On October 29, 2021, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration authorized the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine under an emergency use authorization (EUA) for children ages 5 to 11 years old, followed by the CDC on November 2. It is anticipated that additional approvals by State authorities will be completed this week.
COVID-19 case rates in schools are trending downward, as reflected on the countywide COVID-19 testing dashboard.
The schools of Santa Cruz County will be implementing the guidelines recently published by the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) and Santa Cruz County Public Health (SCCPH).
In order to keep our schools open and students healthy, school districts have implemented a wide range of mitigation strategies to minimize risks at our schools, including ongoing testing for COVID-19. We recognize the importance of sports, athletics, music and other extracurricular ideas for students and are
hoping these requirements will allow students to participate fully and safely.
Dear Families of Santa Cruz County,
Today we are heartbroken. We grieve with the Aptos High School community following yesterday’s tragic loss of a 17-year-old student. Our hearts are with the student’s family, friends, the Aptos High School community, the Pajaro Valley Unified School District (PVUSD), and all of those impacted by this
unprecedented and devastating event.
Thank you for your ongoing diligence and dedication to our students and schools. Embarking into an in-person school year during a variant-driven surge in COVID-19 cases in our community has no doubt been a challenge. Students, families, educators and support staff have our enduring support and appreciation for navigating this moment with such grace.
At its regularly scheduled Bonny Doon Union Elementary School District Board of Trustees meeting on August 19, the Board passed a resolution opposing the placement of a violent sex offended in the Bonny Doon community. Please read the attached resolution.
A new school year is upon us, and it is with excitement that we welcome students back to classrooms across the schools of Santa Cruz County this and next week. Offering full-time, in-person instruction during the 2021-22 school year is a foundational priority, and our schools are ready to support students in myriad ways, from curriculum, to nutrition, to socio-emotional health.
If you were unable to attend last night's town hall, the slides are available for your reference. We look forward to seeing you and your student(s) Wednesday morning.
Welcome to a new school year! We are excited for the first day of school, Wednesday, August 11. The teachers have been working hard and are ready to provide a fun and challenging year for your children, and we are excited to begin the year. We have many new students and families joining us this year, and we’ll probably enroll more before the first day of school!
Dear Families of Santa Cruz County,
We are in an exciting moment for all of our schools as this summer draws to close. Every Santa Cruz County school is opening for full-time in-person learning this fall thanks to a heroic effort on the part of educators, support staff, students and their families. It’s a milestone that should bring us all joy after the past year and a half.