LTUSD not moving to remote learning at this time - COVID-19 testing for symptomatic staff and students

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - Lake Tahoe Unified School District (LTUSD) is experiencing a high volume of COVID-19 cases among staff and students, but schools have been able to operate safely and stay open.

At this time, LTUSD has no plans to shift to remote learning but they are prepared should staff shortages prevent them from operating schools. Currently, that move is not necessary as the current rate of staff shortages and student absences due to COVID-19 is not enough to close schools.

"Should there be staff absences that prevent us from operating schools (such as bus driver shortages or high numbers of teaching staff with an inability to get substitute teachers or combine classes) we will prioritize continuity of learning and switch to virtual instruction for a short period of time," the District said in a statement.

They said it is their intention to keep schools open as long as student safety is assured and staff-to-student ratios are feasible.

LTUSD said they had fewer staff members out sick on Wednesday than they did on Tuesday.

Due to the rise of cases in the community, school officials ask that parents not send their child(ren) to school if they have any COVID-19 symptoms.

The new COVID-19 variant is highly transmissible among both vaccinated and unvaccinated persons.

"If you have any symptoms and/or have gone to get a COVID test because you are not feeling well, you must stay home until the results of the test have come in," said the District.

If a student or staff member is symptomatic or has been exposed to someone who has COVID, testing is available at the Al Tahoe elementary school site (Boys and Girls Club) on Thursday between 9:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m., and Friday from 7:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.

The El Dorado County Office of Education (EDCOE) is waiting for the State to send at-home test kits for districts to distribute to families. Once EDCOE receives confirmation of delivery date, they will work with districts and charter schools on the distribution as well as provide information to share with families.