Dear NUSD Community,

We continue to collaborate with Marin County Public Health and state and local officials for guidance and strategies to ensure the safest possible return to school and to support the health and well-being of students and staff.

Marin Public Health has updated its recommendations and protocols for schools, which NUSD will be implementing at all our schools. You can view the full document here; below are some of the key updates. We understand there may be further questions and we will provide as much information and clarity as possible in the days to come. We are committed to continuing in-person instruction and we believe that these measures will help ensure that we are doing so safely.

Students / Staff Who Test Positive 

  • NUSD will follow the updated California Department of Public Health COVID-19 Public Health Guidance for K – 12 Schools, which includes updates regarding the isolation time for students or staff who test positive for COVID-19.
    • A student/staff must isolate (stay home from school and elsewhere) for five (5) days after the day of the positive test.
      • The individual may end isolation and return to school after Day 5 if:
        • they are fever free for more than 24 hours without the use of fever-reducing medicine;
        • their symptoms are improving;
        • AND they have a negative COVID test on Day 5. Rapid tests are acceptable.
        • If still with fever or test is positive on Day 5, the student/staff must continue to isolate until Day 7 and may then test again. If negative, may return to school. If positive or still with fever, they remain in isolation until Day 11 when they may return to school. No test is required to return on Day 11.
    • Marin County Public Health protocols, including modified quarantine and “test to stay” (TTS), should be followed. More information can be found in the County’s Isolation and Quarantine Guidance.
  • This updated guidance applies to students and staff who recently tested positive in the past several days; they may return to school after five  (5) days of isolation from the date of their positive test if they meet the criteria described above. 

Exposure Protocols

  • NUSD will continue to work with public health to monitor and notify staff and families of potential in-school exposure and when individuals need to quarantine due to close contact with a positive case. We will also continue to follow the “modified quarantine” policy, also known as “test to stay.”
  • Marin County Public Health’s Isolation and Quarantine Guidance document contains the most thorough information and next steps for students and staff who have been directly exposed to someone with COVID-19. Much of the guidance is based on an individual’s vaccination (and booster) status.
  • We anticipate having updated Decision Trees for families and staff in the near future.

Testing

  • NUSD is committed to working with our state and local partners to do everything we can to provide free, easily accessible, rapid testing opportunities for our students and staff. We will keep you updated about potential on-site rapid testing options to end isolation for students/staff after Day 5, as well as to test students who may have been exposed in school.
  • The District will continue to work with Primary.Health to manage our testing program and we encourage all students and staff to report their rapid test results using their custom link.
  • As a reminder, if a vaccinated or unvaccinated student or staff member develops COVID-like symptoms or has close contact with someone confirmed with COVID-19, testing is recommended.

Large Gatherings

  • Large gatherings of more than 50 persons (such as school assemblies) are currently prohibited indoors and outdoors. This also includes teacher and staff meetings of more than 50 attendees.

Face Coverings

  • Face coverings should be worn outdoors when physical distancing is not feasible, except while eating or drinking. All staff and students must continue to wear face coverings indoors, unless there is a medical or behavioral contraindication or exemption, and all should follow the CDPH face covering guidance.
  • School staff should wear surgical-grade masks or higher-level PPE (e.g., KN95 or N95 respirator masks). For those wearing surgical masks, double masking, with a cloth face covering worn over the surgical mask, is recommended for enhanced protection. The District will soon follow up with our employees about how we will distribute masks to meet this recommendation.  

School Visitors

  • Non-essential visitors, including parent volunteers will be limited. Any substitutes, contractors, visitors, or volunteers working directly with students should be vaccinated and boosted (if eligible).

Indoor Sports Spectators 

  • Along with other Marin schools and districts, NUSD will not allow spectators for indoor sports games and practices until further notice. (#31 on Marin County School Guidelines.)
  • More information with teams will be shared about the details of how this guideline will be implemented.

Learn More

As a reminder, there is a Public Health Update for the School Community this Thursday, Jan. 6 from 4 – 5 pm.

ZOOM LINK  |  Webinar ID: 880 1113 4735  |  Passcode: 212768  |  Dial In: 408-638-0968

We understand this is a time of uncertainty and concern and we will work through this together to keep our students, families and staff safe. You can help by ensuring your child is vaccinated (and boosted if applicable); testing for COVID if they have been exposed or are presenting symptoms; and keeping them home if they are ill. If your child has not yet been vaccinated, please schedule them for one as soon as possible.

As the pandemic continues to evolve, we continue to partner with our public health experts to respond and adapt quickly in order to keep our schools open in a safe manner. We appreciate your support and understanding, and will continue to keep you updated.

Respectfully,

Jan La Torre-Derby, Ed.D

Superintendent

Leslie Benjamin

Director, Communications & Community Engagement