UPDATED 2.1.24 COVID-19 Protocols for Students and School Staff

School Year 2023-24 

As of January 29, 2024, Riverside University Health System - Public Health updated the Protocols for Students in K-12 School Settings and Protocols for School Staff in K-12 School Settings, both in alignment with California Department of Public Health (CDPH): Public Health Guidance for K-12 Schools and Child Care Settings to Support Safe In-Person Services and Mitigate the Spread of Communicable Diseases, 2023-2024 School Year and the recent release of the State's COVID-19 Isolation Guidance.

Any additional changes to the guidance or protocols for the 2023-2024 school year will be posted as soon as they become available. We certainly appreciate the new K-12 School Settings Frequently Asked Questions from Riverside University Health System-Public Health, to help us understand what has changed and the differences in approach to return to work or school for staff and students.

Since the original COVID-19 guidance issued three years ago, the foundational principle is that safe, in-person learning is critical to student well-being and development.  “COVID-19 is here to stay…” notes the guidance, and we have learned methods and have tools to decrease the COVID-19 impact on staff and student health and well-being.

We agree that many of the strategies used to address COVID-19 can protect school communities from other diseases and support healthy learning environments.  In alignment with CDC, SJUSD has an approach for in-door air quality that can safeguard students and staff from other airborne pathogens, allergens, and pollutants (e.g. wildfire smoke).

All SJUSD school sites have OTC test kits for COVID-19 for use at home by student families and staff. Please contact your school's health office for test kits, or contact Dawn Lawrence, SJUSD's Safety Officer for questions about COVID-19 protocols or guidelines (951-929-7700 x4411).