COVID-19 and Reopening In-Person Learning Framework for K-12 Schools in California, 2020-2021 School Year (July 17, 2020) (PDF; Added 20-Jul-2020) Guidance Documents (Added 24-Mar-2020) A list of various California Department of Public Health (CDPH) guidance documents related to … About 800,000 children in California public schools are classified as disabled, which includes those with cerebral palsy, Down syndrome and other disorders that may affect a child’s immune system. It would be a big help to schools if for the 2020-21 academic year, the legislature could figure out a fair and appropriate plan that is paying for all kids who are enrolled and engaging with school, even if they are sick, even if they are quarantined, even if their parents are holding them out due to a local outbreak, without the need to do a 5-day minimum to qualify for independent study. And a vaccine is only the starting point.”. Alivia Ramos-Martinez, who is in kindergarten, is among the medically vulnerable children who might be affected when schools reopen. California’s Department of Education released a detailed guide Monday for the safe reopening of schools in the age of face masks and physical distancing to prevent the spread of the coronavirus. LEAs should identify plans for communicating with families and consider learning supports for school closures. Ever since schools closed their doors in the spring to stop the spread of the coronavirus, parents and educators have been worried about what the fall would bring, and what California's plan for reopening schools might look like. 2020 EdSource. She understands that she could be healthy but bring something home to Alivia.”. Those changes are included in the state’s long-awaited strongly recommended guidelines for reopening schools that the California Department of Public Health released Friday. A list of various California Department of Public Health (CDPH) guidance documents related to COVID-19. Too much is unknown and too much is at stake, they said. Some students can be supported well at home due to the specifics of their personality and their health and family situations. T … If schools decide to monitor students’ contacts as a way to trace the virus spread, how will families react to the perceived violation of privacy? o Collaborate with other schools and school partners in your region, including the county office of education. “I can teach them to be careful,” she said. Schools are facing a complicated array of health considerations as they decide whether and how to reopen this fall. PO Box 997377 MS 0500 Sacramento, CA 95899-7377. All comments are moderated for civility, relevance and other considerations. (Added 4-Aug-2020), Waiver Letter Template and Cover Form (August 3, 2020) We’ve never been through a virus like this before, and we don’t know how it’s going to act,” said Dr. Dan Cooper, a pediatrics professor and researcher at UC Irvine and one of the lead authors of the article. Until there’s a vaccine, I don’t know how safe they can make it, realistically. Our funding also needs to reflect this: Currently schools aren’t paid for students who aren’t physically in the building, regardless of the reason or the support that the school is providing to those students. “A common cold for Alivia turns into pneumonia. K-12. The decision was hard on Alivia and her sister, both of whom love school and miss their friends and teachers. On December 3 Gov. The organization urged a balanced approach to re-opening schools, allowing schools flexibility to create different protocols for students of varying ages and needs. The concerns: Lawmakers during an Assembly education budget hearing called on Gov. For General Public Information: (916) 558-1784. But even some parents of healthy children are hesitant about sending their children back to school. We need to support sick days better – we don't want kids … Read More. How will teachers and school staff be affected, especially those who are older or have underlying health conditions? “It’s a very challenging situation. In May, the Centers for Disease Control began tracking the illness and posted recommendations for parents and an advisory for clinicians. . that continue to be updated for more information. “We’re still studying it. It’s just too soon. Joint guidance from the California Department of Education and the California Department of Public Health regarding the Novel Coronavirus (COVID 19). ... California Department of Public Health Indoor Air Quality Program Tools. (Dated 07-Apr-2020), Executive Order N-45-20: Provide Expanded Access to Child Care for Essential Workers During COVID-19 Response We need to figure out how we can support these situations regardless of cause. At the other end are parents who fear their children — particularly those who are medically vulnerable — will become ill or contract the coronavirus and sicken other family members. Kathleen Cervone, an elementary teacher near Santa Rosa who has two sons in local public schools, said she knows first-hand the difficulty schools will have sanitizing classrooms, especially amid budget cuts. SACRAMENTO – Governor Gavin Newsom today announced his plan for learning and safe schools ahead of the 2020–2021 school year, as the California Department of Public Health issued a framework for when and how schools should reopen for in-person instruction. COVID-19 Home About COVID-19 Guidances Protection News Updates Help. SAN FRANCISCO (KRON) – State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond held a press conference Monday in which he revealed new guidelines for reopening California schools… Privacy Policy (PDF; Added 09-Mar-2020) (Dated 14-Aug-2020), Executive Order N-66-20: Temporarily Suspending Examination Requirements for Teacher Candidates Impacted by COVID-19 As set forth in Section 2(e) of the Order, when it takes effect in a region, schools that have previously reopened for in-person instruction may remain open, and schools may continue to bring students back for in-person instruction under the Elementary School Waiver Process (PDF; Added 4-Aug-2020), California Department of Public Health Schools Guidance FAQs (August 3, 2020) Public and private elementary schools in counties with high COVID-19 case numbers may have a way to reopen this fall. COVID 19 Information Line: 1-833-4CA4ALL (1-833-422-4255) We should know more in a few weeks.”. County of Los Angeles Department of Public Health Communications & Public Affairs 313 N. Figueroa Street, Room 806 Los Angeles, CA 90012 Phone: (213) 240-8144 Fax: (213) 481-1406 media@ph.lacounty.gov They’ve already decided to keep their children — even the healthy ones — home from school this fall. Gavin Newsom announced a Regional Stay-At-Home Order Executive Order N-73-20: Bridging the Digital Divide by Mobilizing Across State Government One place for news releases and correspondence from Tony Thurmond, State Superintendent of Public Instruction (SSPI), regarding COVID-19. (PDF; Added 21-Jul-2020), COVID-19 Industry Guidance: Schools and School-Based Programs (July 17, 2020) (PDF; Added 20-Jul-2020), COVID-19 and Reopening In-Person Learning Framework for K-12 Schools in California, 2020-2021 School Year (July 17, 2020) (PDF; Added 20-Jul-2020). Schools may be required to close if certain percentages of staff and students are diagnosed with COVID-19. Please visit the FAQs Still, her sons miss school and miss their friends, so Cervone feels OK about sending them back if they agree to social distance on campus. (Dated 04-Apr-2020), Executive Order N-30-20: Suspend Standardized Testing for Students in Response to COVID-19 Outbreak And some children are contracting MIS-C, a rare but serious illness related to Covid-19. But, as with adults, children with underlying health conditions such as obesity or a compromised immune system are more susceptible to getting sick. Click here for EdSource's Comments Policy. Hundreds of children in the U.S. have contracted the illness and some have died (exact numbers are unavailable because some cases and deaths may have been classified as related to Covid-19). The authors raise several considerations schools need to address as they plan to reopen, and suggest they consult with public health experts to solve some of the challenges: The Southern California chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics also issued a statement last week, saying many students — particularly those who rely on school for meals and other services — would suffer more from continued school closures than from the risk of contracting the coronavirus. Read more about the Regional Stay Home Order. Public Health Home Communications & Public Affairs Home. (Dated 20-Apr-2020), Executive Order N-47-20: Expand Support for Vulnerable Populations To get more reports like this one, click here to sign up for EdSource’s no-cost daily email on latest developments in education. Pickard and her husband have decided to keep their 8-year-old son, Mason, who has Down syndrome, as well as his three siblings, home from school in the fall. Alivia’s older sister, who is 7, was especially upset. Complex health considerations make reopening California’s schools a ... County health departments contacted by EdSource and the California Department of Public Health said the risk of MIS-C is among the many factors they’re considering in deciding whether to re-open schools this fall. The Regional Stay Home Order, announced December 3, 2020, will prohibit gatherings of any size, close operations except for critical infrastructure and retail, and require 100% masking and physical distancing. (KGTV) -- The California Department of Education on Monday released guidance for the safe reopening of all state schools. California has a […] (Added 24-Mar-2020) From Tony Thurmond, SSPI (Updated 11-Dec-2020) All Rights Reserved. I think the biggest favor we can do for ourselves is to create flexibility in attendance policy and independent study, rather than trying for one size fits all. The California Department of Public Health advised counties with daily case rates at or above 14 per 100,000 people to ... but it's now delaying the reopening of VUSD schools … (Added 27-Aug-2020), Guidance for Small Cohorts/Groups of Children and Youth (August 25, 2020) Will districts allow parents to keep those children and their siblings at home. “The bathrooms alone are a huge concern.”. Created through the Reopening Schools Task Force that fostered a collaborative process for educators and stakeholders to lend their important voices. “At first they had a hard time, but they’ve gotten better,” she said. Safe Re-Opening of California Schools May 21, 2020 Recorded webinar on the Fall 2020: A Discussion on the Safe Re-Opening of California Schools. Throughout the state, districts are navigating these and other issues with guidance from county health departments, the California Department of Education, teachers’ unions, the Centers for Disease Control and other groups. 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