On March 24, 2022, Marin County Office of Education (MCOE) and Marin County Public Health (MCPH) issued new COVID-19 guidance for schools. These instructions, named the “Marin County SMARTER Schools Plan”, serve as guidelines to our communities’ public, private, independent, and parochial TK-12 educational institutions. This plan supersedes the Marin County Schools 32 Point Plan.
As the pandemic has evolved, so have the measures needed to keep our learning institutions protected against the coronavirus. There are seven key aspects to the SMARTER Plan which strive to maintain a safe learning environment where students can succeed.
Here is a summary of the guidelines:
- Shots: Vaccines and boosters are a safe and effective resource of protection. Vaccination status verification is required by students and staff. It is highly recommended that all students, staff, and any other person visiting or working at the school be vaccinated, boosted (if eligible) and up to date.
- Masks: Along with vaccines, masks are an easy yet effective layer of protection. They mitigate the spread of COVID infections or other respiratory illnesses.
- Awareness: A method of staying one step ahead of a potential outbreak is to be aware of how COVID is spreading in schools and our community. Schools should implement strategies that are recommended by public health to decrease the risk of transmission.
- Readiness: The school community must be prepared to respond quickly, use evidence-based protective measures and preventative strategies if the risk of COVID increases.
- Testing: Testing keeps students in the classrooms and helps prevent COVID transmission. Tests should be easily accessible. Parents must give permission in advance before a student can be tested. Rapid testing plans are needed.
- Education: Serving all students equitably, closing the achievement gap, and keeping schools open for in-person learning is of upmost importance.
- Resilience: Schools will strive to create a sense of belonging and support for their students.
Read full SMARTER Plan by visiting the Schools page of our website. The Plan, along with more guidance and news relevant to the school community, can also be found on MCOE’s Rethinking Schools page.
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