COVID Protocols in RCSD Schools
September 23 Community Update
Masking in Schools:
San Mateo County Moves from “Strongly Recommended” to “Personal Preference” for Students
Staff to Continue following CalOSHA’s Requirements
Masking in Schools for Students:
Redwood City School District (RCSD) students and all school children in San Mateo County can now wear a face mask at school based on “personal preference.” This change took effect Friday, September 23. A strong recommendation that all persons, regardless of vaccine status, mask in indoor public settings and businesses had been in effect since March 1.
The change that masking is now based on personal preference is taking place based on California’s new SMARTER Plan, which is the next phase of California’s COVID-19 response that was announced earlier this year. The SMARTER Plan calls for masking recommendations that follow a framework intended to provide information and recommendations that each individual should consider based on the unique circumstances happening locally in their own community and county. This means that individuals are encouraged to use local information about the current COVID-19 Community Levels (CCL) in their county to decide which preventions to take based on their own risk for severe illness and that of members of their household, their risk tolerance, and setting-specific factors. The community levels are based on hospitalization rates, hospital bed occupancy, and COVID-19 incidence during the preceding period.
There are three community levels--low, medium, and high. The levels included in the SMARTER Plan are based on CDC COVID-19 Community Levels, which were also released earlier this year in March. The SMARTER Plan is also based on California’s historical data.
As San Mateo County is currently in the low level, school children can now wear a face mask to school based on personal preference.
Masking in Schools for Staff:
School staff who are returning from an isolation period or were exposed to someone who tests positive are still required to wear a face mask. CalOSHA still has this requirement in place.
The 2022-23 COVID Protocols in RCSD Schools updates is a service of the RCSD Department of Communications in collaboration with district administrators leading COVID response to keep the RCSD community informed in 2022-23. The RCSD community is encouraged to visit the school district’s website as new guidance provided to RCSD will be uploaded as soon as it becomes available.
Redwood City School District
Website: https://www.rcsdk8.net
Location: 750 Bradford Street, Redwood City, CA, USA
Phone: 650.482.2200
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RedwoodCitySchoolDistrict
Twitter: @RWCSchools