SAN DIEGO (FOX 5\/KUSI) — The San Diego Unified School District\u00a0(SDUSD) shared plans on Tuesday to prepare students and campus\u00a0infrastructure for\u00a0El\u00a0Ni\u00f1o.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n
District officials said at least 10 out of their 175 schools are located in flood-prone areas.\u00a0In response,\u00a0SDUSD is preparing school buildings for rain and flooding that may occur during an\u00a0El\u00a0Ni\u00f1o. The district\u00a0also\u00a0hopes students can\u00a0learn about the weather impacts in the classroom.\u00a0<\/p>\n
“When El Ni\u00f1o brings extreme weather, keeping our children safe is at the very heart of everything we do,”\u00a0Superintendent Fabi Bagula said in a news release. “Severe rain, localized flooding, and sudden storms can be overwhelming for families, so taking thoughtful, early steps to protect our school community is our top priority.”\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u00a0San Diego County leaders detail plans for potentially historic El Ni\u00f1o\u00a0<\/a><\/p>\n According to the district, the 10 schools with site-specific awareness for flood-prone areas include:<\/p>\n Millennial Tech Middle School<\/p>\n Pacific Beach Middle School<\/p>\n Barnard Elementary School<\/p>\n Ocean Beach Elementary School<\/p>\n While SDUSD said the city is responsible for infrastructure, the school district’s\u00a0Physical Plant Operations (PPO) is helping address impacts on school grounds.\u00a0<\/p>\n \u00a0These areas in San Diego County are at the highest risk of flooding, data shows\u00a0<\/a><\/p>\n The school district\u00a0also plans\u00a0to inspect roofing and drains, remove debris near drain inlets, service underground biofiltration systems, inspect trees in known problematic areas, purchase equipment and collaborate with the city on nearby flood concerns.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n “Preparing our campuses for severe weather isn’t done overnight,” SDUSD Operations Deputy Superintendent Drew Rowlands added. “It takes weeks and months of continuous rigor, planning, and hands-on maintenance behind the scenes.”\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n San Diego Unified\u00a0Board of Education Trustee Cody Petterson said students should also be taught\u00a0how environmental issues and\u00a0climate change will impact\u00a0the world around them.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n \u00a0Rain chances increase across San Diego County midweek as storm system moves in\u00a0<\/a><\/p>\n “Equipping our children to understand and navigate these climate events ensures that our schools, families, and coastal communities are prepared for the next storm and for the future,”\u00a0Petterson said.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n During the first week of November, students will also be taught a new curriculum \u2014\u00a0El Ni\u00f1o Explorer Week. Educators will provide lessons to students on the history of\u00a0El Ni\u00f1o, San Diego weather conditions and more. Details regarding the curriculum plan can be found on the SDUSD website<\/a>.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n “Bringing El Ni\u00f1o into the classroom goes beyond teaching science,” SDUSD Senior Director of Future-Ready Learning Julie Garcia said. “It helps students understand how Earth’s interconnected systems can shape conditions in their own communities and empowers them to share accurate information, prepare their families, and advocate for community readiness.”\u00a0<\/p>\n School law enforcement is also available to support student safety, secure a calm environment and help lead the\u00a0Emergency Operations Center. SDUSD officials said schools can also serve as temporary shelters or gathering places if necessary.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n “By putting in the proactive work early, we eliminate preventable risks and create the operational flexibility needed to handle whatever unexpected challenges a major storm brings,”\u00a0Rowlands said.<\/p>\n More information regarding the impacted schools and the district’s\u00a0El Ni\u00f1o\u00a0
emergency preparedness plan can be found on the SDUSD website<\/a>. \u00a0<\/p>\n