February 28, 2022

February 28, 2022

Good Evening Fullerton School District Families and Community Members,

Today Governor Newsom sent out a press release announcing, “After March 11, in schools and child care facilities, masks will not be required but will be strongly recommended.” As a result, beginning Monday, March 14, 2022, wearing a mask indoors is still strongly recommended for students and staff, but will not be required regardless of vaccination status. Each family will have the option to send their student to school with or without a mask.

Wearing a mask while indoors is still required through Friday, March 11, 2022, and each student and adult will be required to wear a mask while indoors up through that date. We ask for your continued assistance and cooperation with ensuring your student brings a mask to school and uses it while indoors through March 11, 2022.

Please contact your school’s principal if you have any questions.

Thank you.

January 20, 2022

Good Evening FSD Parents and Community Members,

The California Department of Public Health (CDPH) and the Orange County Healthcare Agency (OCHA) have updated the guidelines regarding students who are in contact with a person who has tested positive for COVID-19. These changes to the guidelines will change how we are notifying parents. The changes will also determine whether a child is considered a close contact requiring modified quarantine (continue to come to school), quarantine at home, or isolation at home.

Effective immediately, if your child is in contact with a person who has tested positive for COVID-19, we will first determine if the positive individual and/or your child was masked or unmasked and then proceed with the following guidelines:

When a positive case is reported in a classroom the following considerations for Group-Based contact tracing will apply:

Indoors

Outdoors

Students wearing a mask

(Within a Group Setting or Classroom)

Families will be notified by the school through an email that:

Your child was a contact,
Your child can continue to attend school on modified quarantine, and
Your child should test on Day 5 or at any time your child shows symptoms.
If child is not tested, home quarantine will be required.

Families will be notified by the school through an email that:

Your child was a contact,
Your child can continue to attend school on modified quarantine, and
Your child should test on Day 5 or at any time your child shows symptoms.
If child is not tested, home quarantine will be required.

Students not wearing a mask/or properly fitted mask and Unvaccinated

(Within a Group Setting or Classroom)

Families will be notified by school staff through a phone call:

Your child was a contact
Quarantine at home for 5 days.
Your child should test on day 5, and if negative return to school on day 6.
If at any time your child shows symptoms, remain home and test.

Families will be notified by school staff through a phone call:

Your child was a contact
Quarantine at home for 5 days.
Your child should test on day 5, and if negative return to school on day 6.
If at any time your child shows symptoms, remain home and test.

Students not wearing a mask/ or properly fitted mask and Vaccinated

(Within a Group Setting or Classroom)

Families will be notified by the school through an email that:

Your child was a contact,
Your child can continue to attend school on modified quarantine.
Your child should test on Day 5.
If at any time your child shows symptoms, stay home and test.
If child is not tested, home quarantine will be required.

Families will be notified by the school through an email that:

Your child was a contact,
Your child can continue to attend school on modified quarantine
Your child should test on Day 5.
If at any time your child shows symptoms, stay home and test.
If child is not tested, home quarantine will be required.

The new contact tracing and quarantining guidelines from CDPH and OCHA rely on the use of masks when students are at school whether indoors or outdoors. We encourage you to talk to your children and remind them to always wear their mask indoors, and if they are closer than 6 feet to others outdoors, they should wear a mask as well.

At-home Antigen test kits are available for students through the school office. We also want to provide you with information on how you can receive at-home COVID testing kits delivered to your home. Please refer to these web pages to receive your free at-home test kits: https://www.covidtests.gov/ OR https://occovid19.ochealthinfo.com/covid-19-testing.

We also want to inform you that the definition of “fully vaccinated” has been changed and now requires that the amount of time since the final vaccination dose is no more than six (6) months or that a booster shot has been received. If this new meaning of “fully vaccinated” impacts your ability to work as a volunteer in your child’s classroom, please contact your school’s office for more information on your classroom volunteer options.

As new guidance becomes available, we will continue to update our procedures in accordance with state and local healthcare agencies. If you have any questions, please reach out to your school office for more information or assistance.

References and Resources:

https://www.cdph.ca.gov/Programs/CID/DCDC/Pages/COVID-19/Schools-FAQ.aspx

COVID-19 Public Health Guidance for K-12 Schools (Revised 1/12/22)

OCHCA Updated Guidelines (1/4/22)

Testing Resource

Find a testing center

January 12, 2022
January 12, 2022

Dear Fullerton Families,

The District is committed to supporting families and communicating necessary information to provide students with continued learning. We have seen a recent surge of COVID cases, both locally and nationally, and we want to share learning options available for students. We want to ensure that students continue to learn and receive support during a quarantine situation. Whether parents feel unsafe with having their students return to school in person, or their child has been identified as a close contact or with a positive COVID test result, there are choices for your child’s learning. You can choose the Independent Study Program, enroll in our Distance Learning Academy, or select our homeschool program - MyFSD Academy.

If you choose to place your child on a Quarantine Independent Study (QIS) contract, your child will not be marked absent and will continue their learning via work provided by a district program specialist or teacher. In addition, your student will have opportunities for daily check-ins with a credentialed teacher. If you would like your child to have QIS, these are the steps to take:
1. Call the school office to request QIS.
2. Expect an email to be sent to you and your student from a district quarantine program specialist.
3. Sign both contracts - parent and student.
4. Receive the work assignments from the district program specialist or teacher.
5. Complete the work assignments and participate in daily check-ins.
Our QIS program is available for short-term absences (2 weeks or less). For longer-term absences from school, we offer our Distance Learning Program. The Distance Learning Program is a full-time virtual program with a qualified classroom teacher providing daily instruction via Zoom following a regular school schedule. For information on Distance Learning, please contact the principal, Robin Mundschau, at 714-447-2862, or click here for more information.

If a student is placed on quarantine, the student may be able to continue learning in-person at school or return to school earlier than expected if the student is able to be COVID tested with a negative test result. Your school’s COVID contact tracing team will be able to provide you with specific information on your child’s quarantine and return to school date. Each school site offers COVID testing resources to students who are quarantined.

Please contact your school site if you have any concerns regarding your child’s academic progress during the quarantine period and for your child’s return date to school.

For any questions, please contact Educational Services at 714-447-2864. We are here to support our students and their families during this time.

Sincerely,

Dr. Robert Pletka
Superintendent
January 3, 2022

January 3, 2022

Dear Fullerton School District Community,

We hope everyone enjoyed a restful and safe winter break, and we look forward to having our students back in person this Tuesday, January 4, 2022.

Fullerton School District would like to reassure all of our community members that we continue to closely monitor and respond to the ongoing impact of COVID-19. Based on the current information, and with a clear focus on ensuring the safest possible environment for learning, we will continue to follow safety protocols including wearing masks indoors at all of our sites, conducting daily wellness checks, and enhancing cleaning of our facilities. With the Omicron variant, the CDC recommends the use of medical-grade masks. The CDC also recommends the COVID-19 vaccine for all individuals age 5 and older through your health provider, local pharmacies, and various state providers. Please consult with your physician whether it’s medically appropriate. We continue to encourage anyone not feeling well to please stay home during this time. For other guidelines, please refer to our district website or contact your school’s nurse.

We understand this situation continues to change, and we appreciate everyone's ongoing support. Through our collective efforts, the Fullerton School District will continue to ensure the safety and wellbeing of our students, staff, and families.

Have a happy and safe New Year!
Sincerely,

Dr. Robert Pletka

Superintendent
October 15, 2021

October 15, 2021

Dear parents, guardians, staff, and Fullerton community members,

Good day to our Fullerton community. This message is intended to address some of the community, parents and staff questions regarding Governor Gavin Newsom’s announcement. His announcement states that in the future students 12 years and older would be required to be vaccinated against COVID-19 for in-person learning.

I would like to share that there have been no plans or details provided to schools from the Governor for this to happen. Furthermore, the written health order has not yet been made public by the state for review. As a result, we are still waiting for additional details to become available. However, according to our initial assessments and outside education associations, the mandate will not be effective until after July 2022 at the very earliest. Additionally, requirements established by regulation—not legislation—must be subject to exemptions for both medical reasons and personal beliefs. Since the Governor’s mandate is established by an executive order, this means that, as of this writing, medical and personal belief exemptions would be accepted. Personal exemptions would allow reasons for parents to opt out of required vaccinations.

Additionally, there are currently legal actions in the California Courts regarding K-12 school mandates surrounding pandemic regulations, such as vaccines, masks, and quarantining. The courts are scheduled to hear these arguments in November. Things could change again based on the outcome of these legal actions.

Please know that our school district supports parental rights. With this in mind, I want to thank our entire community again for your patience and understanding as state requirements for all schools and school districts, including private and charter schools, continue to shift. We know there are many questions without answers from the Governor’s announcement on COVID-19 vaccines that cannot be addressed until we receive additional details from the state. We are also grateful for your understanding during this time of fluctuation. As additional information becomes available, we will share that information.

Sincerely,

Dr. Bob Pletka, Superintendent
August 31, 2021 - Elementary Quarantine Information
August 31, 2021
Dear Parent/Guardian and Community,

As the Fullerton School District (FSD) responds to the current COVID situation, we want to ensure that student learning continues during a quarantine situation whether due to either a positive COVID case or a student being identified as a close contact. The District is committed to providing support for families with the necessary information for their child’s continued education. The following information provides the process that FSD will follow if a student is in a quarantine situation:
- Parents will be contacted by an FSD Quarantine Program Specialist with information regarding the quarantine independent study contract. A parent signature is required on the independent study contract.
- Upon notification, parents will be informed as to how the student will be receiving their work assignments during the quarantine period of time.
- The student will be provided with a daily zoom or phone check-in for the duration of the quarantine along with learning materials.
- After the end of the quarantine period, parents will receive a copy of the Assignment and Work Record that will include verification that student work was reviewed by an FSD teacher.
If a student is placed on quarantine, the student may be able to continue learning in-person at school or return to school earlier than normal if the student is able to be COVID tested. FSD offers COVID testing resources to students who are quarantined or there are resources provided through the Orange County Healthcare Agency by following link one or link two on their website. If you have any questions or need assistance with COVID testing resources, please contact Laurie Bruneau at 714-447-7400 or laurie_bruneau@myfsd.org.

We are here to support our students and their families during this time in any way possible. If you have any concerns regarding your child’s academic progress during the quarantine period or questions regarding this program, please contact Dr. Erlinda Soltero-Ruiz at 714-447-2864 or erlinda_soltero_ruiz@myfsd.org.

Sincerely,
Fullerton School District
August 31, 2021 - Junior High Quarantine Information
August 31, 2021
Dear Parent/Guardian and Community,

As the Fullerton School District (FSD) responds to the current COVID situation, we want to ensure that student learning continues during a quarantine situation whether due to either a positive COVID case or a student being identified as a close contact. The District is committed to providing support for families with the necessary information for their child’s continued education. The following information provides the process that FSD will follow if a student is in a quarantine situation:
- Parents will be contacted by a Quarantine Program Specialist with information regarding the quarantine independent study contract. Parent signature is required on the study contract.
- Upon notification, parents will be informed as to how the student will be receiving their work assignments per subject area during the quarantine period of time. Each period/subject may vary.
- The student will be provided with a daily zoom or phone check-in for the duration of the quarantine along with learning materials.
- After the end of the quarantine period, parents will receive a copy of the Assignment and Work Record that will include verification that student work was reviewed.
If a student is placed on quarantine, the student may be able to continue learning in-person at school or return to school earlier than normal if the student is able to be COVID tested. FSD offers COVID testing resources to students who are quarantined or there are resources provided through the Orange County Healthcare Agency by following link one or link two on their website. If you have any questions or need assistance with COVID testing resources, please contact Laurie Bruneau at 714-447-7400 or laurie_bruneau@myfsd.org.

We are here to support our students and their families during this time in any way possible. If you have any concerns regarding your child’s academic progress during the quarantine period or questions regarding this program, please contact Dr. Erlinda Soltero-Ruiz at 714-447-2864 or erlinda_soltero_ruiz@myfsd.org.

Sincerely,

Fullerton School District
August 12, 2021
August 12, 2021
Dear Fullerton School District (FSD) Parents and Community,

It’s hard to believe, but we will be starting the 2021-2022 school year on Monday, August 16, 2021. We are very excited to start a new school year and look forward to being able to learn, grow, and thrive with our FSD students and families.

We want to share some more information on the COVID-19 Health and Safety requirements for the 2021-2022 school year. COVID-19 Health and Safety regulations are determined by the state and county health officials, and schools/school districts are required to follow these in order to provide in-person instruction.

Listed below are some of the key components of the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) requirements you will see at your child’s school on Monday, August 16th:
- Masks: All students and adults will be required to wear masks when indoors (classrooms, school offices, MPRs, libraries, cafeterias, etc.) in any school setting, regardless of vaccination status. Masks are optional outdoors for both students and adults.
- Physical Distancing is NO LONGER Required: When students and adults are indoors in a school facility and are properly wearing masks, no physical distancing is required. With the universal indoor masking requirement, all students will be returning to in-person instruction in the classroom.
- School Visitors: All visitors to the school must check in at the front office. Masks must be worn in the school office by all adults, regardless of vaccination status, as children may be present in the office. Masks are optional outdoors for school visitors.
- Daily Cleaning: All classrooms and common areas used by staff and students will be thoroughly cleaned and disinfected at least once daily. Deep cleaning and disinfecting will be used in the event of a positive COVID-19 case or an outbreak.
- Students Sharing Items: Students will not be sharing their own personal desk items such as: pencils, crayons, scissors, erasers, glue, markers, etc. Some items used for experiments or learning centers may be shared, but students will be required to wash their hands for 20 seconds with soap and water both before and after use of these items.
- Daily Temperature Checks: All students, staff, and campus visitors/volunteers will be required to have their temperature checked and to conduct a self-check for symptoms everyday prior to coming onto the campus.
- Busses: Students who ride the bus must properly wear a mask the entire time they are on the bus.
- Classroom Volunteers: All classroom volunteers will be required to complete an Attestation Form (Please see the Volunteer Handbook) indicating they are fully vaccinated. Additionally, all classroom volunteers must have the appropriate fingerprint clearance prior to being permitted to volunteer in the classroom. While in the classroom, all parent volunteers must properly wear a mask (covering the nose and mouth) at all times. Unvaccinated volunteers will not be permitted to volunteer in the classrooms when students are or have the potential of being present.
- School volunteers (not in the classroom): School volunteers must wear a mask indoors regardless of vaccination status. An exception applies if you are fully vaccinated and in an indoor setting with only adults present. Masks are optional for any volunteer who is outdoors.
- Contact Tracing: If there is a positive COVID-19 case on any FSD school campus, designated FSD staff will conduct Contact Tracing in conjunction with the Orange County Healthcare Agency (OCHA). Students or staff who have a positive COVID-19 diagnosis will be isolated and any students or staff who are close contacts to a positive COVID case will be quarantined. Please report all suspected or confirmed COVID-19 cases immediately!
You can anticipate more information to be coming to you right after the start of the school year from your school regarding Back to School Night, Parent Meetings, School Events, and Parent Organizations. Please contact your school’s office or principal if you have any questions regarding this COVID-19 Health and Safety information.

Thank you and we look forward to a great start to the 2021-2022 school year,

Dr. Robert Pletka

Superintendent

Fullerton School District
July 22, 2021
July 22, 2021

Dear Fullerton School District (FSD) Parents and Community,

We hope that you are having a great summer break and enjoying time with your children, friends, and family.

Last week the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) released updated COVID-19 requirements for K-12 schools for the beginning of the 2021-2022 school year. COVID-19 health regulations are determined by state and county health officials, and schools/school districts are required to follow these in order to provide in-person instruction.

FSD is reviewing the new CDPH regulations to determine how it will impact the 2021-2022 school year which begins with students returning to school on Monday, August 16, 2021. Listed below are some of the key components of the CDPH’s updated regulations which all schools and school districts, including private and charter schools, will have to implement in order to provide in-person instruction:
- California will continue to require masks to be worn by both students and adults in school settings when in the presence of students. Regardless of vaccination status. Masks are optional outdoors for students and adults in K-12 school settings.
- Schools and school districts must develop and implement local protocols to enforce mask requirements. Students who do not meet one of the mask exception criteria and who do not comply with the universal mask wearing guidance may be placed in an alternative learning setting.
- Physical distancing is no longer required as a result of the universal masking requirements. Without universal masking in place, physical distancing would limit the number of students in a classroom and not allow students to return to school everyday for the full school day.
- Schools and school districts must continue to implement mitigation and layered prevention strategies like increased ventilation, hand washing, respiratory etiquette, staying home when sick and/or getting COVID-19 tested, contact tracing in combination with quarantine and isolation, and regular cleaning and disinfection.
- CDPH will continue to assess conditions on an ongoing basis and will determine if and when mask requirements can be updated.
This new information provides clarity on what is required for schools to reopen in California and helps FSD prepare for reopening on August 16, 2021. The FSD team has been hard at work preparing for the 2021-2022 school year to ensure the health, safety, and well-being of students, staff, and families is at the forefront.

FSD will resume a traditional, full-time, on-campus learning model for the 2021-2022 school year while continuing to follow all guidance as set forth by CDPH and the Orange County Healthcare Agency (OCHA). Students and families will also have access to alternate instructional programs in the fall including the Distance Learning program, or MyFSD Academy, the District’s homeschool program.

FSD appreciates your continued support and partnership as we review and implement the new CDPH guidance. We also appreciate your understanding that the FSD School Board and District administration are not permitted to lessen or not implement the requirements all schools in California are under from the California Department of Public Health. The CDPH has a “Contact Us” link for any questions you may have regarding this guidance which can be found at http://www.cdph.ca.gov/Pages/contact_us.aspx.

Please also see a recently released joint communication from the Orange County Department of Education and Orange County Public Health on mask requirements by clicking here.

Please be on the lookout for additional updates from FSD regarding the 2021-2022 school year.

Sincerely,

Robert Pletka, Ed. D.

Superintendent

Fullerton School District

February 28, 2022

January 20, 2022

January 12, 2022

January 3, 2022

October 15, 2021

August 31, 2021 - Elementary Quarantine Information

August 31, 2021 - Junior High Quarantine Information

August 12, 2021

July 22, 2021