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Fire delays Santa Margarita Elementary School opening day

August 18, 2015

Classes at Santa Margarita Elementary School will not start on Wednesday as previously planned, the Atascadero Unified School District announced Tuesday.

Approximately 1,000 firefighters are battling a blaze burning on the southwest side of the town. The last estimate, on Tuesday morning, was 2,000 acres scorched.

Bennet Milloy, a Cal Fire public information officer, said the evacuation put into place Monday afternoon will remain through Wednesday.

Exposure to smoke should be avoided because of the health hazard. People in smokey areas should limit exposure and stay in doors when possible, Milloy said

Aside from Santa Margarita Elementary School, Atascadero schools are scheduled to begin classes on Wednesday. Several parents have voiced concerns.

“For me, having the children attend school in the smoke, when it is clearly unhealthy, it shows a disregard for the students,” said a parent of an Atascadero High School student who did not want her name disclosed.

District Superintendent Tom Butler said the district is focused on keeping students safe and has planed for inside activities. In addition, the students will not do any outside physical education.

Butler said he placed calls to both the SLO County Health Department and the Air Quality Control Board to ask about the health risks and suggestions to keep students safe. At 4 p.m., h said he was still waiting for a response.

Cuesta Fire 11

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Wait attending the A.H.S. while smoke is heavy?? I would have LOVED to ask the parent…………..then are you leaving the county in meantime?


To me if the student sits at home or at school, for the LOVE OF GOD please explain how one would be more than the other!!!!???


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A couch is a whole lot more comfortable than a school desk.


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True. Ask any under achiever or drop out.


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Gee. I don’t know.


Walking to the bus stop. Waiting at the bus stop. Walking to class and in between every class all day. Lunch out of doors (AHS does not have an actual school-size cafeteria), P.E., recess, again waiting for the bus and then walking home v. staying indoors at home.


Hmmm….


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I grew up in Southern Ca. We had numerous fires growing up. We went to school and had smoke and guess what……………I’m still here.


If one is that concerned, then stay at someplace out of area till it is better. That is the point because while in area, NO MATTER WHAT, you will be exposed.


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“Butler said he placed calls to both the SLO County Health Department and the Air Quality Control Board to ask about the health risks and suggestions to keep students safe. At 4 p.m., h said he was still waiting for a response.”


Hey, the AQCB is very busy shaking down people who work for a living. They don’t have time to actually do work. Maybe if the school district was in some violation or something, they’d probably get their phone call (and visit) pronto.


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Yes, you are spot on. Most regulatory agencies are motivated if they have verified a check is on the horizon.


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