More public schools will be reopening to in-person instruction now that Ventura County is moving to the less restrictive red tier in the State’s coronavirus monitoring system. The move from the purple to the red tier will take effect this Wednesday, March 17, as COVID-19 rates decline in Ventura County and after the State eased the threshold to switch tiers because of increasing vaccination levels.
The change opens the door for schools that had not reopened the last time the County was in the red tier to do so at all grade levels, including middle and high school. Most schools that open to in-person instruction use hybrid schedules that include some time on distance learning. This is necessary because social distancing requirements prevent many schools from bringing all students back to class in-person full time.
“I’m extremely happy that more Ventura County students will have the chance to return to school campuses after such a long wait,” said Dr. Cesar Morales, Deputy Superintendent at the Ventura County Office of Education. “Teachers, students and families have done an admirable job making the most of distance learning, but nothing compares to the exchange of knowledge and social interaction that happens in our classrooms,” Dr. Morales said.
Ventura County schools are making safety a top priority as they welcome students back by following all required protocols. Safety measures include the wearing of masks for students and staff, social distancing in classrooms, regular COVID-19 testing, improved ventilation and air purification, thorough cleaning and disinfection of facilities, and ensuring that students with symptoms stay home. “Now is not the time to let down our guard,” Dr. Morales said. “The Ventura County community has shown we can beat COVID-19 when we all do our part to keep each other safe. We need to maintain those efforts so we can continuing making progress toward getting schools fully reopened.”
Reopening dates vary by school and grade level. Individual schools and school districts are communicating directly with students and families about their reopening plans. Updates on the impacts of COVID-19 on Ventura County schools and answers to common questions are available at www.vcoe.org/COVID-19.