PUSD Moves to Scenario II in State’s COVID-19 Guidelines

According to information obtained by Pasadena Now, the Pasadena Unified School District will announce today the district has moved from Scenario I to Scenario II in the state’s guidelines released this weekend which dictate how districts operate during the Coronavirus outbreak.

District officials met Tuesday morning with School Board Patrick Cahalan to discuss the matter.

Meanwhile, the district may cancel its ArtNight event “No Boundaries” scheduled for Friday.

Scenario II applies to cases where two confirmed cases of community spread have occurred. There are now two cases in Los Angeles County.

According to city officials, who have not released exact quarantine numbers, there are no cases of the virus in Pasadena.

Under Scenario II: The District continues to follow the guidelines established in Scenario I, but the following guidelines are also recommended.

Teachers and staff with any fever and/or respiratory infection symptoms should not come to work. Teachers and staff should self- screen (i.e., check themselves for subjective fever and/or respiratory symptoms such as cough) for respiratory infection symptoms each morning before interacting with students.

Ensure sick leave policies for those allow teachers and staff to stay home if they have symptoms of respiratory infection.

Limit visitors to the school by not allowing those with symptoms of fever and/or respiratory infection or who have a travel history over the course of the last 14 days to an area identified by the CDC as Level 3 Travel Health Notice.

Consider alternates to congregate or group programming within the school including any large or communal activities such as assemblies. Alternate approaches which limit close contact may include conducting assemblies via webcasts or intercom announcements.

Consider implementing staggered recess times to limit the number of students who are together; and if possible, group recess by classrooms.

Consider relaxing requirements for a doctor’s note for the child to return to school after illness.