The following message is intended for families of students attending San Joaquin County Office of Education’s County Operated Schools and Programs, Special Education Programs, and Venture Academy Family of Schools. Please download the attachment for this letter in English and Spanish.
El siguiente mensaje está destinado a las familias de estudiantes que asisten a las Escuelas y Programas Operados por el Condado de San Joaquin, los Programas de Educación Especial y Familia de Escuelas de la Academia Venture de parte de la Oficina de Educación del Condado de San Joaquín. Descargue el archivo adjunto para obtener esta carta en inglés y español.
This message is to inform you of the San Joaquin County Office of Education (SJCOE) plan in the event we are notified that electrical power may be shut off to the local area by Pacific Gas and Electric (PG&E), thus impacting our offices and/or school sites. The SJCOE’s intended flow of messaging may be somewhat different depending on the needs during an actual PG&E Public Safety Power Shutoff (PSPS).
ABOUT PG&E PUBLIC SAFETY POWER SHUTOFFS
Due to the increased intensity and frequency of wildfires in Northern California, the California Public Utilities Commission has required that the electrical grid be powered down in areas prone to fires in times of elevated risk. In response, PG&E may, at times, implement an expanded PSPS that may impact areas of San Joaquin County.
PG&E has indicated it will provide notice 48 hours in advance of a planned power shutoff, when possible. Such notice will trigger the activation of the SJCOE's three-phased response plan. During this response, you can expect email, voice message, and text message communications through our Edulinks contact system.
- PHASE 1: 48 HOURS PRIOR TO PLANNED POWER SHUTOFF: Early warning that PG&E has given 48-hour notification of a possible power shutoff and that we are monitoring the situation. Under most circumstances, the SJCOE will not initiate the closure of schools or offices based upon the 48-hour notification. At this point, please plan for school to continue as scheduled.
- PHASE 2: 24 HOURS PRIOR TO PLANNED POWER SHUTOFF: You will receive an update informing you if the power shutoff has been cancelled/postponed or if it is still scheduled. If the power shutoff is still scheduled, you will be informed no later than 5 p.m. if the SJCOE is planning to close schools the next day.
- PHASE 3: DURING PLANNED POWER SHUTOFF: You will receive daily updates until the power is switched back on and school is back in session and offices are back to business-as-usual. You will also be able to find updates at www.sjcoe.org.
POWER OUTAGE RESOURCES
At the SJCOE, we believe that planning ahead is the best safeguard. With this in mind, we have provided more information and resources below to help you and your family prepare for an extended power outage.
- Talk to your medical provider about a power outage plan for medical devices powered by electricity and refrigerated medicines. Plan for batteries and other alternatives to meet your family’s needs when the power goes out.
- Review the supplies that are available in your household in case of a power outage. Have flashlights with extra batteries for every household member. Have enough nonperishable food and water stored to meet your family’s basic needs for at least a few days.
- Use a thermometer in the refrigerator and freezer so that you can know the temperature when the power is restored. Throw out food if the temperature is 40 degrees or higher.
- Keep mobile phones and other electric equipment charged and gas tanks full.
- Know how to manually open electric garage doors and gates.
For more information about how to prepare for a power outage, go to the San Joaquin County Office of Emergency Services webpage on preparedness at www.sjgov.org/department/oes/preparedness.
Thank you for your support during this process as we work to ensure our SJCOE community is informed, prepared, and safe for a power outage.