Update on OMSD COVID Multi-Layered Mitigation Strategies
August 12, 2021
Dear OMSD students, families, staff, and community members:
Governor Newsom recently announced a new Public Health Order requiring public and private school organizations to set a plan in place that verifies staff vaccination status and if not fully vaccinated, requires COVID-19 testing. I am sharing this communication to keep our OMSD community apprised of the latest information.
Based on the new Public Health Order, school districts will be required to have a plan in place for tracking staff vaccinations and require COVID-19 testing for those staff members who are not fully vaccinated. This plan must be set in place by October 15, 2021. We will be working collaboratively with our employee Associations in the days ahead to better understand the implications to OMSD and design a plan that complies with this new mandate.
Additionally, my office continues to monitor trends related to COVID-19 (e.g., Delta Variant) within the Ontario-Montclair School District (OMSD) boundaries. Based on the most recent information, OMSD’s footprint has had three (3) consecutive weeks of increased COVID-19 case rates.
As a result of the uptick in COVID cases within the OMSD footprint and in light of the Governor’s announcement, I am proactively making the decision to modify the following areas of our District’s Multi-Layered Mitigation Plan, effective August 13, 2021.
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To the best extent possible, all staff meetings and professional development offerings will be provided through a virtual method.
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Indoor face coverings are now required in all OMSD school sites and buildings, regardless of vaccination status. This directive is regardless of whether students, staff, or community members are present. In outdoor settings, face coverings remain optional.
These expectations will be in place until I receive further guidance from the California Department of Public Health (CDPH), San Bernardino County Department of Public Health (SBCDPH), California Department of Education (CDE), California Occupational Safety and Health Administration (Cal/OSHA), and other agencies and/or until COVID-19 trends in our footprint decrease.
The following is a recap of our revised layered mitigation strategies aligned with CDPH and Cal/OSHA requirements:
- Vaccination remains a primary preventative measure. A vaccination and COVID testing plan will be set in place in compliance with the Governor’s Public Health Order and in partnership with our employee Associations. This will be revised and shared as it becomes finalized.
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Face coverings: Vaccinated or Unvaccinated: Mandated to wear face coverings in all indoor settings, including vehicles. In outdoor settings, face coverings are optional
- Employees will self-screen daily to respond to the COVID-19 symptoms checklist
- Remain home: students/staff members with symptoms of COVID-19 should remain home and consult with medical provider/supervisor for additional instructions
- Frequent hand washing is encouraged and hand sanitizer will remain available for use
- Multiple classroom ventilation strategies have been implemented (e.g., MERV-13 filters, air purifiers, open windows and doors where feasible)
Other recommended practices to implement include:
- Meetings/Professional Development: to the best extent possible, will be held virtually in accordance with public health recommendations;
- Daily disinfecting will be conducted;
- COVID contact tracing is in place for students and staff; and
- Continue to follow all safety protocols prior to entering the workspace, while working and collaborating with peers, and providing instruction to students.
The safety of our students and staff remains a priority. Accordingly, my office will continue to assess conditions on an ongoing basis. While remaining focused on student access to safe and full in-person instruction, additional updates and guidance will be forthcoming as it becomes available.
In closing, I want to remind our OMSD community of the importance of OMSD’s Multi-Layered Mitigation Strategies and that these are in place for the safety of our students, staff, parents, and community.
To learn more about OMSD’s Multi-Layered Mitigation Strategies and for our most recent updates, please continue to visit our District website at www.omsd.net.
Thank you for your ongoing support.
