We are carefully tracking the air quality reports coming in at the local and state levels.
The New York State DEC issued an Air Quality Health Advisory for much of the state, including Monroe County, for Tuesday, June 6, as a result of an increased amount of particulates in the air. Experts report those particulates are a result of smoke from wildfires in Canada moving south and west into our area.
The DEC and Department of Health recommend limiting or reducing outdoor activities for teens and young children when a Health Advisory is in effect.
Particulates can exacerbate existing respiratory difficulties and can also lead to symptoms such as:
- irritation to the eyes, nose, and throat
- coughing, sneezing, runny nose
- shortness of breath
On Tuesday morning, we shared the following guidelines with all school staff:
PHYS ED instructors, please limit strenuous exercises in your classes today and remain indoors.
If you are supervising students outdoors today for RECESS, please reduce the time spent outside and monitor students for any of the above symptoms. If you are aware of students with existing respiratory concerns, please avoid bringing them outdoors. If students begin to show symptoms like those above, please bring them inside and alert the building health office.
Please note: the FCSD Athletic Director has reached out to all school sports/community athletics/youth athletics groups affected by this guidance.
Linked here is the guidance sent out by the Monroe County Department of Public Health today regarding the air quality advisory. You can also view the most up-to-date information at AirNow.gov.
Caregivers, if you have a student with an existing respiratory illness, you can request to keep your student indoors tomorrow, June 7. Please reach out to your student’s building principal.
The District will send out additional information as it comes in.