Returning to In-Person Learning

Updated March 2, 2021

According to California's Safe Schools for All Plan, all schools and districts must complete and post to their website homepage a COVID-19 Safety Plan Process (CSP) prior to reopening for in-person learning. The CSP includes a COVID-19 School Guidance Checklist and COVID-19 Prevention Program (CPP). Schools must also post their Return to In-Person Learning Plan. If a school is already open for in-person learning, it must post its CSP to its website's homepage as soon as possible.

COVID-19 Safety Plan (CSP) Review Process

With the County’s move into the Red Tier on Wednesday, February 24, all schools with approved plans can now begin to reopen for in-person instruction in a phased-in approach. Schools serving students in grades 7-12 can open as early as Wednesday, February 24, as long as their COVID-19 Safety Plan is approved and has been posted on its website homepage for at least five days prior to providing in-person instruction. Schools have a three-week period to open, even if the county moves back to the Purple Tier during that time, to allow for a calm and safe return to campus. Schools are asked to prioritize students with the most urgent needs.

Schools that do not have an approved plan yet to open in the Red, Orange, or Yellow Tier must post their CSP and Return to In-Person Learning Plan to their website homepage and submit it to info@smcoe.org to begin the review process. Schools should complete its CSP in consultation with its labor organizations and staff.

• COVID-19 School Guidance Checklist
• COVID-19 Prevention Program (CPP) Template

Schools and Districts Open for In-Person Learning

Resources for Returning to In-Person Instruction

• Getting Students Back to Campus COVID-19 Update webinar (Oct. 5, 2020): Video, PowerPoint Presentation