Bishop Alemany High School in Mission Hills implements safety measures as heat hits San Fernando Valley

MISSION HILLS, LOS ANGELES (KABC) -- As an extreme heat warning and heat advisory impact parts of the San Fernando Valley, Bishop Alemany High School is implementing several measures to help keep students and staff safe.

School officials said they have relied on the Perry Weather monitoring system, installed across the street from campus about three years ago, to track current weather conditions and guide decisions based on state and CIF guidelines.

To help students stay cool, the school has also opened alumni hall as an air-conditioned space for lunch. Officials also said there are numerous shaded areas throughout campus available to students and staff.

Hydration remains a priority on campus and on athletic fields, with school staff emphasizing that water is readily available.

Physical education classes have been moved indoors to the gym, and athletic programs have adjusted schedules and activities because of the heat.

“It’s something that we deal with at the beginning of the school year,” said Bishop Alemany High School athletic director Randy Thompson. “The sports teams here, they have to practice, moving practice back. Golf this week has moved indoors. Going over etiquette and different type of rules. Football practice, we don’t start until 4 o’clock. We’ve moved [Tuesday's] girls flag football game back an hour. We’ll make adjustments to Thursday’s game as well, but just making sure that the conditions are okay for our student athletes to perform.”

School staff members also have been allowed to wear shorts during the week.

Officials said they are following state and CIF guidelines. According to Thompson, current conditions are within the yellow category. He said that if readings were to reach the black category, all outdoor activity would be prohibited.