Out of an abundance of caution for the health, safety and welfare of our IUSD students, staff and families, and in response to Governor Newsom’s decision to place the majority of the State of California on an anticipated temporary Stay at Home Order, we strongly urge IUSD to temporarily transition to full time distance learning effective immediately.  We understand that key variables differ by age group and request that changes for Elementary and Secondary schools be made separately.
Schools are now equipped to pivot quickly to distance learning, as we have experienced with the recent fires. 

Based on the information from the Orange County Health Care Agency, the city’s positivity rates continue to increase.  Although our schools have safety protocols in place, the upward trend in positivity rate due to community spread is a concern.  

“'We have the highest case rate, like we’ve never seen before,'” said Dr. Clayton Chau, Orange County Health Care Agency director and county health officer.
Orange County cases and hospitalizations are skyrocketing, along with the rest of the state.  The county is quickly approaching 1,000 people hospitalized as the case increases and trends keep breaking OC records.  As of Wednesday, 974 OC residents were in hospitals, including 239 people in intensive care units, according to state data.  That’s up from 183 on Nov. 1, a 432% increase. 

Although there is a claim that there is little to no transmission in schools, the soaring positive cases cannot be denied and there will be greater transmission as classrooms inevitably become hotspots for the virus.  

In person instruction is ideal and many students/staff chose this model. However, we are now in a state of emergency with the overwhelming number of positive covid cases. Mental health was a key factor in deciding to move back to in person instruction. We should continue to consider mental health as students are now arriving to school fearful, anxious and afraid.  Students have recently organized and created a petition that has already gained 1000+ signatures.  Petition can be found here: https://tinyurl.com/studentpetition
It is time the district hears from IUSD parents as we fully stand along side these brave students and show them our full support and advocate for their health and safety.

We propose that the district commit to online distance learning effective immediately through the month of January.