From air quality concerns and extreme temperatures to storms and high winds, MUSD’s Inclement Weather Guidelines are designed to ensure that everyone within our educational community remains secure during challenging weather conditions. As a district committed to the welfare of our students, families, and staff, we prioritize proactive measures and clear procedures to navigate these weather-related challenges effectively.
Manteca Unified uses data from the RAAN (Real-time Air Advisory Network) to monitor air pollution status and place restrictions on physical activity based on ROAR (Real-time Outdoor Activity Risk) Guidelines. The RAAN tool and ROAR Guidelines are accessible here: www.valleyair.org/myraan.
Every classroom and office in MUSD is equipped with an air scrubber unit. Additionally, all HVAC units in the district have been upgraded with systems featuring advanced filters and enhanced ventilation to further protect against poor air quality.
Schools use data specific to their site location and the ROAR Guidelines to determine whether any modifications to the schedule are necessary. As general guidance, if there is visible smoke in the air or you can smell smoke, it is recommended to stay indoors.
Hot weather increases the risk of heat-related problems like dehydration, heat exhaustion, and heat stroke, especially for children, who take longer to adjust to the heat than adults. During hot weather, students are encouraged to dress in light-colored clothing and drink plenty of water throughout the day. All MUSD schools have water fountains and bottle-filling stations available to students.
To keep everyone safe, Manteca Unified has set up Heat Advisory Guidelines for our schools to follow. These guidelines will help guide decisions, though principals will still use their best judgment based on the specific situation at their school.
There is no specific temperature that automatically triggers an inclement weather schedule. Instead, school administrators will reference the National Weather Service HeatRisk tool and a district-provided table (download below) to decide if schedule changes are needed.
Please note that the California Interscholastic Federation (CIF) has published rules for high school athletics. Click here for more details.
During days of heavy rain, school sites implement a “Rainy Day Schedule,” which adjusts the regular school schedule to accommodate outdoor activities indoors. This schedule ensures that recess, lunch, and physical education (PE) can continue seamlessly, even in inclement weather. Before and after-school programs will follow the same modified schedules as necessary.
Rainy Day Safety Tips for Families
Plan Extra Travel Time: Leave the house a bit earlier than usual to account for the slower commute and avoid rushing, which can lead to accidents.
Drive Carefully and Avoid Puddles: Reduce your speed and maintain a safe distance from the car ahead, as wet roads can be slippery. Avoid driving through large puddles, as they can hide deep potholes and cause your vehicle to hydroplane.
Stay Visible: Keep your headlights on, even during the day, to improve your visibility to others.
Walk Safely: If your child is walking to school, remind them to watch out for slippery sidewalks and cross streets at designated crosswalks.
Use Proper Rain Gear: Ensure your child is dressed appropriately for the rain with waterproof jackets, boots, umbrellas, etc.
Tule fog, which often forms in the Central Valley during winter, can make it very hard to see while driving. This dense fog can reduce visibility to a quarter mile or less, creating dangerous conditions for students and staff traveling to school. It can also cause delays for school buses, which may affect the school schedule. Walking or biking to school can also be risky since it's hard to see oncoming traffic.
For updates on fog conditions and any transportation delays, please call MUSD’s Fog Line at (209) 858-0800.
Dense Fog Safety Tips for Families
Slow Down but Keep Going: Drive at a slower speed than usual to maintain control and increase stopping distance, but do not stop in the road as other drives may not be able to see you.
Leave Extra Stopping Distance: Keep a greater distance from the vehicle ahead of you to allow for more reaction time.
Keep Headlights On: Ensure your regular headlights and/or fog lights are on to make your vehicle more visible to others. Avoid using high beams as they can reflect off the fog and worsen visibility.
Avoid Distractions: Stay focused on driving and avoid distractions like using your phone.
Clear Your Windows: Use your vehicle’s defroster and windshield wipers to clear windows and improve visibility.
Stay in Your Lane: Maintain a steady lane position and use road markings as a guide.
Plan Extra Time: Allow additional time for your journey to accommodate slower travel speeds.
Stay Informed: Check weather conditions and traffic updates before starting your trip.
Storms and strong winds can happen quickly, so staying prepared is important. In the event of thunder and/or lightning, outdoor activities will be stopped immediately and will not resume until the storm has passed and thunder is no longer audible.
If conditions become unsafe, the school will work with the district’s safety team and local emergency services to keep everyone safe. In case of an immediate emergency or life-threatening situation, they will contact 911 immediately.
