Dear Laguna Beach Unified Families,

We are excited to welcome you back to the 21-22 school year. Full in-person instruction for all students will begin on August 23, 2021. We wanted to take a moment to share updated information regarding masking, mitigation measures, Multi-Tiered Systems of Support (MTSS), meals, independent study, and more as we plan our safe return. LBUSD continues to follow all health and safety requirements from the California Department of Public Health, Cal/OSHA, Orange County Public Health, CIF, and orders from the governor. As new guidance is received throughout the year, we will make sure to keep you informed.

Masking Protocol
According to the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) guidance released on Monday, July 12, 2021  “K- 12 students are required to mask indoors, with exemptions per CDPH face-mask guidance,” and “adults in K-12 school settings are required to mask when sharing indoor spaces with students.” Universal masking is also required on buses and during field trips that are indoors regardless of vaccination status. Students will no longer be required to wear masks outdoors, including athletic events. All Orange County schools must follow the regulations requiring universal masking indoors for students and staff in TK-12 schools to begin the 2021-22 school year and until guidance is subsequently revised.

LBUSD, Orange County Department of Education, and all local boards and schools in Orange County must implement and enforce the mandates required by the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) in the new K-12 school guidance. The Orange County Health Care Agency, the Orange County Department of Education, local school boards, districts, or schools may not implement policies that are less restrictive than the mandates required by CDPH which are enforceable under the California Emergency Services Act, Government Code 8665.

If you have any questions about mask exemptions, please contact your child’s school principal.

Mitigation Measures

• CDC recommends vaccination for eligible individuals 
• Mask guidance (see below)
• Addition of UV light filters in all HVAC units which replaces evening UV disinfection 
• Continued use of HEPA air purifiers in every workspace and classroom
• Per updated CDPH guidance, social distancing as practicable
• Continue to follow all respiratory and handwashing etiquette 
• Continuation of additional custodial support daily for disinfecting during the school day in addition to regular cleaning protocols

Multi-Tiered System of Support (MTSS)
LBUSD will continue to empower all students to learn through systematic school-wide support through ongoing collaboration involving teachers, administrators, families, specialists, and community partners. We have strategically expanded our wrap-around services to ensure that we are supporting all of our learners based on individual needs. Read more

Nutrition Services
The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) has provided waivers allowing schools to offer free meals to all students during the COVID-19 pandemic. This means that school lunches are provided for free to all students who request them each day of school for the entire 2021-22 school year. LBUSD meals will continue to be prepared in-house, mostly from scratch. Meals will be prepped and ready for students to pick up from a designated location near the cafeteria at each school. A la carte food items will not be offered initially, but we will reevaluate as we begin the school year. Please visit our Nutrition Services page for menus and additional information.

Outdoor Learning Environments
We want to thank our stakeholders for helping us identify outdoor learning area options for students across all campuses. Our stakeholders and logistics team have worked to procure additional items needed to maximize the outdoor learning space.

Quarantine Protocol
LBUSD will follow all current Quarantine Protocols. Our District nurses are here to support the parent or guardian of a child who has been exposed to or experiencing COVID-19 or COVID-like symptoms to help determine the next steps. Please contact the nurse assigned to your child’s site.  The hybrid model offered last year, will not be an option this year per

*For students with IEPs, please refer to your child's "Emergency Condition Plan'' for services provided during periods of quarantine. If you have additional questions, please contact your child’s case manager.

LBHS or EMS
Pam Majd
pmajd@lbusd.org
949-243-5670

TOW or TMS
Kelly Schultz
kschultz@lbusd.org
949-309-1214

Testing Protocol
LBUSD will provide PCR saliva test kits upon request. These may be obtained at each school site and or the District office at any time during regular business hours. Families may also opt to obtain a PCR test from an outside provider.

According to guidance released on 7/9/21, unvaccinated students who have been exposed will be encouraged to test five days after the initial exposure.

Volunteers
We are not allowing volunteers at this time. This will be re-evaluated in late October.

Independent Study
We are eager to support our students as we return to in-person full-day instruction. Students will have access to a typical day of instruction and classes, along with similar after-school activities that were previously available. For students who are not comfortable returning to campus yet, LBUSD will be offering home-based independent study programs as required in the most recent legislation, Assembly Bill 130 (AB 130). Read more.

Additional Resources
2021-2022 LBUSD COVID-19 Student/Parent Protocols
What Parents Should Know About the Updated COVID-19 School Guidance
K-12 Schools Guidance 2021-2022 Questions & Answers

LBUSD strives to maintain all health and safety protocols at our school campuses and looks forward to seeing each and every one of our amazing students on August 23, 2021. Please do not hesitate to contact your child’s school, should you have questions or concerns.

Special School Board Meeting
August 10, 2021 Read More