Gov. Gavin Newsom on Wednesday required that all school staff be vaccinated against COVID-19 or submit to regular testing, making California one of only two states with such a mandate. With the policy set to roll out Thursday, here’s a rundown of how things will look in schools.
K-12 Education
Posted inK-12 Education
Delta variant is sucking the joy out of back-to-school 2021
Instead of a back-to-normal back-to-school, the coronavirus casts new shadows over the return to full-time, in-person schooling. A particularly troubling issue for parents in Santa Cruz County and beyond is that children under 12 are not yet eligible for a vaccine.
Posted inHealth & Wellness
‘Second nature’: By now, the new state school mask rule doesn’t faze many students
In August, K-12 students will return to school. For many districts, summer school has provided a preview of classroom life with mask mandates.
Posted inK-12 Education
Confusion over mask mandate for California schools sparks tension between districts and parents
Gov. Gavin Newsom decided to let local school districts decide how to deal with students who refuse to follow California’s mask mandate. Now, parents who don’t want their children to wear masks are showing up at school board meetings to demand their districts disregard the mandate.
Posted inEducation
Lawmakers aim to boost student voting power on UC, community college boards
If a bill pending in the California Legislature passes, all three of the state’s higher education governing boards will have two voting student members. Advocates say the student representatives provide an important firsthand perspective on issues like campus safety and basic needs.
Posted inPolitics & Policy
Recall money wars: What do Newsom’s million-dollar donors want?
A new CalMatters analysis shows which of the governor’s big financial backers are coming to his rescue in his hour of need for the California recall election. They include the unions for teachers and prison guards.
Posted inK-12 Education
Prioritizing student wellness post-pandemic, more California schools turn to yoga
Educators see stretching and breathing exercises as a way to help students relax and focus as they return to campus. “We’ve laid so much on these kids. They need an outlet where they’re not being judged, where they can learn to pick themselves up,” one teacher said. “Yoga and meditation can help them process difficult emotions.”
Posted inK-12 Education
Education under cyberattack: California schools face a growing ransomware threat
A ransomware attack — where cybercriminals hold online systems hostage until victims pay a ransom — can have devastating consequences for schools. Experts say the number of attacks against schools in California and across the country are rising as educators try to figure out whether cybersecurity should be a priority.
Posted inEvents, Health & Wellness
Educators grapple with how to enforce California school mask mandate in the fall
After initially mandating a ban on unmasked students on campus, the state is now leaving enforcement decisions up to local officials.
Posted inK-12 Education
In abrupt turnaround, California to let school districts decide how to enforce mask rules
The state rescinded a rule Monday that called for students who refused to wear masks to be barred from campus.
