• November 1, 2022 – Since the early days of COVID-19, PUSD has had to pivot and adapt to rapidly changing circumstances. The Pasadena Unified Board of Education has approved revisions to COVID-19 safety protocols. All of the changes are highlighted in Version 8 of the PUSD COVID-19 Safety Plan dated October 21, 2022. This is a summary of the most recent updates. 

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  Vaccines

• At this time, everyone 6 months and older is eligible to get the COVID-19 vaccine and the updated fall booster has been approved for children as young as 5 years old. The new boosters protect against the Omicron variant and are recommended for those 5 years of age and older if it has been at least two months since their last dose (primary series or booster). 

*Parents/guardians are encouraged to stay up to date on COVID-19 vaccines and boosters which remain the best way to prevent severe illness, hospitalization and death.

PUSD Health Programs is continuing its efforts in keeping the community safe by holding COVID-19 vaccination clinics for ages three and up on Mondays from 1:00-2:45 pm at PUSD Primary Health Clinic. More information at pusd.us/vaccine.

• The CDPH public health order of August 11, 2021, requiring all school staff to either show proof of full vaccination or be tested at least once per week for COVID-19 has now been rescinded. 

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• School Events and Meetings

• School events such as student dances, proms, assemblies, science fairs and performances are allowable indoors but it is recommended that they take place outdoors if possible. 

• Parent-teacher and faculty meetings can be conducted in person or virtually. 

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Masking

• Masking is strongly recommended but not required for audience members of indoor performances and assemblies.

• On school buses and transportation, it is recommended that students, adults, and drivers wear face masks.

• Masking is strongly recommended but not required for students, staff, community members, visitors and volunteers on school campuses. 

NOTE: All visitors, volunteers and external groups or organizations are required to sign in before entry, screen themselves for symptoms and abide by Board policies, regulations, and school rules. Board Policy - Visitors BP 1250.

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  Masks are required:

  • at testing and vaccination clinics

  • during field trips when required by the venue

  • for 10 days when around others after exposure to COVID-19 and after a positive test result 
    
    

Isolation 

Students, regardless of vaccination status, who test positive for COVID-19 are required to isolate. Isolation should last for 10 days but it may end on Day 6 ONLY if all of the following criteria are met: 

(1) A COVID-19 FDA authorized rapid antigen test collected at home on Day 5 or later is negative; AND

(2) No fever for at least 24 hours without the use of fever-reducing medicine; AND 

(3) Other symptoms are significantly improved and resolving.  

(4) Students must wear a highly protective mask, when around others both indoors and outdoors (except when eating or drinking) for 10 full days after the positive test result. 

Close Contacts

Asymptomatic individuals identified as potential close contacts may remain at school if they follow these requirements: 

(1) monitor for symptoms; 

(2) wear a highly protective mask around others indoors, except when eating or drinking, for 10 days after the last date of exposure; 

(3) receive a negative COVID-19 test result 3 - 5 days after the exposure

• COVID-19 test results for potential close contacts can be submitted electronically using the GROUP TRACING: AT-HOME RAPID TEST SURVEY at http://gopusd.com/testkits
   

Testing

• At-home rapid antigen tests are available for identified or potential close contacts, regardless of vaccination status, at each school health office and the PUSD Health Programs office at 351 S. Hudson Ave.

• PUSD offers on-site rapid antigen nasal swab tests at the District’s Primary Clinic, M-F 1:00pm - 4:00pm for PUSD students and staff.