• WCCUSD SCHOOLS AND OFFICES ARE CLOSED ON FRIDAY

    Posted by Communications Dept. on 11/15/2018 12:15:00 PM

    Message from Superintendent Matthew Duffy:
    Good morning WCCUSD families,

    This is Superintendent Matt Duffy with an update on the air quality and how it is affecting our schools. The smoke from the Camp Fire in Northern California has severely impacted air quality in our area for more than a week. Some areas of our large, geographically diverse District have been affected more than others. The experts have predicted improving air quality each day this week, but the reality has been much different.

    Due to the continued air quality concerns, I have made the decision to close schools on Friday, November 16. Students and teachers will get an early start to the Thanksgiving holiday break and I hope the extra time will allow you to recover from the difficult week we have experienced.

    Making the decision to close schools is never easy. During last year’s North Bay fires, the air quality was significantly worse throughout much of the Bay Area, but impacted fewer days. The smoke from the Camp Fire has not reached last year’s levels, but has lasted a longer period of time.

    If the air quality continues to remain in the unhealthy range over the holiday week, please follow the guidelines given by county health officials at cchealth.org. Additional information about school closures can be found on the District website at www.wccusd.net.

    Thank you all for your patience and understanding. I hope the upcoming holiday week is filled with joy and laughter.

    Thank you again, and have a good rest of the day.

    Comments (-1)

  • Air Quality Update

    Posted by Communications Dept. on 11/15/2018 7:29:00 AM

    Air Quality Update: Schools and district offices remain open today, Thursday, Nov. 15. If you feel it is best to keep your child at home, we encourage you to do so. Additional information at www.wccusd.net.

    Comments (-1)

  • Air Quality Update

    Posted by Communications Dept. on 11/15/2018 12:11:00 AM

    Air Quality Update: We currently plan for schools and district offices to be open tomorrow, Thursday, Nov. 15. We will check air quality levels in the morning and send an update by 7 a.m.

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  • Air Quality Update - Call to Families

    Posted by Communications Dept. on 11/14/2018 7:00:00 PM

    Good evening WCCUSD community,

    We have monitored the air quality over the past few days and decided that it is in the best interests of students and employees to close schools on Thursday, Nov. 15. Air quality forecasts were predicted to be in the unhealthy for sensitive groups on Wednesday, but the air quality rapidly deteriorated between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. The smell of smoke and the air quality readings spiked to unhealthy and very unhealthy levels for some areas of the Districts.

    We do not take the decision to close our schools lightly, and know the burden it places on families. The closure extends to all athletic events and practices as well as all other school activities. We will continue to monitor the air quality over the next day and make a decision by 5 p.m. on Thursday about the status of District schools on Friday. District offices will remain open on Thursday.

    Please be safe and limit your outdoor activities. For additional tips on dealing with the smoke and poor air quality, please visit cchealth.org.

    Thank you for your patience and support. Have a good night.

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  • Air Quality Update

    Posted by Communications Dept. on 11/13/2018 7:00:00 PM

    Update: Schools and district offices will be open tomorrow Wednesday, Nov. 14. Please, continue to check the District's website, www.wccusd.net, for updates.

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  • Air Quality Update

    Posted by Communications Dept. on 11/12/2018 5:05:00 PM

    Schools will be open tomorrow, Tuesday, November 13. More information can be found at https://www.wccusd.net/. Questions? Contact your school principal.

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  • Air Quality Update: Schools Are Open Wednesday, Nov. 14

    Posted by Communications Dept. on 11/12/2018 5:00:00 PM

    Good evening WCCUSD community,

    Thank you for your patience and understanding during the ongoing air quality issues. All schools and district departments will be open on tomorrow Wednesday, Nov. 14. We will follow the same plan as on Tuesday.

    Families/parents are encouraged to keep their children at home if they feel it is best for them to do so.

    With schools being open tomorrow, here are a few things families/parents should know:

    1. Heating and cooling systems will remain shut down to prevent smoke from being drawn into schools. This means classrooms will likely be cold when students arrive in the morning. Parents are urged to make sure children bring a warm jacket or sweater.
    2. Principals have been directed to keep students inside as much as possible, including for recess, lunch, PE, and after school programs.
    3. All outdoor athletic practices and events have been cancelled until the air quality improves.
    4. The District will not distribute masks to students. The District is taking guidance from the Contra Costa County Health Services, which advises that masks are not a substitute for staying indoors, are not effective for untrained users, and may be dangerous for people with lung or heart conditions. In addition, respirators that are effective in filtering out smoke particles (like the N-95) do not come in sizes suitable for children.
    5. If children are experiencing health concerns due to the air quality, parents are encouraged to contact their health care professional.

    The air quality is forecast to be in the unhealthy for sensitive groups range for the rest of the week. District staff is monitoring the situation and will keep parents and staff informed of any status changes.

    Additional information can be found on the District website at www.wccusd.net.

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  • UPDATE: NCS Postpones Kennedy, ECHS Playoff Football Games, Girls Tennis Tournament Due to Air Quality

    Posted by Communications Dept. on 11/12/2018

    The North Coast Section announced Monday morning that it has postponed El Cerrito High School's Division III playoff game against Miramonte to Saturday, Nov. 17 due to ongoing concerns.

    No. 4 El Cerrito was scheduled to host No. 5 Miramonte tonight at 7 p.m. but due to air quality that has been in the unhealthy range since Thursday, when the Camp Fire started near the town of Paradise.

    The NCS announced that it was postponing 20 NCS football playoff games due to the air quality. It also announced that No. 3 Kennedy's Division IV game against No. 6 Fortuna will also take place at 7 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 17 at Kennedy. The NCS announced on Sunday that Kennedy's scheduled game for tonight was postpone due to air quality and the distance Fortuna had to travel.

    The NCS girls Division I singles and doubles tournament that was scheduled to begin today and tomorrow at Harbor Bay Club in Alameda have also been postponed. Richmond's doubles team of Jada Redic and Enya Lopez earned a spot in the tournament. No make up date has been announced.

    The NCS Girls Division II singles matches, featuring Pinole Valley's Madi Goff are still scheduled to take place today and tomorrow at Fortuna and Ferndale high schools.

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  • Air Quality Update (Athletics)

    Posted by Communications Dept. on 11/11/2018 3:31:00 PM

    John F. Kennedy High School (Richmond, California) football game against Fortuna Union High had been postponed by North Coast Section, CIF due to continuing air quality concerns. New date and time to be determined.

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  • Air Quality Update (Athletics)

    Posted by Communications Dept. on 11/9/2018 4:30:00 PM

    UPDATE: El Cerrito and Kennedy high school's home CIF State North Coast Section playoffs games will be held at 7 p.m. on Monday, Nov. 12.
    No. 4 El Cerrito host No. 5 Miramonte in Division III, while No. 3 Kennedy host No. 6 Fortuna in Division IV. A makeup date for the elementary school soccer championships has not yet been announced.
    http://cifncs.org/sports/football/index

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