update

2021-22 School Guidance

March 12, 2022 updated guidance.

On January 8, 2022, CDPH provided an updated guidance for Local Health Jurisdictions on Isolation and Quarantine of the General Public.

Additionally, on January 12, 2022, CDPH updated their guidance for K-12 Schools in California. That update can be found here. ​

On July 9, 2021, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) published its updated recommendations for K-12 schools. The following guidance applies CDC’s recommendations to the California context, in order to help K-12 schools formulate and implement plans for safe, successful, and full in-person instruction in the 2021-22 school year. This guidance is effective immediately and will be reviewed regularly by the California Department of Public Health (CDPH). 

esser iii

American Rescue Plan Act

Elementary and Secondary Relief Fund (ESSER III)

Plan for Safe Return to In-Person Instruction and Continuity of Services

The American Rescue Plan Act (ARP) signed into law on March 11, 2021, provided nearly $122 billion for the Elementary and Secondary School Relief Fund (ESSER). ARP ESSER, also known as ESSER III, funds are provided to State educational agencies in the same proportion as each State received under Title I-A of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) in fiscal year (FY) 2020. The U.S. Department of Education (ED) published Interim Final Requirements (IFR) on April 22, 2021 requiring Local Educational Agencies (LEAs) receiving ESSER III funds to submit an LEA Plan for the Safe Return to In-Person Instruction and Continuity of Services. If an LEA had already developed a plan for safe return to in-person instruction and continuity of services prior to the enactment of ARP that meets the statutory requirements of section 2001(i) but did not address all of the requirements in the IFR, the LEA must revise and post its plan no later than six months after receiving its ESSER III funds. This applies even if an LEA has been operating full-time in-person instruction but does not apply to fully virtual schools and LEAs.

For parents interested in advocating for mask choice, feel free to use this template in your communication. Communication may be sent to:

Governor Newsom

1303 10th Street, Suite 1173

Sacramento, CA 95814

Dr. Tomas Aragon, State Public Health Officer and Director

PO Box 997377, MS 0500

Sacramento, CA 95899-7377

Ken Hahn, Board of Supervisors, District 5

525 West Sycamore Street, Suite B

Willows, CA 95988

Dr. Jared Garrison, Public Health Director

240 North Villa Avenue

Willows, CA 95988

Assemblyman James Gallagher, 3rd Assembly District

2060 Talbert Drive, Suite 110

Chico, CA 95928

Senator Jim Nielsen, 4th District

2635 Forest Avenue, Suite 110

Chico, CA 95928

2020-21 Updates - provided here for historical purposes

Published January 14, 2021, the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) developed the following framework to support school communities as they decide when and how to implement in-person instruction for the 2020-2021 school year. 

COVID-19 and Reopening In-Person Instruction Framework & Public Health Guidance for K-12 Schools in California, 2020-21 School Year

This document is rooted in the scientific evidence available to date and supports twin goals: safe and successful in-person instruction.

For schools that opened prior to February 1, 2021, the following document must be posted to the website:

Submitted as part of 2020 Elementary Waiver process. To be included to continue operating in-person instruction. 

On December 1, 2020, Cal/OSHA’s Emergency Temporary Standards requiring employers to protect workers from hazards related to COVID-19 went into effect. The regulations require that employers, including schools, establish and implement a written CPP to address COVID-19 health hazards, correct unsafe or unhealthy conditions, and provide face coverings.

In addition to the Cal/OSHA Prevention Program document, a COVID-19 School Guidance Checklist must be included and posted online.