LGUSD Healthy Schools Week - January 6, 2022

January 6, 2022

Dear LGUSD families,

We hope you all had a nice holiday break with your families!  Our staff here in LGUSD is really looking forward to the new year and the many opportunities that lie ahead for our students.  

With the Omicron variant on the top of everyone’s mind, safety is of utmost importance.  We have put together a FAQ to help answer questions.  Our top priority is to deliver a safe in-person education while navigating through whatever obstacles come our way in public health.   

What standard is the District using to guide our health protocols and decisions?  

LGUSD is following all CDPH guidelines laid out for schools and will continue to do so.  

Where does the CDC figure into LGUSD decision-making?

The CDC is purely advisory.

Will LGUSD schools return to remote learning?

No, all schools will remain in-person.  Our objective is to successfully offer safe in-person instruction for our students.  

What do the attendance rates look like for students and staff today?

• Students:  94.4%
• Staff:  91%

How many tests has the District given this week to students, staff, and families?

• 1,018 PCR tests
• 20 Return to School antigen tests  

We will continue to test students, staff, and families from 2:30 - 5:00 today, tomorrow, and next week.

If my child is ill, how will they keep up with their school work?

For students who are sick, or COVID positive, we are following the same protocols we’ve practiced all year.  For students who are absent for three or more days, teachers will provide classwork and make a weekly Zoom connection.  

Why is LGUSD testing only offered at the District Office and not at my school site?

In order to offer daily testing for all LGUSD families, all testing will happen at the District Office.  One of our key mitigation strategies has been robust daily PCR testing.  

What if my child has symptoms of COVID?  Is a negative home test enough to let them stay in school?

If a child has any symptoms of COVID-19, they need to stay home.  They will need a PCR test to return to school.  

Symptomatic testing is offered Monday-Friday from 2:30 - 3:00pm at the District Office. 

If they have a negative result, they can return to class. 

What if my child tests positive for COVID?

All students, regardless of vaccination status, will be in isolation for at least 5 days from the date of the test (not from the date that a result was received). 

• On day 5, if symptoms are not present, or they are resolving, the student may come to the Return to School Antigen Testing Clinic to take a rapid antigen test.  
• If the test is negative, they may return to school on day 6. 
• If the rapid test is positive, they will need to complete their full 10-day isolation or re-test on day 7 (48 hours later) to determine if they are negative at that time. A test is not required for students who isolate for the full 10 days.  
• Beginning on 1/6/2022, if day 5 falls on a school day, students will need to use the afternoon Return to School Antigen Testing Clinic to determine if they can return on day 6.
• If day 5 falls on a Saturday or Sunday, students can come to the Return to School Antigen Testing Clinic on Monday morning between 7:30 am and 8:45 am to do an antigen test to determine their ability to return on Monday.  

There will NOT be antigen testing Tuesday - Friday in the morning.  

To exit isolation, can I give my child a rapid test at home?  Do I have to come to the District Office?

At this time, the rapid test must be administered either at the Return to School Antigen Testing Clinic or through a medical office.  Submit a copy of the results of tests administered by a medical provider.  A test administered at home is not accepted.  

If my child tests positive on the antigen test on day 5, can I bring them back to retest on another day?

Yes, if your child tests positive on day 5, you can return on day 7 or after (48 hours later) to retest.  If the day 7 test is positive, you will need to finish the full 10-day isolation period.

What is the District using the extra rapid tests from the Governor’s back-to-school program for?

The District handed out tests to students on Sunday, 1/2/22.  All of the remaining tests will be used to clear students who have tested positive for COVID, following the new 5-day isolation provisions.  The Return to School antigen testing on Day 6 is free of charge to all students.  

Can families get an antigen test to clear isolation on Day 5?

No, antigen testing is not available for family members.  The tests provided by the state are intended for student use.  

Does my child have to do an antigen rapid test?

No.  If you do not want to test, your child will need to remain isolated for 10 days.  A test is not required for students who isolate for the full 10 days.  

If you want to return on Day 6, you must have a negative antigen test result.  

What if my child is a close contact at school or at home?

Your child’s vaccination status is the first question to be asked when determining the quarantine timeline.  The District will be reaching out to families to offer the opportunity to voluntarily share a child’s vaccination status.  Based on the current guidance, the following chart explains the quarantine process for vaccinated and unvaccinated students.

*Close contact means more than 15 minutes over a 24-hour period within 0-6 feet.

**If you prefer to test through a public or private provider, you will need to share the test results with our District Nurse, Sheila McConville  and our Assistant Superintendent, Sarah Tellez via email:  [email protected] and [email protected].   If at any time your child starts to exhibit symptoms, they must stay home and be tested immediately.

If you do not want to do COVID testing, your child will need to stay home for the full 10 days and be monitored for symptoms.

Is the quarantine guidance changing to align with the new CDC guidance?  

The current CDPH K-12 guidance regarding modified and standard quarantines remains unchanged at this time.  CDPH is actively reviewing new CDC guidance (issued Jan 4, 2022) and hope to provide updates soon.  The District will continue to monitor this guidance.  

Is the District requiring, or mandating, vaccinations for COVID-19?

No.  The District has not established a local mandate for COVID -19 vaccinations.  

The LGUSD COVID mitigation efforts are of critical importance.  I encourage all families to stay safe, become vaccinated when able, and follow existing CDPH guidance. 

We will get through this!

Yours in education,

Paul Johnson

Vaccine Verification

COVID Vaccine Clinic January 17, 2022

Registration is Required 

LGUSD COVID Testing