LTUSD moves to Phase 3 of reopening plan; TK-5 in class four days per week

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - Students in grades TK-5 in Lake Tahoe Unified School District (LTUSD) will start going to school four days per week as the district shifts to Phase 3 on Monday, March 29, 2021.

South Tahoe Middle School, South Tahoe High School and Mt. Tallac High School will remain on their current Cohort A and B schedules at this time.

Phase 3 of the Pandemic Plan impacts grades TK-5 and combines cohorts A and B for a “Modified Traditional” schedule in which all TK-5 students will attend school Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday of each week, on their current bell schedule. Schools will be open on Wednesdays just as they currently are for those students needing additional support.

As of Monday, March 22, El Dorado County's COVID-19 rates have been trending downward, with an adjusted case rate of 3.0, positivity rate of 2.0 percent, and health equity quartile positivity rate of 1.9 percent over the last seven days.

District officials said this trend and current data warrants the shift to Phase 3 along with its current mitigation practices and effective safety protocols demonstrated at each school site.

"The District is confident that a shift to Phase 3 can be accomplished safely and swiftly," said LTUSD Superintendent Dr. Todd Cutler in a letter to parents late Monday.

"The District would like to acknowledge the exceptional collaboration process in working with its employee groups toward our common goal of getting students back in the classroom," added Dr. Cutler. "As community spread remains controlled, and as current CDC and CDPH guidelines align and adapt, the District and our labor groups look forward to continuing the work of increasing student contact time for all grades."

LTUSD also sent its appreciation to local health agency partners, Barton Memorial Hospital, El Dorado County Public Health, and school nurses, for their professional guidance and immeasurable support throughout the school reopening process.