Jan. 13, 2022
Dear Superintendents and School Leaders,

I am writing with several updates since my last message.

State Schools Guidance Updated
Late last night, the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) released an update to the COVID-19 Public Health Guidance for K-12 Schools in California, 2021-22 School Year. The updates give schools the option of using the quarantine options included in the K-12 guidance (paragraphs 7 – 9) or using the approach described in the Group-Tracing Approach to Students Exposed to COVID-19 in a K-12 Setting.

The updates include additional details that will be reviewed by the San Diego County Office of Education (SDCOE) and public health teams. Updates to the COVID-19 Decision Trees and e-Decision Trees will be made in the coming days.

Group-tracing approach for students
In this new approach, schools should notify students who spent more than a cumulative total of 15 minutes within a 24-hour time period in a shared indoor airspace (e.g., classroom) with someone with COVID-19 during their period of infectiousness. Exposed students, regardless of COVID-19 vaccination status or prior infection, should get tested for COVID-19 with at least one diagnostic test obtained within three to five days after last exposure. Exposed students who participate in testing may continue to take part in all aspects of K-12 schooling, including sports and extracurricular activities, unless they develop symptoms or test positive for COVID-19. The group tracing guidance includes additional information. A sample notification letter is available here for schools to edit and use. Please note that this approach cannot be used for K-12 workers.

Updates to student quarantine options 
The revised guidance includes:
  • Modified (in-school) quarantine for in-school exposures when both parties were masked during all contacts within 6 feet
  • Return as early as Day 6, with evidence of a negative result from a diagnostic sample collected on or after Day 5
  • Return on Day 11 with no testing required

Updates to K-12 Schools Guidance 2021-2022 Questions & Answers
CDPH also updated the K-12 Schools Guidance 2021-2022 Questions & Answers last night:
  • Question 8 includes a clarification that “asymptomatic student close contacts who have completed the primary series of COVID-19 vaccines OR were previously infected with (laboratory confirmed) SARS-CoV-2 within the last 90 days do not need to quarantine.”
  • Question 11 states that “For individuals who have been recently infected (within the past 90 days), antigen testing is strongly recommended as PCR results may remain persistently positive and not be indicative of a new active infection.”
  • Question 21 discusses aspects of group-based contact tracing approach for students.
  • Question 22 states “CDPH recommends that schools facilitate access to testing resources, particularly for vulnerable populations within their communities. Tracking results from all exposed students is not required. Parents should notify schools of positive results. Schools that do not have access to sufficient testing supports are strongly encouraged to promptly contact local health departments and/or CDPH for additional guidance.”

Navigating Staff Shortages During the Omicron Surge
The state superintendent of public instruction released a letter yesterday regarding COVID-19-related staffing shortages. The letter includes a reminder that a local educational agency (LEA) must consult with the California Department of Education (CDE) and county office of education prior to their submission of the Request for Allowance of Attendance Due to Emergency Conditions Form J-13A. 

Those needing a staffing shortage consultation with CDE should complete the Staffing Shortage Consultation Form. Once an LEA is ready to file the staffing shortage J-13A request, additional forms will need to accompany the J-13A submittal as is described in the CDE’s 2021–22 Form J-13A - Frequently Asked Questions. Questions 6, 11, 21, and 22 are related to the staffing shortage closure.

As a reminder, SDCOE has established the following local processes for LEAs:
  • School districts should complete the J-13A Addendum for COVID-19-related staffing shortages and email it to your SDCOE business advisor. We will contact you to discuss the circumstances relating to the need for school closure.
  • Charter schools should complete this form and email it to charters@sdcoe.net. The Charter School Services team will be in contact with you to discuss the circumstances relating to the need for school closure.

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