Newsom: Counties not on monitoring list for 14 days can physically open schools

Governor Gavin Newsom announced Friday learning in California is "non-negotiable," and schools in counties that have not been on the state monitoring list for 14 days can physically open.

Newsom said while most people prefer in-class teaching and the benefits it brings to education, safety and health must come first.

The governor stated that schools in counties that do not meet the 14-day requirement must begin the school year with distance learning. This decision just one part of the governor's Five Principle Pandemic Plan for Schools.

That plan included the following:

1. Safe in-person school based on local health data
   1. schools can physically reopen when county has been off the monitoring list for 14 days
   2. schools that do not meet this requirement will not be able to reopen to in-person learning. Must begin the year with distance learning.
2. Mask requirement
   1. all school staff and students in 3rd grade and above must wear masks
   2. 2nd and below must wear face shields
3. Physical distancing + other adaptions
   1. staff must maintain 6ft distance between each other and students
   2. symptom checks
   3. handwashing stations
   4. sanitation
   5. protocols for quarantine
4. Regular testing + dedicated contact tracing
   1. test staff regularly
   2. state contact tracing workforce will prioritize schools
5. Rigorous distance learning
   1. access to devices and connectivity
   2. daily live interaction with teachers and students
   3. challenging assignments equivalent to in-person classes
   4. adopt lessons for English language learners and special education students

Newsom also announced the state investing $5.3 billion in additional funding for schools.

He also stated schools should close in-person learning if there is a confirmed case or if students go home with more than 5% of the school positive.

A district should go home if 25% of their schools are closed with a 14-day period.

This is developing.