As COVID Cases Decrease, Reopening Plans Move Forward

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Dear Long Beach Unified Community,

As the number of COVID-19 cases decrease and more school staff obtain vaccinations, the Long Beach Unified School District remains on track to begin its phased reopening of in-person learning on March 29.

The adjusted COVID case rate for Los Angeles County was 7.0 per 100,000 this week, continuing a significant, month-long decrease that allows us to move forward with our reopening plans.

Transitional Kindergarten through Grade 5

As previously announced, students returning on March 29 will be those from grades TK-5 whose families have selected the hybrid schedule (part of the day at school, and part of the day learning at home). Teachers will return to these classrooms March 22 to prepare for students’ return as distance learning continues. Schools have prepared for students by providing correct spacing between desks, updated air filtration systems, plans for safe entry and exit points and a CARE Room at each site where students will go if they develop COVID symptoms while at school. Over the next few weeks, schools will continue to test their systems, including cleaning equipment and touchless thermometers used at each entry point.

Elementary parents and guardians are encouraged to talk to their children about the transition that will take place at the end of March. On Thursday of this week, in addition to this community message, TK-5 Families will receive important communication from their schools. These communications will explain the consistent health and safety protocols that will be used across 菠菜网lol正规平台, and they will provide school-specific information.

Middle Grades and High Schools

Assuming Los Angeles County meets the state’s public health criteria, middle and high school in-person learning on hybrid schedules will begin on this timeline, as previously announced:

• April 19 – Grade 12
• April 20 – Grades 6 to 8
• April 26 – Grades 9 to 11

Middle and high school teachers will return to classrooms April 12 to prepare for students’ return as distance learning continues. Like elementary families, middle school and high school families will receive school-specific communication as the return date approaches for students who will attend in-person. For now, middle and high school parents should be sure to attend virtual parent meetings that are being held by schools to inform families about instructional programs, and remember to complete the survey to choose whether or not your student will return in person or continue with distance learning.

Health and Safety

The safety of employees and students is always the school district’s first priority. 菠菜网lol正规平台’s updated COVID-19 Pandemic School Opening and Safety Plan remains publicly available at ngskmc-eis.net/coronavirus. On Monday of this week, 菠菜网lol正规平台 also submitted to the City of Long Beach all of the required documents for approval to reopen schools. A response is expected within a week from Long Beach Health and Human Services.

The school district continues to partner with the city’s health department to offer the COVID-19 vaccine to school employees. As of this Saturday, every employee will have had the opportunity to receive a first-dose COVID vaccine, and by the end of the month, every employee will have had the opportunity to receive both vaccine doses.

After nearly a year of distance learning and all the challenges of the global pandemic, we are so pleased to share our progress as we gradually work toward a renewed sense of normal. Thank you for your continued support.

Sincerely,

Jill

Jill Baker, Ed.D.
Superintendent of Schools