All schools in New Westminster are open today.
The school district made the announcement this morning after a day of suspended classes and early dismissals at several city schools in the aftermath of the fire at Westminster Pier Park. Smoke from that fire exacerbated the already extreme air quality issues being suffered across the region as a consequence of wildfires burning in Washington and Oregon.
“With both the air quality and particulate matter indexes improving, and under consultation with Fraser Health, all our schools in New Westminster will be reopening today,” the district announced in a bulletin this morning.
Considering the ongoing air quality advisory that’s affecting the Lower Mainland, the school district notes it will continue to follow advice from the local medical health officer.
The district will be:
- keeping windows and doors shut, and utilizing filtered ventilation systems;
- monitoring staff and students with known health conditions (like asthma) who might be more sensitive to the air quality;
- rescheduling or restricting unnecessary physical activity (like PE); and
- recommending that students remain inside during breaks today.
Any family choosing not to send their child to school today is asked to contact their school office directly to notify the school.
Watch www.newwestschools.ca for the latest updates.
