Dear ABCUSD Families,
There are few things as exciting as beginning a new school year. We start this school year hoping we will see some stability in dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic. However, if we have learned anything over the past two school years, it’s that nothing is predictable. With this in mind, we have revised our COVID-19 Safety Plan for the 2022-2023 school year.
The ABCUSD COVID-19 Safety Plan follows the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health protocols. Many of the protocols we observed during the past two years have been relaxed. The following points cover the main areas that will impact families this school year:
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Daily Health Check - At this time, students and staff are required to check themselves for symptoms each day before coming to school or work by asking the following questions:
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Do I have a fever (100.4 or higher)?
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Do I have chills?
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Do I have a cold with a cough?
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Do I have a sore throat?
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Do I have a headache?
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Do I have any unexplained muscle or body aches?
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Am I having difficulty breathing?
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Am I experiencing fatigue?
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Am I experiencing nasal congestion or a runny nose?
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Am I experiencing a loss of smell or taste?
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Am I experiencing vomiting, diarrhea, or any other symptoms?
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Am I experiencing any other symptoms of being sick?
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Have I been exposed to a person who has COVID-19 or has the above symptoms?
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Masking - At this time, students and staff are not required to wear masks, but they are strongly recommended.
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Vaccinations - Currently, the COVID-19 vaccine is not required to attend school but is strongly recommended.
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Group Contact Tracing - Like last spring, we will handle exposures at school using the group contact tracing method. This method allows students potentially exposed to remain at school unless they develop symptoms. To remain at school, they are required to wear a mask for ten calendar days after exposure.
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Isolation - Like last school year, students who test positive for COVID-19 are required to isolate. If their symptoms improve and they test negative on the fifth day after symptoms developed, they may return to school, but wearing a highly protective mask around others is strongly recommended. If their symptoms are not improving or they test positive, they must isolate for ten days after the onset of symptoms.
We encourage you to read the COVID-19 Safety Plan and use COVID-19 safe practices when students are not at school. Please remember the following actions:
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If your child is not feeling well, they should stay home.
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Wearing a mask, though not required, is strongly recommended.
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Vaccinations remain a safe and effective way to prevent serious illness, and getting vaccinated and boosted is strongly encouraged.
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Good hand hygiene plays a vital role in stopping the spread of the virus. Children should wash their hands for at least 20 seconds with soap and water or use hand sanitizer with a 60% ethyl alcohol content.
By working together, we can keep any disruptions at school caused by COVID-19 to a minimum. Join us as we work to keep our schools healthy and safe.
Sincerely,
Mr. Toan Nguyen
Interim Superintendent
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