New school year
COVID-19 protocols in place as students return to campuses
The new school year in the Mother Lode is underway, and almost all students from kindergarten through college have returned to some form of in-person learning.
But this year — though offering some respite from the uncertain previous year upset by campus closures and hybrid systems — is far from a return to normal.
“After being isolated for so long, it was both figuratively and literally a breath of fresh air,” said Ricki Lee Corba, 21, of Twain Harte, who is studying chemistry at Columbia College for an associates of science transfer degree. “Being on campus has given me the optimism that my degree is achievable, and I’m not dealing with this pandemic alone.”
Brian Sanders, vice president of instruction at Columbia College, said last year that the only option for students — with an exception being the fire academy — was through online courses.
Now, approximately 50% of classes have some or all of their class time on campus and services such as admissions, registration and food are offered again.
“We have been thrilled to welcome our students back, to see their smiling eyes and help them move forward to explore their futures at Columbia College,” he said.
In Tuolumne County K-12 public schools, all students are back in their classrooms with safety precautions and restrictions in place to limit the spread of the COVID-19 delta variant, which has
recently surged infection rates and increased deaths, particularly in Tuolumne County.
“We are hopeful that community members will work alongside school districts to create a safe environment for students to attend school by following the (California Department of Public Health) requirements on masking, accessing vaccinations, and working with Tuolumne County Public Health and school officials to track close contacts.,” said Tuolumne County Superintendent of Schools Cathy Parker. “It is only by working together that we can help our children access quality educational experiences.”
Following the rules
The county is following the CDPH mandate on K-12 public schools, which requires verification of vaccination for eligible K-12 school workers and diagnostic weekly screening testing of unvaccinated workers. Full implementation of this system is required by October.
Almost all kindergarten through sixth graders are unvaccinated and will not be eligible for vaccines at the outset of the 2021-22 school year, according to the CDPH. Additionally, only 41% of Californians between the age of 12 and 17 were fully vaccinated as of Aug. 11.
Calaveras County Unified School District Superintendent Mark Campbell said because the delta variant is a concern, it is critical that safety protocols be followed, such as masking indoors, hand hygiene, sanitizing classrooms daily, parental screens, diligent contact tracing if there are positive cases and enforcing quarantine protocols.
Those precautions are common to schools throughout the Mother Lode.
Summerville High School had a successful safety procedureimplementation last year, Superintendent Mike Merrill said, and they hope to continue that level of student and staff cooperation now.
Last year, the school went from distance learning and a hybrid system before moving completely to in-person learning with restrictions.
“We ask for everyone to work together to keep our doors open for in-person education for all,” he said. “We were successful last year, and I want to see the same for this year.”
Sonora Union High School District Superintendent Ed Pelfrey also echoed other administrators when he said the district’s campuses will be adhering to CDPH guidelines on indoor face coverings for students and staff.
Pelfrey said the district also recognizes students with “HERO points” for meeting expectations in attendance, engagement and assignments, and staff are encouraged to include face covering compliance.
“Both sites had a great first day,” he said. “Enrollment has been increasing. While no one enjoys masking, our students have been very cooperative and appeared thankful to have the in-person instruction on campus.”
Tami Beall, superintendent of Sonora Elementary School District, said it will employ a rotation of eating time outside so there is more space between students.
The district also plans to build three outdoor classroom settings. Beall provided examples of one wooden, roofed building and an outdoor amphitheatre, as an alternative learning location, maskfree.
Otherwise, like the other schools, masks are required inside.
“It is the absolute expectation,” she said. “Teachers will use positive reinforcement regarding mask wearing. Administrators will intervene if a student is having a hard time with the mask issue.”
Containing outbreaks
Tuolumne County has detailed a close-contact quarantine system delineating how students and staff should react to exposure to COVID-19. If they’re symptomatic, they’ll be excluded from school and asked to take a COVID-19 test.
If the test is positive, they’ll be isolated for 10 days. If the test is negative, they’ll return to school within 24 hours of not having symptoms. Vaccination status and the conditions of the contact may allow for the student to remain in school without symptoms, or prompt them to isolate themselves.
Columbia College will also “strongly encourage” student and staff vaccinations.
“Only when the vast majority of our educational community is vaccinated will we be able to return to fully normal operations on campus — and that is my primary goal,” Sanders said.
Columbia College is mandating masks in all campus buildings unless students or staff are working alone in their own workspace, according to a directive by the Yosemite Community College District Board of Trustees. There is social distancing in classrooms and increased cleaning of touched and shared spaces.
Failure to follow the mask mandate is a violation of the student code of conduct and grounds for discipline or suspension.
“In practice, our faculty and staff are gently and patiently reminding students of the mandate,” Sanders said. “In essence, ‘You don’t have to like it. You just have to do it.’ Our goal is to calm any storms before they really get going.”
Columbia College offers a COVID notification form for those who test positive, which initiates contact from college employees and allows for non-attendance in class. It also offers alternative online and outside services for those who do not wish to follow the mandate.
Encouraging vaccinations
At this time, there are no schools offering a “vaccine day,” or on-campus efforts made for eligible students to receive the vaccine, but Merrill said they may do so in the future.
Merrill said vaccinations, for those who are of age and eligible, are also recommended.
“We are making sure that all students and staff are masked indoors, and we will follow our safe reopening plan that our board approved with fidelity,” he said.
Columbia College has also had “discussions” about the subject, Sanders said, though they believe vaccinations have been widely available in the community for a long time and they do not believe students who want to be vaccinated haven’t done so due to access or availability.
Earlier this month, a teacher at Sutter Creek Elementary School in Amador County was assaulted by a parent during an argument over the masking requirement for their child.
No school administrations in Tuolumne or Calaveras counties interviewed by The Union Democrat have an expectation for conflict and are instead saying they are promoting dialogue in order to find appropriate solutions.
“Never say never, but to date, this level of contentiousness has not been our reality,” Campbell said.
Merrill said he anticipates support from the community on the requirements, just as they did last school year.
“Anyone with questions or concerns should direct those to our school administration and me so that we know what the concerns are and we can find appropriate solutions,” he said.
Columbia College also offers administrative levels of review on grievances, but Sanders believes that the “mountain community” will not face confrontations seen elsewhere.
“We are cognizant, alert, and quick to respond, but not concerned per-se,” he said.
Most schools offer some form of independent study if parents do not wish to have their children masked in school, like Ted Bird High School in the Sonora Union High School District.
“We understand that some parents may prefer to have their students participate in independent study at this time,” Pelfrey said.
Sonora Elementary has about 10 students in its independent study program at this time, Beall said, with a teacher who is in charge of that program.
However, despite the restrictions that limit close contact, there is a palpable excitement for normalcy and camaraderie on campuses.
Summerville High School held its orientation on Monday, which included a scheduled pickup and picture day, and a barbecue provided by the Soroptimist and Rotary clubs.
“Good to have it back after missing it last year due to the school closure,” Merrill said.
Calaveras High School held its first football game, and Toyon Middle School held a dance last Friday, which Campbell said provided a healthy opportunity to connect.
“We are short-staffed every day, and it is all hands on deck to keep classes covered and schools operating. All that said, despite the challenges we face, we are very excited to be open and serving and supporting our students in person, where we should be,” Campbell said.
Most Tuolumne County schools began on Wednesday, though Sonora High School and county programs began on Tuesday, Twain Harte School on Monday, and Summerville Elementary School on Aug. 18.