Health And Safety Update
March 14, 2022
We remain dedicated to implementing strong health and safety protocol and are encouraged that COVID-19 transmission rates continue to fall in Los Angeles County. We continue to implement all LA County Health recommendations which include daily health screenings, masking, campus and classroom cleaning, increased hygiene practices and COVID-19 testing opportunities.
The California Department of Public Health continues to stress that masking is "strongly recommended." A mask exemption waiver has been made available for any individual who chooses not to wear a mask indoors. If needed, please click here to submit a mask exemption waiver.
The district will continue to supply students and staff with surgical and medical grade face masks upon request. Desk shields will remain in the classroom setting to add an additional layer of protection. We are committed to keeping our students, staff, parents, and community members informed and will continue to provide updates when additional information becomes available.
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Dr. Elizabeth Evans, Superintendent |
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Health And Safety Update
March 8, 2022
As shared last week, the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health has made the decision to align school masking measures with the California Department of Public Health Guidance. California, including Los Angeles County, will change its school masking policy from “required” to “strongly recommended” beginning March 12. Our schools will continue to implement daily health screenings and provide surgical grade face masks, shields and/or N95 masks to staff and students upon request. Contact tracing and on-site testing will also continue at this time. A mask exemption waiver is available for any individual who chooses not to wear a mask indoors at school beginning March 12th. If needed, please click here to request a mask exemption waiver.
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Health And Safety Update
March 1, 2022
The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health has made the decision to align school masking measures with the California Department of Public Health Guidance. California, including Los Angeles County, will change its school masking policy from “required” to “strongly recommended” beginning March 12. Our schools will continue to implement daily health screenings and provide surgical grade face masks, shields and/or N95 masks to staff and students upon request.
Contact tracing and on-site testing will also continue at this time. Additional guidelines are expected to be shared with the community following today's County of Los Angeles Board of Supervisors meeting. While the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health continues to strongly recommend indoor masking, a mask exemption waiver will be made available for any student who chooses to opt out of wearing a mask indoors at school beginning March 12th. Additional details will be shared as they become available.
State and County News Releases
February 28, 2022
"After March 11, 2022, the universal masking requirement for K-12 and Childcare settings will terminate. CDPH strongly recommends that individuals in these settings continue to mask in indoor settings when the universal masking requirement lifts. Masking will continue to be an important layer of protection along with the continued recommendations around vaccinations, testing and ventilation, to keep schools a safe environment, even as case rates and hospitalizations decline."
"After March 11, in schools and child care facilities, masks will not be required but will be strongly recommended."
"LA County Public Health will align school masking measures with the state and shift to strongly recommending indoor masking requirements at childcare sites and K-12 schools beginning March 12."
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Health And Safety Update
February 16, 2022
Effective today, the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health lifts the mask mandate for K-12 outdoor settings only. Indoor masking mandates remain in effect. Masks will continue to be required indoors. The LACDPH Health Officer Order permits students to go without face masks while outdoors. Wearing a face mask outdoors is still strongly encouraged.
Our school district remains committed to the health and safety of our learning community. We will continue to implement the health and safety protocol set forth by the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health. Thank you for your ongoing efforts to protect the health and well-being of our students, staff and community.
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Dr. Elizabeth Evans, Superintendent |
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Health And Safety Update
February 15, 2022
The Los Angeles Department of Public Health school masking mandate has not changed. California, specifically Los Angeles County, will continue to require the mask mandate for K-12 schools until further notice. We will continue to inform you of any updates as they become available.
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Health And Safety Update
January 18, 2022
On Wednesday, January 19th, upgraded N95 masks will be distributed to all Valle Lindo School District student and staff members. These masks are being provided to us by the California Department of Education.
Well-fitted masks help stop the virus from getting into the air even if the person wearing it is infected. Masks also help protect people from breathing in the virus from the air. A well-fitting mask is snug to the face, covers the nose, and has no gaps around the edges. Good filtration blocks viruses from going through the mask.
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Health And Safety Update
January 11, 2022
New Temple Elementary School and Shively Middle School will distribute at-home COVID test kits to students this Thursday, January 13th. Your student was sent home with a letter today regarding test kit distribution. Please review, sign, and return the letter to school.
Students are encouraged to use at-home kits if they are a close contact to a confirmed case or displaying symptoms. Please consider using your student's at-home test kit prior to returning to school after school breaks, such as MLK Jr. Weekend, Presidents’ Day, and spring break.
The Los Angeles County of Education has put together the following family resources to assist with administration of at-home test kits. Please consider reviewing this information with your child:
Again, thank you for everything you are doing to ensure the safety and well-being of our learning community.
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REQUIREMENTS FOR INDIVIDUALS THAT TEST POSITIVE FOR COVID-19
January 5, 2022
If a student or staff member receives a positive COVID-19 test, they are required to:
If your child takes another test on or after day 5 and receives a negative result on the second test they may end their quarantine. Otherwise, the 10-day quarantine still applies.
Here are the details and requirements:
If your child had symptoms and tested positive for COVID-19
Option 1
They must stay home until all the following apply:
- At least 5 days have passed since their symptoms first started and
- They have a negative viral COVID-19 test collected on day 5 or later and
- They have not had a fever for at least 24 hours and
- Their symptoms are improving
OR
Option 2
They must stay home until all the following apply:
- At least 10 days have passed since their symptoms first started and
- They have not had a fever for at least 24 hours and
- Their symptoms are improving
If your child tests positive for COVID-19 and never develop symptoms
They must stay home until all the following apply:
- At least 5 days have passed the day their initial positive test was taken and
- They have a negative viral COVID-19 test collected on day 5 or later
OR
They must stay home for 10 days after their initial positive test was taken
Please note that Day 0 is their first day of symptoms. Day 1 is the first full day after their symptoms developed.
Health And Safety Update
January 4, 2022
New LACDPH Guidelines
Required Protocol
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Masking is required for all outdoor activities where physical distancing is not feasible, except while eating or drinking
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Staff required to wear a higher-grade mask (medical/surgical/procedure mask, KN95 or N95)
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COVID-19 testing is required for all close contacts who are permitted to remain in school immediately after exposure, regardless of vaccination or booster status
Recommended Protocol
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Strong recommendation for all eligible staff and students to receive a booster dose of a COVID-19 vaccine in addition to their primary vaccine series
- For staff wearing a medical (surgical/procedure) mask – a recommendation to double mask with a cloth covering over the medical mask
- Students are strongly recommended to wear masks that are well-fitting, non-cloth masks of multiple layers of non-woven material with a nose wire
Clarifying Definitions
Health And Safety Update
January 3, 2022
We look forward to welcoming our students and staff back to school tomorrow, January 4th. Los Angeles County Department of Public Health (LACDPH) has issued the following policy changes that will be going into effect as we return to campus. Below you will find updated information regarding LA County Health and Safety protocols that will be implemented:
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Within two weeks of school reopening, require testing for asymptomatic close contacts of infected individuals remaining in school. Ideally, students are tested immediately after exposure and then again on day 5; at minimum, students would be tested on day 5. This would apply to all close contacts allowed to remain in school including fully vaccinated (and boosted where eligible) close contacts who are not required to quarantine and students who had mask-to-mask contact with the infected individual and are eligible for modified (in-school) quarantine.
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Within two weeks of school re-opening, require masks outdoors in crowded spaces where physical distancing is not feasible except when actively eating or drinking.
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Within two weeks of school re-opening, provide and require all staff to wear upgraded (surgical/respirator) masks. (Masks will be available for pick up in each school office.)
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Require a 7-day suspension and DPH approval before resuming activity of any youth sports team in which there has been an outbreak of four or more epidemiologically linked cases over a 14-day period. Individual conditioning and skill building may continue during the suspension period as long as everyone on the team complies fully with any individual isolation or quarantine orders that apply.
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Recommend that all students wear a well-fitting, non-cloth mask of multiple layers of non-woven material with a nose wire.
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Recommend that all eligible staff and students receive a booster vaccine.
L.A. County Isolation Protocol Update
LACDPH published a revised COVID isolation order to allow for a 5-day isolation period. The revised order permits a positive-tested individual to end self-isolation if they do not have symptoms and test negative on Day 5 or later. Valle Lindo School District will continue to follow LACDPH protocols and guidelines.
COVID-19 Testing & Vaccination
We are grateful to share with you that we will continue to partner with Tzu Chi Medical Clinic to offer COVID testing. The California Department of Public Health (CDPH) and the Los Angeles County Office of Education (LACOE) will also be providing at-home antigen testing for all students in our county. These rapid take-home tests will add an additional measure of mitigation for our students and staff. As soon as we receive and are ready to distribute these additional tests, we will let you know. To make an appointment for COVID-19 testing, please call Tzu Chi Medical Clinic at 626 636-8700 during business hours between 8 am and 5 pm Tuesday through Saturday to schedule an appointment.
Location
Tzu Chi Medical Center
10414 Vacco St.
South El Monte, CA 91733
Testing After Travel
If your child traveled over Winter Break, it is recommended that they take a COVID-19 test. Testing is not required, but is strongly encouraged.
COVID-19 Exposure
If you have been exposed to COVID-19, please follow current quarantine protocols. It is recommended that all exposed students (regardless of vaccination status) be tested for COVID-19.
Please keep your student home from school and have them tested if they exhibit any of the following symptoms:
- Fever or chills
- Cough
- Shortness of breath/difficulty breathing
- Fatigue
- Runny or stuffy nose
- Muscle or body aches
- Headache
- Sore throat
- Nausea or Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- New loss of taste or smell
We will continue to provide updates as they become available. Thank you for your continued support as we work together to keep our schools safe.
Sincerely,
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Dr. Elizabeth Evans, Superintendent |
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