Gym, Recess Will Be Indoors In South Brunswick Schools Due To Poor Air Quality

SOUTH BRUNSWICK, NJ — A code orange Air Quality Alert remains effective in South Brunswick through Wednesday due to the smoke from the Canadian wildfires, officials said.

As a precaution, the school district has decided to move gym and recess indoors for Wednesday, Superintendent Scott Feder told the community.

"While we understand the importance of outdoor play and physical activity, we believe this precautionary measure is necessary to ensure the well-being of our students. By conducting recess and PE indoors, we can minimize their exposure to this poor air quality," Feder told the community in a letter.

Feder said the district was closely monitoring the air quality conditions and will continue to assess the situation on a daily basis.

"If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact us," he said.

The Canadian wildfires are causing hazy and smokey conditions with a faint odor of burning.

The state Department of Environmental Protection declared Tuesday and Wednesday an Air Quality Action Day for Particulate Matter.

"A code orange air quality alert means that air pollution concentrations within the region may become unhealthy for sensitive groups," the National Weather Service said.

These sensitive groups include children, people suffering from asthma, heart disease or other lung diseases and the elderly.

"Levels of fine particulates will rise into the unhealthy for sensitive groups category statewide on Wednesday and potentially extend into the evening hours due to wildfire smoke transport from eastern Canadian wildfires," The NJDEP said.

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