Wildfire smoke regularly turned the skies brown this summer and affected events, but Holy Trinity Catholic School Division hopes new technology will turn the air purple and make activities safe for students.
In early September, the division began developing an administrative procedure (AP) to provide guidance on handling air quality issues and how they affect schools’ outdoor events. A challenge it faces is it lacks the technology to measure air quality and provide data in its communities of Moose Jaw, Swift Current and Shaunavon.
While developing the AP, division administration also researched all available technology that could monitor and provide information. Staff discovered a device called “PurpleAir,” which provides access to real-time data and ensures the division office makes the most informed decisions.
Administrators installed one PurpleAir monitoring device at the Moose Jaw office and purchased additional devices for its other communities. Each device costs $200.
This technology is similar to what a private contractor is using to monitor air at Canadian Football League games.
“It was an unprecedented year in terms of air quality in the province. I think we all probably recognize that,” Mark Selinger, supervisor of technology and learning, said during the Sept. 26 board meeting.
The public has been asking questions of school divisions about why they continue to hold outdoor events when the air is so poor, he continued. This has prompted divisions to start developing APs and guidelines — Holy Trinity is still fleshing out its procedure — that determine where the threshold is for either holding an activity or postponing or cancelling it.
School divisions in Saskatoon and Regina kick-started this process because they can access data from Environment Canada reports, Selinger said.
Since the board office doesn’t have access to similar information — there are very few sensors between Regina and the Alberta border — Holy Trinity purchased and installed PurpleAir sensors that provide reliable data that anyone can see and access.
“It’s important to note, the air quality can vary from Regina to Moose Jaw — and it can change quickly too,” said Selinger. “So, this gives us real-time data to rely on.”
Division administration will share the new AP with the board once it’s complete, which Selinger thought would give parents “peace of mind” knowing the division is monitoring the situation.
“I think it’s an excellent idea. We’re always going to be willing to see what the air quality is,” said board chairwoman Joann Blazieko.
Click here to view the current data that the Moose Jaw PurpleAir sensor is producing.
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