All Sacramento City Unified School District campuses will be closed November 16 due to poor air quality and following a string of cancellations from other K-12 districts and college campuses.
In a statement released by the District on November 15, the District stated that they are closing campuses due to poor air quality and debilitated HVAC systems that are unable to keep smoke out of classrooms.
“The health and safety of our students and employees continues to be a serious concern as we monitor air quality conditions and maintain close communication with the Sacramento Metro Air Quality Management District and Sacramento County Public Health. Unfortunately, this afternoon air quality has continued to worsen, not improve.”
On November 15, Downtown Sacramento measured a borderline hazardous AQI of 266 (PM 2.5) at 1:00 p.m.
Other K-12 districts have, in the wake of worsening conditions, chosen to cancel November 16 classes. Elk Grove Unified School District, Folsom Cordova Unified School District, and San Juan Unified School District have all chosen to cancel school as well.
“…the wellness and safety of our students and staff remains our top priority. After careful consideration, continuous monitoring of air quality conditions across our District…EGUSD officials have made the decision to close all of its school sites,” wrote Elk Grove Unified officials in a message to the district’s parents on November 15.
SCUSD will provide bagged lunches for students to take home to “ensure the nutritional well-being of our students.” Meals are being distributed from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. on November 15 at the campuses of C.K. McClatchy High School, Hiram Johnson High School, John F. Kennedy High School, Luther Burbank High School, and Rosemont High School.
A petition posted to Change.org calling for the cancellation of SCUSD classes reached over 10,000 signatures by students and parents alike.
“I’m done sitting in class coughing all day with a headache! Please take our health into consideration,” said one commenter on the petition.