Dear NUSD Community,
Yesterday, Marin Public Health shared a letter with the Marin school community that they are seeing a downward trend in case rates, including cases among students and staff, and that their assessment is that the crest of the Omicron wave is behind us. Our NUSD data reflects this downward trend as well. You can find that letter here.
Protocol Updates
Effective today, January 25, Marin Public Health has issued relaxed guidance and harm-reduction strategies that align with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and California Department of Public Health (CDPH). These recommendations address outdoor masking and spectators at mega-events. They have also strengthened their recommendation for all persons in the school setting to wear the most protective mask that fits well and be worn consistently.
These updates address #18 Large Gatherings, #24 Face Coverings, and #31 School Related Youth Activities of the Marin County School Guidelines which you can find here. The updated sections are below:
- Applicable: Large gatherings (i.e., school assemblies) are allowed indoors and outdoors. Participants and attendees must follow current CDPH Guidance for Face Coverings. For indoor mega-events with 500 or more people, schools and event operators using school facilities must follow CDPH requirements for mega-events. Attendees must verify fully vaccinated status or pre-entry negative test result is required of all attendees. Testing must be conducted within one day for an antigen test and within two days for a PCR test prior to entry into an event. Attendees cannot self-attest to verify vaccination status or a negative test result.
- Updated: All staff as well as all students are required to wear face coverings indoors, unless there is a medical or behavioral contraindication or exemption. Staff, students, and visitors should wear the most protective mask that fits well and will be worn consistently. Properly fitted respirators (e.g., KN95 or N95) provide the highest level of protection. Double masking with a cloth face covering worn over a surgical mask also offers enhanced protection. Students from grades TK – 2 should be supported and taught how to wear them properly. Staff and students should follow CDPH face covering guidance. They should consider wearing a mask in crowded outdoor settings and for activities with close contact with others who are not fully vaccinated.
- Updated: Other School related youth activities (i.e., student transportation, sports, music, drama, after school care, etc.) will follow updated CDPH and Marin County Public Health guidance, includes CDPH requirements for mega-events. Spectators will be able to attend all indoor events. Marin County Public Health encourages all spectators to get vaccinated or boosted (if eligible).
Public Health Updates
Monday, February 7, 2022 – 6 pm: Parents and Guardians
A public health update for Parents and Guardians is scheduled for Monday, February 7, 2022, 6-7 pm with a question and answer to follow. Please submit questions to: [email protected].
Zoom Link Webinar ID: 834 8966 2839, Passcode: 571127, Dial In: 408-638-0968
Spanish Translation available
Wednesday, February 9, 2022: School Community
A public health update for the School Community is scheduled for Wednesday, February 9, 2022, 3-4 pm with a question and answer to follow. Please submit questions to: [email protected].
Zoom Link Webinar ID: 812 9212 8992, Passcode: 010145, Dial In: 408-638-0968 Spanish Translation available
Marin Public Health webinars are recorded and posted within 24 hours. The recordings and presentation slides can be found here if you miss them on the Rethinking Schools Website.
Isolation & Quarantine Guidance
While the guidance has not changed for individuals in our schools who test positive for COVID, the graphic below helps illustrate the protocols for students or staff who test positive, and when and how they can return to school or work. You can find the latest Isolation & Quarantine Guidance from Marin Public Health here.
Student Vaccination Rates
As a reminder, please inform your child’s school if there’s a change in their vaccination status. Below are ‘Covid’ emails to help facilitate this information and have been established so families can easily take a photo of the vaccination card and email to applicable school. Below are the email addresses for NUSD schools:
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
Novato Charter: [email protected]
These are confidential email addresses that can only be access by the school staff.
*If you have already submitted your child’s status, you do not need to submit it again. The school will follow up if needed.*
**These email addresses can also be used to send in a photo of a student’s results from a rapid antigen test or PCR test.**
You can find NUSD Vaccination Rates here. It’s updated monthly near the end of the month.
Reminder: Please Do Not Send Children to School If They’re Not Feeling Well
Below is a list of common COVID-19 symptoms that usually start 2 to 14 days after a person is exposed to the virus.
- Fever and/or chills
- Cough
- Sore throat
- Loss of taste and/or smell
- Runny or stuffy nose
- Muscle or body aches
- Headaches
- Fatigue (tiredness)
- Vomiting and/or diarrhea
If your child is symptomatic, please keep them at home until you have the results of a PCR or rapid antigen test. If you need a rapid antigen test, please let the principal or office manager at your child’s school know as they do have a supply on hand for symptomatic individuals. Rapid antigen tests are also available www.CovidTests.gov.
Thank you for your ongoing support and partnership to keep schools open and to create safer environments for our students and staff.
Respectfully,
Jan La Torre-Derby, Ed.D
Superintendent
Leslie Benjamin
Director, Communications & Community Engagement