Schools prep for reopening next week
Most staff that want a vaccine got one
Ahead of Eureka City Schools reopening to K-12 students on Monday, Superintendent Fred Van Vleck said the district is taking the necessary precautions before students return to class.
Most notably, Van Vleck stated the majority of staff eligible for a COVID-19 vaccine have voluntarily received at least one scheduled dose or are on track to receive one.
“As far as we know, all of our staff members who wish to get vaccinated have either had their first vaccine, both their first and second vaccine or have an appointment to get their first vaccination,” Van Vleck said.
Last Thursday, the Eureka City Schools board decided inperson classes can resume Monday giving parents the option to
send their students to class if they feel it is safe to do so.
The district is following all state Public Health guidelines, Van Vleck said, and has submitted a COVID-19 safety plan to the county. These plans have been written in conjunction with county health authorities and there is communication between the district and the CDPH.
As part of reopening, all students are required to wear facial coverings and schools are providing at least four feet of social distancing space, with the recommended six feet of distance being available throughout most school areas. Classroom air systems are being equipped with HEPA and MERV 13 air filters to help keep the indoor air clean.
Bus capacity will be limited when schools reopen. If a family has the means to drop off their student at school, they are urged to do so. Families who rely on school bus services will be provided more information in the coming days.
While schools do not have a widespread testing protocol or equipment yet, staff will be monitoring students for coronavirus symptoms.
“As of the planned opening on Monday, March 1, there will not be any widespread testing,” he said.
Student testing equipment and a timeline to implement it is dependent on a deal for equipment being handled by state legislators, he said.
Overall, Van Vleck trusts the decision made by the ECS board, which he says has taken a lot of time and effort. The decision was made with full confidence in a return to the red tier, which Humboldt County shifted to this week.
“We just returned to the red tier and I certainly fully back their decision in creating and giving this option of in-person instruction to our students,” he said.
Van Vleck said parents have been largely positive about having a choice about how their children will be taking classes.
As educators, parents and students prepare for the return to class, the district superintendent is asking for patience from all parties
“We’re hopeful that our parents will be graceful in helping us come back to in-person instruction. We need that patience because this is something we have never done before, that is providing a combination of inperson and distance learning, so we are hopeful they are patient with the school site, the teachers and the district,” Van Vleck said.
“We need that patience because this is something we have never done before ... so we are hopeful they are patient with the school site, the teachers and the district.” — Superintendent Fred Van Vleck