Messages from the Superintendent

Good evening,

I’m writing tonight to share some recent news on changes to State and County health orders that will affect our schools.

The California Department of Public Health recently released an update to their COVID protocols. A key change in the guidance involves how the State determines close contacts. The California Department of Public Health’s updated guidance on close contacts can be found HERE.

Close Contacts

Previously, to be considered a “close contact,” an individual had to be within 6 feet of a known positive case for a period of 15 minutes or more. The revised guidelines now say that an individual is considered a “close contact” if they are within the same shared airspace with a known positive case for 15 minutes or more. Therefore, under the new guidance, everyone in a classroom is considered a “close contact” – regardless of distance – if they share the same airspace for 15 minutes or more.

Masking, Testing

Under the new guidance, the State strongly recommends that close contact students and staff wear masks for a period of 10 days following an exposure (regardless of vaccination status). The State also strongly recommends that close contact students and staff test on day 3-5 to determine if they are positive (regardless of vaccination status.)

Coronavirus Cases on the Rise

Coronavirus cases are on the rise and we are seeing this reflected in increased rates of positivity for both students and staff.  Updated Hart District data can be found on our COVID-19 Dashboard.  These increases are also being reported in LA County, as reflected in this recent LA Times article.

Los Angeles County

Citing these increasing numbers, Dr. Ferrer confirmed last week that LA County will be taking a more restrictive stance than the California Department of Public Health. Each of the State recommended actions shared above will now be required under Los Angeles County Department of Public Health’s revised order. The revised health order can be found HERE.

Although the health order was published earlier, school districts have been given until Wednesday, May 4, 2022, before it is expected to be fully implemented.  The Hart District has already begun implementing these expectations.   Some of our families have already received mass communications alerting them that their child is considered a close contact.  These letters include instructions on how to fulfill the new masking and testing requirements.

We recognize that there are strong opinions within our community about these health orders and their related requirements.  As a public school district, it is our responsibility to listen respectfully to all sides of this issue while implementing required protocols.  We encourage students, staff and families to take appropriate precautions to ensure we can continue moving forward toward a healthy and successful conclusion to the school year.

Nevertheless, while we respect and will comply with County health orders, it is important to note that Hart District leadership continues to question the decision of the LA County Department of Public Health to adopt a more restrictive stance than the State of California.  The Hart District Governing Board has already submitted two letters to elected officials asking that the County align with the State and requesting that locally elected boards be given the flexibility to adjust to local conditions.  That conversation and those requests continue with the news of these recent changes. 

Those who would like to share their opinion on the public health orders (regardless of perspective) are encouraged to contact the public officials who have the authority to influence these policies.

Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors:            (213) 974-1411

Kathryn Barger, Supervisor, Fifth District:              (213) 974-5555

LA County Department of Public Health:               (213) 240-8117

As always, we will do our best to keep you updated to any additional changes to the public health orders.

Sincerely,

Mike Kuhlman

Superintendent

William S. Hart Union High School District

Good evening Hart District Families,

I’m writing today to share an update on the promised delivery of at-home COVID tests from the State of California.  Our District’s allotment of tests arrived in bulk to our warehouse yesterday afternoon. We are now in the process of breaking down this shipment into the appropriate allotments for each school site.  We are expecting to have deliveries to all sites completed by the end of this week.

The Hart District will be deploying the State/County-supplied at-home rapid test kits in a manner that is consistent with guidance from the Los Angeles County Office of Education (LACOE).  These tests will be used:

“. . . as part of test-to-stay activities or sent home with students for close contacts and positive cases who are required to isolate and quarantine for use in potential release from quarantine and isolation per the updated LACDPH School Exposure Management requirements.” (LACOE FYI Bulletin, Jan. 7, 2022)

Using the tests in this fashion will help the Hart District meet the new “test-to-stay” protocols recently implemented by the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health (LACDPH).  The County’s latest COVID protocols now require students determined to be close contacts to test negative in order to remain in class.   While the new protocols shorten the period of isolation for COVID positive students from 10 to 5 days, this is only possible if they test negative on or after day 5.

These tests can therefore be sent home with students identified as close contacts and/or COVID positive students and used as tools to help expedite their return to the classroom.

Using these tests to support the “test to stay” protocols means that the Hart District will not be distributing testing kits to every household at one time.  However, we do recognize that some families may want to have access to an at-home test to complete their own COVID screening. Parents interested in obtaining one free at-home test (per student) can pick it up at their school site starting next week (Tuesday January 18.)  Individual school sites will share details for when and where to obtain a test.

All things considered, it was a positive start to the second semester.  Thank you for your continued support.

Best regards,

Mike Kuhlman

Superintendent

Good afternoon Hart District families,

I hope you all have been able to enjoy a safe and restful holiday season with friends and family. 

As we look forward to the start of the spring semester, we do so with an understanding that the Omicron surge will bring fresh challenges to the start of the new year.  Over the last several days, we have received new guidance from the State of California and from the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health.  This communication is intended to summarize several new options, recommendations, and requirements.

Free At-Home Testing Options

The State of California has publicly declared that they will be making at-home testing kits available for every student who is interested in accessing this resource.  We had originally been told that these tests would be delivered to our district this week.  Today we learned that the tests have been delayed.

Stay tuned for updates and a distribution plan once we receive confirmation from the Los Angeles County Office of Education.  Regardless of when they are delivered, please note that no one is required to pick up and/or use these at-home tests. They are being made available as an optional resource.

As always, students who test positive, who have been in close contact with a positive case, or who develop symptoms should remain at home and contact their school site.

Isolation and Quarantine Requirements

The LA County Public Health Order was revised on December 31, 2021.  The revision makes changes to Isolation requirements (for those testing positive) and Quarantine requirements (for those who are close contacts with known positives).  In certain circumstances the period of Isolation or Quarantine can be reduced from 10 days to 5 days.  However, additional testing requirements have been added.

Isolation

If you have COVID-19, you must self-isolate regardless of vaccination status, previous infection, or lack of symptoms.  Everyone with COVID-19 must isolate for at least 5 days. How long you have to isolate depends on whether you have symptoms and if you get a negative follow-up viral test on day 5 or later.  For more information on LACDPH isolation requirements, go HERE.

Quarantine

California’s “modified quarantine” rule states that vaccinated students who are close contacts can remain in class during the period of their quarantine as long as they are asymptomatic.  Unvaccinated students must remain at home during the period of their quarantine.  The revised health order now requires all quarantined students to be tested following exposure, regardless of vaccination status.  For more information on LACDPH quarantine requirements, go HERE.

Recommendations for Types of Masks Worn by Students

The revised Public Health Order strongly recommends that students opt to wear well-fitting masks that are made of “multiple layers of non-woven material with a nose wire.”  In other words, the County is discouraging students from wearing cloth masks.  Instead, they are recommending surgical masks (think disposable doctors’ paper face masks) or a higher level personal protective equipment.  For more information on LACDPH masking recommendations for students, go HERE.

Outdoor Masking Requirements

The revised Public Health Order now requires masking outdoors “where physical distancing is not feasible, except while eating or drinking.”  We have asked all school sites to make this announcement daily and will call for supervisors to circulate and remind students during outdoor breaks.  Signage will be posted in external areas to highlight the new requirements.  For more information on LACDPH outdoor masking requirements, go HERE.

We appreciate your patience as we work to implement these modified policies and procedures.  We hope that you can take confidence in knowing that Hart District staff have been working diligently to ensure that students and staff can return safely to the classroom on January 10.

Thank you, and I wish you a peaceful and healthy remainder to your winter break.

Sincerely,

Mike Kuhlman

Superintendent

Good evening Hart District families,

I’m writing to share the good news that we are scheduled to fully reintroduce in-person learning on August 10.  We also look forward to the full restoration of student athletics and activities. All Hart District schools are hard at work preparing to welcome students back to campus.  Classes will be conducted without a requirement for social distancing.  We are eager to get things started soon!

Indoor Masking Requirement

State and County officials recently ruled that masks will be required for all individuals while inside buildings on campuses.  Masks are recommended but not required while outside.

We recognize that the issue of masking is a topic of great concern for many families in our community.  Given the strong interest in this subject, it’s important to understand who makes the rules when it comes to masking requirements.

Who Makes the Masking Rules?

The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) is a national advisory group that provides guidance on issues of public health.  The CDC does not issue public health mandates.  Rather, they issue recommendations that are used by California regulatory agencies to craft the rules for local school districts.  CDC recommendations on masking can be found HERE and are summarized by the following quote:

"Masks should be worn indoors by all individuals (age 2 and older) who are not fully vaccinated. Consistent and correct mask use by people who are not fully vaccinated is especially important indoors and in crowded settings, when physical distancing cannot be maintained."

The California Department of Public Health (CDPH) is a regulatory agency that has taken a stance that is more restrictive than the recommendations of the CDC.  CDPH calls for universal masking indoors on school campuses.  Unlike the CDC’s recommendation, this is a requirement for California public schools. CDPH requirements on masking can be found HERE and are summarized by the following quotes:

"Masks are optional outdoors for all in K-12 school settings."

"K-12 students are required to mask indoors."

"Adults in K-12 school settings are required to mask when sharing indoor spaces with students."

While the LA County Department of Public Health (LACDPH) must comply with CDPH mandates it can also enact more restrictive requirements if necessary.  Currently LA County requirements align with state mandates.  LACDPH requirements on masking can be found HERE and are summarized by the following quote:

"Anyone entering school buildings or transports (school buses as well as school buildings) who has contact with others (students, parents, or other employees) is required to wear a face mask."

Local school boards and district staff do not have the authority to defy the orders of our State and County regulatory agencies.  We recognize that there are some who are strongly opposed to the continuance of this requirement.  We respect the fact that there are people on all sides of this issue.  Nevertheless, we must adhere to the current masking requirements as established by State and County regulatory agencies.

Independent Study Alternative

If your family desires an alternative independent study option, the Hart District offers access to our award-winning Learning Post Academy (LPA).

You can learn more about LPA through a video introduction located HERE.

You can register HERE for an informational meeting on LPA scheduled for July 29th at 9:30 am. 

You can fill out an application to enroll at LPA by going HERE.

______________________________________________________________________________

As we embrace these measures to keep our community safe, we acknowledge that these mandated restrictions will cause frustrations and inconvenience for some. While I regret this fact, I’m encouraged to reflect on the advice of the great John Wooden who wrote:

"Things turn out best for the people who make the best of the way things turn out."

We hope you will join us in this opportunity to make the best of this new start.

Sincerely,

Mike Kuhlman
Superintendent
William S. Hart Union High School District

Good Evening Hart District Families,

At our Governing Board Meeting this Wednesday we discussed a number of issues related to reopening for in-person learning.  The Governing Board heard updates on the following topics:

                Criteria for Reopening

                Adjusted Case Rate Trends

                CDC Recommendation

                Santa Clarita In-Person Learning

                Case Studies

                Reopening Timeline

Please note that it is looking increasingly likely that March 29 will be a date for a potential return to in-person blended learning. We also shared an overview of what Blended Learning will look like when we return.

If you are interested in hearing more about reopening for in-person learning, click HERE (the presentation begins at 1:18:50)

Details of the Blended Learning Plan can be found here. Details of the Online Only Plan can be found here.

Best regards,

Mike Kuhlman

Superintendent

Good Morning Hart District Families,
At our Governing Board Meeting last Wednesday we discussed a number of issues related to COVID-19 and school reopening.  The Governing Board heard updates on the following topics:
Criteria for Reopening
Reopening Criteria for Different Grade Levels
Case Rate Trends in LA County
Potential Reopening Timelines
Vaccinations for Educators
Graduation

If you are interested in hearing the latest on these issues, you can view the presentation here. If you would like to review the entire Board Meeting you can go here.

At our next Governing Board Meeting, we will be revisiting the reopening plan that we finalized last fall.  We hope you can join us.

Best regards,
Mike Kuhlman
Superintendent

Good evening Hart District families,

I’m writing tonight to provide an update on our plans for graduation this school year.  Those of us charged with preparing this annual right-of-passage fully recognize the importance of this special event for students and families.  We are committed to pursuing some form of an in-person graduation ceremony IF we are allowed to do so under State and County health guidelines. 

To that end, we have reached out to the County Health Department to ask for guidance on what will be allowed for graduation.  Three separate times we have been told that, “it depends upon COVID rates as we approach graduation.”  This lack of specificity has hampered our ability to communicate effectively with families.

Because we don’t want to sit back passively and wait, we have convened a committee of District leaders to prepare a proposed list of "acceptable" activities that could be tied to the colored tier levels on the State’s Blueprint for a Safer Economy.  Once we complete the plan, we will propose our ideas to the Health Department.  Our hope is that – if these proposals are accepted – we can communicate what options parents can realistically expect within each colored tier. 

While we are still hoping for an in-person event, we have authorized our video programs to begin planning a virtual graduation video.  The start of this process should not be interpreted as an indication that we have abandoned an in-person graduation.  Rather, we are starting now because it takes time to put-together a high-quality video remembrance. 

Please stay tuned for more information about graduation options in the coming weeks.  I’m optimistic that if COVID rates continue to fall, we will be able to offer some form of in-person option for students and families.

Sincerely,

Mike Kuhlman
Superintendent

Good afternoon Hart District families,