Reopening Updates
In recent weeks, we have all been bombarded with a lot of updates regarding COVID-19 and school reopening plans from multiple sources and different levels of government and agencies. We want to provide a transparent and concise summary of this important information for our school district.
GOVERNOR’S REOPENING PROPOSAL
Governor Newsom recently shared his proposal for schools in California to reopen for in-person instruction. SCUSD already has board-approved labor agreements and a Phase Two Reopening Plan (español) to begin opening our schools — preschool through grade 12 — when Santa Clara County moves to the Orange Tier of California’s Blueprint for a Safer Economy. The governor’s proposal, as it currently stands, is not an order and has no practical impact on our schools. The Legislature will develop funding details that may lead to future discussions in Santa Clara Unified. Our plan is still to begin reopening when the county moves to the Orange Tier.
FAMILY PREFERENCE SURVEY
We are monitoring the status of covid in the county to best determine the opening date for the survey. Based on conversations and advice from neighboring districts, it was recommended that we wait to survey until we think we may be 4-6 weeks out from the Orange Tier to allow the most accurate responses for more efficient and accurate schedule planning. We have to time the survey just right — not too early or too late. Based on the covid case spike in the county following the November break, we are hopeful that the current upward spike in cases following the December break will begin trending down by early February as fewer people travel and gather, and more people become vaccinated, moving us closer to the Orange Tier and reopening. Based on that, the end of January seems to be a more optimal time to survey families. The survey will be open for approximately 10 days, including two weekends, and will include outreach by schools to targeted families to ensure responses from prioritized students. Watch for communication during the last week of January.
SECONDARY SCHOOLS
Middle and high schools are working to create opportunities for students to get on campus for some activities as our county begins to move down tiers and public health restrictions are lifted. Sites will also begin working on end-of-year activities, including middle school promotion and high school graduation. Activity ideas will be generated for each possible tier scenario. School sites will communicate with students, families, and staff throughout the process.
SUMMER SCHOOL
Plans are underway to expand summer school offerings to address learning loss. Surveys will be conducted to give us a sense of the demand. The Board of Trustees will hear about the summer school plans at our March 25 board meeting.
FALL REOPENING
We are beginning considerations and planning for various reopening options in the fall. There will be community engagement included in the planning and the Board of Trustees will hear the district’s proposal later this spring.
VACCINES
School personnel are prioritized for Group 1B vaccinations. Santa Clara County has not released a schedule for the vaccinations at this point, but have begun to offer vaccinations to persons over the age of 65, who are also part of Group 1B. We are hopeful that vaccination will be offered to educators in the coming weeks. Vaccinations are not currently required for staff or students and it is not known how vaccinations will impact our ability to reopen in the fall. We consistently interact with the Santa Clara County Public Health Department for guidance and information. All vaccinations in the county will be conducted through health care providers and by appointment. More information about eligibility status and appointment links can be found at www.sccfreevax.org.
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