Superintendent Newsletter

Dear Los Altos School District Families,

The first day of the new 2021-22 school year is tomorrow! I want to say once again how thrilled we are to welcome all students at all grade levels back to in-person learning.

Below you will find a few important updates and reminders regarding our COVID Safe Schools Plan for the 2021-22 school year. You can read our full plan here, visit our COVID Safe Schools webpage for a summary of our plan, and see more COVID information here.

Community Commitments and Our Strong Record of Health and Safety

I would like to reiterate our confidence in providing a safe environment for all students and staff, just as we did last year. Our COVID-safe operations are now second nature to our administrators, staff and educators. We have proven time and again we know how to ensure students follow these important health guidelines to keep everyone safe.

We expect all of our staff and families to abide by our newly updated Community Commitments to Healthy Schools. Please read and strictly adhere to these commitments to ensure we keep our schools safe and open.

Strict Adherence to Public Health Guidelines

These critical protocols will be in place when school begins tomorrow:

• Students and staff must complete a daily symptom screener before coming to campus

• Students and staff must stay home if they are sick

• LASD employees will be fully vaccinated or submit to weekly COVID testing per the CDPH public health order of August 11, 2021

• Students and staff will be required to wear a mask indoors and outdoors unless eating or drinking, or if they have a documented medical exemption

• Last night, the LASD Board of Trustees gave direction to require masks outdoors for all individuals on school campuses

• LASD will follow all CDPH guidelines regarding any identified positive COVID-19 cases

We will rigorously follow the scientific expertise and guidance of state and local public health officials throughout the school year. We will remain vigilant and flexible to respond to any changes to keep our schools safe and open. You may read more about current health guidelines to protect all students and staff here. Please note: these guidelines have been updated to take into account the current rise in cases from the Delta variant.

I am proud of the Los Altos School District community of parents and educators. Our partnership to provide an excellent education for all students makes our schools among the best in the state. To give you a glimpse of student learning in our schools--even over the summer--please check out the story from our local Town Crier about our summer school Design Challenge events.

We can't wait to welcome you on the first day of school!

Sincerely,

Jeffrey Baier

Superintendent

Los Altos School District

LASD requires adherence to all state and local health guidance and protocols on campus to ensure the health and safety of all individuals on campus.

Checking Symptoms and Staying Home when Sick

To prevent transmission, it is critical for individuals to remain home if sick. On campus, staff will monitor symptoms and contact families should a student become ill at school.

• Staff members and student guardians will be asked to monitor daily for symptoms using our OK to reopen email system. You will receive and be required to complete a daily email symptom tracker, including fever over 99.6 degrees Fahrenheit, cough, shortness of breath, fatigue, body aches, headache, new loss of taste or smell, sore throat, congestion, nausea or vomiting and diarrhea.

• Students who were symptomatic may return to school when:

• At least 24 hours have passed since resolution of fever without the use of fever-reducing medications; and other symptoms have improved; AND

• They have a negative test for SARS-CoV-2, OR a healthcare provider has provided documentation that the symptoms are typical of their underlying chronic condition (e.g., allergies or asthma) OR a healthcare provider has confirmed an alternative named diagnosis (e.g., Streptococcal pharyngitis, Coxsackie virus), OR at least 10 days have passed since symptom onset.

Staff Vaccination and Testing

LASD employees will be fully vaccinated or submit to weekly COVID testing per the CDPH public health order of August 11, 2021.

Universal Mask Wearing

Current state guidance requires masking regardless of vaccination status by all staff and all students (TK-8th grade) on campus when indoors and recommended masks outdoors. Please note, at its meeting last night, the Los Altos School District Board of Trustees gave direction to also require masks for all individuals outdoors. This is consistent with our masking policy in the previous school year. Each school site has a supply of face masks in case an extra face mask is needed.

• If a student is having difficulty wearing a face mask consistently, an administrator will be in contact with the parent/guardian to determine a solution (e.g., face mask breaks as needed.)

Handwashing and Hygienic Practices

Routine, frequent and proper hand hygiene (soap and water or hand sanitizer) is critical to limit transmission. Hand hygiene is one of the most effective strategies to prevent the spread of most respiratory viruses including COVID-19, particularly during the pre-symptomatic phase of the illness.

• Schools will continue to teach and reinforce washing hands, avoiding contact with one's eyes, nose, and mouth, and covering coughs and sneezes among students and staff.

• Hand sanitizer and handwashing stations will continue to be placed in various locations on campus for use. LASD has ensured ample access to handwashing stations for students.

Cleaning Protocol

Schools will continue to clean sites every day. Cleaning involves wiping down high-touch surfaces to remove surface contaminants.

• In the event of a confirmed case of illness, custodial staff will use high-grade sprayers with a sanitizing product that is EPA approved for use against COVID-19.

• All cleaning solutions provided by the district are EPA approved for use in classrooms.

• Each classroom and workplace will have access to paper towels and spray bottles of a cleaning solution to wipe down any shared surfaces, light switches, door knobs, desk surfaces, shared objects, and any other high touch surfaces.

Ventilation and Outdoor Space

Properly installed and maintained Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning (HVAC) systems are key to ensuring healthy indoor air quality in school learning environments.

• The HVAC systems at all sites in the district have been evaluated by a licensed contractor to ensure proper air circulation in every building in the district. Filters are replaced on a regular scheduled timeline.

• Outdoor spaces have been identified and designated as options for classroom lessons.

Positive COVID-19 Test Result Protocol

In the event of a positive case of COVID-19, administrative staff will communicate with employees and/or families of students who are close contacts, in adherence to all privacy laws. Information will be provided when students may return to school following a positive test result, and appropriate disinfecting protocols will be followed in the classroom or office.

We will continue to communicate updates of any state and local guidance recommended for schools. As a community, we will continue to ensure the health and wellness of our students, staff and LASD families.

Website: lasdschools.org
Location: 201 Covington Road, Los Altos, CA, USA
Phone: 650-947-1150