MUSD COVID-19 FAQ
The California Department of Public Health released updated recommendations for K-12 schools on July 9, 2021. The CDPH guidance applies CDC's recommendations to the California context, in order to help K-12 schools develop and implement plans for safe and full in-person instruction in the 2021-2022 school year. CDPH has since updated their guidance on September 1, 2021 and September 14, 2021 related to recommendations and requirements for school-based extracurricular activities and modified quarantine recommendations. Additionally, CDPH regularly updates the K-12 Schools Guidance FAQ.
The Contra Costa Health Services (CCHS) provides countywide guidance in alignment with CDPH. Key aspects of the state and local guidance includes:
- Masking: Students and staff are required to mask indoors. Masks are optional outdoors for all in K-12 school settings.
- Distancing: Minimum distancing in classrooms is not required.
- Ventilation: For indoor spaces, ventilation should be optimized
- Testing: Follow CDC guidance for screening testing based on the county's level of community transmission.
Where can I access information about COVID case rates?
Contra Costa County COVID Dashboard
The MUSD COVID Dashboard is updated every 24-48 hours depending on new cases.
What happens if my child is exposed to COVID-19 at school?
Your child's school will notify you if they were a close contact and provide instructions for quarantine at home. Click here to learn more about close contacts and quarantine in schools.
Your child may be able to modify their quarantine if certain conditions are met. Click here to learn more about modified quarantine at schools.
If my child is sent home from school with COVID-like symptoms what is required for my child to return to school?
Students who have been absent or leave school with COVID-like symptoms may not return for in-person instruction until they have met CDPH criteria to return to school for those with symptoms:
1. At least 24 hours have passed since the resolution of fever without the use of fever-reducing medications; AND
2. Other symptoms have improved; AND
3. 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. Strep throat, Coxsackie virus), OR at least 10 days have passed since symptom onset.
At-home COVID tests are not accepted for return to school.
What are the COVID-19 testing requirements for students in modified or standard quarantine?
If your student is required to participate in modified or standard (at home) quarantine due to COVID-19 exposure, it is recommended to test as soon as you are informed your student was a close contact of someone with COVID-19. Subsequent testing may occur on or after Day 5 from the date of last exposure. Quarantine can end after Day 7 (on Day 8) if a test specimen is collected on or after Day 5 from the last exposure and tests negative.
At-home COVID tests are not accepted for return to school.
Where can I get my child tested for COVID-19?
MUSD offers free COVID-19 rapid testing at multiple locations in the district.
Alhambra High School in the PAB Foyer on Monday 7:30am-12:30pm, Wednesday 7:00am -3:00pm, Thursday 12:30pm-6:00pm.
John Muir Elementary in the Multi-Use Room on Monday 2:00-4:00pm
Morello Park Elementary in the Multi-Use Room on Tuesday 2:00-4:00pm
Martinez Jr. High School in F101 (Mirror Room) on Wednesday 1:00-3:30pm
Las Juntas Elementary in the Multi-Use Room on Thursday 2:00-4:00pm
John Swett Elementary in the Multi-Use Room on Friday 2:00-4:00pm
More information about testing can be found here.
No-cost testing is also available at multiple county sites. Locations and hours can be found here.
Is my child required to be vaccinated to attend school?
All people age 12 or older are eligible to be vaccinated. The COVID-19 vaccination is not currently a requirement for school attendance.
If your child has been fully vaccinated you may report your child's COVID-19 vaccination status and provide proof of vaccination in order to assist in the contact tracing process. Fully vaccinated students are not subject to quarantine (full or modified) at this time per CDPH and CCHS guidance. You may log into the Aeries parent portal here to upload a photo or image of your child's COVID-19 vaccination card. Directions on how to upload into Aeries can be found here.
Information about obtaining the COVID-19 vaccine can be found here.
What happens if my child must quarantine at home?
If your child is COVID-19 positive or is an unvaccinated and unmasked close contact requiring quarantine at home, your child will be offered short-term independent study for the duration of the quarantine period. A short-term independent study contract requiring your signature will provided by your child's school.
Will distance learning be offered during home quarantine?
No. Distance Learning was allowed during the 2020-2021 school year as a provision under California legislation which expired June 30, 2021. However, new legislation (SB 130) was passed in July 2021 which requires districts to offer independent study as an alternative to in-person learning for the 2021-2022 school year only. Martinez USD is offering a remote independent study program through Briones School. If you have concerns about your child participating in in-person instruction and wish to transfer to Briones, please contact your child's principal. A written agreement must be signed prior to a student starting independent study.
What COVID protocols are in place for school-based extracurricular activities?
CCHS issued guidance for school-based extracurricular activities on September 14, 2021 (Linked here). The guidance applies to all extracurricular activities at school, including sports, band, chorus and clubs. Masks are required indoors for all participants, coaches, personnel and spectators, regardless of vaccination status. Masks are required for both competition and practice, during physical education, conditioning/weightlifting, and other indoor activities.
Are there exceptions to the masking guidance for participants in certain sports or activities?
Yes. The exceptions are:
- Participants in indoor water sports such as swimming, water polo, or diving, may remove their face masks while they are in the water. Participants must wear face masks when not in the water.
- Participants in wrestling or certain martial arts where masks cannot be worn during matches due to the risk of suffocation. Participants must wear masks when not actively engaged in a match.
- When playing wind instruments (woodwind, brass), participants must use modified face masks (slit masks with an opening for the mouthpiece) and bell covers indoors. Slit masks are not required for flutes.
The CCHS September 14, 2021 Youth Sports Guidance also recommends certain precautions for all youth sports and extracurricular activities, especially when the CDC Community Transmission level is "High" in Contra Costa County.
Martinez Unified School District
Email: musd_superintendent@martinez.k12.ca.us
Website: www.martinezusd.net
Location: 921 Susana Street, Martinez, CA, USA
Phone: (925) 335-5800