Environmental Health & Safety

Before students returned, the campus underwent extensive remediation, cleaning, inspection, and preparation following the wildfire.

Our approach is based on guidance from environmental health and public-health experts and includes attention to indoor air, HVAC systems, surfaces, outdoor areas, and potential environmental contaminants.

We are not treating reopening as the end of the process. Environmental monitoring and review will continue..

Yes. Air quality in Pacific Palisades is being monitored through CAP AIR, a UCLA-led community air-monitoring network as part of the CONSORTIUM. The network includes monitoring stations throughout West Los Angeles and measures both:

• PM2.5, very small particles that can come from smoke and combustion

• PM10, larger particles that can include dust and ash

The public dashboard updates approximately every 5–10 minutes, allowing families to see current particle levels in the area.

Note: CAP AIR is an important tool for monitoring particle pollution, but it is not a complete environmental safety test. For example, it does not measure every possible contaminant associated with wildfire recovery.

Our HVAC systems use MERV-13 or higher filters, which are designed to effectively remove airborne particles from the air as it circulates through the system.

Yes. We view environmental monitoring as an ongoing process, particularly while rebuilding continues in the surrounding community.

We will continue to monitor conditions and evaluate whether additional measures are appropriate as construction and environmental conditions potentially change.

We know families may be concerned about dust and other particles generated by demolition, debris removal, construction, and truck traffic.

Construction activity will be monitored as part of our broader environmental health and safety approach.

If environmental conditions change or monitoring identifies a concern, we will evaluate the situation with our environmental and public-health partners and adjust our practices as appropriate.

Yes – extensively. Our experts have emphasized that soil testing is particularly important in communities affected by wildfire and rebuilding.

For St. Matthew’s and Village School, soil and environmental testing will continue at regular intervals.. We will use qualified experts to help interpret results and determine whether any additional action is needed.

If testing or monitoring identifies a potential concern, we will:

1. Review the data with qualified environmental and public-health experts.
2. Determine whether additional testing is needed.
3. Evaluate the potential exposure and level of risk.
4. Identify appropriate mitigation or remediation measures.
5. Communicate with families when there is information that materially affects our community.

Our commitment is to respond to new information rather than assume that conditions will never change.

When information from testing or monitoring is relevant to the health and safety of our community, we will share meaningful findings with families and explain what the information means in plain language.

We also recognize that scientific research evolves. When there is uncertainty, we will tell our community what we know, what we do not yet know, and what we are doing to learn more.

Children with asthma and certain chronic health conditions may be more sensitive to smoke, ash, and poor air quality.

Families should continue to monitor local air-quality conditions and follow their child’s healthcare provider’s recommendations. If a child experiences persistent coughing, difficulty breathing, shortness of breath, chest pain, dizziness, or other concerning symptoms, families should contact their healthcare provider.

If your child has a specific medical need or environmental sensitivity, please communicate with the school so we can work together to support your child.

Families can take several straightforward steps:

• Check local air-quality conditions when needed.

• Keep children away from ash and debris.

• Keep windows and doors closed during periods of poor outdoor air quality.

• Use appropriate HVAC filtration or a HEPA air purifier indoors.

• Follow guidance from your healthcare provider if your child has asthma or another respiratory condition.

The Palisades is still recovering and rebuilding. There will be construction, empty lots, changing environmental conditions, and new information as the community moves forward.

At the same time, returning to school allows our children to reconnect with their teachers, friends, routines, and community. Our responsibility is to create a school environment where students can learn and grow while we continue to take environmental health and safety seriously.

Here are some helpful wildfire resources for parents, teachers and caregivers for children:

• Supporting Children, Strengthening Communities: Professional Skills for Talking About Wildfires Together” with Dr. Melissa Brymer

• UCLA Communication handout 

• Addressing the Wildfires: A resource guide for Caregivers and Educators

• UCLA Wildfire Resources

Our commitment is ongoing. We will:

• Monitor: Continue to monitor air quality and environmental conditions.

• Test: Continue appropriate environmental testing as rebuilding progresses.

• Evaluate: Work with qualified scientists, environmental professionals, and public-health experts to understand new information.

• Communicate: Share meaningful information with families and explain it clearly.

• Adapt: Adjust our practices when new information or changing conditions warrant it.

We are grateful to be making this journey back to the Palisades together, and we will continue to approach the work with care, transparency, and a commitment to the health and well-being of our entire school community.

Air Quality Dashboard

Soil Guide

LA Fire Health Study FAQ

Health, Safety, & Security Webpage