Some Elementary Schools in Monterey County can Reopen for In-Person Instruction because of low COVID-19 Case Rate

The Monterey County Office of Education announced on Tuesday, February 16 that the County's COVID-19 adjusted case rate has dropped low enough which means that K-6 schools can reopen for in-person instruction and added that schools can now finalize their plans to reopen those grades after they post their COVID Safety Plan with the COVID Prevention Policy and School Guidance Checklist on their website. The plan also needs to be submitted to the Health Department and California State Safe Schools for All Team to look at. Once the plan has been presented, the health department and state team have 7 days to review it and provide feedback. If they do not get back to the school by the 8th business day the school can reopen. Some schools in Monterey County were already approved a few months into the beginning of the School year for waivers to reopen before the process was eliminated or worked with small groups of students under the Small Group California Department of Public Health guidelines. The Monterey County office of Education also stated there will still be options for distance learning if families do not feel comfortable sending students back for in-person instruction.