Skip To Main Content

Air Quality Guidelines and Procedures

Guidelines for Outside Activities in Times of Poor Air Quality

When determining precautions to take during poor air quality conditions Walla Walla Public Schools generally follows guidelines established by the Unites States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the Center for Disease Control and Protection (CDC), and the Washington State Department of Ecology.

Walla Walla Public Schools administration and staff will confer with https://enviwa.ecology.wa.gov/home/map  and the Air Quality Index (AQI) to help guide their decision making around outside activities such as recess, physical education, and athletic events/activities. In addition, consultation with the School District Nurse, local health agencies, and other resources may be considered.

Air Quality Chart

General Procedures:

  • (Morning of): The superintendent or his/her designee will announce accommodations or modifications for outdoor/indoor activities for the school day prior to the start of school. This will be announced via email to all staff in addition to other social media communications.
  • (Afternoon/Afterschool Activities): By midday, when feasible, the District Athletic and Activities Director or his/her designee will announce accommodations or modifications for all after-school district-directed outdoor activities. Coordination with WIAA, the Mid-Columbia Conference, and other governing activity associations may result in relocated contests, alternative practice areas, and canceling of specific practices and/or events. This will be announced via email to all staff in addition to other social media communications.    

General Guidelines:

  • When outside air quality conditions reach what is deemed “unhealthy” levels, the district will normally move all outside physical activities indoors.
  • When prolonged outside poor air quality conditions are experienced, indoor air quality may also be affected. Supervising adults will initiate appropriate modifications to the activity levels indoors on a site-specific basis due to varying levels of building condition and age of indoor air handling units.