Be COVID Ready!

Originally sent April 29, 2022

Dear SFUSD Community,

I am writing to inform you that health and safety remains SFUSD’s top priority as we observe the increase in COVID-19 case rates in San Francisco. When COVID-19 is circulating in the community, we expect to see cases appearing in schools and other spaces where children gather.  There are a lot of special end of year celebrations coming up. If you have COVID symptoms or test positive, please stay home. Please review the information and resources below to learn more about how to help keep your family and our schools as healthy as possible. 

According to the San Francisco Department of Public Health (SFDPH), COVID-19 cases in youth remain low and stable to date, and serious forms of illness and hospitalization in youth are extremely rare. Health officials continue to emphasize that schools are safe places for our children to learn, socialize and play. 

Be COVID-19 Ready

The San Francisco Department of Public Health (SFDPH) has outlined several ways for our community to be COVID-19 ready. Please be sure to take these actions to protect yourself and the community:

• Stay up to date on your vaccinations – including the primary series and boosters, when eligible. 
  • SFUSD and SFDPH are hosting vaccination clinics at select schools across the city. Getting vaccinated is one of the most important ways to slow the spread of COVID-19 in our schools and to prevent the worst symptoms of COVID-19.
• Keep a supply of rapid COVID-19 over-the-counter antigen test kits on hand. 
  • SFUSD offers on-site rapid antigen testing and take-home molecular test kits that can be picked up and dropped off at school sites for students and staff. Learn more about COVID-19 testing options at SFUSD.
• Know how to reach a doctor, especially if you are at high risk for severe illness. 
  • San Franciscans without health insurance or a doctor can access medical care and resources for COVID-19 through the San Francisco Health Network and community partners.
• Keep masks handy with well-fitted N95/KN95s, or cloth over surgical masks. While no SFUSD school or site may require indoor masking, masking is strongly encouraged. Masking resources and frequently asked questions (FAQs) are available on sfusd.edu in multiple languages.
• Plan ahead for a possible infection. You may need an isolation plan, a child-care plan, or a work plan.  
• Stay informed with trusted sources of information, such as SF.gov/covid. SFUSD will also frequently share up-to-date information and resources through sfusd.edu/COVID19.

Our community has demonstrated that we can take simple steps to build our resilience to the virus. SFDPH noted the following in a recent announcement:

• San Francisco has one of the highest vaccination rates in the country, with 84% of the total population vaccinated and 74 % of eligible people 12 and older boosted
• San Francisco is seeing children 5 and older getting vaccinated at high rates, with 72% for children ages 5 to 11, and over 90% for those 12-17 now fully vaccinated. These vaccinations are expected to protect children from serious disease.

To learn more about how to prepare for COVID, visit SF.gov/be-covid-ready. For general information about San Francisco's COVID resources, visit SF.gov/covid or call the San Francisco COVID Resource Center (CRC) at 628-652-2700  to learn about COVID-19 vaccines, find a vaccination site or book an appointment. As we navigate COVID-19, we appreciate you taking these steps so we can enjoy the last weeks of the school year with as many community members present as possible.  Thank you for your continued partnership.

Sincerely,

Dr. Vincent Matthews
SFUSD Superintendent