June 25, 2021
Dear Superintendents and School Leaders,

I'm writing with updates on several COVID-19-related items that have arisen since my last message.

COVID-19 Symptom Decision Tree Updated
The COVID-19 Symptom Decision Tree (Spanish version) has been updated based on changes to the provisions requiring quarantine and immunity in Cal/OSHA’s Emergency Temporary Standards. The changes align to guidance issued by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention that allows individuals who have recovered from COVID-19 to be exempt from quarantine following close contact for 90 days from the date they first developed symptoms, if they do not develop symptoms. For those who tested positive and remained asymptomatic, the exemption from quarantine is good for 90 days from their first positive test, as long as they do not develop symptoms. The orange box on Page 2 includes guidance for individuals who display a COVID-19-like symptom or symptoms within 90 days of being infected with COVID-19.

Changes to the State Reopening Dashboard
According to the California Safe Schools Support Team, the state’s Instructional Modes survey has shifted to collecting information on the types of summer programming being offered to students and number of students participating in each. The submission portal will be open from Monday, June 28 through Friday, July 2 at 5 p.m. 

Please note:
  • School-level enrollment information is not required.
  • Private schools are not mandated to report on summer programming activities.

If you are having any trouble with the submission process, please contact the California Safe Schools Support Desk for assistance, or check the FAQ sheet for responses to commonly asked questions.

The upcoming submission deadlines are June 28 and July 12.

Online Public Meetings Still Allowed Until Sept. 30
On June 11, the governor issued Executive Order N-08-21, which expressly extends the flexibility concerning the conduct of public meetings through Sept. 30. Thus, all local government agencies can continue to conduct their public meetings online through Sept. 30. For more information, see this news brief from Lozano Smith. 

Mitigating the Threat of School Violence after COVID-19
Yesterday the Federal School Safety Clearinghouse hosted a webinar on mitigating the threat of school violence after COVID-19. Click here to view slides from the presentation. For additional information, please read the bulletin on Mitigating the Threat of School Violence as the U.S. "Returns to Normal" from the COVID-19 Pandemic and Beyond, released by the Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) Office of Intelligence and Analysis and the DHS Center for Prevention Programs and Partnerships.
  
As always, please let me know if you have any questions or need support.

Sincerely,
Paul

Dr. Paul Gothold
San Diego County Superintendent of Schools
phone: 858-295-6641