SAN JOSE, CA – The Santa Clara County Office of Education (SCCOE) supports the new public health order issued by the California Public Health Department (CDPH) requiring public schools to verify that employees are fully vaccinated or tested regularly for COVID-19. Governor Gavin Newsom made the announcement during a press conference on Wednesday, August 11, 2021.
“As schools begin the new academic year with full in-person learning for the first time in more than a year, it is important that we take every possible step to reduce the spread of COVID-19 and to protect children who are too young to be vaccinated,” said Dr. Mary Ann Dewan, County Superintendent of Schools, “Vaccination adds another layer of protection and is a key mitigation strategy against COVID-19 and the dangerous Delta variant circulating in our community.”
The new policy for school staff takes effect August 12, 2021, and schools districts, charter schools, and county offices of education must be in full compliance by October 15, 2021. In addition to protecting yourself and others, vaccination status can have an impact on if and how long employees are required to quarantine after an exposure to COVID-19, and employees who are not vaccinated may be offered additional personal protective equipment under rules from Cal/OSHA.
“This announcement is an important step towards keeping our schools open and to ensure all students have a safe return to the classroom this year,” said Dr. Dewan.
The SCCOE will be supporting their employees and school districts in implementing this new state health order. For information on the COVID-19 vaccine and where to get vaccinated, click here. Robust and free testing resources are available to K-12 schools through the CA K-12 schools testing program.
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About the Santa Clara County Office of Education
Working collaboratively with school and community partners, the Santa Clara County Office of Education (SCCOE) is a regional service agency that provides instructional, business, and technology services to the 31 school districts of Santa Clara County. The County Office of Education directly serves students through special education programs, alternative schools, Head Start and State Preschool programs, migrant education, and Opportunity Youth Academy. The SCCOE also provides academic and fiscal oversight and monitoring to districts in addition to the 22 Santa Clara County Board of Education authorized charter schools.
For more information about the Santa Clara County Office of Education, please visit www.sccoe.org and follow us @SCCOE on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn.