MEDIA ADVISORY: San Diego Unified to Open 2021-22 School Year

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MEDIA ADVISORY

Building Back Better: San Diego Unified Opens 2021-22 School Year with New Investments in Safety, Social-Emotional Supports, Academics

Facility Upgrades, Covid-19 Testing, Safety Protocols Underscore District Commitment to Student Success



What: Back-to-school welcome and news conference for 2021-2022 school year



When: Monday, Aug. 30, 2021



Where: Mira Mesa High School, 10510 Marauder Way, San Diego, CA 92126



Visuals: Students arriving on campus, computer distribution, Covid-19 testing, student meals, athletics, cheer team, color guard, band performance.


7:00 a.m. News Conference: Speakers to include Interim Superintendent Dr. Lamont Jackson, District Physician Dr. Howard Taras, Board President Richard Barrera, Board Trustee Sabrina Bazzo, Mira Mesa High School Principal Jeff Sabins

Additional Interview Windows, Topics (Visuals) and Location:



* 6:30-7:30 a.m. Health; Food Services - (Food Preps) Lunch Court
* 7:00-7:15 a.m. News Conference - Outside Administration Bldg.
* 7:15-7:30 a.m. Covid-19 Testing - (UCSD Administering Tests) Administration Lounge
* 7:30-7:50 a.m. School Safety; Social-Emotional Health - (Cheer Team Performance) Outdoor Classroom Courtyard
* 7:50-8:10 a.m. Athletics; Music - (Color Guard, Performance by Marching Band to celebrate 2022 Rose Parade Invitation and music education) Football Field
* 8:10-8:20 a.m. Visual and Performing Arts - (Music Students) New Music Bldg.
* 8:20-8:30 a.m. Student Arrival - Campus Entrance
* 8:40-9:30 a.m. Facilities Planning and Construction, Instructional Technology (Computer Distribution) - Media Center
* 9:30-10:25 a.m. College, Career and Technical Ed.; Transportation - (Students Working at Auto Service Bays) Transportation Facility

Background: San Diego Unified is making an unprecedented investment in student success and safety this year. In an effort to ensure that our schools are safe for students and employees, all San Diego Unified staff will be required to get vaccinated or be prepared to take part in weekly Covid-19 testing. Families are required to make a decision on Covid-19 testing for their students at the start of the new school year by completing the Covid-19 Testing Acknowledgement Form<https://powerschool.sandi.net/> and submit their response online.



Because student vaccinations are the safest way to get back to school, we are encouraging everyone to "Make a Date to Vaccinate." Vaccines are free and readily accessible throughout the region and can be found by calling 211 or visiting www.myturn.ca.gov<http://www.myturn.ca.gov/>.



In addition, substantial safety measures have been put in place to better protect all students, faculty, and staff on campuses, including:



* Upgraded HVAC filtration from MERV 8 to a MERV 13 or HEPA filter, exceeding current requirements
* Portable air purifiers for areas not served by a MERV or HEPA filter
* Face masks required indoors and outdoors at all times (exceptions for eating, PE, athletics and VAPA), with nearly 1 million masks distributed to schools since reopening in April
* Handwashing stations and cleaning wipes in multiple locations
* A particulate sensor and CO2 monitor at each site for monitoring the school's indoor air quality
* Electrostatic disinfectant sprayers for cleaning school buses
* Protocols in place for contact tracing, should it be necessary
* An up-to-date COVID dashboard<https://nam04.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fsandiegounified.us19.list-manage.com%2Ftrack%2Fclick%3Fu%3D0842714cdcd339c51096304b8%26id%3D6da9d34f74%26e%3Da037c5fff7&data=04%7C01%7Cefrausto%40lajollalight.com%7Ce07fe32ed52940aee71708d960d2a68f%7Ca42080b34dd948b4bf44d70d3bbaf5d2%7C0%7C0%7C637647280442413391%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C3000&sdata=EPNZUHcgswnvUB3EcvzQJCJGU77o7uKu2dSsF7ffSs4%3D&reserved=0> on our website

Because not everyone will be ready or comfortable returning to in-person learning, San Diego Unified K-12 students have the option to enroll in the new online Virtual Academy for the 2021-22 school year.

Social-emotional health will be a priority for all students this school year. Supports include additional school nurses to serve students, and an increase in the minimum number of school psychologists from 65 to 95.


San Diego Unified is excited to welcome students and staff to the 2021-22 school year. The district would like to extend its gratitude to Mission Fed Credit Union for its ongoing support of the initiatives and events that celebrate teachers and students throughout the district.



Parking: Please use parking along Marauder Way.

Media Contact: Communications Director Maureen Magee, mmagee@sandi.net<mailto:mmagee@sandi.net>, 619-381-7930

On Site Media Contact: Public Information Coordinator Mike Murad, 619-925-4790
*This event is for professional journalists. Please confirm attendance in advance.




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