Safety Announcements & Updates

October 4, 2026

Warm Weather Reminder and Heat Safety Protocols for the Week of October 5

Dear PVPUSD Staff and Families,

Weather forecasts continue to indicate elevated temperatures during the week of October 5. The health, safety, and well-being of our students and staff remain our highest priority.

At this time, PVPUSD is planning to operate on a normal school schedule throughout the week. District and site administrators will continue to closely monitor weather reports and campus conditions and will implement heat mitigation strategies as appropriate to support safe and comfortable learning and working environments.

Consistent with District heat-response procedures, schools may implement a variety of measures to support student and staff safety during periods of elevated temperatures. These measures include increasing access to drinking water, shade, and cooled indoor spaces; providing additional hydration opportunities throughout the day; modifying or limiting strenuous outdoor activities; increasing rest periods during outdoor events; and adjusting outdoor schedules when conditions warrant. Staff will continue to monitor students for signs of heat-related illness and respond promptly to any health concerns.

To help everyone stay safe and comfortable, students and staff are encouraged to:

Bring a portable, reusable water bottle to school each day. Bottle refill stations are available on all campuses and can be used throughout the school day.
Stay hydrated by drinking water frequently before, during, and after outdoor activities. Bottled water is also available through each school's health office for any staff or student who may need it.
Take advantage of shaded areas and cooled indoor spaces during recess, lunch, breaks, and other outdoor activities whenever possible.
Dress appropriately for warm weather conditions and consider wearing lightweight clothing and sun protection when outdoors.
Be aware of the signs and symptoms of heat-related illness, including dizziness, headache, fatigue, nausea, excessive sweating, or overheating, and seek assistance from school staff immediately if they are feeling unwell.

Site administrators will continue to evaluate campus conditions throughout the week and may relocate activities indoors, utilize shaded areas, modify physical education activities, adjust recess and lunch activities, or implement other site-specific strategies as necessary to reduce prolonged exposure to heat while maintaining regular school operations.

As applicable, information regarding athletic practices, competitions, and other extracurricular activities will be communicated separately by individual schools. Site administrators and coaches will continue to monitor conditions and make adjustments as needed to support student safety.

We appreciate your partnership and cooperation as we continue to monitor conditions and take appropriate steps to support the health and safety of our students and staff. Thank you for your continued support of PVPUSD.

Sincerely,
Brenna Terrones
Assistant Superintendent, Administrative Services
Palos Verdes Peninsula Unified School District

September 9, 2026

Heat Advisory Reminder: Staying Safe During Extreme Heat

Dear PVPUSD Families and Staff,

As the current heat advisory continues across our region, we would like to remind everyone to take extra precautions to stay safe, healthy, and comfortable during this period of extreme temperatures.

The well-being of our students and staff remains our highest priority. District staff continue to monitor conditions closely, respond to facility needs, and implement strategies to support learning and working environments across our schools.

Stay Hydrated

Please encourage students to drink water regularly throughout the day, even if they do not feel thirsty. Staff and students should take advantage of water refill stations and bring a reusable water bottle whenever possible. Disposable water bottles are available in the health office and can be refilled at our water stations on each campus.

Dress for the Weather

Lightweight, light-colored clothing can help reduce heat stress. Hats are encouraged during outdoor activities when appropriate.

Recognize Signs of Heat-Related Illness

Early symptoms of heat exhaustion may include:

Excessive sweating
Dizziness or lightheadedness
Headache
Fatigue
Nausea
Muscle cramps

Students or staff experiencing these symptoms should immediately notify a teacher, supervisor, school nurse, or administrator and move to a cooler location.

Take Advantage of Cooler Spaces

Schools are encouraged to utilize air-conditioned spaces, shaded outdoor areas, libraries, multipurpose rooms, and other cooler locations when available. Staff may adjust activities as appropriate to reduce heat exposure.

Classroom Cooling Reminders

To help maintain comfortable classroom temperatures:

Open windows and doors early in the morning when outdoor temperatures are cooler.
Close blinds and shades on sun-facing windows.
Minimize the use of equipment that generates heat, including projectors, charging carts, and other technology devices when instructional needs allow.
Keep lights off when safe and practical.
For classrooms with HVAC systems, keep doors and windows closed while systems are operating to help manage temperature and humidity.

Outdoor Activities

School staff will continue to monitor temperature conditions and may modify, relocate, postpone, or shorten outdoor activities as necessary. Students should be encouraged to seek shade whenever possible and take frequent water breaks.

Report Facility Concerns

If staff identify concerns with air conditioning, ventilation, thermostats, windows, doors, or other building systems, please work through your site office or custodian to ensure a maintenance work order is submitted. The District is also continuing work on HVAC controls to support more consistent system operation. Urgent health or safety concerns should be immediately elevated to site administration.

We appreciate everyone's partnership, flexibility, and patience as we navigate this period of extreme heat. By working together and following these precautions, we can help ensure safe and supportive learning environments for all students and staff.

The District has prioritized HVAC improvements through its bond program, and Phase 1 schools are already progressing through design development. This work reflects the District's commitment to improving learning environments through planned, long-term facility investments.

Thank you for your continued commitment to the health, safety, and well-being of our school community.

Palos Verdes Peninsula Unified School District

Administrative Services & Maintenance Operations Team

August 25, 2026

Back-to-School Update: Roadway Construction & Heat Advisory

8.25.26 Back-to-School Update: Roadway Construction & Heat Advisory

Dear PVPUSD Families,

We are excited to welcome our students and families back for the 2026-27 school year in just a few short days.

PV Drive North Roadway Project Update

As we begin the school year, construction activities associated with the Palos Verdes Drive North roadway improvement project remain underway. The City of Rolling Hills Estates has advised that portions of the project will continue beyond the start of school while work progresses toward completion. As a result, families may experience adjusted traffic patterns, pedestrian detours, parking restrictions, and travel delays in areas surrounding the project corridor.

While the construction project is outside the District's control, PVPUSD is committed to working closely with city officials to support safe and efficient access to our schools. The City has identified preparing the area for school traffic and pedestrian access as a priority, and District staff will continue coordinating with municipal partners to monitor conditions and address concerns as they arise.

To help families and staff prepare for the opening of school:

Anticipate increased traffic congestion, particularly during student arrival and dismissal times.
Consider using alternate routes
Allow additional travel time when driving to and from campus.
Consider carpooling when feasible to help reduce traffic impacts.
Follow all posted signs, traffic controls, pedestrian detours, and directions from public safety personnel.
Use caution when walking, biking, or traveling near active construction areas and remain alert to changing conditions.

Questions or concerns specifically related to the construction project should be directed to the City of Rolling Hills Estates at [email protected] or by calling (310) 377-1577.

Heat Advisory Protocols

In addition, forecasts indicate elevated temperatures during the first weeks of school. The health, safety, and well-being of both our students and staff remain a top priority.

Administrators reviewed emergency response procedures prior to the start of the school year, and our schools continue to work closely with local public safety partners to maintain safe, secure, and supportive learning environments for students and staff. In accordance with guidance from the California Department of Public Health, Cal/OSHA, and other public health agencies, schools will continue to monitor weather conditions and take appropriate precautions to protect students and employees.

These precautions may include providing additional access to water, shade, and cooled indoor spaces; modifying outdoor activities when conditions warrant; and adjusting outdoor schedules as necessary to ensure safe learning and working environments.

We encourage both students and staff to stay hydrated by using bottle refill stations and accessing bottled water from the health office, taking advantage of shaded and cooled environments, dressing appropriately for the weather, and remaining aware of the signs and symptoms of heat-related illness.

We understand that construction activity, traffic delays, and warm weather conditions can create inconvenience and concern as families and staff adjust to back-to-school routines. We greatly appreciate your patience, flexibility, and partnership as we work together to ensure a safe and successful start to the school year.

We look forward to welcoming students and staff back on Wednesday, August 26, and to a year filled with learning, growth, achievement, and opportunity.

Thank you for your continued support of Palos Verdes Peninsula Unified School District.

Sincerely,

Brenna Terrones
Assistant Superintendent, Administrative Services
Palos Verdes Peninsula Unified School District

Safety Announcements & Updates prior to 2026 (click to expand list)