As a result of California Governor Newsom’s directive, collaboration with Del Norte County Health and Human Services Department of Public Health, and advice from our state’s public health experts, it has been determined that schools in Del Norte County are at low risk and are currently in a Scenario 1 situation (CDPH, School Guidance, March 7, 2020), which directs schools to take normal sanitary precautions, as no community member at this point has been found to be positive for the COVID-19 virus.
At this time, schools will remain open. However, out of an abundance of caution, we are following the recommendation that gatherings of 250 people or more or gatherings where at least six feet of social distancing between participants is not available, including district professional development, student clubs, athletic events for 6th-8th grade, or other non-essential gatherings, should be canceled or postponed until after April 10. Meetings and professional development may still be held in alternative formats, such as virtual meetings, conference calls, or webinars, as feasible. We also encourage students and staff to remain home if they are experiencing flu-like symptoms, fever, or respiratory infection-like symptoms. (CDPH, School Guidance, March 7, 2020)
In addition, parent/teacher conferences scheduled for the week of March 16 will be canceled as face-to-face meetings and will, instead, be held by phone at the time previously scheduled or requested.
Del Norte County Office of Education and Del Norte Unified School District will suspend all non-essential travel out of the District/County including, but not limited to, field trips and professional development. Our decisions are based on safety concerns for students, staff, and our community. We will be discussing athletics as a CIF region on Tuesday, March 17, as well. Currently, CIF guidance is to allow for cancellation of games without forfeiting. The decision to play or not remains a local decision.
At this time, our County Public Health Officer is not recommending school closure and the focus of limiting out of county travel is for the purpose of reducing contact “between individuals who have come together on a one-time or rare basis and who have very different travel patterns such as those coming from multiple countries, states or counties” (Gathering Guidance).
Please remember that information is changing daily and sometimes hourly. We will follow up with additional details as information is presented to us. To stay current on what is happening in Del Norte schools, please make sure to check our website at www.dnusd.org, Facebook page, and download the most current DNUSD app in the iTunes or Google Play stores. For information in case of an emergency or of an imminent school closure, the District will also email, text, and phone parents, as well as notify radio, tv, and news outlets.
Thank you for your patience and support.
