Air Quality Alert
TUSD Air Quality Guidelines
Coaches, staff, and administrators are expected to exercise good judgment in evaluating the appropriate activities given the current conditions and adjusting activities appropriately.
Site administration needs to monitor conditions for all “away” athletic competitions and ensure these guidelines are being followed for our TUSD coaches, athletes, and staff. In consultation with the Business Services office, cancellation or postponement of start times based on hourly forecasts may be required.
Should there be a possibility of canceling or postponing start times based on hourly forecasts, site administration needs to consult with the Assistant Superintendent of Business Services and, if determined, inform visiting teams as well as hosting teams for away competitions of our policy and potential cancellations or postponements by 11 AM the day of the competition.
For athletic practices and competitions, Athletic Trainers, Athletic Directors, and/or Site Administrators are expected to monitor air quality on-site using the Purple Air monitors installed inside and outside each gymnasium at PHS, THS, DMS, and TJHS at the start, and every 30 minutes, during Orange, Red, and Purple air quality advisory periods. On-site Purple Air monitors are available HERE.
Vigorous activity is defined by the Centers for Disease Control as activities greater than 6.0 Metabolic Equivalent of Tasks (METS). Specific examples can be found HERE.
Air Quality Protocols
ValleyAir.org issues the daily forecast and updated local air quality information.
Prior to 11 AM, the TUSD Safety Office reviews forecasts and compares to current conditions. Any current condition other than GREEN or YELLOW is forwarded to:
- Principal(s)
- Assistant Principal(s)
- Site Administrative Secretaries Athletic Director(s)
- Athletic Trainer(s)
- District Communication Coordinator
School Sites will implement the Color Code Alerts consistent with the San Joaquin Valley Air Pollution Control District Real-Time Outdoor Activity Risk (“ROAR”) guidelines. Air quality conditions listed below and activity restrictions apply to indoor and outdoor spaces.
Staff will be notified by site administration regarding any current condition color other than GREEN or YELLOW.
The Safety Office will issue updates as they may occur throughout the day.
Publications
The Turlock Unified School District has implemented an Air Quality Alert Advisory System to monitor data regarding local air quality and to notify site administrators of conditions that could affect activities for students and staff. The administration monitors reports by ValleyAir.org, California Interscholastic Federation
(CIF), and other reporting stations each day to determine the forecast and real-time air quality conditions. The District employs a 5-level color system to advise students and staff of the forecast and current conditions.
Air Quality Levels
Purple Air Monitor Policy for Athletes
- Purple Air Monitor Green or Yellow (AQI > 100)
- Purple Air Monitor Orange (AQI 100-149)
- Purple Air Monitor Red (AQI 150-199)
- Purple Air Monitor Purple (AQI 200 or greater)