Back to School Update from LLESD

August 11, 2022

We are looking forward to welcoming back our students to school on Wednesday, August 24, 2022, and kicking off a school year that is inclusive, engaging, and inspiring for our students.

We continue to work on our modernization projects at both Las Lomitas Elementary and La Entrada that will enhance the educational experience for all. These facility upgrades include structural, architectural, and technological improvements to most of the buildings on both campuses, and will extend through the 2022-2023 School Year and into the Fall of 2023. The work is phased such that only a portion of each campus will be under construction while the rest of the campus remains open for instruction. Instruction will remain our focus and priority.

For the safety of all students, families, staff, and neighbors, please do not enter the construction areas for any reason at any time and stay clear of trucks, equipment, and materials at all times. More details about the construction work can be found on our website on the Facility Project Updates page.

I know many of you have questions about health and wellness and safety protocols as we continue to navigate COVID. LLESD takes direction from San Mateo County Health and the California Department of Public Health, and their CA Safe Schools for All Hub describes the COVID-19 guidelines that inform the District. 

Please see highlights of COVID-19 guidelines for the 2022-2023 academic year below.

Best Regards, 

Dr. Beth Polito

Superintendent

Vaccination

Vaccinations remain the best defense against severe illness from COVID-19.

• All students and staff are strongly encouraged to get vaccinated and boosted when eligible. 
• Vaccine appointments can be scheduled at local pharmacies and by using the myturn.gov website.
• In partnership with Safeway, LLESD will hold on-campus vaccine clinics when possible, the first of which is scheduled on Wednesday, September 14 from 12-5 at La Entrada. Register here.
• Per California Department of Public Health requirements, unvaccinated staff are required to submit weekly COVID tests to the District Wellness Coordinator.

It is strongly recommended that all students, staff, and visitors wear masks when indoors.

Masks may be required in certain circumstances on campus, such as:

• Indoor gatherings (grade-level size groups or larger)
• When students enter the nursing offices
• When students are symptomatic yet remain on campus after evaluation by the school nurse
• During the quarantine period of a classroom outbreak (as defined per public health as 3 or more epidemiologically linked cases)

• PCR testing will not be provided on campus.
• Students, staff, and families are encouraged to access PCR testing locally, such as at a pharmacy or Curative.
• LLESD students, staff, and their families will have access to One Medical testing and other services until September 30, 2022, at which point district-funded memberships will expire.
• On-site rapid antigen testing will be available to registered students and staff at the discretion of the school nurses. To receive a rapid-test at school, all students and staff MUST renew electronic 2022-23 academic year consent form with Primary Health, the agency that supports in-school testing. Note: Primary Health emailed renewal information to staff and families who were previously registered.
• At-home rapid antigen test kits will be available for pick-up at each school site during school hours beginning August 22.

Isolation and Quarantine

All positive COVID-19 cases should be reported to the LLESD Wellness Coordinator, Nell Curran, MPH at ncurran@llesd.org. 

Refer to the California COVID Isolation and Quarantine Guidelines for additional information.

Symptom Management

Below are highlighted COVID-19 protocols related to symptomatic students. Please note that students will be evaluated and actions will be determined by the school nurse on an individual basis.

• Students can self-refer to nursing offices when feeling unwell or may be referred by staff.
• If a student is showing signs of COVID-19, the school nurse can administer a Binax antigen COVID-19 test only if the student’s legal guardians have provided electronic consent via the Primary Health portal. Students who are COVID-19 symptomatic but do not have permission to test at school may be sent home.
• Symptomatic students who remain on campus may be required to wear a mask.
• Nurses will continue the practice of communicating student health status to families.

FREE meals for all students

Breakfast and lunch will be provided FREE of charge to students during each school day as part of the state’s Universal Meals Program. Breakfast will be served before school, and if it is not picked up, a second chance is served at brunch time. Lunch is served during lunch periods.

Participation is optional and in order to participate, all meals must be pre-ordered to ensure quality and minimal waste. 

The LunchMaster is our new food service provider for the 2022-2023 school year. The LunchMaster is an outside vendor and they have high standards for your child's meals. This means they serve antibiotic & hormone-free meat/poultry, daily fresh fruit & veggie choices, 80% of the produce is grown locally, all bread and tortillas are whole grain, no food is ever fired, and daily vegetarian & gluten-free meal options are offered.

Sign up through TheLunchMaster to participate:

1. Download The LunchMaster app where you can access the parent portal   
2. Register Using Your School Code For Las Lomitas Elementary, the code is laslomitas and for La Entrada, the code is laentrada
3. 

For questions on how the app works, please contact The LunchMaster at 650-596-8008 or email Imadmin@thelunchmaster.com.