FAQs – School During Wildfires
Our hearts and our prayers are with all who have been impacted by the Los Angeles fires. While we respond in real time to the evolving circumstances, please find answers to frequently asked questions from our school community below.
How will indoor air quality be maintained and monitored (updated 1/16/25)?
Current Air Quality Measures
Saint Paul the Apostle School maintains a comprehensive approach to ensuring optimal air quality across campus facilities. Following the COVID-19 pandemic, we implemented extensive HVAC system upgrades in 2021, including the installation of high-efficiency MERV-13 filters with established quarterly maintenance protocols to ensure peak performance.
Response to Current Wildfire Situation
In light of the ongoing wildfire situation, we have initiated several immediate actions:
- A complete filter replacement procedure is scheduled for Friday, January 17th, 2025
- We have met with an environmental consultant
- An air purification enhancement evaluation is underway
Environmental Consultant Recommendations
Based on expert consultation, we have continue to implement the following protocols:
- Daily monitoring of local Air Quality Index (AQI)
- Implementation of indoor activity protocols during elevated AQI periods
- Strategic management of building access points
- Scheduled MERV-13 filter replacement post-wildfire containment
Additional Protective Measures
We are currently evaluating classroom air purification systems we could consider in the future. A test unit, recommended by our HVAC vendor, has been ordered to assess:
- Operational efficiency
- Noise levels
- Airflow control capabilities
- Classroom environment compatibility
Ongoing Management
The school leadership team maintains active oversight of air quality conditions and will continue to:
- Monitor environmental conditions
- Implement necessary protective measures
- Adjust protocols based on changing circumstances
- Prioritize campus community safety
We remain committed to addressing the air quality concerns and will continue to update our community as developments occur.
How can I help (updated 1/16/25)?
Thank you for your generosity.
- You can donate to the PWC Fire Relief fund– all funds raised will go to fire-related support within our community.
- The Archdiocese has also established a fund to support fire relief in the greater Los Angeles region.
- Our PWC Outreach team has created this Sign-Up Genius if you are interested in contributing goods to impacted school and community families.
- Gift cards are being collected by Mitchell in the front office all week.
- There will be hands-on volunteer needs communicated at a later date.
- We have collected a number of other donation opportunities and posted them to the PWC Website.
Responding to a disaster of this scale is a marathon, not a sprint, and SPA’s community is in this effort for the long haul.
What are attendance expectations for the week of Monday, January 13?
SPA will have a relaxed attendance policy this week. This is a personal decision for each family to evaluate as circumstances differ per family. Please do what is best for you and your children.
What are academic expectations for the week of Monday, January 13?
School Administration will work closely with the teachers to promote a relaxed learning environment this week, making efforts to limit assessments and homework. Students who cannot attend school will not be penalized. We will prioritize the well-being of our students with the goal of providing normalcy and community.
Who should I contact if my child will not be at school?
Please email the homeroom teachers, Nurse A (vanderson@sp-apostle.org) and Mitchell Lord-Sharp (mlord@sp-apostle.org) about student absences.
Do we need to wear uniforms to school?
No. All students may have FREE DRESS appropriate for a Catholic school setting every day during the week of January 13.
Going forward, if you need uniforms for any reason, please reach out to pwc@sp-apostle.org.
Will SPA move to hybrid or virtual learning?
Currently, our top priority is to safely keep our school open for all of our students.
If we should need to close for safety reasons, we would likely move to virtual learning. The guidelines for closing our campus that we have received from the Archdiocese include the following:
- Loss of power, including the ability to utilize the phone system and other campus safety features
- Location of school in relation to an evacuation zone
- Number of families who reside in evacuation zones
- Number of faculty who can safely make it to campus to ensure proper student/adult supervision.
Any changes to in person instruction will be communicated by the Administration.
Will afterschool enrichment activities take place?
Yes, currently, all planned enrichment activities will occur this week. Any necessary changes (e.g., for outdoor activities like Cheer or Pickleball) will be communicated later in the week.
Will “regular” after-care take place?
Yes. After-care will be available until 6 pm each day.
Will athletic practices or games take place?
No. In light of current circumstances, all athletic practices and games are canceled for the week of January 13. The gym will be used for recesses, lunches, and after-school care. We will work to reschedule all the games that were scheduled for this week.
Will hot lunch be available?
Yes, OKLA will provide hot lunch this week.
Can I get a refund for lunches purchased for one of the days school was closed?
Yes. However, please know that OKLA donated any unused meals from last week to emergency relief efforts. The food that was already purchased did not go to waste, so if you would like to consider any unused lunches a donation– thank you!
If you would rather have a refund, OKLA has communicated that parents can request a refund. Details on the refund process will be communicated shortly.
Is there safe drinking water at school?
Yes. The school location is NOT currently included under any “do not use” or “water boil” mandates.
Will SPA parents be required for traffic duty volunteering this week?
Yes. Parents who signed up for January traffic duty are needed to keep carpool lines open. We will likely need additional support from other class parents as many families have been displaced or temporarily relocated. Please email pwc@sp-apostle.org if you are able to assist.
Will SPA be admitting new students whose schools have been closed or affected?
Yes. Administration is considering applications from students whose schools have been impacted. We expect to enroll multiple new students. We will not overenroll beyond our capacity. Prospective families should contact our registrar, Jill O’Callahan (jocallahan@sp-apostle.org) to be considered for enrollment.
My 8th grader is applying to high schools. Have deadlines/test dates been extended?
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- Loyola – they can adjust date for those in need. Contact Frank fkozakowski@loyolahs.edu
- Marymount – they can adjust the date for those in need. Email MHS Admissions for more information.
- NDA – moved HSPT test date from 1/11 to 1/18.
- Louisville High School – optional placement tests for honors-level coursework postponed from 1/14; contact admissions@louisvilleHS.org
We will update this page with more information as we have it.
