Safe Steps for Safe Schools

Given declining KIPP SoCal case rates, continued prevention measures in place (ie. masking, high quality ventilation) and increased immunity within our communities, KIPP SoCal has moved towards gradually scaling back our universal screening testing program. While we are scaling back, we will continue to maintain the same high level of response testing for positive cases, symptomatic individuals and close contacts.

Each week, we will notify a subset of our families to participate in our weekly testing for the following week.
The number of students tested each week at your student’s school will depend on the level of Covid-19 immunity that exists in the school community. Schools that have a higher level of immunity (from Covid vaccination or recent infection) have more natural protection from Covid-19.
Assuming Covid-19 case rates remain stable, the number of students tested weekly will gradually decrease overtime for every school before completely phasing out the screening testing program.
We will be prepared to temporarily increase testing for periods of time as needed (i.e., in the event of a surge and/or a trend of increased positivity rate).
In the event of a positive case or exposure to Covid-19, testing will continue to be offered at school for all students, as needed according to KIPP SoCal’s COVID-19 response protocols.

There are several free/low-cost options available to individuals to get tested for COVID-19 outside of school.

If you have insurance, begin by contacting your doctor, local hospital, clinic or local pharmacy. If you have health insurance through an employer or Marketplace, your insurance will pay you back for 8 at-⁠home tests each month for each person on your plan. Learn more about insurance reimbursement here.

However, you do not need insurance to get free PCR and rapid antigen tests through any of the options listed below:

Free at-home PCR testing kits are available for pick up at designated locations in Los Angeles County for individuals who have symptoms of Covid-19 or think they were exposed to Covid-19.
Individuals can book a free PCR test at various locations around LA County or San Diego County.
Every home in the U.S. is eligible to order 8 at-home COVID-19 tests at no-cost! If you haven’t already done so, order yours at covidtests.gov or by calling 1-800-232-0233. Only your name and residential address is required to place an order.
At-⁠home tests are available for sale around LA County & San Diego County and online. Check with local retailers and pharmacies to see where at-⁠home tests are available.
If you do not have a healthcare provider and would like to get connected to one, or if you need assistance finding a Covid-19 testing provider, please call 2-1-1.
Find daily and county updates on COVID-19, on-going health & safety protocols, vaccination information and resources and preventative practices to mitigate the spread at CDC.gov.

Keeping up with Protocols

On April 4th, outdoor masking will become optional for all individuals on KIPP SoCal school campuses. Based on the low positivity rates across all of our schools, Covid-19 trends in the larger communities, guidance from Public Health departments, and learnings from other Districts/orgs who have already made this change, we are confident that this next health & safety release in our phased approach is appropriate at this time.

Big changes come with big feelings, feel free to review our K-1, 2nd - 4th grade, and Middle School discussion guides with your children during this transitional period.

Keeping up with Protocols

On April 4th, outdoor masking will become optional for all individuals on KIPP SoCal school campuses, and big changes come with big feelings. Feel free to review our discussion guides below with your children during this transitional period.

"Let's Talk About Change" K-1, 2nd - 4th grade, and Middle School
"Respecting Different Choices" K-1, 2nd - 4th grade and Middle School
"Let's Talk About Self-Esteem" K-1, 2nd - 4th grade and Middle School

Stay Home If Sick or Exposed

Keep your child home and seek medical care and testing if they’re feeling sick or have been exposed to COVID-19.

COVID-19 Symptoms:

Tested positive for COVID-19 in past 10 days or has any of these symptoms:

Fever 100.4 degrees or higher
Difficulty breathing/shortness of breath
New onset of cough
New onset of severe headache
Sore throat
New loss of taste or smell
Diarrhea or vomiting.

Known Exposure:

Close contact with someone who has tested positive for COVID-19 OR
Close contact with someone who has symptoms of COVID-19 in the past 10 days
Note: Close contact = Within 6 ft of a suspected or confirmed infected individual for 15 minutes or more over a 24 hour period