Masks Mandate for Ventura County Students Ends after March 11

Masks Strongly Recommended but not Required

Students at public and private K-12 schools in Ventura County and throughout California will no longer be required to wear masks after March 11, regardless of their vaccination status. Governor Gavin Newsom’s administration made the announcement today, saying COVID-19 conditions have sufficiently improved to warrant the change.

The state’s decision to lift the mask mandate for students is in line with guidelines issued Friday by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The CDC says schools should only mandate masks when COVID cases and hospitalizations are high in the counties where they are located. Ventura County’s rates are in the medium category according to the CDC’s website.

Even after the mask mandate is lifted, state and local health officials strongly recommended students continue to wear them to help keep COVID-19 case numbers on their current downward trend. Anyone who would like to keep wearing a mask at school is encouraged to do so, and most schools will continue making masks available to students and staff.

Dr. César Morales, Ventura County Superintendent of Schools, was selected to provide a public education perspective to state decision-makers who develop the masking policies that local schools must follow. He relayed the concerns of those who feel that masks are uncomfortable for children and hinder learning. He also shared the worries of educators who feel uneasy about teaching in classrooms with unmasked students. He emphasized that the mask policy should be applied universally to all students, whether they are vaccinated or not, so no student feels singled out.

“This is a difficult issue with strongly held opinions on both sides, and I want to thank the many people who have reached out to me to share their views,” Dr. Morales said. “Because the state made masks optional in most public places earlier this month, I believe it’s appropriate that the same rules apply at schools. We are entering a new phase of the pandemic, and I am happy to see schools taking another step toward returning to normal.”

Schools are required to enforce the student mask mandate through March 11. Between now and then, parents and guardians can help prevent learning disruptions by having their students wear masks to school. Schools that lift the mandate before it’s allowed by the state risk significant liability issues and the potential loss of their insurance coverage.

Masks will continue to be required for school employees working with students, who are subject to rules established by the California Division of Occupational Safety and Health (Cal/OSHA). Cal/OSHA has not yet indicated when it will update its masking guidelines for school employees.

Throughout the pandemic, schools have been among the safest places for students to be, with most virus transmission happening off-campus. In addition to encouraging the voluntary use of masks, schools will continue using other safety measures, including improved ventilation and enhanced cleaning protocols. Parents and guardians have an important role to play as well by being vigilant about keeping students home when they are sick.

For the latest information about COVID-19 and Ventura County Schools, please visit www.vcoe.org/COVID-19.

About the Ventura County Office of Education
The Ventura County Office of Education provides a broad array of fiscal, training and technology support services to local school districts, helping to maintain and improve lifelong educational opportunities for children, educators and community members. VCOE also operates schools that serve students with severe disabilities and behavioral issues, provides career education courses, and coordinates countywide academic competitions including Mock Trial and the Ventura County Science Fair. Learn more at: www.vcoe.org.

Piru Pediatric COVID-19 Vaccine Clinic Friday March 4th & Friday March 25th, 2022 From 2PM to 6PM Ages 5 to 11 Appointments and Walk-ins Welcome [English/Spanish]

Bring proof of age and immunization card. For children 5 to 11 years of age, a parent or legal guardian must accompany the minor to the vaccination site, provide verification of identity and relationship, and give verbal consent for the minor to be vaccinated.

Where:
Piru Elementary School
3811 Center Street
Piru CA 93040

When:
Friday March 4th & Friday March 25th, 2022 From 2PM to 6PM.

Schedule your child’s using the link or QR code below:
https://myturn.ca.gov/?config=3eaabca6-67ba-4fe2-a157-08d6b546f10d

 
 

FREE WEBINAR: Understanding and Managing Stress: Positive Self-Care for our Times [English/Spanish]

Join us for this special community webinar. Learn techniques to manage stress and enhance your health and well-being.

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 24th
12:00 NOON – 1:30 PM
Register Now for this Free Zoom Event at www.vcbh.org/self-care

Acompáñanos en este seminario web comunitario muy importante. Aprenda técnicas para manejar el estrés y para mejorar tu salud y bienestar.

JUEVES 24 DE FEBRERO
12:00 MEDIODÍA – 1:30 PM
Regístrate ahora para este evento de Zoom gratuito www.vcbh.org/cuidado-personal

State to Consider Lifting School Mask Mandate in Two Weeks

Starting this Wednesday, vaccinated Californians will no longer be required to wear masks in public places, but the mask mandate will remain in effect for K-12 schools for at least two more weeks. Today, the state set February 28 as the date to consider lifting the mask requirement at schools. Dr. Mark Ghaly, Secretary of the California Health & Human Services Agency, made the announcement today, saying that additional time is needed to evaluate the latest data about the spread of COVID-19.

Dr. César Morales, Ventura County Superintendent of Schools, says he believes the time has come for the state to have a uniform mask policy for schools and the community. “With COVID-19 case numbers declining and the fact that schools are among the safest places in our community, I believe the mask mandate should be lifted at schools at the same time it is for the rest of the state,” he said. “Even after masks become optional, anyone who wants to continue using them should feel comfortable doing so. I’m confident schools will remain safe environments for students and staff by adhering to required safety protocols. Families have an important role to play as well by keeping kids home whenever they have symptoms.”

For now, the existing requirement that students and staff wear masks indoors at school remains in effect. “I urge everyone to remember that local school districts do not have the authority to lift school mask mandates before the state decides to do it,” Dr. Morales said.

For the latest information about COVID-19 and Ventura County schools, please visit www.vcoe.org/COVID-19.

Ventura County Sheriff’s Department Informed Fillmore Unified Today Suspicious Subject Approached FUSD Student Walking Home From School [Police Request Public Assistance]

Dear Families, 

Good evening. The Ventura County Sheriff’s Department informed the district of a report filed today regarding a suspicious subject who approached a FUSD student while he was walking home from school on February 8, 2022. 

On Tuesday, February 8th, at about 5:20 PM, a 15-year-old boy was walking home from school when he was approached by a male suspect who was driving a white older 80’s model Toyota Sport Utility Vehicle. The suspect attempted to lure the juvenile into his vehicle on Ventura Street near Mountain View Street in the city of Fillmore. The juvenile did not comply with the suspect, instead he said he was going to call the police, the suspect drove away from the juvenile, eastbound on Ventura Street. 

All schools will have staff members visibly posted outside of each school site. It’s important to remind your children of important safety habits and “Stranger Danger.” Children walking to and from school should be aware of their surroundings and walk home with a friend, if possible. If they see something that is unusual, they should immediately report it to an adult, either a school staff member, or to the police. If your child reports something to you, report it to a school staff member, or the police. 

Please see attached to this post the full press release by the Ventura County Sheriff’s Department.

Thank you for your support. Let’s keep working together to keep our students safe.

Thank you,
Christine Schieferle, Superintendent
Fillmore Unified School District

Next Pediatric COVID-19 Vaccine Clinic Wednesday, February 23rd, 2PM to 6PM Ages 5 to 11 [English/Spanish]

Bring proof of age and immunization card!

Each child must have their individual appointment. Schedule your child’s appointment at: https://myturn.ca.gov/?config=a8ad5532-4f7c-4d5b-b59b-676ef748d884

Or scan here:

 
 

Pfizer vaccine available for your child age 5 to 11 years old, a parent or legal guardian must accompany the minor to the vaccination site, provide verification of identity and relationship, and give verbal consent for the minor to be vaccinated.

Where:
Fillmore Unified School District, Room 28
627 Sespe Ave.
Fillmore, CA 93015

When:
Wednesday, February 23rd, from 2:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.

Followup Pediatric COVID-19 Vaccine Clinic Ages 5 to 11, Tuesday February 15, 2022 from 2:00 to 6:00 p.m. [English/Spanish]

Pfizer vaccine available for your child age 5 to 11 years.

Bring proof of age and immunization card.For children 5 to 11 years of age, a parent or legal guardian must accompany the minor to the vaccination site, provide verification of identity and relationship, and give verbal consent for the minor to be vaccinated.

Where:
Fillmore Unified School District, Room 28
627 Sespe Ave.
Fillmore, CA 93015

When:
Tuesday, February 15, 2022 from 2:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.

Each child must have their individual appointment. Schedule your child’s appointment at: https://myturn.ca.gov/?config=7a596e95-85eb-4294-8458-5e77467f2c4d

or scan here:

 
 

To find more COVID-19 vaccination clinics for your 5to 11-year-old child, visit https://www.vaccines.gov or call 1-800-232-0233 (TTY 888-720-7489).

Community Workshop Part 2, Thursday February 3rd at 6:00pm [English/Spanish]

This community workshop is designed to support parents and families of English Learners as well as parents and families wanting to learn more about language acquisition.

A partnership presentation between Fillmore Unified School District and Ventura County Office of EducationPresented by Dr. Leticia Ramos, Director, Instructional Support Services for Ventura County Office of Education.

Please join us for this virtual event. ZOOM LINK: https://zoom.us/j/95597221509

Este taller comunitario está diseñado para apoyar a los padres y las familias de los estudiantes de inglés, así como a los padres y las familias que desean aprender más sobre la adquisición del idioma.

Una presentación de asociación entre el Distrito Escolar Unificado de Fillmore y la Oficina de Educación del Condado de VenturaPresentado por la Dra. Leticia Ramos, Directora de Servicios de Apoyo Instruccional de la Oficina de Educación del Condado de Ventura.

Únase a nosotros para este evento virtual. ZOOM LINK: https://zoom.us/j/95597221509

More info at blog.fillmoreusd.org