COVID-19
Resources 

School Re-opening Guidance

• January 14, 2021 School Re-Opening Framework – California Department of Public Health
• December 30, 2020 California’s Safe Schools for All Plan – California Department of Public Health
• December 3, 2020 Stay at Home Order – California for All
• October 20, 2020 Schools FAQ Update – California Department of Public Health
• September 4, 2020 Cohort guidance – California Department of Public Health
• September 4, 2020 Cohort FAQs – California for All
• August 25, 2020 FAQs on small group guidance – California for All
• August 25, 2020 Guidance for Small Cohorts/Groups of Children and Youth – California Department of Public Health
• August 24, 2020 Distance Learning Instruction Planning Guidance – California Department of Education
• August 3, 2020 Youth Sports Guidance – California Department of Public Health
• August 3,2020 Elementary Waiver Guidance – California Department of Public Health
• August 3, 2020 School Guidance FAQs – California Department of Public Health
• July 27, 2020 Distance learning FAQs – California Department of Education
• July 17, 2020 Reopening Framework for K-12 Schools – California Department of Public Health
• July 17, 2020 Industry Guidance: Schools and School-Based Guidance – California Department of Public Health / CAL OSHA
• June 8, 2020  Guidebook for the Safe Reopening of Schools – California Department of Education
• March 17, 2020 Guidance for K-12 Schools: Distance Learning, School Meals, Child Care and Student Supervision – California Department of Education

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School Re-opening Q&A

What is California’s Safe Schools for All Plan?

On December 30, 2020, Governor Gavin Newsom released the Safe Schools for All plan, California’s framework to support schools to continue operating safely in-person and to expand the number of schools safely resuming in-person instruction. Informed by growing evidence of the decreased risks and increased benefits of in-person instruction – especially for our youngest students – Governor Newsom is advancing a strategy that will help create safe learning environments for students and safe workplaces for educators and other school staff. The plan was developed in partnership with the Legislature, and the Governor will propose an early action package to ensure schools have the resources necessary to successfully implement key safety precautions and mitigation measures. Components of the plan will be launched in the coming weeks.

The Administration’s strategy focuses on ensuring implementation and building confidence by bringing back the youngest children (TK-2) and those who are most vulnerable first, then phasing in other grade levels through the spring. This phased-in return recognizes that younger children are at a lower risk of contracting and transmitting COVID-19. At the same time, distance learning will remain an option for parents and students who choose it and for those whose health status does not allow them to return to school in the near term. Please find additional details about the rationale behind the plan here.

California’s Safe Schools for All framework to safe reopening of in-person instruction is built on four pillars:

1. Funding to Support Safe Reopening: The Budget will propose for immediate action in January, $2 billion to support safety measures – including testing, ventilation and PPE – for schools that have resumed in-person instruction or phasing in of in-person instruction by early spring.
2. Safety & Mitigation Measures for Classrooms: To further ensure health and safety in the classroom, the Administration will support implementation of key health measures. This will include frequent testing for all students and staff, including weekly testing for communities with high rates of transmission; masks for all students and staff, including distribution of millions of surgical masks for school staff; improved coordination between school and health officials for contact tracing; and prioritization of school staff for vaccinations.
3. Hands-on Oversight & Assistance for Schools: Dr. Naomi Bardach, a UCSF pediatrician and expert on school safety, will lead the Safe Schools for All Team, a cross-agency team composed of dedicated staff from CDPH, Cal/OSHA, and educational agencies. The Team will provide hands-on support to help schools develop and implement their COVID-19 Safety Plans. These supports include school visits and walk-throughs as needed, webinars and training materials and ongoing technical assistance.
4. Transparency & Accountability for Families and Staff: A state dashboard will enable all Californians to see their school’s reopening status, level of available funding and data on school outbreaks. Additionally, a web-based “hotline” will empower school staff and parents to report concerns to the Safe Schools for All Team, which will lead to escalating levels of intervention beginning with technical assistance and ending with legal enforcement.

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Notable health websites

Safe Schools for All

California COVID-19 Page

CDC Coronavirus Page

Kern County Public Health Coronavirus Page

California Department of Public Health Coronavirus Page

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Resources for schools

CDE FAQ Document (March 27, 2020)

Guidance For Large Gatherings (Released March, 11 2020 by CA Public Health)

School Closure Guidelines (Released March 7, 2020 by CDE & CA Public Health)

Fact Sheet (CDC) [English]  [Spanish]

Stop the Spread of Germs Poster (CDC) [English]  [Spanish]

Symptoms of Coronavirus Disease 2019 poster (CDC) [English]  [Spanish]

Pandemic Plan Guidelines for Schools (CDC)

How to Talk to Children about COVID-19

Hand Washing Fact Sheet [English]  [Spanish]

Hand washing video

Save Our School Year PSA

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Resources for essential workers needing childcare

Funds are currently available to support parents who are essential workers who need child care. For more information, please click HERE.