Learning Safely in 2021-22
March 11 Community Update
District Aligns Masking Practice to County and State Guidance: Moving from “Required” to “Strongly Recommended”
Families Reminded to Submit Proof of Child’s COVID Vaccination
On-Site Testing and At-Home Testing Kits to be Provided as District Plans for Safe Spring Break Return
Masks in Schools:
As of Monday, March 14, 2022, Redwood City School District (RCSD) will move from “requiring” masks for students and employees in RCSD schools to “strongly recommending” that they use them in school settings. RCSD Superintendent Dr. John Baker updated the RCSD Board of Trustees during the School Board’s Wednesday, March 9 public meeting, presenting the organization’s alignment to the updated County and State guidelines.
In presenting the district’s move to the new masking practice, Superintendent Baker explained:
“Strongly recommended” means to wear a mask
School staff cannot supervise each person’s choice
If the state experiences another spike, the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) could then pivot back to requiring masks, including in schools
RCSD could return to indoor masking requirement at any time should the conditions necessitate
Superintendent Baker and the Trustees also discussed the district’s responsibility to maintain safe learning and working environments, which includes respect and tolerance for the decisions made by others.
“We have to be very aware that there will be a variety of choices being made … and it’s very important that we normalize the variety of approaches students and staff are going to take,” said Trustee Mike Wells during the discussion.
Trustee Janet Lawson also commented on the importance of being respectful, saying, “I really hope that, moving forward, people will be tolerant and respectful of everyone’s choices because we’re not all going to make the same choices. It’s really important, in our district, for staff and students who are choosing something different than you may choose, that you respect that …”
While the district will update the masking requirement, there are several other protocols that will continue to be in place such as the ongoing maintenance of filters and the ventilation system, the COVID testing process, as well as the need to isolate or quarantine. Should an individual test positive, the district will continue to require a negative test result in order for the individual to return to school or work after five days of isolation.
Governor Newsom announced in late February California’s change to the mask requirement in schools citing the declining case rates and hospitalizations. San Mateo County Health followed shortly after that, aligning its guidance to the California Department of Public Health (CDPH).
COVID-19 Vaccination Verification Request
RCSD is asking families of students who are 5 years and older and have completed one or more COVID-19 vaccinations, including a booster shot (if applicable), to submit their child’s proof of vaccination record here. Families may also submit records in person at their child’s school. If your child has NOT received the COVID-19 vaccination, please also complete the survey here.
Knowing the Covid -19 vaccination status can inform important school practices around testing, contact tracing, quarantine and isolation.
Proof of COVID-19 Vaccination
Here are the ways to show proof of vaccination:
A physical photo or copy of a vaccination record,
A digital photo of a vaccination card on a phone or electronic device,
Documentation of vaccination from a healthcare provider; or
A personal digital COVID-19 vaccine record issued by the State of California, available via Digital COVID-19 Vaccine Record or similar documentation.
All visitors will need to comply with current public health guidelines.
For more information about state immunization requirements, please visit ShotsforSchool.org.
If you have any questions, please contact the district’s school nurse at (650) 482-2244.
Testing During Spring Break:
Redwood City School District’s (RCSD) has implemented a COVID-19 testing plan during Spring Break in an effort to continue maintaining safety in all district facilities.
COVID-19 testing will be available on site during the break and the district also will distribute at-home testing kits for employees and families to administer prior to the return to school.
Spring Break is scheduled for Monday, March 28-Friday, April 1. Students return to school on Monday, April 4.
Because all schools will be closed during the break, testing will be provided at one single location, Hoover School, where any employee and RCSD student can participate. Testing will be available as follows:
Monday, March 28: 8:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Friday, April 1: 8:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Hoover School is located at 701 Charter St. in Redwood City. Testing will take place inside the school’s gym. The front entrance to the gym is located on Stambaugh St.
Distribution of At-Home Testing Kits:
In addition to providing on-site testing, RCSD will distribute At-Home COVID Test Kits for employees and RCSD students to be administered prior to returning to school.
All 12 RCSD schools will distribute one test kit per employee/student. Each kit has two COVID tests. The district wide distribution day is scheduled for Thursday, March 24. Each school will communicate to families specific plans for distribution logistics at their child’s school.
The Roadmap to Learning Safely During My New School Year 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 2021-22. The RCSD community is encouraged to visit the Roadmap to Learning Safely During My New School Year page on 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