News Release

Air District and Local School Districts Put Air Quality on Display

Hanford Elementary School District displays local air quality at multiple school sites

Since 2016, Hanford Elementary School District has proudly implemented the Healthy Air Living Schools program to help educate and protect students when it comes to poor air quality. Hanford Elementary embraced the Valley Air District’s pilot electronic real-time air-quality display program and implemented several more at additional school sites. This resource allows parents, students, staff and visitors to take health-protective steps when they see air quality levels deteriorate.

“We are pleased to provide our students and families with helpful, and healthful, air quality information.  In partnership with the Valley Air District, Hanford Elementary School District has deployed and maintains 12 real-time digital air quality signs at its schools, which helps inform our students and staff,” stated Joy Gabler, Superintendent.

To help ensure continued progress and minimize school site vehicle idling pollution, the District has partnered with hundreds of Valley schools like Hanford Elementary School District through the Healthy Air Living Schools program, providing bilingual No Idling signs and other resources that remind parents to “Turn the Key & Be Idle Free” when picking up or dropping off students. Healthy Air Living Schools also includes training school staff and talking to parents on using the District’s Real-time Air Advisory Network (RAAN), which displays hourly air quality data and corresponding outdoor activity recommendations to protect student health.

The program aims to contribute to the improvement of air quality through the following ways:

  • Connecting schools directly to real-time air quality data
  • Increasing signage and knowledge of no-idling messaging at or around school sites
  • Providing participating schools with educational material
  • Encouraging higher energy efficiency and development of cleaner energy sources
  • Work with school districts to draft or update Air Quality Policy

All Valley residents can find current, localized air quality data by visiting myRAAN.com or downloading the free Valley Air District app from the Apple Store or Google Play. These tools allow users to save multiple locations and quickly view the air quality level at their saved places.

To learn more, request a presentation or enrollment into the program, visit www.healthyairliving.com/schools or contact healthyairlivingschools@valleyair.org

The Valley Air District covers eight counties including San Joaquin, Stanislaus, Merced, Madera, Fresno, Kings, Tulare and San Joaquin Valley air basin portions of Kern. For additional information about the San Joaquin Valley Air Pollution Control District, visit www.valleyair.org or call 559-230-6000.