Bay Area school superintendents declare support for full, in-person learning

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Details on Michelle Obama School virtual grand opening Thursday
Michelle Obama School located at at 629 42nd St. in Richmond. (Photo by Mike Kinney)

County superintendents of schools for Contra Costa, Alameda, Marin, San Francisco, San Mateo and Santa Clara counties released a joint statement Friday supporting full, in-person learning for the 2021-22 school year.

“In accordance with the July 12, 2021 California Department of Public Health’s (CDPH) K-12 school guidance, the superintendents are eager for students and staff to begin their school year with in-person instruction that maximizes as much in-person instructional time as possible,” the joint statement said.

Superintendents are “strongly encouraging all who are eligible to receive the COVID-19 vaccination to be vaccinated as soon as possible and are educating the community about the requirement of universal masking while indoors on school campus,” according to the statement. All persons 12 years of age and older are eligible for the COVID-19 vaccine.

The West Contra Costa Unified School District recently released its 100-percent in-person learning reopening plan. The first day of school for WCCUSD is Aug. 16. Superintendent Dr. Kenneth Chris Hurst will hold information sessions on Facebook live on the reopening plan at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 3, and 9:30 a.m. Friday, Aug. 6.

According to the CDC guidance, a safe in-person learning environment includes vaccinations for all eligible individuals, universal masking in schools, more targeted quarantining practices and access to a robust testing program. Schools are also advised to ensure ample ventilation, cleaning and disinfecting of facilities.