Southern Humboldt Unified School District is closely monitoring the novel coronavirus to provide you with advice and guidance, and communicate information as necessary. We are still advising parents, as we always do, do not send your child to school if they may be sick. Keeping your sick child home will be a great benefit for the health and wellness of our students and staff. If you, your child, or family recently traveled to or from China, we also ask that you take extra precautions and seek a medical evaluation from your doctor before returning to school.
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RECENT UPDATES FROM THE SHUSD ADMINISTRATION CAN BE FOUND BY CLICKING THE LINK BELOW OR VISITING OUR UPDATE PAGE
For up-to-date information regarding the novel coronavirus, see:
- The California Department of Public Health (CDPH) website
- CDPH page full of guidance documents
- CDPH guidance document for schools
- Statewide and County-Specific Documentation from CA Resiliency
- Centers for Disease Control (CDC) website
- California Department of Education Crisis Response Page
This page is a resource for parents and school administrators regarding the Coronavirus (COVID-19). As long as we are able, updates and school closure information will be posted here. Official communication from HCOE can be found on its Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram pages.
All Residents Ages 16+ Now Eligible for Vaccine
Under Humboldt County’s Vaccination Plan, all residents ages 16+ are now eligible to recieve a COVID-19 vaccine.Continue Reading All Residents Ages 16+ Now Eligible for Vaccine
HCOE Partners with Valencia Labs for Employee COVID-19 Testing
The Humboldt County Office of Education (HCOE) has partnered with the State of California to make COVID-19 surveillance testing available for educators in our county who are providing in-person learning and instructional support.Continue Reading HCOE Partners with Valencia Labs for Employee COVID-19 Testing
County Begins Inviting Educators to Be Vaccinated
The Humboldt County Office of Education has been working closely with Humboldt County Public Health to coordinate on vaccination efforts for educators. The county hopes that all 3,100 educators in Humboldt County will be invited for appointments by Feb. 12.Continue Reading County Begins Inviting Educators to Be Vaccinated
County Moves to Vaccination Phase 1B Tier 1
On Thursday, Jan. 14, the Humboldt County Joint Information Center announced it has begun to move into Phase 1B of its COVID-19 Vaccine plan.Continue Reading County Moves to Vaccination Phase 1B Tier 1
CDPH Releases New Consolidated School Guidance Doc
Today the California Department of Public has released a new consolidated guidance document for K-12 schools.
California Launches Safe Schools for All COVID Website
The State of California has unveiled a brand new website for school administrators, staff, and parents, that outlines the funding, testing, and safety measures the state offers to support safe in-person instruction for California’s kids.Continue Reading California Launches Safe Schools for All COVID Website
Letter From Dr. Frankovich Regarding Quarantine Duration
In response to revisions to state quarantine guidelines, Humboldt County Deputy Health Officer Dr. Teresa Frankovich has issued a statement to local superintendents.Continue Reading Letter From Dr. Frankovich Regarding Quarantine Duration
Masks Available for Purchase at Contracted Prices for LEAs
The California Department of Education (CDE) would like to make all LEAs aware of the option to purchase masks through statewide contracts in order to reduce costs.Continue Reading Masks Available for Purchase at Contracted Prices for LEAs
USDOE Webinar: Learning in a Pandemic
On Thursday, Jan. 14 at 2:30 p.m. Pacific Time, the U.S. Department of Education will host a discussion on the state of student learning during the pandemic and offer tools that families and teachers can use to support student learning now.Continue Reading USDOE Webinar: Learning in a Pandemic
Reminder: CDE Mini-Grants Available
The CDE yesterday reminding LEAs that mini-grants to address equity and opportunity gaps in student learning are available. From a December press release
Inter-District Application Process Has Begun
Enrollment for the 2021-2022 school year has begun. For families interested in obtaining an inter-district transfer for your child, please contact your child’s district of residence to begin the process.Continue Reading Inter-District Application Process Has Begun
“Our Play & Plan Journal”, A Family Tool for Talking About COVID-19 Released
“Our Play & Plan Journal”, a new journal publication has been produced under the direction of the Humboldt County Office of Education and First 5 Humboldt.Continue Reading “Our Play & Plan Journal”, A Family Tool for Talking About COVID-19 Released
SHUSD Distributes Hundreds of Chromebooks to Schools
The SHUSD is distributing new Chromebooks to students. The computers are intended to help distance-learning students in Southern Humboldt County achieve educational success in “COVID times”.
Education at Work Introduces “College Chats” for Students
The Humboldt County Office of Education’s College Connect program is launching a new series of Zoom conversations for students and their families who are interested in learning about attending college.Continue Reading Education at Work Introduces “College Chats” for Students
New Assesment Procedures
The onset of the COVID-19 global pandemic triggered unprecedented government mandated shelter at home orders. These orders led to school closures across the state of California and the country. As schools have developed plans…
CDE Launches New Tool to Support Educators in Distance Learning
State Superintendent Tony Thurmond announced today that the California Department of Education (CDE) has released a new tool—Guidance on Best Practices for Distance Learning Instructional Planning.Continue Reading CDE Launches New Tool to Support Educators in Distance Learning
CDE School Fiscal Services Updates
The CDE School Fiscal Services Division has posted additional instructional time, attendance accounting, and attendance reporting guidance for distance learning for the 2020-21 fiscal year.Continue Reading CDE School Fiscal Services Updates
Digital Divide Task Force/LCAP Updates and Resources from CDE
State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond and the Closing the Digital Divide Task Force held a special webinar today to connect school districts to available technology during a time when most schools are starting the school year in distance learning and many are experiencing a shortage of computing devices.
Local Students & Local Physicians Connecting and Learning
Local high school students had an opportunity to get an inside glimpse into the science of the coronavirus and learn more about our healthcare system through a distance learning segment with two local physicians.Continue Reading Local Students & Local Physicians Connecting and Learning
Face Coverings Now Required in California Public Spaces
Starting June 18, Californians must wear face coverings in common and public indoor spaces and outdoors when distancing is not possiblContinue Reading Face Coverings Now Required in California Public Spaces
Zoomhaustion! Why and What To Do About It!
Brady Bunch boxes dance in front of your eyes. Crackles come from your computer. Voices compete for your attention. You leave a virtual meeting feeling like you need a long nap…you are experiencing what a friend of mine calls “Zoomhaustion”. Here are two reasons Zoom Sessions (or other web-based interactions) leave us feeling so exhausted.Continue Reading Zoomhaustion! Why and What To Do About It!
County Health Officer Updates Shelter-In-Place Order
Humboldt County Health Officer Dr. Teresa Frankovich issued a revised version of the county’s Shelter-in-Place order on Tuesday, May 19, one that allows additional businesses to reopen once their safety plan is approved.
Get Help Buying Food While Schools Are Closed
The California Department of Education and California Department of Social Services announced today that a new program to benefit families will be available soon.Continue Reading Get Help Buying Food While Schools Are Closed
Shop Online with CalFresh
CalFresh recipients will soon be able to use their EBT card to purchase groceries online at Walmart and Amazon starting April 28th. You will be able order food online that you would normally buy with your EBT card in-person and select home deliveryContinue Reading Shop Online with CalFresh
Waiver Allows Parents and Guardians to Pick Up Meals for Children
In accordance with the Families First Coronavirus Response Act of 2020, FNS has granted a nationwide waiver allowing parents and/or guardians to pick up meals for their children, without the student needing to be present.Continue Reading Waiver Allows Parents and Guardians to Pick Up Meals for Children
Governor Extends LCAP Deadline and Waives PE Requirements
On Wednesday, April 22, 2020, Governor Newsom announced Executive Order N-56-20, which extends the deadline for a Local Education Agency (“LEA”) to adopt its Local Control and Accountability Plan (“LCAP”) for 2020-2021 and waives requirements for physical education, effective immediately.Continue Reading Governor Extends LCAP Deadline and Waives PE Requirements
School COVID-19 Guidance from the Federal Government
A Factsheet on the Impact of COVID-19 on Assessments and Accountability under the Elementary and Secondary Education Act addresses a range of concerns about how extended school cancellations and absences may affect school accountability.
Guidance and Educational Information from CDE
This post contains COVID-19 guidance resources for K-12 schools from the California Department of Education.Continue Reading Guidance and Educational Information from CDE
Many Schools Continue Meal Distribution during Spring Break
Spring break is scheduled for several of our districts next week, but many will continue to distribute meals during this time of need.Continue Reading Many Schools Continue Meal Distribution during Spring Break
Adapting To A Remote Environment
With school sites closed, teachers and families face a reality many could barely imagine just a month ago. Parents may be overwhelmed by working, feeding, supervising, and entertaining their children, combined with the overall stress of protecting the safety of their family.Continue Reading Adapting To A Remote Environment
State & County Officials: Schools Should Plan to Extend Distance Learning
Yesterday in a press conference, Governor Gavin Newsom, with the backing of Superintendent of Schools, Tony Thurmond, shared the expectation that all school districts and charters in California continue to provide distance learning opportunities for students and their families for the remainder of the school year.Continue Reading State & County Officials: Schools Should Plan to Extend Distance Learning
Emergency ADA Funding Information
In the event of school closure and/or loss of attendance due to unforeseen emergency conditions, school districts, charter schools, and county offices of education should submit a J-13A waiver material decrease request to the CDE in order to mitigate the loss of ADA funding.
FFCRA Posters from the Department of Labor
The Department of Labor has created new posters regarding the Families First Coronavirus Response Act.Continue Reading FFCRA Posters from the Department of Labor
Mindfulness: Looking After Our Families’ Mental and Emotional Well-Being Amid Times of Uncertainty
Times such as these are stressful. You may even be experiencing fear and anxiety. While it may seem like there’s nothing you can do to manage stress from home, there are steps you can take to relieve pressure and regain mental as well as emotional control.Continue Reading Mindfulness: Looking After Our Families’ Mental and Emotional Well-Being Amid Times of Uncertainty
CDE Meal Waiver For School Districts During Coronavirus-Related Closure
The California Department of Education (CDE) has received a special waiver that will enable a school district that had previously been approved to operate the Summer Food Service Program (SFSP) or Seamless Summer Option (SSO) to provide meals to students during a coronavirus-related closure.Continue Reading CDE Meal Waiver For School Districts During Coronavirus-Related Closure
#CreateAtHome – Create Art at Home
The need for children to be creative while schools are closed is critical and Create CA is providing resources and highlighting the power of art to heal with their new campaign #CreateAtHome.Continue Reading #CreateAtHome – Create Art at Home
Humboldt County Schools Distribute Nearly 20,000 Meals in First Week of School Closure
Humboldt County schools may be closed to normal on site operations, but the work of administrators, teachers and staff continues to meet student and community needs.
School Closures Extended Due to Shelter in Place Orders
Due to the shelter in place orders from Humboldt County Public Health today and the continued risk…
Governor Gavin Newsom announced last week an easing of public meeting rules in light of the COVID-19 pandemic.Continue Reading Governor Eases Public Meeting Requirements
School Closure Updates – COVID-19
DATE: March 15, 2020 FROM: Jenny Bowen, Director of Communications, 707-445-7767 FOR IMMEDIATE…
Update regarding COVID-19 – School Preparedness and Guidance
On March 11, over 45 District Superintendents, educators, health care professionals, and staff met at the Humboldt County Office of Education (HCOE) Sequoia Conference Center with Public Health Director, Michele Stephens, and Public Health Officer, Dr. Teresa Frankovich, to discuss Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) as related to the education of our children and the health and safety of our community.Continue Reading Update regarding COVID-19 – School Preparedness and Guidance
All County Music Festival 2020 is CANCELLED
On March 11th, there was a meeting with Humboldt County Superintendents and officials from Public Health regarding continuing safety of our students as the Coronavirus (CoVid19) continues to be of concern
SHUSD Updates. Last Updated March 13, 2020
| Date Posted | Announcement | Agency |
| 3/20/20 | Weekly Update to Southern Humboldt Families | SHUSD |
| 3/17/20 | SHUSD Press Release Regarding Food Distribution | SHUSD |
| 3/15/20 | Notice of District Closure March 16-March 27 | SHUSD |
| 3/13/20 | Supterintendent Boyd to SHUSD Families | SHUSD |
| 2/28/20 | Supterintendent Boyd to SHUSD Families | SHUSD |
HCOE Daily Updates. Last Updated March 17,2020
For general information about the Novel Coronavirus (a new virus) that causes respiratory illness, see the Coronavirus FAQ on the Public Health website. The California Department of Public Health website and the Center for Disease Control (CDC) website have general information about Coronavirus, including FAQ handouts.
- California Department of Public Health website https://www.cdph.ca.gov/Programs/CID/DCDC/Pages/Immunization/ncov2019.aspx
- Centers for Disease Control (CDC) website at https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html
Novel coronavirus infections have been confirmed in Humboldt County (1 case). Despite this case, there is no immediate threat to the general public, no special precautions are required, and people should not be excluded from activities based on their race, country of origin, or recent travel if they do not have symptoms of respiratory illness. Humbodlt County residents, students, workers, and visitors should continue to engage in their regular activities and practice good public health hygiene as this is the height of flu season across the County. The risk from the novel coronavirus to spread in Humboldt County residents is deemed to be low at this time.
Information for schools:
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Students should not be excluded from school or any activities based on their race, country of origin, or recent travel (including travel to Wuhan City, China).
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Students with travel to Wuhan City, China should only be excluded if they have symptoms of respiratory illness (see below).
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Students and staff should not wear masks to protect themselves. Masks are not an effective method of general prevention. LA County Public Health does not recommend the use of masks for general prevention. Handwashing provides better protection from infectious diseases.
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Schools can play an important role to educate students, parents, and staff by providing factual information on coronavirus. See FAQ handouts – available in English, Chinese, and Spanish.
