Dear NUSD Community,

Over the last school year, NUSD has followed California Department of Public Health (CDPH) and Marin Public Health guidance and mandates to allow for full in-person instruction in the safest way possible. At no point in time have we created stricter guidance than our county and state, nor have we gone outside of the guidelines and requirements to implement our own less-strict district policies.

This morning Governor Newsom announced that with declining case rates and hospitalizations across the west, California, Oregon and Washington are moving together to update their masking guidance. After 11:59 p.m. on March 11, California, Oregon and Washington will adopt new indoor mask policies and move from mask requirements to mask recommendations in schools. In California, starting March 1, masks will no longer be required for unvaccinated individuals, but will be strongly recommended for all individuals in most indoor settings. CDPH will be updating K-12 Schools Guidance to reflect that after 11:59 p.m. on March 11, 2022, students and staff members in K-12 settings will be strongly recommended, not required to mask while indoors.

Please note that this change to statewide guidelines does not take effect until after 11:59 p.m. on March 11, 2022, effectively, Saturday, March 12. Masking is still required by all while indoors on school grounds until that date.

According to CDPH, in California, masks will still be required for everyone in high transmission settings like public transit, emergency shelters, health care settings, correctional facilities, homeless shelters and long-term care facilities.

We appreciate and acknowledge that the state lifting the mask requirement may cause anxiety for some people, especially those who are at higher risk for COVID or live with someone who is at higher risk. Please note that mask wearing is still strongly recommended by the state and is an option for every student or staff member who wishes to wear one at any time.

We also appreciate and recognize that others who do not support masking in schools will continue to share their opinion that masking should end immediately. As stated above, our decision to adhere strictly to state guidelines – not more, not less – has enabled us to continue in-person learning while weathering the COVID-19 storm. We are aware other districts in California have passed resolutions to not enforce state masking mandates, however our district will continue to follow the guidance as stated.

Thanks to the commitment and resilience of our NUSD community doing our part, we now have the tools to turn the page and begin a new chapter. Throughout the pandemic, we have displayed resilience and found common ground. Because of this, we are where we are today – in a place where we are able to more safely enjoy the things we love. As we begin to transition from pandemic response into a new chapter where we can use more routine disease control tactics, we will not only be ready for if and when something changes, but we have built stronger and more flexible systems for the future.

This new chapter is focused on continuing the mitigation strategies we are all familiar with – monitoring symptoms, testing, high-quality ventilation systems, etc. – with a great deal of focus on personal responsibility and respect.

Respecting Personal Choice

  • The state is providing personal choice for masking in schools with the expectation that individual choices are respected.
  • One should not make assumptions regarding someone’s beliefs or health status based upon their choice to wear or not wear a mask, nor should they comment on them.
  • If your child(ren) expresses any anxiety, feel free to reach out to our school counselors for additional support as needed.

Responsibility

  • Students and staff should continue to remain home when sick.
  • Students and staff are encouraged to take a COVID-19 test if exhibiting symptoms and/or if they have a known exposure to COVID-19. NUSD has test kits available if needed.

Thank you for your collaboration as we continue to navigate what is hopefully, the move toward an endemic state. I truly appreciate your patience and understanding as we take every step to preserve the health of our students and staff while keeping our community as safe and healthy as possible. Please have a safe and healthy week ahead.

Sincerely,

Jan La Torre-Derby, Ed.D.

Superintendent

 

Leslie Benjamin

Director, Communications

& Community Engagement