COVID Testing and Mask Updates

On August 26th, 2021, San Diego Unified made two important policy changes to help protect our students, staff, and families from the spread of the Covid-19 virus. Taken together, we believe these changes will help keep more students in school, even as our community continues to face this public health emergency. 

Masks required: Masks will now be required on campus both indoors and outdoors. Certain exceptions for some activities – eating, athletics, physical education, and performing arts events – will apply. Also, students will be able to take mask breaks multiple times throughout the day. For more details, please see our updated FAQs on our district website. Note, these guidelines do not apply to students who are attending the Virtual Academy.

Test in school to stay in school: All families are now required to make a choice on Covid testing at the start of the new school year. Every family must complete the below form and submit their response online at this time. Free Covid testing in school not only helps prevent the spread of the virus, but it also helps more students stay in school and continue their education.  

Covid-19 Testing Acknowledgement Form (Note: A PowerSchool Username and Password will be required to complete this form. If you do not have the Access ID and Password for your student, please contact your school site’s office following the first day of school on August 30th.) 

Background: The California Department of Public Health (CDPH) now allows students to stay in school in many cases, even when they’ve been in close contact with a classmate who has tested positive for Covid-19. Previously, all students in close contact with a positive case were required to quarantine at home for 14 days. Now, in most cases, students can remain in school so long as they take part in regular testing and so long as they were wearing a mask at the time of possible exposure. In other words, testing and wearing a mask, even outdoors, will allow more students to stay in school to continue learning. Thank you in advance for your cooperation with these new procedures. 

Sincerely, 

San Diego Unified