Dear Superintendents and Charter School Leaders,
I am writing with several updates since my last message.
COVID-19 K-12 Decision Tree Updated
The COVID-19 Decision Tree on Quarantine in
English has been updated based on the latest guidance from the California Department of Public Health and county Public Health Services. The Spanish version will be posted early next week. These updates include:
- Return on Day 8 and return on Day 11 are now authorized for use with students who were exposed in non-school settings.
- Return on Day 8 is now also available for employees.
- Students in modified (in-school) quarantine can now return to before-school, after-school, and weekend activities on Day 8 with a negative test result from a test sample collected as early as Day 5 (instead of Day 6).
- Students utilizing the “return on Day 8” option may now also test as earlier as Day 5.
Statewide Data Collection Resumes for All Districts, Schools
Data collection through the statewide instructional modes survey began again this week for all schools (school districts, charter schools, and private schools). The
submission portal will remain
open through the weekend.
This data collection cycle includes questions related to learning acceleration supports, expanded learning opportunities, and mental health/wellness supports. It also asks for information regarding the number (or estimate) of students enrolled and those who opted to participate in independent study for the 2021-22 school year. Student counts will be collected at the district, charter, or private school levels.
With the start of the 2021-22 school year, schools may have new staff members supporting the data collection process for the Instructional Modes Survey. Please refer them to this
document, which provides a step-by-step overview of the registration process, including the
registration link and access code/key (E#9!yD4ZHmjr2pg). Please note that schools can have more than one registered point of contact.
You can also contact the
CA Safe Schools Support Desk for assistance with the Instructional Modes Survey or check the
FAQ sheet for responses to commonly asked questions.
Board Meeting Flexibility Extended
Yesterday, Gov. Gavin Newsom signed
Assembly Bill 361. The bill exempts until Jan. 1, 2024 local legislative bodies from certain provisions related to teleconference public meetings under the Brown Act, including the act’s teleconference quorum, meeting notice, and agenda requirements, during states of emergency.
The SDCOE Legal Services team has prepared
this summary to assist districts and charters for complying with the bill’s requirements.
CDE Posts Responses to Frequently Asked Questions About AB 167
The California Department of Education’s School Fiscal Services Division (SFSD) has posted
frequently asked questions that provide an overview of changes due to Assembly Bill 167, which was passed by the Assembly and Senate on Sept. 9 and is awaiting signature by the governor. Assembly Bill 167 is a clean-up bill to AB 130. It amends California Education Code sections 41422, 46392, and 46393 with changes that affect the requirements for submission of a Request for Allowance of Attendance Due to Emergency Conditions (Form J-13A). The document will be updated as additional information becomes available.
Template Letters to Communicate About a School or Classroom Closure
SDCOE has updated two template parent letters in English and Spanish for use in the event a school or district must communicate about a
classroom or
school closure as a result of a positive case or cases in a class or an increase in COVID-19 positive cases on campus.
Thank you for all that you do. As always, please reach out if you have any questions.
Sincerely,
Paul
Dr. Paul Gothold
San Diego County Superintendent of Schools
phone: 858-295-6641
