Important Updates from EUSD
November 5, 2021
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Updates in this communication include:
- National Gratitude Month!
- Vaccinations
- EUSD is Hiring!
Dear Families,
November is National Gratitude Month! We are so appreciative of the many ways our families support Encinitas Union School District such as helping with homework, staying informed by reading district and site newsletters, connecting with your child’s teacher, participating in parent conferences, adhering to school policies, encouraging and supporting your child, participating when possible in site fundraisers, and actively engaging with PTA and EEF activities and events. It is all so important and makes a tremendous difference.
Vaccinations
There has been a lot of discussion and questions regarding vaccinations for children ages 5-11. I wanted to clarify what has been approved, what it means for students in EUSD and what next steps might look like.
This week, the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine for children ages 5 to 11 was authorized for emergency use by the Federal Drug Administration (FDA) based on successful results in the clinical trials. The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) also made recommendations for vaccination approval for children in this age range. This means children ages 5-11 are now eligible for the vaccine and the vaccine is available through pediatricians and Rady’s. The vaccine is not a mandate for school at this time. The state's new regulation that was shared last month won’t apply until vaccines for juveniles, ages 12-17, and children, ages 5-11, are fully authorized by the FDA. This is a different authorization than the emergency authorization. Once the vaccines are fully approved, students will have until the next term to complete their vaccinations and attend school in person. State officials have said that July 1 is the earliest the mandate is expected to begin and it could be January 2023. We also are waiting to hear more in the coming months regarding the proposed options for exemptions. We will continue to share new information as it is received.
For students in EUSD, this means all of our students have the option to get the vaccine. We do know that higher vaccination rates have led to reduced transmission and lower case rates. Additionally, students who are vaccinated will not have to follow the same modified quarantine procedures if they are vaccinated. They would no longer be excluded from extracurricular activities or need to be tested if they are a close contact of an individual testing positive for COVID-19.
If you plan to get your child vaccinated, first check with your health care provider for availability. If you cannot get a vaccination from a health care provider, visit myturn.ca.gov or the County of San Diego vaccination website, or check with your local pharmacy or community clinic. To learn more about COVID-19 vaccines and the vaccination process, please visit the county’s resource webpage. If you choose to get your child vaccinated, we will ask for you to share the vaccination card or updated immunization card with the school for our records. Specific information about how to do this will be provided in the coming weeks.
Thank you for all of your support.
Warmly,
Andrée Grey, Ed.D.
Superintendent