Q: Why can we return secondary students if case rates in Fresno County have not yet reached 25 per 100k population?
A: Fresno County Department of Public Health is in possession of real-time data for our local COVID conditions and based on continued declines in the daily case counts and positivity rates and based on these improvements and their continued work with CDPH released the county’s secondary schools that were already open to continue with their secondary student returns. They took similar action for elementary schools on February 3.
 
Q: The County’s Feb. 11 letter states that secondary students in Fresno County can return as early as Feb. 16, why are we waiting until the following week?
A: We recognize that giving families only a weekend is insufficient to prepare for a potentially significant change in their family’s schedule and we want to provide our secondary teams with time to do a final review of health and safety protocols with families and staff, and complete logistics that could not be finalized until we had a set date for return. Families are encouraged to use next week to review our health and safety guidance that students will follow while on campus, and to arrange transportation and schedules to allow for students enrolled in hybrid to be on site. Individual secondary schools will communicate specific details to families about their respective on-site safety procedures and plans for the first week on campus.

A: From learning loss and technology struggles to the social-emotional wellness crisis reported county-wide, many of our students are struggling with online learning. While our talented teachers are working their hardest to engage with students, many students rely on an in-person, on-campus school experience to learn. The CUSD Governing Board wants to provide parents a choice for their student to be able to return to campus with multiple state and county health and safety measures firmly in place.

Q: If local and state public health officials are issuing “guidance,” can’t Clovis Unified choose whether or not to follow them given guidance is just a suggestion?
A: No. The use of the term “guidance” by state and local public health officials has created much confusion. This term stems from executive orders issued by Governor Newsom. Based on his authority under the Emergency Services Act, Governor Newsom has issued executive orders directing all California residents to comply with orders and guidance of state and local public health officials and state public health directives. As a result, state and local public health officials have issued “guidance” that are mandatory and enforceable. (A copy of the Executive Orders can be viewed at the bottom of this page under "Executive Orders.") Separate and apart from the executive orders, both state and local public health officials have the authority under California statutes and regulations to address health and safety issues. Clovis Unified has sought throughout the pandemic to navigate almost daily changes in federal, state and local directives and guidance issued as California’s government responded to the evolving impact of the pandemic. We have carefully reviewed the various guidance to determine our obligations and the proper course of action for Clovis Unified in light of such obligations. Our compliance with the various guidance has allowed us to reopen and continue to operate safely for our employees and students.

A: Yes, the guidelines and protocols are aligned. Fresno County is part of the San Joaquin Valley Public Health Consortium that includes surrounding counties that all work very closely together. Fresno County regularly questions the state to ensure it is doing what is right for everyone based on science and implementing effective health and safety measures.

A: The more precautions that are taken, the more the risk of transmission is reduced.

A: The protocols will likely be in place until the vaccine for COVID has been widely distributed.  

A: We will follow the Fresno County Department of Public Health’s guidelines of screening students and staff for COVID symptoms prior to their coming on campus and conducting temperature checks. Anyone with a symptom on the screening list or fever is encouraged to stay home. Anyone presenting symptoms at school will be sent home and not return until they have had a negative COVID test or quarantined for 10 days and been fever-free for at least 24 hours. Please visit the Student & Staff Health page for complete details.

Q: Are all students and staff be required to wear masks? 

A: Yes, face coverings are required for all students and staff at all grade levels, as recommended by the CDC and the California Department of Public Health. Employees engaging in symptom screening will also wear face shields/safety glasses. Specialized service employees such as front office, food service and custodial will have additional PPE (personal protective equipment) available when necessary.

A: Each school site has developed site specific plans to conduct daily health screenings and to take temperature readings of students when they arrive at school. Staff members are conducting self-screenings and temperature checks daily. Parents are expected to complete a student health screening at home before school each day.  Site-specific plans and maps can be found on the Return to Campus page on each school’s website.

A: Students are spaced six feet apart in classrooms and class sizes are structured accordingly. Physical distancing and the accompanying reduction in students per classroom drove the need for hybrid schedules that blend instructional time on campus and off campus. Schools may consider using every available instructional space on campus, which could include an MPR or gym.

A: Every classroom has hand sanitizer supplied, and anyone entering a classroom (students/staff) is required to use it prior to entering the room. Teachers have been provided a hydrogen peroxide based, COVID-killing surface disinfectant (approved by the EPA) to be used as needed should there be shared classroom surfaces or desks. Hand washing is encouraged, sanitation stations are set up, and designated walking path routes around campus have been defined. See school websites for individual traffic flow maps, temperature check stations, and more.  (For more on campus cleaning and disinfecting, see the Campus Safety page and questions under “Campus Safety.”)

A: Anyone presenting with symptoms of illness while at school will be sent home. A student would be taken to an adult-supervised care room until a parent/guardian can pick him/her up. A person with symptoms would remain home for 10 days after showing symptoms and after they have been fever-free for 24 hours; he/she would be allowed to return sooner if they test negative on a COVID test and the symptoms have resolved. Students in the same household would also need to quarantine or test negative before returning to campus. (For complete contact tracing protocols and quarantine guidelines, see the “COVID-19 & Quarantine Guidelines” section on the Student and Staff Health page.)

A: Cases are reviewed on an individual basis and appropriate action taken accordingly. The Fresno County Department of Public Health has established an Academic Setting Medical Investigation Team that works with us to identify and complete appropriate notification and action dependent on each unique situation. A positive case is reported to the County and a tracing investigation is conducted to determine the contact source and exposure risks. A positive case is handled differently based on the type, frequency and health and safety measures followed in the person-to-person interaction. In the event of a positive case, Clovis Unified has a trained COVID Response Team that would be called to disinfect a classroom or area.

A: Because our schools have opened for on-site instruction, Clovis Unified is participating in surveillance testing coordinated by the Fresno County Department of Public Health.

A: Consistent enforcement of health and safety protocols is expected and monitored by site administrators who are regularly responsible for enforcing school rules.  

Q: What training has staff received to support health and safety protocols?
A: All employees have completed the following training through the Clovis Unified Human Resources Office:

A: A hybrid schedule includes a mix of on-site instruction and at home independent work. Please call or visit your school’s website for details about your school’s plan.

A: This is at the discretion of the school site/teacher. Some have students working on projects and assignments during off-site learning; others may continue live instruction online or use recorded lectures. Please call or visit your school’s website for details about your school’s plan.

A: Students with special needs continue to have mainstream opportunities, and class sizes are structured accordingly.

A: With families having been provided an option to move between online and in-person instruction and vice versa, some students had to change teachers.

A: Yes, students absent from school because of quarantining will be provided independent study work.

A: ASES programs have opened in a phased model that is consistent with the school sites on which the program is housed. 

A: Perfect attendance awards were suspended last Spring with no penalty for students in progress toward graduating with perfect K-12 attendance.

A: Schools are cleaned four times a day using a hydrogen peroxide disinfectant known to kill COVID on surfaces. High-use surfaces around campus, including offices and restrooms, are disinfected several times during the school day. Classrooms, restrooms and offices are fogged with a deep disinfectant each evening. Every morning disinfecting supplies for classrooms and sanitation stations are resupplied. During class time, teachers disinfect desks and any shared surfaces as needed.

A: Access to the area would be restricted until all CDC guidelines are followed. Steps taken would include utilizing Clovis Unified’s specially trained COVID Response Team to disinfect the area and surfaces using an EPA-approved, concentrated virucidal product that kills COVID.

A: Visitors, including volunteers, are not allowed on campus except in rare circumstances. In those cases, masks are required.

A: At such a time when school sites begin holding lunch on campus, grab-and-go breakfast and lunch will be available at no cost; students will also be allowed to bring their own lunch. Cafeteria staff will be wearing appropriate PPE, according to health and safety guidelines. Onsite lunch practices may include staggered lunch schedules, designated lunch areas and use of hand sanitizer for students before and after lunch. Custodial staff would clean and disinfect the cafeteria between lunch periods. (Note: Meals will continue to be distributed before school in drive-thru pick-up lines at designated campuses and bus stops for all students – both online and onsite. For specific locations and times, see the Campus Catering department page.)

A: Each school site has developed specific plans for student movement and pick-up/drop-off, available at each school's website.

Q. Why are other groups still using your campuses?
A. As some sectors of the economy have been allowed to resume, we have opened our facilities to some existing requests. However, under current conditions our facilities are not available for use by the public without an approved facility request, and in many cases, groups have been found using our facilities without such approval. We have asked members of the public to respect that our fields and school sites are not to be used for large group gatherings or organized events in compliance with current public health guidelines.

A: ASES programs have opened in a phased model that is consistent with the school sites on which the program is housed.

A: Campus Club is not available to the public while schools are conducting hybrid learning schedules as sites will need to maximize the use of campus spaces to create physical distancing. Campus Club is expected to resume for the public when schools are able to return to full, normal operations.

A: Like elementary schools, preschool programs have returned to in-person learning in phases based on the needs of the individual community and school site where they are located.

A: Yes, students who select "Hybrid" or "Online" through their comprehensive site when a return to campus is allowed, can participate in co-curriculars and athletics if they meet regular eligibility requirements. Students enrolled in Clovis Online Charter School are not eligible to participate in the comprehensive site co-curricular programs.

A: Students with special needs continue to have mainstream opportunities, and class sizes are structured accordingly.

Q: Is the COVID-19 instructional model for general education the same for special education programs?
A. Special education programs follows the regular traditional model. Families should contact the Special Education Department with any request for alternate methods of instruction. Instruction for students will be developed and implemented consistent with applicable laws.
 
Q: How does the number of support staff in a classroom affect capacity?
A. The number or support staff is considered in capacity of a classroom. The program administrator or director monitors program numbers.

Q: What if I have more questions about my child’s situation?
A. Please contact your student's school site (phone numbers can be found on each school's website).

Q: How is student discipline being handled during online learning?
A: Our administrative staff and Student Resource Centers continue to handle issues that arise regarding discipline, as well as student safety and others. Students have gone through trainings to prepare and educate them on the type of behavior expected during online learning. Anonymous tip lines will continue to be available to report any concerns.
 
Q: My child is struggling emotionally. How can I find them help through school?
A: Please contact your school site as you usually would to coordinate referrals. Our team of professional school psychologists, school nurses, Transitions teams, and more are ready to support our students in whatever way they need. Program details can be viewed in the chart below and on the Student and Staff Health page under "Social Emotional Wellness."

Q: Will the District continue to help with technology needs?
A: Yes. Students/families needing technology support to conduct online learning, such as a device, WiFi or a hotspot, will continue to be assisted.
 
Q: Can families still get technology if they need it for online learning?
A: If your student has technology needs you did not anticipate, please contact your school site to coordinate access.