The following message was just released by Mt. Diablo Unified School District Superintendent Dr. Robert Martinez:
Dear All,
I know that this is an incredibly difficult time, with many moving parts, regarding the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, and its impact on our local and global communities. We all have concerns about the health and safety of our students, families, and staffs, and are striving to understand the parameters involved and take the best course of action on behalf of our school, and broader community.
Please note that according to Contra Costa County Health Services, there are no confirmed cases of coronavirus in any of our schools across the county as of this evening. The Mt. Diablo Unified School District (MDUSD) been working in partnership with the Contra Costa County Health Services, who has expertise in protecting the community during outbreaks, and the Contra Costa County Office of Education to gather information and to make the best decisions for our students and broader community. The strong guidance provided thus far, from all sources, has been to keep schools open, and to work to limit the possibility of community spread. To this end we have moved to cancel a number of events that are not considered an “essential” part of the school day and have worked to limit the opportunity for community spread wherever possible.
Today, the Mt. Diablo Unified School District has called for a Special Meeting of the MDUSD School Board for 2 PM tomorrow, Friday, March 13, 2020, at the Dent Center. The primary goal of this meeting is intended to discuss our efforts as a District with the school board so that they may assist us in guiding any further actions, such as the potential for closing schools. We plan to share many of the resources that we have been using in our work provided form the California Department of Education, Contra Costa County Office of Education, California Public Health Services Department, Contra Costa County Public Health Services, and additional pieces of information that we are using to fully understand the parameters of the Coronavirus (COVID-19) and its potential impacts on the students of MDUSD, and our Contra Costa Community. We will discuss all current measures being taken to safeguard our students and our employees from the Coronavirus and consider the intended and unintended consequences of a possible school closure. Our Board will look at all possible options that might need to be taken and help us to plan for the possibility of potential closure, and the need to continue to meet the needs of our students. We are also aware that information from the County and State continues to be provided that might alter our course of action.
Our District staff is working to remain in constant contact with the County Health Department, County Board of Education and state officials. At this time, no recommendation has been given to our District to formally close schools, however, given the dynamics being presented I believe we are closer to canceling classes for students. We have recognized the increased number of actions taken by neighboring districts, and the confusion that might occur if one district closes, yet another neighboring district remains open. We all understand that school closure would cause a major disruption to our students and their families and negatively impact their education and might also put our most disadvantaged students at more risk for success.
As of this moment, 8:45 PM, Thursday Evening, March 12, 2020, information is changing so quickly and yet, we are committed to working to provide updates as soon as possible given the changing dynamics as we understand them. I also understand that every family is in a unique situation and must place their decisions for their children and for the best health of their family first in their minds and actions. Each of our households may have family members who are vulnerable to complications from COVID-19 or may have a medically fragile child who is also more at risk, and I understand that these concerns are weighing heavily on your minds and hearts.
We will be working to ensure that students who are absent during this time will be given a special code so that we are able to track the reasons for their absence and avoid being tagged with an “Unexcused” absence. On our end, we are planning for continuing educational opportunities for our students in case we do need to make a fateful decision to close schools. We are planning to determine the extent of a possible closure (potential dates), work to determine when we might be able to provide for distance learning or to provide learning materials for students who may not be able to attend school. We are working to determine opportunities for accessing food service, and the real possibility of changing our scheduled spring break.
Please understand that things are changing frequently during this time and there are some required actions we must do before determining if we would close schools. Again, while many would have liked us to have already made this decision, we must work to understand and prepare for intended and unintended consequences. I will be sending another update tomorrow afternoon with more details on any actions that are decided.
Please visit our webpage with all our updates and resources regarding COVID-19: https://mdusd.org/coronavirus2
These are challenging and uncertain times to be sure, yet our school and broader community will get through it. Again, while I understand that there are different opinions and emotions regarding the entire Coronavirus pandemic, and our reactions to this pandemic, please understand that we all want all of our students and their families to be protected in the best possible manner. Civility and empathy will be needed as we work through difficult decisions, and more as we work to more fully understand the impacts of this pandemic on us all.
I thank you for your patience, understanding and support as we all navigate the worst pandemic known to the modern world.
Sincerely,
Dr. Robert A. Martinez, Ed.D.
Superintendent, Mt. Diablo Unified School District
This is ridiculous! Isn’t the point of social isolation and closures to stop it from spreading further. Such an ignorant stance to take “no confirmed cases yet so staying open.” We need to be proactive.
Exactly! PROACTIVE is key. Otherwise they’re giving this virus the opportunity to continue spreading throughout our communities, overwhelming our UNPREPARED hospitals, putting ALL hospital staff at risk. Hospitals in this county have nowhere near the resources needed to handle the expected numbers of very ill patients. You already know what will happen to our nursing homes and the elderly. MDUSD, do your part to help slow the spread of this potentially deadly disease. You’re fortunate to have no diagnosed cases YET. Closing your schools is past due!
the thing is if they close schools doesn’t mean everyone is going to stay home. Some parents MUST work due to the fact that their jobs are essential to the function of the community. Would you be able to guarantee that district staff, teachers, etc will stay home? Will students be “regrouped” based on need for care and thus exposed to new and different peoples? Closing a school without any proven exposure does not ensure that those people will self quarantine. It just displaces those affected by the closure.
So they are waiting for someone to be infected and then pass on to others before they decide to do something ? No Thanks.
Absolutely uncaring way of dealing with this pandemic. Close the schools and colleges! The whole point is to avoid spreading the virus by NOT being in large crowds!
You going to volunteer to look after all those kids from homes whose parents need to work and can’t afford childcare? Some of these kids need access to the food, supervision and structure they get from our public schools.
Until Congress passes a emergency spending bill that will address the need for paid family leave for parents of children from closed schools… we need to keep these kids in the school as long as possible.
MDUSD ARE SUCH A MONEY HUNGRY DAMM DISTRICT. I can’t believe yo u only care about loosing money instead of really caring for our kids. Such a dam
Shame
This has nothing to do with money. It is about providing needed structure to our children in a time of crisis.
So you’re waiting for someone to test positive? Are you stupid?? Every other district is closing or had closed. You need to flatten the curve, which means be PROactive! I would not show if I was a teacher, and my kid is not going. Smh.
The fear and panic is the problem. Corona kills many fewer than the flu. This is no different. The parents of these children are in the healthcare profession, taking care of the ill. Also, if you get the coronavirus, you gain immunities and it actually strengthens your immune system. The fear mongering, media and panic is insane.
@NoFear – That is incorrect. The coronavirus does NOT kill fewer than the flu. Notes from a recent UCSF research panel re: COVID-19 was just released estimating the fatality rate to be 10X the flu. Please do your research first.
While I do believe that fear and panic is over the roof, it’s understandable to be afraid and want to be proactive in slowing the spread of the disease. Most healthy people will survive this pandemic, but everyone knows someone who may not (elderly, immune compromised people, etc) and that is where the fear comes from.
They need to close the schools.
No confirmed cases in the District because it’s next to impossible to get tested!
I’m curious… Will they be closing the schools because of the ’40’ Million diagnosed flu cases we’ve had this year???
Keep the schools open.
SARS – still here
Ebola – still here
Swine flu – still here
Y2K – We’re all still here
This too shall pass.
SARS pretty much disappeared, it can resurface but it’s going to have to escape from a lab that holds it or rebuild itself from scratch.
Published March 6th in LiveScience:
So far, the new coronavirus has led to more than 100,000 illnesses and more than 3,000 deaths worldwide. But that’s nothing compared with the flu, also called influenza. In the U.S. alone, the flu has caused an estimated 34 million illnesses, 350,000 hospitalizations and 20,000 deaths this season, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
“I agree with Curious”. 3000 dead out of 100,000 is a much higher percentage of deaths than 20,000 deaths out of 35 million. The whole point is that the Corona virus is deadlier than the regular flu for people who are at risk. Just look at what happened at the nursing home in Washington. When’s the last time you heard of that happening? The bigger problem here is that the schools would need to be shut down for much longer than two weeks and we aren’t prepared to deal with the ramifications of a long shutdown whether it be in our schools or at our jobs or the places we shop. Most of us will get a normal type of flu but for the at risk portion of our population it will be much worse. People who are at risk should isolate not entire schools until or unless there is a need to such as an outbreak.
I can assure you that the only reason they’re are no confirmed cases is because they are not testing… I have been told that they are not able to unless you know someone directly that is on record as having tested positive for the coronavirus. I have a child at home sick for the last 8 days with symptoms that fall under the parameters and she is not even allowed to be seen at the doctors office nor is she able to be provided a test to assure us whether or not she has it. The mismanagement of this is out of my realm of understanding… It’s as if they don’t even want to know if people have it or not. So I warn you all, if you have any symptoms that lead you to believe you may have it you are on your own anyways because they will not test you. Be prepared with meds to make you comfortable. Outrageous
just got back from one of the countries with an outbreak (next to china) and now with multiple symptoms and they wont even test.
Have you notified the school? Appreciate you even keeping her home.
“students who are absent during this time will be given a special code…and avoid being tagged with an “Unexcused” absence.”
That’s all you need right there.
I can’t even tell you how many times the school restrooms in this District have been out of soap! Even first thing in the morning before school even starts they have been empty. I have brought it to the attention of staff each time and it continues to happen week after week including this week!
If they can’t even ensure there is soap in the restrooms for students and washing your hands is the number one thing we keep reading about to do to reduce the chance of getting this virus then that pretty much says it all.
They should be checking soap and sanitizer dispensers multiple times a day.
Fear and panic is our worst enemy
Misinformation is our worst enemy.
The district wonders why enrollment numbers are down… hmmm… I am a parent, and I do not have faith in MDUSD. Get a better plan than “we’re working on a plan.”
The fear and panic IS the problem. There are no confirmed cases, and if they closed the schools it would be for the protection of the adults (who are more at risk) than the children, and the children would just be out in public somewhere else while their parents are at work. Young children need daycare, which would cost a lot of money that too many parents can’t afford.
Quit panicking. And quit buying out all the toilet paper at every store. Do you really think you’ll be quarantined in the next day or two?
The cause of all this is IGNORANCE. Erring on the side of caution (choosing not to attend an event) is wise. And optional. Closing everything is PANIC.
Lastly, of course the schools need the funding. Are you willing to donate the financial loss to the schools out of your own pocket?
If you’re that worried, get a “special code” for your child.
Confirmed cases? How many have they tested?
All of those kids who are at equal “risk” of CATCHING this virus will take it home to the adults who are more “at risk” of DEVELOPING complications from this virus.
Succinct.
Pandemic will be over before reading all this.
New leadership does not appear to be working out.
“Pandemic will be over before reading all this.”
Well aren’t you special…..and stupid!!!
Can’t be having our disadvantaged students “at more risk for success.” High school English assignment: edit this letter.
If enough concerned parents would do their part by keeping their kids out of the “petrie dish” the district would move more responsibly toward a shut down as they should have already!
MDUSD just sent out an email saying they are suspending schools next week.
March 13, 2020
Dear Mt. Diablo Unified School District Students, Families, and Community Members,
This is an important update about the district’s response to coronavirus (COVID-19) in our community.
According to Contra Costa Health Services, as of last evening, there have been zero (0) confirmed cases of coronavirus to students or staff at any of our schools. We have been diligent to implement preventative measures and to follow the guidance of our county’s public health authorities.
However, in an abundance of caution, I have decided to formally close schools starting on Tuesday, March 17, 2020. Please note that Monday is a scheduled Professional Development Day for teachers, with no students present.
More specifics will follow this afternoon regarding the parameters of the closure, and plans to maintain some services for students during the formal closure to schools.
We are working directly with any school sites where we have any new information that may prompt any immediate need to close school today, and will everyone with additional information as it is available.
We do not make this decision lightly, as we understand that school closures can be difficult on our families. We believe that this decision is in the best interest of our students and we will continue to monitor the situation and to communicate openly with our community.
Still, our district is committed to providing as many services as possible, including food services at select school sites. Principals will communicate with their respective communities with a comprehensive list of continuing services.
Thank you for your partnership in keeping our students as safe as possible,
Dr. Robert Martinez
Superintendent of Mount Diablo Unified School District
As of Tuesday March 17th. School is closing. They just announced it.
Any news about CVCHS closing?
Hopefully, the home burglary rate does not go up.