• February 6, 2022

    Dear CVUSD Families, 

    Thank you for your continued support and working with the District to keep schools open and provide students with in-person instruction. The COVID-19 pandemic has been difficult on our community, but the support we have jointly provided our students and staff encourages us to remain focused on successfully navigating these unchartered waters.  

    As we move forward, pandemic procedures, including masking requirements, continue to be a topic communities debate at the national, state, and local levels. Discussions intensified after Governor Newsom and L.A. Mayor Garcetti were photographed posing without face coverings during an NFL game late last month.  

    While this duplicity of standards has sparked frustration throughout the community, health directives provided by the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) and the San Bernardino County Department of Public Health (SBCDPH) remain unchanged. These health directives require all students, staff, and visitors – regardless of vaccination status – to wear an approved face covering while indoors at a school site, district facility, and riding district transportation.  

    Although the District does not have plans to be more restrictive in its practices, it cannot ignore federal, state, and local directives that govern school operations. When school districts purposefully violate health orders, mandates, or laws, they are subject to civil and criminal liability (Government Code section 8665). 

    While I understand your frustration, I want to reiterate to our community that our Board of Education, teachers, administrators, and classified staff do not have the legal authority to revise or overturn health directives (Education Code section 35160). 

    It has been shared that an organized protest against face coverings has been scheduled for tomorrow, Monday, February 7. This protest may involve students not adhering to the current indoor face covering directive governing K-12 schools. While the District respects an individual’s right to form and exercise personal opinions, it is required to adhere to the indoor face covering requirement established by the CDPH.  

    Therefore, should students without a mask exemption on file at school select not to wear a face covering while indoors, they will continue their learning in an outdoor environment where face coverings are not required. Supervision will be provided by certificated teachers and staff.  

    For those who wish to share their thoughts and perspectives regarding current health directives, whether positive or negative, I strongly encourage you to contact governing agencies and individuals with the authority to revise said directives: 

    Gavin Newsom 

    California Department of Public Health 

    San Bernardino County Department of Public Health 

    Rest assured, CVUSD remains committed to providing a learning environment where our students continue to receive in-person instruction. Should current directives change, the District will respond and adapt quickly to help keep our community informed of any updates. 

    Thank you for your continued collaboration as we partner together to successfully navigate the pandemic. 

    Sincerely, 

    Norm Enfield, Ed.D. Superintendent