We hope this FAQ list will answer many of your questions in relation to reopening schools and the learning options for families. Click on a question below to see the answer. Please note that health regulations change often and the links below may be outdated. We have included the date each question was last updated. We will do our best to update this page based on current information. Please refer to our COVID-19 updates page for more information about reopening plans and hybrid learning.
If you have additional questions please contact your school or send us an email at info@lmsvschools.org. Preguntas frecuentes en Español
Additional FAQ Pages
California Department of Public Health – Schools FAQ
San Diego County Health and Human Services – Schools: K-12 FAQs
General Questions
When will the my school reopen for in-person instruction (hybrid learning)?
2/24/2021
In-person hybrid learning schedules will begin for all grade levels the week of April 19th, 2021 for La Mesa-Spring Valley Schools. Please contact your child’s school for student schedule information. Please see our COVID-19 updates page for more information.
How is the district making decisions about whether it is safe to reopen schools?
9/14/2020
We are required to follow state, local, and federal health guidelines. The San Diego County Health and Human Services Agency (HHSA) works in coordination with the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) and CDPH works in coordination with the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Schools permitted to open for in-person instruction must adhere to the guidance outlined in the following documents:
Is the “Learning Options Survey” just a survey, or am I truly selecting hybrid or online learning for my child?
9/14/20
The term survey is confusing. We are asking you to choose which program to place your child in. You are truly making a selection for your child. Based on your response on the survey, schools will organize their classes to accommodate parent selections. The survey is open until Thursday, September 17, 2020. If you have already submitted the survey, and you would like to choose a different option, you can simply resubmit the survey by 9/17. Your most recent submission will be used. Please remember to submit the survey to the school where your child attends. If you have children attending multiple schools, please submit a separate survey for each child to their specific school only.
What health guidelines does the district have to follow in order to reopen schools?
2/24/2021
We are required to follow state, local, and federal health guidelines and we are working closely with state and local health agencies to ensure that we are meeting the required safety standards to support students and staff once schools reopen for in-person instruction. Specifically, the San Diego County Health and Human Services Agency (HHSA) works in coordination with the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) and CDPH works in coordination with the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Schools permitted to open for in-person instruction must adhere to the guidance provided by these organizations.
Is it safe for my child to return to school?
2/24/2021
Each school site in the La Mesa-Spring Valley School District has posted a COVID-19 Safety Plan (CSP) on their webpage to address safety considerations for students and staff associated with the return to in-person instruction. However, the decision regarding whether or not to have a student return is one that each parent must decide for each family in consultation with their child’s primary care doctor. As with any other public place, there is no way to guarantee that interacting with people outside of your home would not result in an inadvertent exposure to COVID-19 or another illness. Families who are not comfortable with having their students return to school may elect to remain in distance learning.
Rady Children’s Hospital has partnered with the San Diego County Health and Human Services Agency (HHSA) and the San Diego County Office of Education (SDCOE) to provide parents with this informative video about considerations for returning to school linked here: Rady Children’s COVID-19 Townhall for Families. As you consider what is best for your family, this video might be helpful for you.
What will the hybrid schedule look like for my child?
2/24/2021
Generally speaking, elementary school students will engage in distance learning over Zoom in the mornings and be invited to a hybrid in-person cohort in the afternoons, at least two days per week. Further, middle school and academy students will attend on a modified schedule, specific to their school site, that allows them to retain their current schedules and electives and provides weekly in-person time on campus. Your child’s principal will communicate the specifics regarding schedules and unique opportunities for in-person learning at your school.
Will the COVID-19 vaccine be required of all students and all staff?
3/11/21
Generally speaking, elementary school students will engage in distance learning over Zoom in the mornings and be invited to a hybrid in-person cohort in the afternoons, at least two days per week. Further, middle school and academy students will attend on a modified schedule, specific to their school site, that allows them to retain their current schedules and electives and provides weekly in-person time on campus. Your child’s principal will communicate the specifics regarding schedules and unique opportunities for in-person learning at your school.
Why can’t the district do what another district is doing?
3/15/21
As each district works to bring students back to campus, they have had to do so considering many factors that are unique to their districts. So while districts plan and collaborate across the county, each district has unique circumstances for campus space, student capacity, staffing, budget and labor/contractual considerations that need consideration. From a public perspective, it might be easy to assume that all districts can implement the same reopening plans, but that is just not the case. One example is that the state implemented new health guidelines for distancing, on January 14. These are requirements that we must follow; they are the law. The state then also implemented a waiver process so that districts who were previously opened could “opt out” of the restrictive distancing guidance. We are not eligible to apply for those waivers because we were not previously open, but surrounding districts who had previously opened are. Therefore, the guidelines that apply to some districts are not as restrictive as those that others are required to follow to accommodate students on campus.
Health and Safety Questions
When schools reopen, what happens if a student or staff member tests positive for COVID-19?
4/5/21
The San Diego County Health and Human Services Agency (HHSA) strictly dictates the protocols that organizations must follow in the case of a COVID-19 exposure. School districts must follow county protocols based on a myriad of factors, including whether the individual is symptomatic, if the positive individual was within 6 feet of another person for more than 15 cumulative minutes, and when the individual was last on campus in relation to when they were last tested for COVID-19 or began to experience symptoms. HHSA contact tracers will direct the district to notify necessary individuals and will direct next steps for quarantine or self-isolation, depending on the circumstances. The district consults with the HHSA’s epidemiology division and receives direction on every suspected case.
Will I be notified if a teacher or student is found to have COVID-19?
4/5/21
If the district, in cooperation with the San Diego County Health and Human Services Agency (HHSA), believes your child was exposed to COVID-19, you will be notified via phone by district personnel and/or an HHSA contact tracer. Additionally, if a COVID-19 positive case is present on campus, a general notification letter will be sent to the community. This letter is offered as a courtesy notification to all community members, regardless of exposure. Due to privacy laws, district staff will not be able to share personally identifying details about any particular case.
When would a school have to close because of a COVID-19 outbreak?
4/5/21
Individual school closure would only be appropriate in the unlikely event that there were a number of COVID-19 cases in multiple classrooms at a school or if at least 5 percent of the total number of teachers, student, and staff contract COVID-19 within a 14-day period (depending on the size and physical layout of the school). Decisions about individual school closures will be made in consultation with local public health officials and based on their direction.
What accommodations has the school district made related to air ventilation, as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic?
4/5/21
Given the importance of ventilation in reducing the risk of COVID-19 infection, the district is using both new and existing systems in our facilities to optimize air flow in our working and learning spaces. The district has installed MERV-11 and MERV-13 air filters at all of the facilities and schools across the district. Schools that have areas which lack sufficient ventilation have received portable HEPA air filtration units. The rate of fresh air exchange per hour has been maximized for every HVAC unit in order to ensure the highest cycling of outside air into classrooms and facilities. Additionally, schools are encouraged to leave doors and windows open as feasible, however, teachers may choose to close doors and windows due to individual classroom needs and/or safety and security factors.
What accommodations has the school district made related to disinfection of classrooms, as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic?
4/5/21
Ensuring the presence of strong cleaning practices is critical to maintaining safety in the school environment. District cleaning staff have been trained on specific practices with respect to cleaning and disinfecting during the COVID-19 pandemic. In the event of a COVID-19 positive case on campus, school custodial teams are knowledgeable and prepared to safely clean and sanitize according to regulations provided by CalOSHA, CalDPR, and the manufacturer’s guidance associated with each cleaning product in use. All sites use appropriate disinfecting supplies which are present on the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)’s List N. Custodial staff clean classrooms and wipe down frequently touched surfaces on a daily basis. They also clean and disinfect bathrooms on a revolving basis throughout the day.
Will students be required to wear masks all day long?
4/5/21
For the protection of all students and staff, children (ages 2 and up) will be required to wear face coverings while at school, unless the student is medically exempt based on a doctor’s note or based on a disability. Face coverings will be worn for outdoor activities and at lunch with the exception of when the child is eating or drinking. Cloth masks will be provided to all students that need them and parents are encouraged to find a comfortable, breathable, face mask that works best for their child.
Will staff and students receive regular COVID-19 tests?
4/5/21
We encourage our staff to be tested regularly. Testing is available at over 20 San Diego County-coordinated testing sites. All testing sites are open to school personnel and youth who are over the age of 12. Response and symptomatic testing will be made available to individuals, as needed.
Will volunteers be permitted on campus?
4/5/21
Some necessary volunteers will be permitted on campus. Volunteers will follow the same regulations as staff and must submit to daily health screening.
How will you ensure students maintain physical distance on campus?
4/5/21
Each district school has created a detailed reopening plan which addresses procedures that will support students maintaining physical distancing on campus. Reopening plans include traffic patterns in hallways, entrance and exit points for campus, spacing of furniture in classrooms, and spacing and supervision of students at lunch and recess, accounting for the recommended three feet of distancing.
What other safety provisions will be in place at each school?
4/5/21
There are a variety of safety provisions that will be in effect at school sites which relate to: 1) Physical Distancing, 2) Health Screening and Testing, 3) Hygiene and Disinfection and 4) Personal Protective Equipment.
Several of these provisions include the following. All students, staff, and visitors will be required to wear face coverings. There will be daily health screenings and temperature checks for all staff and students. Anyone exhibiting symptoms (not caused by a known pre-existing condition) will not be permitted on campus. Classrooms and high touch surfaces will be cleaned and sanitized daily. Bathrooms will be cleaned and sanitized throughout the day. HVAC systems have been tuned to ensure maximum efficiency and fresh air exchange. Handwashing stations will be installed in areas that lack ready access to sinks. Hand sanitizer will be accessible and used frequently. Signage will be used across the school. Drinking fountains will only be utilized to fill cups and water bottles. Students are encouraged to bring a water bottle to school with their name clearly written on it.
Protocols will be put in place to limit direct contact as students and staff navigate the campus. Supplies and other instructional materials will not be shared, or will be cleaned between uses.
For more information concerning the specific safety measures being used at schools across the district, locate the district’s COVID-19 Safety Plan (CSP) on the district website. This plan details the safety measures in place across district campuses. Safety measures within the CSP are strictly governed by local, state, and federal guidelines which have guided its development.
