August 2022

Dear Salida Union School District Families,
 
On behalf of our staff at Salida Union School District we are looking forward to a great year as we focus on high levels of learning and ensuring a safe, supportive, and welcoming learning environment for all of our students and staff. 
The district will focus on foundational goals to support our families in their desire to learn best practices and more information on supporting their children with academics, social skills, mental health, and wellness. Meanwhile, we continue to be vigilant of COVID-19 and continue to implement mitigation measures.  Below you will find the COVID-19 protocols that are currently in place for the 2022-23 school year:

Facemasks/coverings:
The California Department of Public Health (CDPH) strongly recommends that all persons wear masks in K-12 indoor settings, with consideration of exemptions per CDPH face mask guidance. It is recommended, but not required, for students and staff to wear a face covering while indoors on Salida District campuses. 

Students with Symptoms: 

• Students who develop new, unexplained symptoms should not return to campus until it is clear that symptoms are mild and improving or are due to a non-infectious cause (e.g., allergies). This includes waiting until 24 hours have passed since resolution of fever without the use of fever-reducing medications.  
• Additionally, if symptoms are concerning for COVID-19, it is strongly recommended that students wear a mask and get tested immediately.  
• Students will follow CDPH recommendations for retesting and/or isolating if results are positive. 

Positive COVID Case: 

• Students who test positive for COVID-19 must remain at home for at least 5 days from the start of symptoms or after the date of first positive test if no symptoms. 
• Parents shall report positive COVID-19 cases to the school office. 
• Isolation can end and students may return to school if symptoms are not present and/or are resolving, and a diagnostic specimen collected on day 5 or later has a negative test result. Students are strongly encouraged to wear face-coverings around others for a total of 10 days. 
• If unable to test, choosing not to test, or testing positive on Day 5 (or later), isolation can end after Day 10 if fever-free for 24 hours without the use of fever-reducing medications.  
• If a student’s test on day 5 (or later) is positive, isolation can end and the student may return to school after day 10 if they are fever-free for 24 hours without the use of fever-reducing medications. 

Exposures: 

• Students may continue to attend school whether they are exposed at school or elsewhere as long as they are asymptomatic. 
• Exposed students, regardless of COVID-19 vaccination status, should get tested for COVID-19 with at least one diagnostic test (antigen or PCR) within 3-5 days of last exposure, unless they had COVID-19 within the last 90 days and are asymptomatic. Masking around others for 10 days after exposure is strongly recommended. 

Vaccines:
CDPH strongly recommends that all eligible individuals get vaccinated against COVID-19 and remain up-to-date to protect themselves and reduce transmission of the virus. However, at this time, no COVID-19 vaccines are required to attend school.

Home Testing Kits:
The state has provided school districts with another large shipment of home test kits.  Specifics regarding the distribution of these test kits will be shared by your school site.  Learn more https://testing.covid19.ca.gov/school-testing/ 

Sincerely,
Twila Tosh

Salida Union School District is excited to welcome all students back to school.   As you may have seen and heard on the news, the state has provided school districts with testing kits for the purpose of screening students to help identify COVID+ cases and prevent the spread of COVID on school campuses.  The District has received these test kits and they are available for student use.

Salida Union School District is offering these OPTIONAL free at-home COVID test kits for interested students.  We will also be providing them to students that are sent home due to exposure to someone that tested positive.  If your student is sent home with the test kit, please follow the directions for self-testing and continue as follows:

• If your child’s test is negative, they may return to school the following day as long they are symptom-free.
• If your child’s test is positive, please notify the school office. Your child must have full isolation for 5 days from symptom onset or if no symptoms, 5 days from the positive test date.  Your child may return to school on or after Day 6, with a negative test taken on Day 5.
• Students that do not take the at-home test must quarantine for 10 days following the exposure and may return to school on the 11 day, if asymptomatic.

Directions for administering the “on/go” Antigen Home Test are located in the test kit box.  We have also provided a link below for directions and information.

These tests are available for SUSD Students ONLY and are available in your school office.  If you would like to pick one up, you will be required to provide the following information:

• Student’s Name
• School Name
• Teacher Name

***Please see the attached test kit information

 Directions for Administering the At Home Test

Covid-19 Preventing Covid in School Settings

A MESSAGE FROM SUPERINTENDENT TOSH REGARDING

2021-2022 K-12 COVID-19 SCHOOL GUIDANCE

Dear SUSD Families,

The 2021-22 school year is quickly approaching and we are looking forward to starting a new school year with some degree of normal compared to last school year. This past week, the district has received updated state guidance and legislation that will help inform both school districts and families regarding the status and plans for the upcoming 2021-22 school year.

For the 2021-22 school year, the district will provide full-day in-person instruction to all students. To ensure the safety of students and staff, the district will be following the required “2021-22 K-12 COVID-19 School Guidance” issued by the California Department of Public Health (CDPH). The district will also offer an Independent Study Educational Option following the regulations in the new education trailer bill AB 130.

2021-2022 K-12 COVID-19 School Guidance

On July 12, 2021, the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) released its 2021-2022 K-12 COVID-19 School Guidance. Some of the key items in the guidance that will impact students and staff include:

• No matter the vaccination status, CDPH requires mandatory face coverings for all K-12 students and adults in K-12 settings when sharing indoor spaces with students; masks are optional outdoors.
• Minimal physical distancing will no longer be required since evidence indicates that in-person instruction can safely occur when other mitigation strategies (e.g. masking) are implemented.
• Barriers on student desks will no longer be utilized.
• Transportation will resume to normal capacity with face coverings required and increased ventilation.
• Further guidance is expected from CDPH regarding sports, band, choir, etc.

Education trailer bill AB 130 (Independent Study Option)

Another important state action that will impact the upcoming school year is the passing of the education trailer bill AB 130, which changed the previous Independent Study regulations. Based upon this new law, school districts must offer an Independent Study Educational Option to students and families to be made available to students whose health would be put at risk by in-person instruction, as determined by the parent or guardian.

Based on this new legislation, which drastically alters the previous Independent Study regulations, SUSD is developing new board policies and an Independent Study (IS) program that will be offered to families for the upcoming school year. More detailed information will be forthcoming, but in general the new Independent Study requirements will include:

Transitional Kindergarten to 3^rd Grade Students:

• Asynchronous (Independent) Instruction: A portion of the student’s instructional time (up to 3 hours daily) will consist of “Asynchronous Instruction” which consists of assignments, tasks, and projects aligned to grade level standards that is assigned to the student by a classroom teacher to work on independently at home.
• Daily “Synchronous Instruction'': Involves live, two-way communication between the teacher and student. The number of minutes per day and the type of lesson delivery are still being determined.
• Independent Study students will need an adult in their home throughout their instructional day to help guide and assist them with the Independent Study program.

4^th and 5^th Grade Students:

• Asynchronous (Independent) Instruction: A portion of the student’s instructional time (up to 3 hours daily) will consist of “Asynchronous Instruction” which consists of assignments, tasks, and projects aligned to grade level standards that is assigned to the student by a classroom teacher to work on independently at home.
• At least Weekly “Synchronous Instruction”: Involves live, two-way communication between the teacher and student. The number of minutes per day and the type of lesson delivery are still being determined.
• Daily “Live interaction”: A school district employee will interact with the student daily for the purpose of maintaining school connectedness. The number of minutes and form of communication is still being determined.

6th through 8th Grade Students:

• Asynchronous (Independent) Instruction: The majority of the student’s instructional time (4 to 5 hours daily) will consist of “Asynchronous Instruction” which consists of assignments, tasks, and projects aligned to grade level standards that is assigned to the student by a classroom teacher to work on independently at home.
• At least Weekly “Synchronous Instruction”: Involves live, two-way communication between the teacher and student. The number of minutes per day and the type of lesson delivery are still being determined.
• Daily “Live interaction”: A school district employee will interact with the student daily for the purpose of maintaining school connectedness. The number of minutes and form of communication is still being determined.
• Independent Study students will need an adult in their home throughout their instructional day to help guide and assist them with the Independent Study program.

Hopefully, this information will assist families as you plan for the upcoming school year. Further information regarding the start of the new school year and the specific details regarding the Independent Study option will be provided to families in the near future. A commitment agreement to participate in the Independent Study program will be sent out next week via Aeries communication.

In the meantime, please continue to enjoy the summer vacation with your family. We look forward to seeing your children in August.

Regards,

Twila Tosh

Superintendent