Safety Measures for K-12 Schools from CDPH (Updated 3/12/2022)

• Masks
  • Masks are now optional for all K-12 students and staff.
  • No person can be prevented from wearing a mask as a condition of participation in an activity or entry into a school, unless wearing a mask would pose a safety hazard (e.g., watersports).
  • CDPH strongly recommends that all persons (e.g., students and staff) wear masks in K-12 indoor settings, with consideration of exemptions per CDPH face mask guidance.
  • Persons exempted from wearing a face covering due to a medical condition are strongly recommended to wear a non-restrictive alternative, such as a face shield with a drape on the bottom edge, as long as their condition permits it.
  • Schools must develop and implement local protocols to provide a mask to students who inadvertently fail to bring a face covering to school and desire to use one.
  • Public schools should be aware of the requirements in AB 130 (Chapter 44 of the Statutes of 2021) to offer independent study programs for the 2021-22 school year.
  • In situations where use of masks is challenging due to pedagogical or developmental reasons, (e.g., communicating or assisting young children or those with special needs), a face shield with a drape (per CDPH guidelines) (PDF) may be considered instead of a mask while in the classroom.
• Recommendations for staying home when sick and getting tested:
  • Follow the strategy for Staying Home when Sick and Getting Tested from the CDC.
  • Get tested for COVID-19 when symptoms are consistent with COVID-19.
  • Advise staff members and students with symptoms of COVID-19 infection not to return for in-person instruction until they have met CDPH criteria to return to school for those with symptoms:
    • At least 24 hours have passed since resolution of fever without the use of fever-reducing medications; AND
    • Other symptoms are improving; AND
    • They have a negative test for SARS-CoV-2, OR a healthcare provider has provided documentation that the symptoms are typical of their underlying chronic condition (e.g., allergies or asthma) OR a healthcare provider has confirmed an alternative named diagnosis (e.g., Streptococcal pharyngitis, Coxsackie virus), OR at least 10 days have passed since symptom onset.
    • If the student or staff member tests positive for SARS-CoV-2, follow the guidance for isolation in Section #10 below.
• Screening testing recommendations:
  • CDPH has a robust State- and Federally-funded school testing program and subject matter experts available to support school decision making, including free testing resources to support screening testing programs (software, test kits, shipping, testing, etc.).
    • Resources for schools interested in testing include: California's Testing Task Force K-12 Schools Testing Program, K-12 school-based COVID-19 testing strategies (PDF) and Updated Testing Guidance;  The Safe Schools for All state technical assistance (TA) portal; and the CDC K-12 School Guidance screening testing considerations (in Section 1.4 and Appendix 2) that are specific to the school setting.
• Case reporting, contact tracing and investigation
  • Per AB 86 (2021) and California Code Title 17, section 2500, schools are required to report COVID-19 cases to the local public health department.
  • Schools or LEAs should have a COVID-19 liaison to assist the local health department with activities related to COVID-19.
• Isolation recommendations
  • Everyone, regardless of vaccination status, previous infection or lack of symptoms, follow the recommendations listed in Table 1 (Isolation) of the CDPH Guidance on Isolation and Quarantine for the General Public.

• Calfornia Department of Public Health

• Butte County Public Health

• Paradise Unified School District Community Dashboard

• Expanded Learning Opportunities Grant

• ESSER III Expenditure Plan (Approved 10/19/21)

• COVID-19 COVID-19 Prevention Plan (Updated 8/26/21)

• PUSD Reopening Plan 2021-2022 ( Updated 8/20/21)

• American Academy of Pediatrics COVID-19 Interim Guidance: Return to Sports and Physical Activity

• California Department of Education Physical Education FAQs

• California Department of Education COVID-19 Youth Health Information Act

• COVID-19 Spectator Guidelines for Outdoor Sports

• PUSD COVID-19 School Guidance Checklist (posted 2/2/21)

• Grant Safety Plan PARADISE UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT (Updated 1/28/21) 

COVID-19 is a respiratory illness caused by a novel virus that has been spreading worldwide. Community-acquired cases have now been confirmed in California. We are gaining more understanding of COVID-19’s epidemiology, clinical course, immunogenicity, and other factors as time progresses, and the situation is changing daily. CDPH is in the process of monitoring COVID-19, conducting testing with local and federal partners, and providing guidance and resources to prevent, detect and respond to the occurrence of COVID-19 cases in California.