Bend-La Pine Schools Education Center
Air Quality Guidelines
We are evaluating our AQI-related practices this summer. Please check back for updates for the start of the 2026-2027 school year.
Bend-La Pine Schools is committed to revisiting our air quality protocols annually to reflect the latest research and guidance—ensuring that our approach continues to meet the needs of our students, families and staff.
Bend-La Pine Schools facilitated a stakeholder committee to review the AQI threshold protocols. The work group included community members, parents, nursing staff, Deschutes County Health Department representatives, school principals, and executive district leadership. The group collaborated on the guidance below.
Resources
School administrators utilize the Oregon Health Authority (OHA) Public Health Guidance: School Outdoor Activities During Wildfire Events guidelines in conjunction with the EPA Air Now Fire and Smoke Map and/or the Duty Watch AQI map readings, to determine outdoor activity levels for their students.
Our AQI threshold is intended for outdoor activities less than 20 minutes in duration and of low intensity. We are prioritizing the following guidance because they most closely reflect our elementary school recess practices.
| AQI Color | AQI Value of Index | AQI Levels of Concern | Administrator Actions |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0 - 50 | GOOD | Safe for all students to be outside | |
| 51 - 100 | MODERATE | Safe for all students to be outside | |
| 101 - 150 | UNHEALTHY FOR SENSITIVE GROUPS | OK to be outside - administrator's discretion to move activities inside - consider alternative indoor activities for students with sensitivity to air pollution | |
| 151 - 200 | UNHEALTHY | Strongly consider moving students indoors - still administrator's discretion - follow OHA AQI guidance | |
| 201 - 300 | VERY UNHEALTHY | Suspend outdoor activities - keep students indoors | |
| 301 & above | HAZARDOUS | Suspend outdoor activities - keep students indoors |
FAQs
- Who at my school makes the decision to conduct activities when there's a high Air Quality Index (AQI)?
- Can individual staff make decisions regarding student activities for their classes due to high AQI readings?
- What AQI map does Bend-La Pine Schools use?
- What discretion does my school administrator have regarding outdoor activities for their students?
- What facilities mitigation strategies are in place to help reduce smoke inside of school buildings?
Who at my school makes the decision to conduct activities when there's a high Air Quality Index (AQI)?
Can individual staff make decisions regarding student activities for their classes due to high AQI readings?
What AQI map does Bend-La Pine Schools use?
What discretion does my school administrator have regarding outdoor activities for their students?
What facilities mitigation strategies are in place to help reduce smoke inside of school buildings?
Please contact your school regarding accommodations for your student during smoke events.