The letter below is from District Interim Superintendent Megan K. Reilly:
Thank you for your partnership with the return to campus for Spring semester. I know there is concern and anxiety about local conditions with the Omicron surge in Los Angeles County. We have some important updates to share.
In-school case rates dropped 7% since our baseline testing and current rates of students and staff are half of those in the general community due to the safety measures in place. We continue to be diligent and agile in creating the safest learning environments and therefore will implement the following protocols beginning Monday, January 24:
Ongoing Weekly Testing Through February: Testing will continue for students and employees, regardless of vaccination status.
Anyone who has had a positive COVID-19 test in the previous 90 days is exempt from the weekly, in-school PCR testing.
Upgraded Masks: Students will be required to wear a non-cloth mask with a nose wire at all times, including while participating in athletic activities.
Schools will provide surgical-style masks for students and employees if they need them.
TK-12 Close Contacts Will Remain On Campus: In accordance with Los Angeles County Public Health (LACDPH) Guidelines, all students and employees on campus will be treated as if they are a close contact, and will remain on campus as long as they remain asymptomatic and participate in the weekly testing.
Families will not receive individual close contact notifications, but can review daily case count updates for their school online at achieve.lausd.net/covidreportcard.
These students can participate in sports and before- and after-school programs, as long as they do not have any symptoms, continue testing negative and wear a well-fitted mask during these activities.
If a student develops symptoms or tests positive, they must isolate immediately and follow home isolation protocols.
This change does not apply to Early Education students, including preschool, ETK, and PALS students. These students will quarantine at-home unless they have recovered from COVID-19 in the last 90 days.
At-Home Close Contacts: As a reminder, students exposed to COVID-19 outside of school must still participate in at-home quarantine unless they are fully vaccinated or recovered from COVID-19 in the last 90 days. Please visit achieve.lausd.net/spring2022 for the latest guidance.
Los Angeles Unified families, you are crucial in our effort to keep our school communities safe. Monitoring your child for symptoms of COVID-19 and taking them to get vaccinated are two essential ways you can help keep our schools healthy and as stable as possible. For our latest mobile vaccination clinic schedules, which offer booster shots and doses for individuals 5 and older, please visit achieve.lausd.net/covidvaccineappt.
Los Angeles Unified continues to follow the latest guidance from LACDPH. This guidance ensures that our schools are as safe as possible for students and employees. We monitor school conditions daily. For more information, visit achieve.lausd.net/spring2022.
We thank you for your continued partnership and support.