ONE thing you can do today

Please contact the California Department of Public Health to contest their decision rejecting Poway USD’s plan for expanding in-person instruction at middle and high school.

Register your complaint with the CDPH here: https://caschoolsopening.powerappsportals.us/en-US/comments-and-concerns/

Feel free to use this message:

I am writing to contest the CDPH decision rejecting Poway USD's plan to expand in-person instruction at our middle and high schools.

It is irresponsible and irrational for the CDPH to suddenly apply a new standard, especially since it is in contrast to our state's teacher certification program and the recently passed legislation on Covid relief and school reopening.

1. A single cohort in a single classroom does not align with how our state certifies teachers. We do not have middle and high school teachers certified to teach multiple subjects in self-contained classrooms.

2. The recently passed SB 86 legislation defines in-person instruction as "instruction under the immediate physical supervision and control of a certificated employee". [Section 43520.5 (f)(1)]

On those two points, the CDPH is making it impossible for our middle and high schools to properly serve our students with in-person instruction.

Schools and districts in San Diego County and throughout the state have been safely providing in-person instruction on middle and high school campuses with students learning from each of their subject matter teachers.

The CDPH must grant our students access to that same opportunity. The risks of ongoing damage to students’ academic, social, emotional, and physical well-being are too great not to.

Please reverse your decision immediately.