Aug. 23, 2021
Dear Superintendents,

I am writing with several updates since my last message.

State Releases FAQ on Vaccine Verification
Late last week, the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) launched a Frequently Asked Questions webpage about the public health order requiring school employees to provide verification of vaccination or test weekly for COVID-19.

The FAQ clarifies that “the order applies to all school workers, without any explicit limitation based on assigned job sites.” It gives the specific examples of employees who work at a school bus yard or district staff who work at the central office.

The FAQ also states that the order does not apply to state preschool programs or other early learning and child care programs if they are located on K-12 campuses.

We have updated the San Diego County Office of Education's (SDCOE)’s Frequently Asked Questions about Vaccine Verification and Testing for Workers in Schools to reflect the new information.

SDCOE has yet to receive an answer from the state as to whether the order applies to employees of the YMCA and other entities that provide before- and after-school programs on school campuses. We will share CDPH’s answer when we receive it.

Clarifying Guidance on Testing Verification
To help districts and schools with understanding when tests for COVID-19 need additional verification, SDCOE has created a testing guidelines matrix. It outlines which tests in which situations require a secondary test to verify results.

Statewide Instructional Modes Survey
The statewide instructional modes survey has been updated to collect additional information at the request of the governor’s office. This week’s survey will only include the following two questions:
  • Start date of 2021-22 school year
  • Percentage of students currently enrolled (at the district) for SY 2021-22 who have enrolled for in-person instruction (as opposed to independent study)
  • 95-100%
  • 90-94%
  • 85-89%
  • 80-84%
  • 75-79%
  • 74% or fewer
  • Schools are not yet open

The submission portal will be open for the entire week, which means it will be open from today through Friday, Aug. 27, at 5 p.m. Please note that charter schools and private schools are not required to report during this data collection cycle. 

Contact the California Safe Schools Support Desk for assistance with the instructional modes survey or check the FAQ sheet for responses to commonly asked questions.

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