LAKE COUNTY — With COVID-19 infections spiking after universal mask wearing was canceled in June, the county’s schools are reopening this fall for on-campus, in-person learning with safety protocols in place. Guidelines adopted are based on the recommendations of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the California Department of Public Health and the Lake County Public Health Department. To keep up with the frequently changing information from the various health agencies and the state Department of Education, school district superintendents are meeting together regularly with the county’s Acting Public Health Officer, Dr. Charlie Evans, according to an all-district press release.
Upper Lake Unified and Lucerne Elementary were open to in-person instruction throughout the 2020-21 school year. “The same safety processes and procedures that were successful then will continue this school year as we welcome back staff and students,” Upper Lake Superintendent Giovanni H. Annous said.
Konocti Unified Superintendent Becky Salato commented, “Because vaccines are now widely available, this year’s safety protocols are not quite as strict as they were last year.”
Kelseyville Unified Superintendent Dave McQueen noted, “Possibly the only silver lining of going through last year’s challenges is that we are far better prepared for this year.”
Middletown Unified Superintendent Michael Cox said, “Middletown USD is committed to the safety of students and staff. We will continue to follow our safety procedures and plans as we start another successful school year.” On the MUSD website, Cox posted: “While still in the pandemic, we will follow the plans that kept us safe during the last school year. We will have more flexibility, but some precautionary measures will remain in place. Until our COVID-19 transmission rates fall back down into the moderate or minimal transmission levels, we will continue to focus on keeping our students and staff safe and healthy…We will re-evaluate when Lake County reports moderate or minimal transmission rates.”
At press time, the County’s COVID-19 dashboard on their website showed a seven day average of 48 cases per 100,000 with a 17.6 percent positivity rate, second only to Trinity County’s 17.9 percent. Forty percent of the County of Lake’s population remains unvaccinated.
Lakeport Unified Superintendent Matt Bullard posted online: “We understand this decision requires other entities to finalize guidance of our desired learning model, but it is our intent to open the 2021-2022 school year with in-person learning for all students at all grade levels Monday through Friday. We also acknowledge that LUSD has a diverse student population with a variety of family needs. Some families may not feel comfortable with students returning to full-time, in-person instruction; as a result, we will also offer an option for families to choose an independent study alternative.”
Speaking on behalf of all the local schools, Salato summarized in the press release the protective measures that will be implemented countywide:
- For all K-12 students, teachers and other staff members, masks are required indoors and may be required outdoors, especially during group activities, such as sports events. The mask mandate is a result of the county reaching the “widespread” risk level, the highest of four transmission risk levels. At the start of this month, the case rate reflected the case rate at the start of the year.
- Visitors will not be allowed on campus without prior approval from the administration.
Campuses will be sanitized regularly. - Students and staff will undergo daily health screening. This may involve staff completing a survey, the students getting a temperature check, or parents being asked to check their children for COVID sysmptoms.
No-cost COVID surveillance testing will be available for staff and, with parent permission, for students.
“The physical distancing requirements are no longer in place, though school districts are encouraged to put as much space between them as classrooms allow,” the press release stated.
If students or staff test positive for COVID-19, schools will work with Public Health to complete contact tracing to inform those in close contact so they can either get tested or self-isolate.
For families who may not want to send their children back into the classroom, regardless of the safety measures in place, a state law (Assembly Bill 130) requires schools to provide independent study options that include live interaction between students and teachers as well as synchronous learning that allows for same-time, same-place instruction using technology. Districts plan to structure their independent programs based on the student’s needs and the district’s resources.
In a July 30, 2021, letter to parents, Evans said, “We all wish to see the end of this pandemic, but we are still in the thick of it. Vaccination rates for children ages 12-19 is currently 19%. When schools resume, all students will be asked to mask while indoors, until we reach an immunity level through vaccination that is enough to sustain us at a very low infection rate. We are asking all parents to take their children who qualify for vaccination to their primary care doctor, or a vaccination clinic for evaluation and treatment with the COVID-19 vaccine. The vaccines, including Pfizer, Moderna, and Johnson and Johnson are all safe and in Lake County, 99.7 percent effective in preventing serious illness. Until our numbers come down to where they were in early June, please continue to follow the three W’s. Wear a mask. Wash your hands. Watch your distance.”
Salato said, in the press release, “To minimize the spread of COVID-19, we encourage everyone who is eligible to get the vaccine as soon as possible.”
For district-specific guidelines, you may call the appropriate district or check with the Lake County Office of education at https://www.lakecoe.org/
