Frequently Asked Questions about the 2021-2022 School Year
When is the first day of school this year?
ECESD is excited to welcome all students back on campus on Monday, August 23, 2021. Check with your child’s school for start times. The first day of school will be a minimum day with students excused at 12 noon.
Is registration required for all students, even those who attended last year?
Yes, every student must register on-line, every year. Information and instructions on how to do so can be found here: https://www.ecesd.org/apps/pages/index.jsp?uREC_ID=408604&type=d&pREC_ID=890115
If you need assistance, our Parent and Community Engagement Center (PACE) will be providing assistance. You can find more information about when at this link: https://www.ecesd.org/apps/pages/index.jsp?uREC_ID=2293871&type=d&pREC_ID=2209077
If you need assistance, our Parent and Community Engagement Center (PACE) will be providing assistance. You can find more information about when at this link: https://www.ecesd.org/apps/pages/index.jsp?uREC_ID=2293871&type=d&pREC_ID=2209077
What steps has ECESD taken to ensure my child’s safety when they return to school.
The District has invested state and federal funds to enhance our safety program, including, but not limited to:
· The hiring of Health Assistants at all school sites to assist with the monitoring of students for signs and symptoms of illness and to provide a safe space for sick children until their parents can pick them up. Additional pupil supervisors and custodians have also been employed to ensure facilities are sanitized and kept clean.
· The installation of sinks, paper towel and soap dispensers in almost every class, on every campus. This project has provided new sinks to over 100 classrooms in the district over the summer.
· The installation of shade structures that will allow for outdoor assemblies, an outdoor lunch space and a cooler place for students waiting for the bus or their parents. Each shade structure will have powerful fans to cool our students. This project is in process and expected to be completed by mid-October.
· New air scrubbers for our air conditioners have been installed across the district. The devices apply an extra level of filtering to keep air in our buildings cleaner and fresher.
· Sanitizers, masks, upgraded touchless plumbing fixtures and enhanced cleaning processes have been added to ensure our campuses remain safe.
· New furniture with anti-microbial tops will replace all classroom furniture to enhance the student’s experience and safety.
· Individual desk shields are available for every student in the district. While the shields will be required for each student while consuming food in the classroom, they will be optional and available for all students who desire to have one on their desk throughout the day.
· Each school has multiple temperature screening devices that allow students and staff to self-check for a temperature whenever they enter a campus.
· The hiring of Health Assistants at all school sites to assist with the monitoring of students for signs and symptoms of illness and to provide a safe space for sick children until their parents can pick them up. Additional pupil supervisors and custodians have also been employed to ensure facilities are sanitized and kept clean.
· The installation of sinks, paper towel and soap dispensers in almost every class, on every campus. This project has provided new sinks to over 100 classrooms in the district over the summer.
· The installation of shade structures that will allow for outdoor assemblies, an outdoor lunch space and a cooler place for students waiting for the bus or their parents. Each shade structure will have powerful fans to cool our students. This project is in process and expected to be completed by mid-October.
· New air scrubbers for our air conditioners have been installed across the district. The devices apply an extra level of filtering to keep air in our buildings cleaner and fresher.
· Sanitizers, masks, upgraded touchless plumbing fixtures and enhanced cleaning processes have been added to ensure our campuses remain safe.
· New furniture with anti-microbial tops will replace all classroom furniture to enhance the student’s experience and safety.
· Individual desk shields are available for every student in the district. While the shields will be required for each student while consuming food in the classroom, they will be optional and available for all students who desire to have one on their desk throughout the day.
· Each school has multiple temperature screening devices that allow students and staff to self-check for a temperature whenever they enter a campus.
Are masks required of all students?
Yes. Students must wear their masks when entering and exiting the school grounds and when inside classrooms or office spaces. Students must also wear them when they are going to the cafeteria, but may remove them when they are at a table that provides a barrier between students, which will be available at all schools. Masks are optional when students are at recess or participating in physical education (PE) outside.
Students with medical exemptions must provide the exemption from a doctor in advance of entering the campus. ECESD Health Services staff will verify the exemption to ensure it meets the criteria for a valid exemption. Those with exemptions will be required to use a face shield with a drape on the bottom edge. Additional information on masking can be obtained from the California Department of Public Health at the following address: https://www.cdph.ca.gov/Programs/CID/DCDC/Pages/COVID-19/Schools-FAQ.aspx
Is social distancing still required?
Physical distancing in no longer required, but students will be encouraged to physically distance themselves as much as possible, as appropriate.
Will students have to stay in their own cohorts like they did last year?
There is no longer a health directive requiring students stay with only their own class. Staff and students will be able to move around on campus without these restrictions in place.
Is there an alternative to my child attending in person this year?
Yes. The District’s Independent Study program is available for all students this year. This program requires each student to work from home independently with some teacher/staff support. If you would like more information on this program, you can find it at:
https://www.ecesd.org/apps/pages/index.jsp?uREC_ID=2357338&type=d&pREC_ID=2218734
https://www.ecesd.org/apps/pages/index.jsp?uREC_ID=2357338&type=d&pREC_ID=2218734
What if my child needs to be quarantined, or if the whole class or school needs to be quarantined?
Each situation is unique. If a student, class or school needs to be quarantined, you will be notified via phone call as soon as it is determined by local health officials that quarantine is required. Specific directions will be provided and every effort will be made to ensure a continuity of learning. It is very important that you provide the best phone number to the school at the time of enrollment.
Additionally, each child will be issued a Chromebook which will allow for a move to remote learning if required, once again, based on the uniqueness and length of the quarantine requirements.
Additionally, each child will be issued a Chromebook which will allow for a move to remote learning if required, once again, based on the uniqueness and length of the quarantine requirements.
Are uniforms still required of students?
Yes. School uniforms have been used by students in the ECESD since 1996. You can find the uniform code online at the following link:
https://4.files.edl.io/df60/04/30/21/181828-483d5a60-2b43-4009-8d6b-76d6782c9b22.pdf
https://4.files.edl.io/df60/04/30/21/181828-483d5a60-2b43-4009-8d6b-76d6782c9b22.pdf
Will meals be provided?
Yes! Both breakfast and lunch will be provided at no cost to all students who wish to have one. Students are also free to bring their own meals with them.
Will I be able to volunteer in my child’s classroom or as part of the PTO/PTA?
We plan to allow volunteers back on campus by September 20, after school has been in session for three weeks. Once allowed on campus volunteers will be required to attest that they have been vaccinated and may be asked for proof of vaccination prior to being allowed on campus. Volunteers must also provide contact information in the event contact tracing due to a positive COVID-19 case on campus is required. The guidelines for volunteers is subject to change as health conditions in the community change.