UPDATED MARCH 12
As the number of confirmed cases of COVID-19 rise in Santa Clara County, with 66 now reported, and the first fatality due to the new coronavirus reported Monday, local schools are introducing new practices and protocols to protect students and their families.
Below are the latest policies to come out of elementary and high school districts serving Mountain View and Los Altos students.
This story will be updated as new information becomes available.
Mountain View Whisman School District
● Schools: Open
● Events: Many are postponed or canceled. Check for notifications.
On March 12, the Mountain View Whisman School District took additional steps in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The following measures were announced in a statement from district Superintendent Ayinde Rudolph.
• Middle school sports events and practices are canceled until further notice, a policy that will be reconsidered during spring break, set for April 6-10.
• Students who are well should continue to attend school. The district will respect the decision of families who choose to keep their children home and will not be taking truancy action or disenrolling students who have unexcused absences.
• The district is developing grade-level packets students can work on through spring break that will be available for pickup on Wednesday, March 18. They can also access online learning tools like i-Ready, Khan Academy or Zearn through Clever.com.
• The district will continue to assess the possibility of school closure on an "almost-daily basis," in consultation with the Santa Clara County Public Health Department and the Santa Clara County Office of Education. Families should prepare plans for child care in case of school closures.
--
The district is also following recommendations from the Santa Clara County Public Health Department and other health agencies have led to updated practices the district has adopted, effective March 6, the district said in a written statement.
The district has postponed or canceled non-essential events depending on duration, attendee proximity and size. However, sports events and practices will continue as scheduled. Spectators should stay at arm's length from each other and high-risk spectators should avoid attending.
"The state of California has issued a state of emergency, a preparatory measure so that public agencies can have more access to federal resources to combat the coronavirus. There also have been recommendations about 'social distancing,' or ways people can reduce their close contact with others," according to the statement.
When it comes to preventing or mitigating the spread of the new coronavirus, students and staff are being reminded about hand washing and provided alcohol-based sanitizing wipes. The district will continue to disinfect and clean school facilities, including using industrial-grade misters to disinfect common high-traffic areas and classrooms regularly.
Masks aren't being recommended for healthy people at this time and the district won't be providing them to students. However, if parents want their child to wear his or her own mask at school, that request will be honored so long as it doesn't prove to be a classroom distraction. The district may ask families where they have traveled, and if there are concerns, district nurses may screen students.
People who care for a child with underlying health conditions should consult with a healthcare provider about whether the child should stay home.
If a student or family in the district is confirmed to have COVID-19, the county's public health department will be in contact with the district and with the affected people. Students who show signs of illness will be assessed by a school nurse; students who demonstrate a fever and respiratory symptoms at school will be put in an isolation area with a surgical mask, if tolerated, before being picked up.
If a school closure were to happen, the district would permit distance learning, or having children do schoolwork online. While the district has the technology available, it states, it "does not replace the teacher in the classroom. It comes with its own challenges, especially for parents who still have to be present at their workplaces."
Many of these policies will remain in effect until June 4, with potential reconsideration on April 3. Access the full list of new policies here.
Los Altos School District
● Schools: Open
● Events: Many are canceled. This includes off-site field trips. Check for notifications.
While schools remain open, events between now and Spring Break will be canceled depending on the event's size, duration and the expected attendees' age-group mix and ability to stay spread out. This guidance is in line with new guidance from the Santa Clara County Public Health Department and the county Office of Education, according to a March 8 update from Los Altos School District Jeffrey Baier.
At the district's upcoming board meetings on March 9 and 12, people will be asked to sit at arm's length from one another. Meetings will also be webcast and can be viewed here. People may submit public comments to the board at [email protected]
In addition, the district will continue to conduct passport checks for newly registering students and ask anyone who has traveled to one of the countries identified at risk levels 2 or 3 in the last two weeks to self-quarantine and avoid school or work for 14 days after returning to the U.S.
At its March 9 meeting, the board voted unanimously to tentatively approve an emergency response plan, including options for distance learning.
Mountain View Los Altos High School District
● Schools: Open
● Events: Many are canceled. Access the full list here.
When it comes to local high schools, classes are being held as usual, for now. The district notes that children and teens have not been shown to be high-risk becoming seriously ill from the virus. The district recommends that students who feel ill stay home, according to a March 6 statement from the Mountain View Los Altos High School District.
The district has ordered a number of portable washing stations to be placed in strategic areas at Los Altos, Mountain View and Alta Vista high schools, as well as at Freestyle Academy, to encourage student hand-washing.
As of March 6, the district was working to develop a protocol for large gatherings like sports events and field trips.
"We are reviewing events and cancelling, if appropriate," said Superintendent Nellie Meyer in a statement.
As of March 10, many student events and trips were announced to be canceled or postponed. These include trips such as Los Altos High School's planned choir tour in New York City from March 13 to 17, and Mountain View High School's Madrigals Music Tour in New Zealand from March 27 to April 9 as well as a student acting trip to the Shakespeare Festival in Ashland, Oregon from April 3 to 7. Access the full list here.
If a student or staff member at a school is confirmed to have COVID-19, the county public health department will consider whether it's warranted to close the school.
State guidelines
In addition to what local schools are doing, California health leaders have released new guidance for school districts, colleges and universities on how to respond to COVID-19, including preparing for potential school closures.
"It's a question of when — not if — some California public schools will face closure because of COVID-19," said Gov. Gavin Newsom, who declared a state of emergency in California last week. "School districts must prepare for these scenarios so that parents and children can plan for what would happen if their local school faced closure."
If a local public health department has confirmed two or more community transmission cases but no staff or students at a school have tested positive for COVID-19, the state Department of Public Health is recommending schools limit visitors; consider alternatives to large group events, such as assemblies; stagger recess time to limit the number of students who are together; and consider relaxing requirements for a doctor's note for students to come back to school after an illness.
Under this scenario, the state suggests not allowing anyone with symptoms of fever and/or respiratory infection or who have traveled in the last two weeks to an area identified as a level 3 travel health notice (avoiding all nonessential travel) to come to schools. Teachers and staff with any symptoms should not come to work and others should self-screen daily, including checking for fever or cough, before interacting with students, the state said. Districts should ensure sick leave policies to allow teachers and staff with symptoms to stay home.
If a single student, teacher or staff member tests positive for the new coronavirus and exposed others at school, public health officials suggest schools consult with their local public health departments to determine whether a school closure is warranted and for how long, "based on the risk level within the specific community as determined by the local public health officer." Schools should consider developing a plan for how to continue educating students, as well as to provide meal plans and medical and social services.
In this scenario, schools should remind parents, teachers and staff "of the importance of community social distancing measures while school is closed, including discouraging students or staff from gathering elsewhere," the guidance reads. Other measures include canceling group activities or events, religious services, after-school classes and athletic events.
Schools should also develop communication plans and send information to parents and staff about labor laws, paid family leave, disability insurance and unemployment insurance, the state said. (The California Employee Development Department is encouraging people who are unable to work due to exposure to COVID-19 to file a disability insurance claim.)
Before reopening a campus, school administrators should review Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines to determine if additional cleaning protocols should be implemented.
In the most extreme scenario — multiple schools within a school district have a student, teacher or staff member test positive for the new coronavirus — administrators should consult with local public health officials to decide whether additional school closures are necessary.
"Closing schools is a difficult decision as it has impacts on families and employers," the guidance reads. "The state will continue to assess the situation and provide information as needed."
State education and health leaders also urged "schools to ensure students' and staffs' privacy to help prevent discrimination or unnecessary stigmatization."
The Department of Public Health issued similar guidance for colleges and universities. Additional recommendations for higher-education institutions include immediately contacting their local public health department if administrators notice "concerning clusters of respiratory disease or spikes in absenteeism," and isolation guidelines for students, teachers or staff who test positive for COVID-19.
If more than five students, faculty or staff at a college or university test positive, administrators should work with local public officials on whether to close the campus.
At Stanford University, which moved all in-person classes online starting Monday, a School of Medicine faculty member has tested positive for the new coronavirus and two undergraduate students were in self-isolation this weekend after possible exposure. On Sunday, the university announced that it was not aware of any Stanford students who have tested positive for the new coronavirus.
Public health officials continue to remind schools and the broader public of the precautions anyone should take to prevent the spread of the new coronavirus, including washing hands frequently; covering sneezes or coughs; avoiding touching eyes, nose or mouth with unwashed hands; staying home when sick; and seeking immediate medical care if symptoms become more severe.
Read the state's full guidance for schools here and college and universities, here.
Read our latest updates on local coronavirus cases here.
This story will be updated as more information becomes available.
Comments
Cuesta Park
on Mar 9, 2020 at 4:52 pm
on Mar 9, 2020 at 4:52 pm
Why such weak language? Are they afraid of the coronavirus or of offending/triggering all the morons who put themselves in ahead of community safety?
"the district will... ask anyone". How about PROHIBIT??
"Spectators should stay at arm's length." How about WILL??
"the state suggests not allowing anyone" How about PROHIBIT??
"to encourage student hand-washing. How about REQUIRE??
Another Mountain View Neighborhood
on Mar 9, 2020 at 5:09 pm
on Mar 9, 2020 at 5:09 pm
Due to repeated violations of our Terms of Use, comments from this poster are automatically removed. Why?
Monta Loma
on Mar 9, 2020 at 5:33 pm
on Mar 9, 2020 at 5:33 pm
It's okay to cancel all of the music concerts and field trips but not indoor sports games? What is going on? That makes NO SENSE.
Another Mountain View Neighborhood
on Mar 9, 2020 at 7:30 pm
on Mar 9, 2020 at 7:30 pm
@Parent: Social distancing is a lot easier for a small team sport with a relatively small event attendance. The auditoriums are usually quite full for the concerts and the music trips consist of two 7-hour incubators-on-wheels bus rides with multiple days in between in a theme park that mixes people from all over the place. But I agree the cancellation stinks. Covid-19 stinks.
Think that people are trying to do their best to cancel/postpone the minimum vs just canning everything now. At least the risk is still low enough that the schools aren’t closing. That’s gonna be a whole other experience when it happens. Check out what’s going on in Elk Grove...
Monta Loma
on Mar 9, 2020 at 7:54 pm
on Mar 9, 2020 at 7:54 pm
The state should count as in school any student online or otherwise engaged in school work. That way, school districts that get paid based on attendance will not have the incentive to require in-person teaching when there is a smarter alternative and students will continue to progress but not risk getting or carrying the.virus.
Old Mountain View
on Mar 10, 2020 at 11:40 am
on Mar 10, 2020 at 11:40 am
Who is thinking about the seniors who are most at risk? The people who work at the senior homes need to be protected, but when their kids are in a situation where they are in close proximity and touching surfaces touched by hundreds of students when we know COVID-19 is established in the community, then despite the best precautions our seniors will sooner or later get the virus from the kids via their caregivers. While we lead the Bay Area with 43 cases and one death, the true extent of the number of infected in Santa Clara will become visible as tests become more available and accessible over the next week or two and infected people start experiencing symptoms (since it there is much more of a delay than with the flu).
North Whisman
on Mar 10, 2020 at 1:24 pm
on Mar 10, 2020 at 1:24 pm
Many of you parents keep your kids in a bubble, this Coronavirust feeds right into your thinking.
Another Mountain View Neighborhood
on Mar 10, 2020 at 3:35 pm
on Mar 10, 2020 at 3:35 pm
This article explains why not closing schools now is short-sighted/dangerous (to Adults)
Web Link
Whisman Station
on Mar 10, 2020 at 6:01 pm
on Mar 10, 2020 at 6:01 pm
It seems that only sick people or their contacts are being tested. They should additionally test random samples of healthy people in the general community. This would provide data, rather than guesses, about community spread.
The methods of statistical inference allow conclusions to be drawn about an entire population from a relatively small sample, so this would not require a large number of test kits.
Another Mountain View Neighborhood
on Mar 11, 2020 at 8:44 am
on Mar 11, 2020 at 8:44 am
The bus response is exactly why class should be canceled. 33 kids in a confined room touching the same surfaces over and over. Then using the some computers, bathrooms and recess equipment that hundreds use! These aren't wiped down... how many students have been tested? 2 week incubation think of how many kids would be exposed... and being it home! If adults in companies (who can exercise far more caution!!) are being told to stay home..the kids should be their work place is far dirtier and far more underfunded/staffed for cleaning! There are days vacuuming/garbage/sink cleaning gets skipped on an average day.. now suddenly deep cleaning gets done in similar time?? Do you trust in that.. ?
Maybe it is time for the state to shut down schools. Who wants to be responsible if this goes too far and we get a revolving door of seriously sick kids? Not me.
another community
on Mar 11, 2020 at 1:33 pm
on Mar 11, 2020 at 1:33 pm
The students seem not to be at too much risk but schools have many older staff members. I have not seen any recommendations that take into account their health which it seems would be at risk from the many young people that may be carrying the virus but not looking very ill.
another community
on Mar 11, 2020 at 3:23 pm
on Mar 11, 2020 at 3:23 pm
I no longer live in Mountain View, but we are having similar conversations up here in Contra Costa County. Teachers and school staff members are in disbelief that the schools are still open. We need to close the schools down to protect our vulnerable populations of elderly and immunocompromised people. We can set up a situation where children can pick up lunches at parks, like they do in the summers. Childcare will be an issue, but with many companies offering work from home, it could work in the short term for many. I don't have the perfect answer, but what we are doing currently simply will not work to mitigate this pandemic.
Martens-Carmelita
on Mar 11, 2020 at 3:59 pm
on Mar 11, 2020 at 3:59 pm
At the current exponential growth rate, schools are definitely going to close in the next couple of weeks. Knowing that, in order to flatten the curve and not overwhelm our healthcare system, I think we need to close schools immediately.
A lot of kids in our neighborhood come home to mixed-generation families, including babies and grandparents with weaker immune systems. Do we really need to wait until the first elementary schooler tests positive to shut down schools? By then the virus could be transmitted to dozens or hundreds of folks in the community.
I'm not trying to induce panic...but we need some swift action now to keep this thing at bay as long as possible until there's better testing and some treatment available.
Whisman Station
on Mar 11, 2020 at 4:24 pm
on Mar 11, 2020 at 4:24 pm
Schools across the Bay Area are closing now for at least 2 weeks if not more. The Catholic Archdiocese has closed their 90 schools in Marin, San Francisco, and San Mateo counties from March 12 - March 25, 2020. What is the district waiting for? Close the school and limit exposure. They've had weeks to come up with a Remote Learning Plan for students.
The Crossings
on Mar 11, 2020 at 5:56 pm
on Mar 11, 2020 at 5:56 pm
I find it highly unlikely for MVLA high schools to close due to previous situations. For instance, during the paradise fire with toxic air pouring into the bay, the schools DID NOT CLOSE FOR TWO WHOLE DAYS. When they did close it down, it was too late. Many of the kids with asthma were having breathing difficulties and some kids felt nauseous. Do you expect MVLA to close when it should be? Nope. I don’t think Mvla would even bother closing when there is a case tied to one of their high schools. When they respond, it is always too late, this is very frustrating for everyone from staff to parents to students. Mvla please up your gain and protect your employees, students, and their families.
Another Mountain View Neighborhood
on Mar 11, 2020 at 6:50 pm
on Mar 11, 2020 at 6:50 pm
St Francis just advised closing for two weeks - close all the schools.
Another Mountain View Neighborhood
on Mar 11, 2020 at 6:53 pm
on Mar 11, 2020 at 6:53 pm
St Francis just advised families at 5:30pm today that closing for two weeks until Mar 30th.
Rex Manor
on Mar 11, 2020 at 10:17 pm
on Mar 11, 2020 at 10:17 pm
PYT will not close its shows down. Children who ask about this are reminded that they will upset other kids who are participating. It makes no sense.
Old Mountain View
on Mar 12, 2020 at 3:56 pm
on Mar 12, 2020 at 3:56 pm
Why do we have to wait for children or teachers to test positive before the schools close? This is a once in 100 year type of pandemic. Maybe we should take it seriously for the sake of each other, if not for ourselves.
Shoreline West
on Mar 12, 2020 at 4:01 pm
on Mar 12, 2020 at 4:01 pm
As a substitute teacher in Palo Alto I asked the students what they would do if they were in charge.
"Close all the schools until June 12th!!!" came the near shouted reply.
"But wouldn't that extend the current year into August?" I asked.
"Not if the Governor says the year would count - even if it was short," they all stated.
OK Governor, I guess you have your marching orders!
Smart kids.
Cuesta Park
on Mar 12, 2020 at 4:06 pm
on Mar 12, 2020 at 4:06 pm
MVWSD is responding to a potential emergency situation that they. have long officially prepared for. That is why they were able to clearly respond with a written update plan - to their previously officially adopted Pandemic Plan on March 6, when the other public districts mentioned were "working" or would adopt "emergency" written plans 3 days later.
March 12 MVWSD update
Web Link
Congratulations to the MVWSD Admin who have been updating their protocol - under direction of the County Public Health Office, as the board adopted policy anticipated.
- Note - every public high school in SF has not been closed! Elderly people or others with preexisting health concerns SHOULD SELF QUARANTINE, so they do not expose themselves. Maybe the District can figure out how to allow 'work from home' for some of these employees. For instance - preparing lesson plans or Skype from home input into a school room with a substitute.
May of us do not support - complete suspension of all public schools. Too many kids and families swept up in unintended consequences (poor - living check to check ? now deal with THIS!)
Whisman Station
on Mar 12, 2020 at 5:01 pm
on Mar 12, 2020 at 5:01 pm
The Republic of Ireland has *ordered* all schools and colleges to be closed for a minimum of two weeks.
While it appears that children are not at much risk from this outbreak, it is also true that children in schools are very efficient spreaders of whatever viruses are going around. Closing the schools would definitely slow the spread of the virus. This is exactly what public health authorities have been asking for in order to even out the demand for emergency services over a longer period, and possibly provide eough time for developing and testing antivirals. (A vaccine will take longer.)
Do we want to see almost every family have a grandparent face serious illness? The time to act is now.
The Crossings
on Mar 12, 2020 at 5:21 pm
on Mar 12, 2020 at 5:21 pm
It's time to step up and make sacrifices. It could be a lot worse and could very well be our darkest hour if decisive action is not taken.
"Our grandfathers were drafted to go to war; we're being asked to stay at home," said Mr Di Maio Italian Foreign Minister
Old Mountain View
on Mar 12, 2020 at 7:16 pm
on Mar 12, 2020 at 7:16 pm
This afternoon I asked a MV High music staff member why kids were still practicing their music together when the shows have been cancelled. He said that there was one more show this Saturday with no attendees. I asked him if he knew our county received special requests from the CDC yesterday to cancel all types of school related congregations. He said he knew and that he understood that the news was scary. Wow, was he responding to my factual news with an implication that I was a hysterical woman? I’m starting to understand why we aren’t closing our schools. Some of us are worried about the elderly and those with risk factors. And some of us are worried about looking chicken. Because there’s nothing worse than being compared to a scared and helpless girl.
Cuesta Park
on Mar 13, 2020 at 8:34 am
on Mar 13, 2020 at 8:34 am
The high school district is holding a meeting this morning at 9am to decide whether to close the schools.
Web Link
another community
on Mar 13, 2020 at 8:37 am
on Mar 13, 2020 at 8:37 am
@MV High Mom, that's the typical response now from anyone who doesn't want to cancel their particular event or gathering. I guess they can't understand the science that's staring us in the face, so they think we must be acting out of blind fear? Either very selfish - no ability to do what's best for the community and see that all of us are giving up things that are important or "essential" for now; or very ignorant - somehow thinking their particular gathering somehow is magically immune to the virus.
Cuesta Park
on Mar 13, 2020 at 9:57 am
on Mar 13, 2020 at 9:57 am
: ) maybe the music staff member needs to be Kneecaped? Just ignore the advice of dumbbells. (IMO) Send a letter to the Superintendent, with a copy to the Board of the MVLA District, on why you are completely ignoring the advice of that teacher, in this instance.
North Whisman
on Mar 13, 2020 at 12:04 pm
on Mar 13, 2020 at 12:04 pm
I think that one helpful thing that I read in a newspaper from Ireland this morning was to think about getting outside into the fresh air and to simply walk and refresh your mind and spirit and to provide some peace to yourself and your loved ones. This is true for all ages including children who may be out of school but can be encouraged to take some time to simply be by themselves in their yards or nearby neighborhoods with a bit of instruction to keep some essential distance with others. This is also good for middle-aged and seniors who need some rest and peace from too much stress. Finally, the other one was that there is a possibility that people can set up a means on the computer to assist older people and those people who cannot go out or who are afraid to leave their home with some basic food and any medical needs they may have such as prescriptions. These can be given to the person with words of encouragement or even left at the door of the person with an encouraging note if that seems appropriate. Just a couple of humble thoughts and prayers for Everyone and for our own Brothers and Sisters around us.