2026.10.20_FINAL_PressRelease_ElNiñoPressConference.docx.pdf
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Downloadable Videos (High Resolution)
- Full Press Conference
- Positioning Sandbags & Supplies
- Cleaning Swales Near Schools
- Using Jetters to Clean Drains
Websites
Media Contact:
James Canning, 313-580-2845, Jcanning@sandi.net
Miguel Covarrubias, 619-316-4625, mcovarrubias@sandi.net
SAN DIEGO UNIFIED STUDENTS & SCHOOLS ARE PREPARED FOR EL NIÑO
SAN DIEGO (OCT. 20, 2026) – San Diego Unified students are going to be learning about the El Niño in the classroom in the weeks ahead, as the school district’s Physical Plant Operations (PPO) continues to implement preventative measures such as clearing roof drains, removing vegetation/debris from around swales and storm drain inlets, and sourcing flood control materials to protect schools.
On Tuesday, Superintendent Dr. Fabi Bagula, Deputy Superintendent of Operations Drew Rowlands along with science educators, members of the San Diego Unified Police Department, and Trustees from the Board of Education attended a press conference to announce its El Niño preparation inside and outside classrooms, and a new online family resource: www.SanDiegoUnified.org/ElNino.
“When El Niño brings extreme weather, keeping our children safe is at the very heart of everything we do. 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,” said Superintendent Fabi Bagula, Ph.D., San Diego Unified.
Board of Education Trustee Cody Petterson represents many of San Diego Unified’s coastal school communities, which can be heavily impacted during severe rain and wind conditions. His advocacy, and commitment to addressing climate change, spurred the idea of creating a school curriculum to support the preparedness efforts.
“Protecting our students isn't just about reacting to the storm. It’s vital we prepare them for the reality of climate change,” said Trustee Petterson. “By bringing these real-world environmental challenges directly into our classrooms, we empower our students with the knowledge and resilience they need to stay safe. 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."
By bringing these real-world environmental challenges directly into our classrooms, we empower our students with the knowledge and resilience they need to stay safe. Equipping our children to understand and navigate these climate events ensures that our schools, families, and coastal communities aren't just prepared for the next storm—they are ready for the future."
Preparing Schools to Sustain Major Rainstorms
With 175 schools districtwide, school officials have identified at least 10 of its schools located in known City of San Diego flood prone areas. They are:
Site-specific awareness Flood Source Potentially Impacted Area
- Cesar Chavez Elem Chollas Creek and street drainage Field/playground
- Mission Bay HS MB & PB/Olney Channel West parking lot
- Millennial Tech MS Chollas Creek/Stormwater system West end of campus
- Lincoln HS Chollas Creek, Imperial Ave. drainage Southwest portion
- Hoover HS Stormwater Performing Arts
- Carver ES Chollas Creek Watershed Lower driveway
- Pacific Beach MS PB/Mission Beach drainage West end of campus
- Barnard ES PB/Mission Beach drainage West end of campus
- Ocean Beach ES Coastal, Stormwater drainage West end of campus
- Morse HS Southern San Diego drainage Lower Field
Even though infrastructure in the City of San Diego is the responsibility of the city government, SD Unified’s Physical Plant Operations (PPO) has been working to do all it can to prepare school buildings and campuses for intense rains, and possible flooding. Anticipating the heavy volume of calls, PPO is working on adding two additional lines into its call center. PPO and SD Unified’s Strategic Sourcing and Contracts Department are ensuring there are contracts in place to procure materials/supplies as needed to address both preventive and restoration services. Other preparation measures include:
- Actively addressing known roof issues
- Clearing roof drains, scuppers and secondary drains
- Removing vegetation/debris around swales and storm drain inlets
- Unblocking storm drain lines
- Inspecting/servicing underground biofiltration systems
- Inspecting slopes for potential damage and determining temporary mitigation measures
- Performing tree inspections at known problematic areas
- Sourcing flood control materials and supplies (sandbags, rock socks, straw wattle) and working with sites on strategic locations for staging those materials
- Servicing existing equipment and purchasing additional (storm drain jetters, pumps, water extractors, fans)
- Ensuring all procurement needs for both preparing and responding to the event are anticipated
- Coordinating with the city on their preparation regarding the cleaning of culverts and swales adjacent to SD Unified property, clearing storm drain lines, etc.
"Preparing our campuses for severe weather isn't done overnight. It takes weeks and months of continuous rigor, planning, and hands-on maintenance behind the scenes,” said Drew Rowlands, Deputy Superintendent, Operations, San Diego Unified. “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.”
New Student Curriculum: El Niño Explorer Week - Nov. 2-6
SD Unified students will experience El Niño Explorer Week, a week-long science lesson series by the Unified Science Team. The lessons will build a community of learners around El Niño causes, regional impacts and safety preparations in San Diego.
As science educators, we know El Niño is more than a weather headline,” said Julie Garcia, Senior Director of Future-Ready Learning, Curriculum & Instruction. “It is a recurring Pacific Ocean atmosphere pattern that can influence fall and winter weather across San Diego, increasing the likelihood of heavy rain, atmospheric rivers, flooding, and related disruptions. Bringing El Niño into the classroom goes beyond teaching science. 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.”
“When students connect global weather patterns to My House, My Neighborhood, and My School, science becomes practical safety. Learning how to prepare for storm hazards and look out for one another gives students ownership over their safety and builds a sense of confidence that stays with them in class, at home, and extends into our whole community.”
Daily Lesson Topics
Lesson 1 - Monday: Background & History of El Niño
Lesson 2 - Tuesday: The Life Cycle of El Niño
Lesson 3 - Wednesday: San Diego Weather & Atmospheric Rivers
Lesson 4 - Thursday: Impacts: Wildfires, Floods & Blackouts
Lesson 5 - Friday: My House, My Neighborhood & My School
Learn more about the curriculum at Explore Week Curriculum
Emergency Preparedness by San Diego Unified Police & Schools
Severe weather conditions are one of the emergency preparedness situations the San Diego Unified School District Police Department helps to prepare schools, students and staff for.
Each year, the police department works on school site specific, state-mandated school safety plans that serve as a guide for schools during emergency situations. School police also work closely with school staff on fire drills, earthquake drills, and other emergency response preparedness and training efforts.
“During high-impact weather events, our officers work hand-in-hand with emergency services and school administrators to monitor conditions, secure campuses, and maintain clear emergency pathways,” said Manuel Del Toro, Assistant Chief of Police, San Diego Unified School District. “If severe weather hits during the school day, I want our families to know that our officers will be on the front lines at schools, proactively managing hazards, ensuring safe arrivals and dismissals, and maintaining a calm, secure environment for our school communities.”
The school police lead the district’s Emergency Operations Center (EOC), including running mock emergency drills with designated EOC participants. Earlier this school year, mock flood disaster and earthquake drills were practiced. During an actual emergency, the San Diego Unified police also coordinate closely with the City of San Diego, and the County of San Diego Emergency Operation Centers, as well as other local, state and federal agencies.
Additionally, since schools are often the center of the community, schools can be a place of safety and refuge during a disaster. Depending on the conditions and circumstances San Diego Unified is ready to support our communities and families if called upon to have a school or schools serve as gathering places and/or temporary shelters.
###
James Canning (He/Him) Mobile: 313-580-2845 4100 Normal Street
|
San Diego Unified School District would like to continue connecting with you via email. If you prefer to be removed from our list and stop receiving all email messages distributed through SchoolMessenger, follow this link and confirm: Unsubscribe. Please note that if you unsubscribe, you will no longer receive emails from your child’s school.
Posts
