Communication from GGUSD

Masks strongly recommended but not required

Dear Families,

This is a reminder that due to updated guidance from the California Department of Public Health (CDPH), masks will be strongly recommended but not required indoors on school campuses beginning Monday, March 14.

We understand that this may not be an easy transition for all students.  GGUSD school staff are committed to fostering a safe and welcoming environment for all students.  We will move forward with an increased focus on kindness, empathy, and respect. Our mental health staff are available to support students dealing with anxiety regarding masks or any other topic.  

HAVE CONVERSATIONS ABOUT RESPECT
We encourage all GGUSD families to have conversations with your child(ren) about the importance of respecting the individual choices of their classmates as the district transitions to masks being strongly recommended but not required.  Please encourage your students not to make assumptions or judgements about other students and not to make negative comments about students’ personal decisions about wearing a mask/not wearing a mask. Whether or not students hold differing views on mask wearing, we can all be united in our actions to treat each other with kindness.  These conversations about the power of words and the need for respect are more important than ever.

MAINTAIN PERSONAL RESPONSIBILITY FOR HEALTH AND SAFETY  
As always, students and staff should continue to remain home when sick and are encouraged to take a test if they have symptoms or have a known exposure to COVID-19. GGUSD encourages students and families to practice frequent hand washing, cover their mouth when coughing, and report any symptoms or positive cases of COVID-19 to our school office as we continue to track all cases. Additionally, GGUSD schools will continue to utilize stringent cleaning and disinfecting practices as well as upgraded hvac systems that maximize the circulation of fresh outdoor air.

UPDATES from CDPH
CDPH issued updated guidance regarding health and safety procedures for K-12 schools. Click here for the revised guidance.

Regardless of vaccination status, individuals who test positive for COVID-19 must isolate at home for a minimum of 5 days and may return to school on day 6 or later with a negative test collected on day 5 or later if fever-free for 24 hours and symptoms improved. Without a negative test, students may return to school after 10 days of isolation.

GGUSD will continue to utilize the group tracing approach recommended by CDPH and the Orange County Health Care Agency that allows our schools to notify families when there has been a classroom exposure, but does not require the students in the class to quarantine at home unless symptoms develop.

Thank you for your partnership as we all work together to keep our schools safe.