Californian’s Largest Urban School Districts Prioritize the Highest Safety Standards to Welcome Students to In-Person Instruction

The following is a joint statement from San Francisco Unified School District, Los Angeles Unified School District, Long Beach Unified School District, Sacramento City Unified School District, San Diego Unified School District, and Fresno Unified School District:

"Children learn, love and thrive best when interacting face to face with adults and other  children. Bringing them back to in-person learning is crucial for their emotional and  mental development and well-being. This is why our school districts have prioritized the  highest safety standards and protocols at every campus to welcome our students back  for the 2021-22 school year. Learning is not just about textbook instruction but also  about extracurricular activities that our students missed while schools were closed.  Schools will offer full-day instruction, five days a week, along with meals and supports  for students to accelerate learning, sports, arts and social activities. 

Our school districts brought together health and science experts to help create  comprehensive school-based COVID-19 safety programs and inform our decisions to  safely return students to in-person instruction while maintaining the highest standards  for safety in public education. 

Consistent with the State’s updated public health guidance for TK-12 students, we will  ensure schools utilize the measures that have proven effective for protecting students  and staff, including masking, vaccines and ventilation. Ventilation systems are in place and we are providing necessary supplies including masks and personal protective  equipment. Custodial staff are prepared to keep our schools clean and safe. Access to  vaccinations will continue. We will update these protocols as necessary to be consistent  with the latest State and county public health guidelines. 

California’s urban school districts are well-prepared for a restart of in-person teaching  and learning, with protective measures in place to ensure students receive the personal  support they need from their teachers and other school staff. After a year and a half  being mostly housebound because of the pandemic, this is what our students deserve."

The 2021-22 school year begins on Aug. 16, 2021 in the San Francisco Unified School District.

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