Poor air quality closes Long Beach schools for Thursday, 8 June, 2023

Long Beach schools announced Wednesday afternoon that schools will be closed Thursday due to the poor air quality experienced across the island. No decision has been made for Friday.

Superintendent of Schools Dr. Jennifer Gallagher said that smoke permeated school buildings late afternoon and students and staff reported symptoms of respiratory distress. She said all four elementary schools and the middle school have limited air conditioning, which aided in the decision. A number of students and staff at those schools felt ill.

“By closing school, we are eliminating a situation where students are exposed to harmful air quality while riding their bikes, walking, waiting at bus stops, or traveling on buses or in parents’ cars,” Gallagher said in a letter to families. “This is especially true right now because of the travel delays caused by the sinkhole.”

The smoke plume from the Canadian wildfires has blanketed Long Island and most of the metropolitan area, so the state’s Department of Environmental Conservation is urging New Yorkers to stay inside, close all windows, and wear masks when outdoors.

Health advisories have been issued for Long Island every day between June 5 and 8, and are expected to continue into next week. Long Islanders who are being affected by the smoky air are unlikely to see change in the next couple days.