Recess, field trips cancelled due to poor air quality
City schools cancelled outdoor recess and field trips at the eleventh-hour Wednesday as wildfire smoke choked the city of Winnipeg.
Families across the Louis Riel School Division learned the St. Vital board office had called off outdoor excursions, even though some students had already been dropped off at venues, in a mid-morning memo.
'Unfortunately, it is hard to predict changes in air quality,' senior administration wrote.
'The (Air Quality Health Index) was 3 early this morning at 5 a.m., 5 at 9 a.m., and was forecast to reach 8 later in the day. The index jumped quickly to 10+ at 10 a.m.'
High risk is considered 7 to 10 on the index and 10+ is considered very high risk.
There had been field trips scheduled for both Valour FC and Winnipeg Goldeyes games.
The division indicated it is 'developing reimbursement options' in cases where students were charged for a trip.
Metro divisions have cancelled outdoor breaks and rescheduled extracurricular events throughout the week in response to extremely poor air quality.
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Winnipeg Free Press
2 days ago
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Recess, field trips cancelled due to poor air quality
City schools cancelled outdoor recess and field trips at the eleventh-hour Wednesday as wildfire smoke choked the city of Winnipeg. Families across the Louis Riel School Division learned the St. Vital board office had called off outdoor excursions, even though some students had already been dropped off at venues, in a mid-morning memo. 'Unfortunately, it is hard to predict changes in air quality,' senior administration wrote. 'The (Air Quality Health Index) was 3 early this morning at 5 a.m., 5 at 9 a.m., and was forecast to reach 8 later in the day. The index jumped quickly to 10+ at 10 a.m.' High risk is considered 7 to 10 on the index and 10+ is considered very high risk. There had been field trips scheduled for both Valour FC and Winnipeg Goldeyes games. The division indicated it is 'developing reimbursement options' in cases where students were charged for a trip. Metro divisions have cancelled outdoor breaks and rescheduled extracurricular events throughout the week in response to extremely poor air quality.
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