource, your students! 

If you have questions, please contact your school.