Roseville Joint Union High School District
1750 CIRBY WAY, ROSEVILLE, CALIFORNIA 95661

John Becker, Superintendent

Office (916) 786-2051 ex. 1010 • jbecker@rjuhsd.us

BOARD OF TRUSTEES

Pete Constant
Heidi J. Hall
Julie K. Hirota
Scott E. Huber
Andrew Tagg

August 10, 2021

Dear Parents and Guardians,

After sending our communication on August 6th regarding COVID-19 guidance implementation, we received an update from the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) in regards to the Face Covering Exemption requirements. We have updated our forms and process for a Face Covering Exemption to reflect the updated requirements from CDPH.

Assessing for exemption due to a medical condition, mental health condition, disability that prevents wearing a mask, or hearing impairment is a medical determination and therefore must be made by a physician.

Self-attestation and parental attestation for mask exemptions due to the aforementioned conditions do not constitute medical determinations. Students with previously submitted exemptions will have two weeks to secure medical verification to maintain a valid exemption.

Additionally, per CDPH K-12 Guidance, persons exempted from wearing a face covering due to an exempted condition, must wear a non-restrictive alternative, such as a face shield with a drape on the bottom edge, as long as their condition permits it.

To ensure the safety of all staff and students and to significantly limit quarantine from the classroom, all students will be required to wear a mask. Enforcement of face coverings will be managed primarily by  school administrators to allow teachers to focus on the instructional needs of students. Site administration will continue to work with each student, however, if the student continues to refuse to wear a face covering, they will be placed in Independent Study until they comply with the CDPH requirements.

We appreciate your patience as we continue to navigate through rapidly changing circumstances as it relates to COVID-19. We are tired of masks too, but this will allow all students to be on campus, socializing, and participating in school activities. We have come a long, long way and we will get through this safely together.

Respectfully,
John Becker, Superintendent

FACE COVERING EXEMPTIONS
The California Department of Public Health (CDPH) Guidance for Use of Face Coverings exempts from wearing a mask at all times those individuals who: (1) have a medical condition, mental health condition, or disability that prevents wearing a mask, and/or (2) are hearing impared, or communicating with a person who is hearing impaired, where the ability to see the mouth is essential for communication.

Assessing for exemption due to a medical condition, mental health condition, disability that prevents wearing a mask, or hearing impairment is a medical determination and therefore must be made by a physician. Self-attestation and parental attestation for mask exemptions due to the aforementioned conditions do not constitute medical determinations.

Additionally, per CDPH K-12 Guidance, persons exempted from wearing a face covering due to an exempted condition, must wear a non-restrictive alternative, such as a face shield with a drape on the bottom edge, as long as their condition permits it.

The District has approved the process set forth below and the Student Mask Exemption Form for use regarding student face covering exemption.

1) Mask Exemption Request Form can be found HERE: RJUHSD FACE COVERING EXEMPTION REQUEST FORM

2) Obtaining a mask exemption shall be accomplished by providing a signed and verified Mask Exemption Request Form.

3) Submit the Face Covering Exemption Request Form to the school site for review by the principal and/or designee.

4) This student mask exemption process applies to all school sites and other property of the District, except Roseville Adult School.

5) This student mask exemption process shall remain in effect unless and until one of the following conditions occur: (1) masking is no longer required in K-12 school settings by the state and local public health departments, making an exemption from mask wearing unnecessary; (2) state or local laws or regulations, or public health orders require a different process in which case the Superintendent is directed to amend this process to comply with such laws, regulations, or orders.

6) The District may follow up to meet its obligations to determine whether the student has a condition that may qualify for Section 504 or be eligible for special education services under IDEA.

7) This student must quarantine as required by CDPH and/or local health department guidance for persons not wearing a mask.

Roseville Joint Union High School District

John Becker, Superintendent

1750 CIRBY WAY, ROSEVILLE, CALIFORNIA 95661

Office: (916) 786-2051 • FAX (916) 786-2681 • www.rjuhsd.us

BOARD OF TRUSTEES

Pete Constant

Heidi J. Hall

Julie K. Hirota

Scott E. Huber

Andrew Tagg

August 6, 2021

Dear Parents and Guardians,

We are very excited to welcome students and staff back to our campuses for full in-person instruction August 11, 2021.  As all are aware, the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) released updated guidelines for K-12 schools on July 12th. The CDPH guidelines require universal masking indoors, subject to certain exemptions, for all staff and students regardless of vaccination status.  Masks are not required outdoors.

As you can imagine, it is difficult to plan with the ever-changing conditions resulting from the COVID-19 environment. The Roseville Joint Union High School District acknowledges we are in a position where we must comply with health guidelines as well as supporting our teachers to focus on student learning and relationships. Our staff will use a mask compliance protocol to counsel and educate students with the purpose of limiting quarantine numbers, keeping students in the classroom, and participating in school activities.

For any student concerned about their health while on campus due to COVID-19, the District is offering a high quality independent study program at Independence High School. For those interested, an orientation on the various options is available.

We understand many in our community have passionate and differing views on mask wearing. We ask you to help us come together and support our students and teachers. It is important to recognize school staff want to reconnect with students, provide quality instruction and encourage active social participation. We have all intentions of providing athletics, performing arts, rallies, dances and all of the other fun activities students greatly missed during the previous school year. Our goal is to keep our school communities safe and support our students so they can enjoy the school activities so many of you advocated for the past school year. We are truly excited to see your students back on campus.

Thank you for your patience and understanding in this difficult time. We will continue to work with local public health and strongly advocate for genuine local control of decisions that best serve our school communities.

Respectfully,

John Becker, Superintendent



Safety Mitigation Strategies

Daily Health Check

• Students do not need to complete the Screener 19 app, unless they are staying home with COVID-19 symptoms. In our ongoing effort to protect our school and community, we ask that all students complete this health self-assessment prior to coming to school. 
• Within the last 10 days, have you tested positive for COVID-19 or been diagnosed with COVID-19 by a medical professional?
• Since you were last at school, have you had or developed one or more of these symptoms: fever of 100.4˚F or greater, fatigue, body aches, chills, cough, congestion, runny nose, difficulty breathing/shortness of breath, sore throat, headache, vomiting, diarrhea, new loss of taste or smell? 
• Have you been in close contact (within six (6) feet of someone who has COVID-19 for a combined total of 15 minutes or more over a 24-hour period) in the last 14 days? 
• Since you were last at school, have you had a new loss/or altered taste or smell?

If you have answered YES to any of these questions, please stay home, complete Screener19, and a school nurse will be in contact with you for further guidance.
 

• Parents/guardians/students should monitor students health and stay home if they have a fever or exhibit any symptoms consistent with COVID-19

Cleaning and Ventilation

• Daily cleaning of high-touch surfaces in schools and buses
• Disinfection of all impacted areas when notified of a positive COVID-19 case
• Use of MERV 13 filters and maximized airflow inside buildings     
• Hiring additional custodial staff 

Promote Hygiene

• Model and reinforce healthy habits
• Continue frequent handwashing throughout the day
• Hand sanitizer will continue to be available throughout the day            

Distancing

• When possible, 3 foot distancing will be utilized in classrooms and other indoor locations

Face Coverings

• Optional outdoors in all school settings
• Students are required to wear face masks indoors at school and on school transportation, unless exempted under CDPH face mask guidelines
• All adults, regardless of vaccination status, will be required to wear a face mask while indoors when students are present

MASK COMPLIANCE PROTOCOL

• Signage posted in every classroom and throughout the campus that masks are required to be worn indoors by all adults and students.
• At the beginning of each class period, staff will remind all students to wear a mask indoors.  Staff will provide a mask to any student who inadvertently fails to bring one.
• Any student who fails to wear a mask indoors will have their name submitted to administration for a follow up counseling session.  Administration and/or counseling staff will meet with the student to educate them on the CDPH requirement, importance of mask wearing, and inform the student of the District’s educational alternative at Independence High School.
• Parents will be notified of the counseling session, the importance of following the CDPH mask requirement, and the voluntary option of the District’s educational alternative at Independence High School.
• If needed, students may take a mask break by simply stepping outside of the classroom for a few minutes.

QUARANTINE

MASK EXEMPTIONS

The California Department of Public Health (CDPH) Guidance for Use of Face Coverings exempts from wearing a mask at all times those individuals who: (1) have a medical condition, mental health condition, or disability that prevents wearing a mask, and/or (2) are hearing impaired, or communicating with a person who is hearing impaired, where the ability to see the mouth is essential for communication.  

The CDPH K-12 Guidance requires school districts to develop and implement local protocols to enforce mask requirements. The District has approved the process set forth below and the Student Mask Exemption Form for use regarding student mask exemption.  NOTE:  CDPH may soon require schools to obtain additional medical documentation to grant a mask exemption.

1. Obtaining a mask exemption shall be accomplished solely by attestation of the student’s parent or legal guardian, or by the students themselves if they are over 18 years of age, that an exemption applies.

1. The attestation shall be done using the Student Mask Exemption Form .  Please click on this link

1.  This student mask exemption process applies to all school sites and other property of the District, except Roseville Adult School.

1. This student mask exemption process shall remain in effect unless and until one of the following conditions occur: (1) masking is no longer required in K-12 school settings by the state and local public health departments, making an exemption from mask wearing unnecessary; (2) state or local laws or regulations, or public health orders require a different process in which case the Superintendent is directed to amend this process to comply with such laws, regulations, or orders and the Superintendent is also directed to make non-material changes to the student mask exemption process and/or the student mask exemption form as appropriate to implement the exemption; or (3) the District takes action to amend this student mask exemption process.

MASK EXEMPTION FAQ’S

Q. Will I need to get a doctor’s note for my exemption form?

1. At this time, parents can submit an exemption form without additional medical documentation.  Recently, we learned that CDPH requirements will soon change.  If this happens, medical documentation will be necessary, and you will need to work with a healthcare provider to obtain this information and provide it to your school.

Q. Why is there no third party verification required for exemption status?

1. Currently, CDPH guidance does not require additional documentation from those with a mask exemption.  We are under the impression that CDPH will soon require third party medical verification for an exemption.  Even if medical documentation is required, the exemption option will still exist for students who have a verified medical, mental health, or disability situation that prevents mask-wearing; or who are impaird, or communicating with someone who is hearing impaired, where a mask cannot be used. 

Q. What are my options if I do not want my child in a classroom where another student is exempted from wearing a mask?

1. We have independent study options through Independence High School.