Update 2: December 3 at 4:15 p.m.
All IUSD schools will continue in distance learning tomorrow, Friday, December 4. The South Coast Air Quality Management District has informed IUSD that air quality in the region, including Irvine, will continue to be unhealthy tomorrow due to the Bond Fire. As a result, our schools cannot operate their HVAC system, which are an important component of our COVID-19 safety protocols. In preparation for in-person instruction, IUSD HVAC systems were recalibrated to pull in 50 percent more outside air, which is ideal to prevent COVID-19 but not for poor air quality due to wild fires.
Schools will contact students and/or families directly with more information. IVA schedules remain the same unless you hear otherwise from IVA staff.
Barring any unforeseen circumstances, students will resume their normal schedules on Monday. Thank you for your partnership and understanding during this unprecedented time.
Update 1: December 3 at 7:30 a.m.
Although the Bond Fire, which started in Silverado Canyon, is moving away from the City of Irvine and there is no threat to IUSD schools, according to the Irvine Police Department and Orange County Fire Authority, the entire city is experiencing poor air quality. As a result, IUSD is unable to operate our HVAC systems, a critical component to COVID-19 safety protocols. Therefore, IUSD schools will be closed today and students scheduled to attend in-person instruction will move to distance learning. Your schools and teachers will follow up directly with more information.
While some IVA teachers may be impacted by mandatory evacuation orders in neighboring cities, IVA schedules remain the same unless you hear otherwise from IVA staff.
As we have more information, we will keep our community informed.