Visitors to campus who will be inside buildings will be required to show either proof of vaccination or a recent negative COVID-19 test (within 72 hours) COVID Rapid Tests may be purchased at a local drug stores. They must be taken in the presence of school staff

Masks are required for all students and staff when indoors. Masks are optional outdoors.

• Students whose health would be put at risk by in-person instruction will be offered enrollment in the Independent Study program via the district's Alta Vista School. Per AB130, our program has been expanded to serve students in grades TK-12.

• Along with other Health & Safety precautions like mask wearing and hand hygiene, regular testing can help us reduce the spread of the virus, prevent outbreaks and ensure we are doing all we can to keep our students in school.
• “Surveillance” testing refers to regular testing for individuals who are not experiencing any COVID-19 symptoms. Surveillance testing is provided for free to students as an added safeguard to minimizing the spread of COVID-19.
• At this time, we are only testing unvaccinated students. 
• All student medical information is confidential.
• Testing will be conducted with the care and support of trained school staff. Students will self-swab using an antigen (rapid) test. Positive tests will be confirmed through the use of a PCR test, which will be sent to a lab. 
• Please view the following video for a demonstration of a COVID Test: Student Self-Swabbing. 

Santa Barbara Unified has an entire web page filled with resources, including groups for parents who are struggling during COVID-19. 

• Social Emotional and Mental Health Resources

• SEL y la salud mental

Parents and teachers who wish to refer a student for mental wellness services should contact their principal in elementary school and their Dean or School Counselor in secondary.

• The same way that teachers monitor health and safety guidelines throughout the school year, teachers and school staff will monitor and reinforce health guidelines

• School nurses will track, isolate, and monitor illnesses daily. Data will be reported to the district's COVID-19 Task Force and to Santa Barbara County Public Health

• School nurses will serve as liaisons between school sites and county Public Health

• Dr. Frann Wageneck, Assistant, Superintendent of Student Services, is responsible for addressing concerns from the public at large

• Families will receive notices of exposures and closures will maintain confidentiality

• Students and staff who are symptomatic for COVID will be offered a COVID-19 test at no charge.

Our district will collaborate with Santa Barbara County Public Health when investigating workplace exposures to COVID-19. Our district nurses, who are registered nurses, will consult with Susan Klein Rothschild, of county Public Health, to determine next steps including:

• Case investigation

• Contact tracing

• Notifications of exposure and potential closures

Head to our district’s technology support page for more information.

We encourage our families to connect with teachers, principals and other support staff at their school. We also welcome questions and concerns via our bilingual Family Engagement Unit.