Updated Information COVID-19
Martinez Unified School District - March 26, 2020
Dear MUSD Staff and Community,
As you know, across the state there is a need for temporary care locations as additional cases of COVID19 are impacting our healthcare systems. Across Contra Costa County, local hospitals and medical facilities are preparing for a surge of patients that may exceed their normal capacity. Federal, state, and local agencies have been working to identify facilities across the state that may be used in these unprecedented times as temporary medical facilities.
Martinez Unified has just been officially notified by federal, state, and local agencies that part of Alhambra High School is being considered to create additional space for providing care. As you all know and understand, in any emergency situation, schools are regularly used by agencies such as the Red Cross and other temporary emergency services. Given the immediate proximity to Contra Costa County Regional Medical Center (County Hospital), it is understandable that AHS would be a location identified for this purpose. Both as a district and as a community, we have a legal obligation as well as a moral and ethical obligation, to provide the highest level of cooperation during this time.
However, I also recognize that AHS is home to our students, our staff, and a focal point of our community, and I understand this announcement may raise many questions and/or concerns. I hope to address some of this with the initial details I have, at this time:
Beginning this week, County Emergency Services and Contra Costa Health Services may be utilizing the AHS Gym and the related spaces with that building, including the Commons and the AHS kitchen. Other areas of the campus (classrooms in other buildings) are not going to be used for any services and are not expected to be accessed for any reason.
While these temporary services are being provided, the remainder of the AHS campus will be closed.
All AHS staff will receive specific information regarding these developments in a separate communication.
As a school district and as a community, I am sure you’ll join me in offering our collective praise and appreciation for all the medical personnel who will need to be working in these challenging conditions. Additionally, I am sure we can also all offer our united thoughts and well-wishes to any patients who need to be treated in these challenging conditions.
As our heartfelt emotions are sent to these individuals, I also remain committed to ensuring the health and safety needs of our students and staff of AHS. Please know that prior to any student and/or staff use of AHS facilities the entire school campus will undergo a comprehensive cleaning process to ensure the entire campus is cleaned, disinfected, sanitized, and properly prepped for safe and secure use by students and staff. Just as I am committed to doing our collective part to support our county and the overall COVID19 response, I am equally committed to ensuring the AHS campus will be a safe place for all staff and students, prior to reopening for any school-related functions.
If anything highlights the importance of our collective actions to stay home and the magnitude of our current health crisis related to COVID19, it is this development. We must continue to work together, in ways we might not have ever imagined to be part of the solution. I have been so proud of the resiliency and grit our staff, students, and community, have shown over the last few weeks. Throughout Martinez, the AHS Bulldogs represent the courage of our students, the commitment and professionalism of our staff, and the passion of our community. I am confident these pillars of Alhambra High School will be evident to community members and medical staff during these challenging times. Together, as a community, we will welcome these guests with grace, compassion, and empathy.
Sincerely,
CJ Cammack
Superintendent
Martinez Unified School District
Martinez Unified School District
Email: parentsupport@martinez.k12.ca.us
Website: http://www.martinezusd.net/
Location: 921 Susana Street, Martinez, CA, USA
Phone: 925-335-5800
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MartinezUnified/
Twitter: @CJMUSD