California relaxes rules for school openings to let some students return to campus
California rolled out new guidance in an effort to reopen classrooms for some but not all students, according to a press release from the Department of Health.
The rules call for schools to prioritize opening for small groups of children with disabilities, those who have special needs, are English language learners, at-risk students or students who need access to the internet or other devices for distance learning.
The guidance will allow some students on campus in small cohorts at public and private schools, child care facilities, before- and after-school programs, day camps and recreational programs. Schools are not required to open such cohorts, and the intent is not to open in-person instruction for all students, according to the state.
A “cohort” is defined as a group of no more than 14 students and two adults, where they stay together for all activities, including meals and breaks, and do not have contact with people outside of their group.
The announcement came on Tuesday, stating that some students can receive in-person targeted, specialized support supervision and limited instruction for learning at campuses that are otherwise closed. Previous guidance issued to schools and other facilities are still in effect, and schools must adhere to previous public health guidance.
Sacramento-area schools did not immediately respond to The Bee’s requests for comment on when and how they may act on the new guidelines. Sacramento County health officials said they are still reviewing the new guidelines as well.
“The precautions and considerations detailed in this guidance will ensure that when small cohorts of children and youth, and those that care for them, come together they can do so with the appropriate health and safety measures in place,” said acting State Public Health Officer Dr. Erica Pan. “It’s important that appropriate steps are taken to reduce virus transmission and the risk of infection.”
Gov. Gavin Newsom is expected to elaborate on the new guidance during a press conference this week.
To prevent the spread of COVID-19, the state limited the number of students and staff in a cohort, and students and staff must wear masks and maintain physical distancing. The guidance encourages students who live together, or carpool together, to remain in the same cohort.
It’s unclear how multiple support staffers, called paraeducators, will be able to join a special education class when the state is limiting cohorts to two adults per class, or how districts and their teachers will determine who will and will not return to campus.
“All of this is subject to negotiations,” said Claudia Briggs of the California Teachers Association. “It’s not about needing permission, it’s about making decisions with educator input because they’re the ones who best know the needs of their students.”
“The cohort must operate so that students and supervising adults within the group only have physical proximity with members of their cohort during the day,” according to the state. “Supervising adults and students must not interact with other cohorts. This practice decreases opportunities for exposure to or transmission of the virus.”
The number of students returning to each campus should not exceed 25 percent of the school’s enrollment size or building capacity, and the number of cohorts at one school will depend on the size of the campus and how many students are enrolled. It is unclear how many schools and school districts will implement the new guidance and open classrooms.
The announcement could mean schools can open before they are issued state waivers to reopen campuses for elementary-aged students. While some counties have started processing waivers to reopen classrooms, Sacramento public health officials said they won’t start processing the county’s waivers until mid-September.
Some school districts and community organizations have already opened spaces where students can work.
Natomas Unified approved a plan to provide childcare and day camps for students in kindergarten through fifth grade, prioritizing spots for children of essential workers and students who are considered at-risk.
Cosumnes Community Services District’s Kid Central and the Teen Center are currently open, accepting about a dozen students for their distance learning assistance program. The programs usually serve about 60 students in after-school care. The program is currently operating out of three Elk Grove elementary schools.
This story was originally published August 26, 2020 at 9:23 AM with the headline "California relaxes rules for school openings to let some students return to campus."