Santa Clara County Coronavirus Information

From the Los Gatos Unified School District:

March 12, 2020

Dear Los Gatos Union School District Community,

We have been in close contact with officials from the Santa Clara County Public Health Department and the County Office of Education monitoring the COVID-19 developments. Every day, superintendents from all districts in the county have been closely collaborating and receiving updates from medical experts, including Director of Public Health Dr. Sarah Cody. These meetings have yielded updated guidance and all school districts in Santa Clara County are following these guidelines.

Updated Guidance as of March 12, 2020

School Closures
At this time, the Public Health Department is not recommending broad public school closures. Schools provide essential services with multiple community benefits. Among other reasons, individuals under 18 years of age have been identified as a low-risk group relative to the virus. If a staff member or student in a specific school is confirmed to have COVID-19, the Public Health Department will consider, based on the specific facts and circumstances of that case, whether closure of that school is warranted.

As educational professionals we rely heavily on the medical expertise of the Santa Clara County Public Health Department. These recommendations may be updated upon further evaluation and assessed public health need. As of this evening, LGUSD schools will remain open.

As a precautionary measure, we are developing plans to provide continuity of learning should school closures occur.

Visitors
Only parents/guardians and adults employed by Los Gatos Union School District, either as an employee or through an agreement to provide services to LGUSD, shall be allowed on school premises. Parents/guardians shall limit their time on school premises to the dropping off and picking up of students. All adult activities at LGUSD schools shall be postponed or cancelled. The purpose is to reduce the number of visitors in and out of safe learning environments.

Event Cancellations
All non-essential meetings and gatherings of students, staff, and parents are cancelled or postponed. LGUSD sporting events and practices are suspended until further notice.

We will continue our partnership with the Public Health Department and provide updates as they become available. Thank you for your patience and support during these uncertain times.

Sincerely,
Los Gatos Union School District Administration

This press release was produced by the Los Gatos Unified School District. The views expressed here are the author’s own.