Lake Tahoe Unified School District will begin classes when all neighborhoods repopulated

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - As the community starts to return to South Lake Tahoe, Meyers and Christmas Valley, the question on the minds of many parents is, when do my children return to school?

The initial date for the Lake Tahoe Unified School District (LTUSD) 2021/22 school year was August 30, but that was pushed out due to unhealthy air from the Caldor Fire, then the next date was set for September 7 but with the evacuation of the whole community, it has been postponed again. Those living in the city limits have been able to return though they're still under an evacuation warning, but those residing in the county have not and are still under .

"With all that has transpired in the last few weeks, we are emotionally and physically exhausted, likely financially as well, but also motivated to get back to our routines and back to school! Collectively, we will make this happen for our children, their social-emotional needs, and the great importance of education," said LTUSD Superintendent Dr. Todd Cutler in a letter to families.

Return to School

LTUSD intends to reopen when every neighborhood is out of any kind of evacuation status - warning or mandatory. School sites will not open individually as families attend schools across all residential and school boundaries. Each of us has faced challenges, every individual has a story to tell, and this experience brings us together. LTUSD will honor every individual and their circumstances in this process of repopulation by opening all school sites on the same day.

LTUSD is looking at every angle in our reopening efforts so they can open school as soon as possible. At this time the District is planning to open three days after the first notification that all evacuation orders have been lifted, to give families time to travel, clean homes and get settled, and then attend school on the 4th day. This would include Saturdays and Sundays. For example, if orders are lifted on Friday, school would start on Tuesday. That said, many variables exist for a successful and healthy First Day of School opening:

School Sites are scheduled to be inspected and assessed for cleanliness and safe occupancy: LTUSD is working with partnering agencies to identify impacted schools and contract with professional remediation companies to ensure that impacted schools are 100 percent fit for occupancy. Air quality, surface cleanliness, and building safety will be assessed, and all smoke byproducts will be removed, before any schools are opened.

All current air filtration devices will receive new filters, air duct systems will be inspected and cleaned of all potential particulate matter. The District will be receiving approximately 350 additional devices to distribute to school sites. No burn damage to any school sites has been reported. All surfaces will be wiped clean and air will be thoroughly tested prior to re-entry.

All Hands on Deck! It’s going to take a lot of hard work to get our school sites up and running. Rest assured our staff members are committed and ready with all of the energy and effort it will take to prepare the school sites for the first day of school. Designated staff members have been given permission to enter school sites to begin the cleaning process.

Availability of Local Resources

It is our understanding that there may be temporary shortages of gasoline, groceries, and other important resources, mainly due to staff shortages and delivery challenges. Please be sure that prior to returning home you obtain any necessary grocery, cleaning products, medications, gasoline, etc. The timeline for restoring these supplies to our community is unknown at this time.

Athletics at STMS/STHS

Athletic programs, including practices and competitions, will operate on the same return timeline as the return to school timeline.

Credit for a Full School Year

Under these clear emergency circumstances the District will apply to the State for a waiver for the lost school days which will result in credit for all students for a full school year. Certain calendar modifications may be necessary but are unknown at this time.

Air Quality

The previously established guidelines will remain in effect after school is opened: If outside air quality is between 150 PM2.5 and 300 PM2.5 per PurpleAir monitors at or near our school sites, all staff and students are to remain indoors.

If outside air quality is over 300 AQI (per PurpleAir) and is expected to stay above 300, school will be cancelled (like a snow day). This will be determined by looking at the PurpleAir sensors at or near school sites; Levels at one school site alone will not be used to make the final decision.
A combination of school sites above 300 will result in cancelation. The decision each day will be made no later than 6:30 am and communicated to staff by 6:45 a.m. If school is not cancelled and air quality worsens during the day, they will continue to monitor and shorten the school day if necessary.

The Transportation Department, bus drivers, and mechanics, have remained on call and continue to work each day to assist in our city’s repopulation efforts.