March 11, 2022
CUSD Families,
On Monday, February 28, 2022, the governors of California, Oregon, and Washington announced that indoor mask policies for schools will shift from a requirement to a “strong recommendation,” effective at the end of the day on Friday, March 11, 2022. This means that beginning Monday, March 14, 2022, masks will be optional in K-12 schools. Until then, students and staff are asked to continue to wear masks while indoors at school. For additional information on today’s announcement, please click HERE to view the governors’ press release.
The Stanislaus County Health Services Agency recommends that community members continue to follow preventative measures including frequent hand washing, staying home when sick, and getting vaccinated and boosted. Individuals age 5 and older are eligible for COVID-19 vaccination. Please click HERE for information on free local vaccine clinics.
As we move forward, CUSD remains committed to providing safe and vibrant learning environments for students. Thank you for your ongoing support of these efforts
January 13, 2022
CUSD Families,
The California Department of Public Health has issued new guidance that allows a quicker and broader response to school COVID-19 exposures. Known as a Group Tracing Approach, CUSD will implement this guidance beginning tomorrow, Friday, January 14, 2022:
- Families of students who spend more than a total of 15 minutes within a 24-hour period in a classroom with someone positive for COVID-19 will receive a ParentSquare notification of the exposure. All students enrolled in the exposed class will receive a notification, whether or not they were present when the exposure occurred and regardless of vaccination status. Previously, only “close contacts” (those within 6 feet of the positive person) were notified.
- The ParentSquare notification will advise families of their options and how to access testing for exposed students. Families are encouraged to keep symptom-free students at school (Stay-at-School Option) and to pre-register for testing at https://my.primary.health/l/ceres-usd.
- Exposed students who participate in testing may continue to take part in all school activities including sports and extracurricular activities, unless they develop symptoms or test positive for COVID-19.
As we continue efforts to keep CUSD schools open and safe for in-person learning, we want to thank you for your ongoing support.
January 7, 2022
CUSD Families,
We hope you enjoyed happy and healthy holidays. With students back at school after the winter break, we want to update you regarding changes to California Department of Public Health (CDPH) guidance regarding isolation of students who test positive for COVID-19. (At this time, quarantine guidance is unchanged for students exposed at school but not positive.)
ISOLATION = Student tests positive for COVID-19, regardless of vaccination status, previous infection, or lack of symptoms:
- Must stay home for at least 5 days (shortened from 10 days)
- May return to school after day 5
*Students may return after day 10 without a negative test if symptoms are not present or are resolving. If fever is present, isolation should continue until fever resolves.
August 6, 2021
CUSD Families,
We are just a few days from the start of a brand new school year on Wednesday, August 11. Your child’s teachers, school staff, and administrators are ready and excited to welcome students and guide the next steps in their educational journey.
As previously shared, current state and local public health guidance requires that masks be worn in classrooms and school buildings. There is no mask requirement for outdoor settings. For additional information about health and safety protocols in place as we begin the 2021-2022 school year, please click the links above. We will continue to monitor public health guidance and to prioritize the well-being of students and staff as the year progresses.
As we resume in-person learning after nearly a year of distance and hybrid learning, CUSD has committed additional resources to support students’ academic and social-emotional growth. If you have questions or concerns at any time during the school year, please reach out to your child’s teacher or school. We invite and welcome your partnership in ensuring that students have the tools they need to thrive.
Sincerely,
Denise Wickham, Ed.D.
Superintendent
July 22, 2021
CUSD Families and Staff,
A new school year begins in person on Wednesday, August 11, and we are looking forward to the learning, friendships, and opportunities that await! In the meantime, I hope you are enjoying the summer break. I am writing to update you about new COVID-19 Public Health Guidance for K-12 Schools that was recently released by the California Department of Public Health.
The new guidance removes the requirement for social distancing at schools, but requires adults and students to wear face masks while inside classrooms and school buildings. Masks are not required outdoors.
We anticipate that this guidance will remain in effect as the school year begins; however, the past year has shown that guidance can change unexpectedly to meet evolving conditions. We will continue to monitor developments and meet regularly with local public health officials and area superintendents in order to make sound decisions based on the latest information. To provide families with flexibility, an independent study option will be available. Please check ParentSquare for updates and additional information as the school year approaches.
While the coming weeks may still not look quite like “normal,” I am excited about the tremendous growth that I am confident lies ahead. Thank you for entrusting CUSD to provide safe and effective learning environments for all.
Sincerely,
Denise Wickham, Ed.D.
Superintendent