4/7 Update per SCCOE

Bay Area Schools Collaborate to Extend School Closures to Student Attendance

Schools continue to transition from in-person classroom to distance learning formats

San Jose, CA - The County Superintendents, after consultation with the Public Health Officers in six Bay Area counties, have announced the extension of campus closures through the end of the school year.

Alameda, Contra Costa, Marin, San Mateo, Santa Clara, and San Francisco County Superintendents in collaboration with the Public Health Officers in their respective counties, announced the decision to extend campus closures through the remainder of the 2019-2020 school year. Schools will continue to transition from in-person classroom instruction to at-home and distance learning formats. School leaders will continue to utilize campus facilities to distribute school meals and provide childcare or supervision as determined by local needs.

After recently announcing campuses would remain closed for in-person learning until May 1, Bay Area counties took action to review their closure timelines following statements by Governor Newsom and State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond suggesting that California’s students would not likely be able to return to campus for in-person learning for the remainder of this school year.

“The decision to further extend closures is critical for maintaining social distancing and protecting the health and safety of all San Mateo County and Bay Area residents,” explained San Mateo County Health Officer Dr. Scott Morrow. “We will continue to work closely with school leaders and adjust our orders and guidance once the data reflects that we’ve significantly stemmed the spread of COVID-19.”

This announcement comes as local public health officers continue to monitor and ensure the local orders to shelter in place with limited availability of COVID-19 testing and adapt to new information about the ways in which COVID-19 spreads in a community. Local officials are now recommending that residents wear face coverings when out in public and are requiring essential businesses to post social distancing protocols.

Building on the regional coordination the six Bay Area jurisdictions took in issuing the order for all residents to shelter in place, Bay Area counties have continued to work together to align strategies and practices in support of Bay Area schools during this unprecedented time.

“The decision to extend the campus closure dates throughout the Bay Area was made jointly with Public Health Officials, district superintendents and County Superintendents in the Bay Area region. While campuses cannot reopen this academic year, the 2019-2020 school year has not ended. The remainder of the school year will be focused on continuing education support for students through distance learning options as described by The California Department of Education (CDE). By doing so, we can do our part to help slow the spread of COVID-19 in our community as the health and well-being of our students, families, and staff remain our top priority, “said Dr. Mary Ann Dewan, Santa Clara County Superintendent of Schools.

During this most critical phase of the shelter in place order and as the number of confirmed cases continues to rise, residents, including all Santa Clara County students and families, are urged to keep practicing the guidance provided by public health officers including:

• Staying home and limiting essential activities where possible
• Washing hands often with soap and water
• Avoiding touching your eyes, nose, and mouth
• Contacting your healthcare provider if you experience any symptoms such as fever, cough, or difficulty breathing
• Wearing face coverings (but not medical-grade masks)
• Adhering closely to social distancing guidelines

More information about Santa Clara County schools’ response to COVID-19 can be found on the Santa Clara County Office of Education’s website, www.sccoe.org/COVID-19. Families may also access our 16-hour Warmline, in five languages, at (408) 453-6651​ for assistance.

4/1 Update per SCCOE and OGSD - regarding school closure
The Santa Clara County Office of Education in conjunction with all 32 school districts have been working closely to ensure unison of decisions impacting all of our schools during the Covid-19 outbreak. Please find attached a letter from all Santa Clara County Superintendents statingall school campuses will remain closed for the rest of the school year, however distance learning will be implemented.

I recognize there are many milestone events and activities impacted by shelter in place and the extension of school closure to the end of this school year. While our schools will remain closed, it is critical we message to our students that learning for the school year is not. It is incumbent upon us to create the best opportunities for learning given our current circumstances. We will continue to improve, refine, learn and adjust our instruction as we engage with a new digital and distance learning environment. We appreciate your support, patience and understanding as we build this new area of proficiency.

As we continue to evolve distance learning we will provide additional updates. In the days ahead we will be working on disseminating Chromebooks to families that do not have devices at home as well as supporting families with acquiring WiFi access at home. The Chromebook loan program will be prioritized based on family’s free/reduced meal program status.

Please continue to visit our Flexible Learning Options webpage as we will continue to add resources and online activities.

Thank you for being a partner in your child’s education. Through our collaboration, positive interdependence, and mutual support we will get through this and become a stronger Oak Grove community.

Sincerely,
Jose L. Manzo
Superintendent

3/31 Update from SCCPHD - Shelter in Place Order extended through May 3rd. 

https://www.sccgov.org/sites/phd/DiseaseInformation/novel-coronavirus/Pages/frequently-asked-questions.aspx

3/24/20 Update from Public Health Department

Per the Santa Clara County Office of Education Emergency Operations Center call late last week, Public Health Department (PHD) will not be announcing or contacting schools about confirmed cases. 

Community transmission is ongoing in Santa Clara County. As the community follows the Health Officer Order to Shelter in Place issued on March 16, 2020, notification regarding potential contacts to cases will no longer be provided, and school districts are not required to provide any notifications.  Everyone, except for those providing or receiving essential services, should be staying home, especially anyone who is feeling ill.  Anyone who develops symptoms of COVID-19, should call their healthcare provider for further guidance before going to the doctor.  Only the severely ill should seek care at an emergency room and should, if at all possible, call first.

• Where to access food: Anderson, Christopher, Edenvale, Stipe, Hayes and Davis
• Monday through Friday, 10:30-11:30am for children ages 0-18.
•  
• How to access internet:

• • https://www.cde.ca.gov/ls/he/hn/availableinternetplans.asp

Financial Assistance for Low-Income Residents

Destination: Home has raised more than $11 million from private and public sources, including a proposed $2 million contribution from the County, to provide direct financial assistance to those who are facing a documented loss of income because of COVID-19.

Eligible residents must meet these three criteria to qualify for assistance:

1. Resident of Santa Clara County
2. Household gross income less than 80% of the average median income

     (e.g. $103,900 for a family of four)

3. Documented loss of income related to COVID-19 impacts due to health,

     employment, or school/child care closures

Eligible households will receive up to a maximum of $4,000 of lost income per month. Assistance may be requested once per month for the duration of the public health emergency, as long as the household continues to experience an economic impact and funds are available.

Residents can get more information or apply online at https://sacredheartcs.org/covid19/. They can also call (408) 780-9134. We will be sending this information to our community through Parent Square.

Federal Medical Station Coming Soon

On Saturday, March 21, the County of Santa Clara announced a partnership with federal, state, and local partners to open a temporary Federal Medical Station (FMS) inside the City of Santa Clara Convention Center. The FMS will have up to 250 beds to care for lower acuity, non-infectious patients. The United States Office of Public Health Preparedness and Response will supply staffing and supplies, freeing up beds and resources at local hospitals to treat more complex cases and patients dealing with serious infections such as COVID-19. Planning for the FMS is underway, and it is expected to open in the next week or two.