Environmental Conditions
At Visalia Unified School District (VUSD), the safety and well-being of our students and staff are top priorities—especially during periods of high heat, poor air quality, or stormy conditions. To support safe learning and activity environments, we’ve implemented a district-wide policy that guides how we monitor weather and make decisions about outdoor activities. Here’s what families and community members need to know about how those decisions are made.
Monitoring Weather Conditions: Heat, Lightning, and Air Quality
VUSD follows specific procedures to monitor and respond to environmental conditions such as:
- High temperatures and heat index
- Lightning or storm activity
- Poor air quality due to smoke or pollution
Ash and blowing DUST particles are much larger in size and will not read on AQI monitors. Therefore, an area may be experiencing ash impacts from potential fires while the particulate matter monitor reflects a moderate reading. If you can smell smoke or see ash that is an indication that you should be treating air quality conditions as “Very Unhealthy” and remain indoors.
Using the Wet Bulb Globe Temperature (WBGT)
To accurately measure heat stress, VUSD uses the Perry Weather Monitoring System, which provides Wet Bulb Globe Temperature (WBGT) readings. WBGT takes into account temperature, humidity, wind speed, sun angle, and cloud cover—giving a more complete picture of heat conditions than temperature alone. This system helps us make safer and more informed decisions for students and staff during hot weather.
Site-Specific Weather Monitoring
Weather conditions can vary significantly across Visalia. To address this, VUSD has installed Perry Weather Stations at three key locations: Visalia Community Stadium Mineral King Bowl VUSD District Office Each school site references the station located within a 5-mile radius to ensure accurate, local weather data. This means that decisions are based on the conditions specific to your child’s school—not generalized from a different part of the district.
Weather conditions can vary significantly across Visalia. To address this, VUSD has installed Perry Weather Stations at three key locations: Visalia Community Stadium Mineral King Bowl VUSD District Office Each school site references the station located within a 5-mile radius to ensure accurate, local weather data. This means that decisions are based on the conditions specific to your child’s school—not generalized from a different part of the district.
Air Quality
- Use Perry Weather system to monitor air pollution safety for all school and after-school activities/events, athletic events/practices and to determine precautions and recommendations.
- AQI 151-200: All Middle School and High School outdoor sports activities (practices/games) must be canceled/postponed or moved indoors. All other activities may continue (PE classes, outdoor VAPA, ELOP) however modifications to outdoor activities are highly recommended.
- AQI 201+: All outdoor VUSD activities must be moved indoors or canceled/postponed.
See chart below of how air quality index is to be implemented
Steps When Parents Are Notified
When weather conditions lead to the cancellation of athletic events, practices, or afterschool programs, families will be notified immediately. Real-time environmental data is available through the Perry Weather links below. We encourage parents and guardians to download the app and stay connected for the latest updates.
How Communication Happens
Updates are shared through:
- School and district messaging platforms
- Direct outreach from coaches or program leaders for athletics and after school events
Resources:
- Weather System 1 - Visalia Community Stadium
- Weather System 2 - Mineral King Bowl
- Weather System 3 - Visalia Unified District Office
Related Board Policy:
- Safety
Media Requests:
Cristina Gutierrez
Public Information Officer
cgutierrez04@vusd.org
559-623-5001
Public Records Requests
Sara Sanchez
Legal Coordinator
ssanchez07@vusd.org
559-931-8121
Legal Coordinator
ssanchez07@vusd.org
559-931-8121