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PCOE
Phone: 530.889.8020
| Fax: 866.840.2941 |

Placer County Office of Education
360 Nevada Street Auburn, Auburn, CA 95603 USA
PCOE
Phone: 530.889.8020
| Fax: 866.840.2941 |

Placer County Office of Education
360 Nevada Street Auburn, Auburn, CA 95603 USA

Crisis Response
PCOE Public Facing Web Site

 Crisis Response
​​Crisis Response

 Introduction

The safety of our students, staff and community is always our top priority. The Placer County Office of Education works collaboratively with county agencies, law enforcement and emergency services to ensure the community and local school district personnel have the information they need to make informed decisions.

 Coronavirus (COVID-19)
​​

 Current Update

Update as of July 17, 2020

In a July 17 press conference, Governor Gavin Newsom shared updated criteria from the California Department of Public Health regarding the safe reopening of schools for in-person instruction for the 2020/21 academic year. Specifically, the criteria states, “schools and school districts may reopen for in-person instruction at any time if they are located in a local health jurisdiction (i.e. county) that has not been on the County Monitoring List within the prior 14 days.” Read the full document.

Placer County was placed on the State of California’s COVID-19 County Data Monitoring List on July 9 due to increases in hospitalization rates and decreased bed capacity in Intensive Care Units. Therefore, at this time, Placer County does not meet the criteria for schools to safely reopen for in-person instruction.

The Placer County Office of Education continues to work closely and collaboratively with school district superintendents, charter school operators and Placer County Public Health towards a safe reopening of schools for in-person instruction in Placer County when conditions improve.

Parents, students and families will continue to receive updates from their school districts and charter schools regularly through email, by phone and through social media.

The Placer County Office of Education's Childcare Resource and Referral Program is available for families working in essential services. Call (530) 745-1380 for assistance.

Additional Details

Face Covering Mandate in California

Nutrition Services

Additional Information

  • For general questions about COVID-19 and precautions currently recommended by Placer County Public Health, residents may call the county’s coronavirus information line at (530) 886-5310.
  • Current information about the coronavirus is available at placer.ca.gov/coronavirus and on the CDC website.
  • VIDEO NEWS: Watch Placer County Superintendent of Schools Gayle Garbolino-Mojica address challenges in returning to school with the Association of California School Administrators on Facebook.

 About

​Novel coronavirus (COVID-19) is a new virus strain spreading from person-to-person. It is currently in the United States and many other countries, after originating in China. Health experts are concerned because this new virus has the potential to cause severe illness and pneumonia in some people — especially people over age 60 or those who have weakened immune systems. The following information is reported from the Placer County Public Health website: https://www.placer.ca.gov/coronavirus.

Current Understanding of Virus

  • Symptoms most commonly include fever with cough or shortness of breath. Headache, sore throat, and runny nose also occur with this virus. Symptoms of COVID-19 may appear in as few as two days, or as long as 14 days, after exposure. Some people show no symptoms at all.

  • Health experts are still learning more about the spread. Currently it is thought to spread: through respiratory droplets when an infected person coughs or sneezes, between people who are in close contact with one another (within about 6 feet), or by touching a surface or object with the virus and then touching the mouth, nose, or eyes.There is increasing evidence that transmission of the virus can occur as early as three days before people develop symptoms, via respiratory droplets expelled not just in coughs or sneezes but also through activities like talking or singing.

Preventing Illness

To help prevent the spread of respiratory viruses, including the coronavirus and flu, follow these important tips: 

  • Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.

  • Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.

  • Avoid close contact with people who are sick.

  • Stay home when you are sick.

  • Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.

  • Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces.

  • Individuals with chronic health issues and/or individuals experiencing severe symptoms should be evaluated by a medical professional.

For general questions about COVID-19 and precautions currently recommended by Placer County Public Health, residents may call the county’s coronavirus information line at (530) 886-5310. Current information about the coronavirus is available at placer.ca.gov/coronavirus and on the CDC website.

 Families

​The following information is intended for families of students enrolled in a PCOE school or program such as Pathways iCARE Charter or Court & Community Schools.

In March 2020, the Placer County Board of Supervisors declared a local health emergency. As part of that effort, Placer County Public Health began community mitigation strategies in an effort to slow the spread of COVID-19 throughout our region with a focus to protect vulnerable communities and guard critical infrastructure.

Update as of July 17, 2020

In a July 17 press conference, Governor Gavin Newsom shared updated criteria from the California Department of Public Health regarding the safe reopening of schools for in-person instruction for the 2020/21 academic year. Specifically, the criteria states, “schools and school districts may reopen for in-person instruction at any time if they are located in a local health jurisdiction (i.e. county) that has not been on the County Monitoring List within the prior 14 days.” Read the full document.

Placer County was placed on the State of California’s COVID-19 County Data Monitoring List on July 9 due to increases in hospitalization rates and decreased bed capacity in Intensive Care Units. Therefore, at this time, Placer County does not meet the criteria for schools to safely reopen for in-person instruction.

The Placer County Office of Education continues to work closely and collaboratively with school district superintendents, charter school operators and Placer County Public Health towards a safe reopening of schools for in-person instruction in Placer County when conditions improve.

We will be in touch with families soon to share how this new criteria impact our programs for students.

Framework for Returning to School for PCOE Programs

The health and safety of our students, staff and school community is the single highest priority for the Placer County Office of Education (PCOE). We're pleased to share the PCOE Framework for Returning to School - for when conditions allow. This document provides guidance for reopening PCOE programs for the 2020-21 academic year to support a safe, clean environment for students and staff. It also outlines health and safety protocols and strategies to help slow the spread of COVID-19.

Download the Framework for Returning to School When Conditions Allow

Guiding Principles for PCOE Programs

The Placer County Office of Education plans to begin the 2020-21 academic year as scheduled. In doing so, we are committed to the following guiding principles in the reopening of our student programs:

  • Health and Safety - The health and safety of staff and students is the single highest priority.

  • Cohorts - The core operational structure of our school programs is a cohort of students and staff whenever possible. This structure helps to mitigate the spread of germs, enables health providers to trace contacts in the event of an infection, and isolates the need for potential closures.

  • Physical Distancing - For some students, the cohort in itself is the physical distancing practice. For other student groups, physical distancing of six feet will be maintained whenever possible.

  • Procedures and Protocols - Specific safety protocols including daily health self-monitoring, temperature checks as needed, lunch procedures, restroom use procedures, paths of travel, outdoor recreation activities and substitute procedures will be carefully planned, implemented, monitored and updated on a regular basis.

  • Academic Success - In-class learning provides an effective learning environment for students to meet learning objectives and access instructional support from caring adults.

  • Social Emotional Support – Relationships and in-person connectivity are a critical component of social development for students.

  • Responsiveness – The PCOE Leadership Team is available to interface with sites and Placer County Public Health to answer any questions or concerns that arise.

As health officials have reiterated, COVID-19 is expected to remain present in our community for the foreseeable future. We will continue to work closely with Placer County Public Health to monitor the spread of COVID-19 and the possible impact on our programs should there be a positive case in our school community.  

Thank you for your continued patience, as together, we navigate this pandemic. Updates will be shared every two weeks or when new developments arise. Should you have questions or need assistance with your specific situation, please do not hesitate to reach out to your school principal.

Additional Information

School Principal/PCOE Program Contacts:

  • Pathways iCARE, iCARE Independent Study and the Come Back Program: Christina Fahlstrom, Principal, cfahlstrom@placercoe.org 

Talking with your Child about COVID-19:

Families across the country are adapting to the evolving changes in daily life caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. Take a look at the resources from the National Association of School Psychologists about how to talk to children about COVID-19.

 PCOE Employees

​The following information is intended for PCOE employees.

Update as of Juy 21, 2020

As critical and essential workers, effective Monday, August 3, PCOE office staff will resume the hybrid schedule for reporting to workplace facilities (min. two days in the office and the remainder telecommuting per week). Additionally, PCOE will be open to districts and the public by appointment only.  All other employees are to report on their first workday as determined by their supervisor.

Things will look different person to person, department to department and building to building. Office and program schedules, physical distancing expectations and health protocols will vary depending on your work assignment, the goals and objectives of your department as well as the physical space you typically work in. Please continue to check your PCOE email for updates.

Return to Workplace Facilities Plan

We're pleased to share with you the Employee Return to Workplace Facilities Plan. This document provides guidance for operating in office workspaces at PCOE to support a safe, clean environment for employees when local conditions allow. It also outlines health and safety protocols and strategies for all PCOE employees.

  • Staff at PCOE student-based sites should refer to the Framework for Returning to School for additional guidance related to student instruction and safety.

  • PCOE staff in the Early Childhood Education division should also refer to specific state pre-school and childcare guidance.

  • PCOE staff working at district school sites should follow the guidance as outlined in the Return to Workplace Facilities Plan.

PCOE Employee Expectations and Training Videos

In general, in returning to PCOE workplace facilities, employees will be expected to help limit the spread of COVID-19 in the workplace through the following actions:

  • Conduct a health self-assessment daily before reporting to work. It is important to stay home from work and other activities if you are sick. Contact your supervisor and Human Resources if you are experiencing COVID-19 symptoms, which can be similar to the common cold such as sore throat, headache, fatigue, cough, shortness of breath, loss of smell/taste or fever (100.4 degrees or above).

COVID-19-Training-Health-Self-Assessment

  • Maintain physical distance between others whenever possible. In an effort to maintain at least 3-6 feet of space and minimize the number of people in our facilities at any given time, we will implement multiple strategies. This includes, but is not limited to, staggered office schedules in combination with options for continued teleworking, limiting capacity in common areas such as breakrooms and restrooms, and reconfiguring conference rooms to serve as overflow for staff workspaces and breaks. We also ask that you avoid handshakes and similar greetings that would break physical distance barriers. You may see partitions near reception areas and visual floor markings or signage to indicate where employees and visitors should stand in common areas. Physical distancing may look different in classroom settings based on the cognitive, emotional and physical abilities of our students.

  • Wear face coverings indoors. Face coverings are expected and may be required based on your assignment. Since people may spread the virus before symptoms start, or even without any symptoms, wearing a face covering protects others around you by limiting the spread of respiratory droplets. Face coverings worn by others help protect you from getting sick from those carrying the virus. Based on your work assignment, either cloth facemasks or clear face shields will be available if needed.

    • As of June 19, the California Department of Public Health issued a mandate that residents wear a face covering when in high-risk situations including the workplace. PCOE employees are expected to follow this statewide mandate when reporting to work. Read the document.

COVID-19-Training-Physical-Distance-Face-Coverings

  • Wash hands frequently. Employees are expected to wash their hands upon arrival, before and after meal breaks, before and after using restroom facilities and at regular intervals throughout the day. We will have several Hygiene Stations established in multiple locations in each facility with hand sanitizer, disinfectant wipes and other health and safety supplies.

COVID-19-Training-Hand-Washing

Additional Measures

  • Keep areas clean. PCOE will continue to perform thorough cleaning on high traffic areas and frequently touched surfaces including breakrooms and lunch areas, stairways, stairwells, handrails, elevator controls and doorknobs. The Hygiene Stations in each building will include appropriate cleaning solutions for copiers, printers and other shared equipment.

COVID-19-Training-Clean-Areas

  • Additional community mitigation strategies. Limitations on meetings, professional development workshops, conferences, classes, events and non-essential business travel remain in place. These activities will continue on online platforms whenever possible, or will be postponed and/or cancelled. If needed, discuss your individual circumstances with your supervisor or Cabinet member.

    • Meetings, gatherings, professional development workshops and events where people would be in arm's length of one another will be moved to online platforms, postponed and/or cancelled.

    • All non-essential travel scheduled for the purpose of instruction (field trips) are cancelled. Travel for business continuity (professional development, meetings, conferences) outside of the county are cancelled. This is to ensure our teams are readily available to assist local school districts and respond to emerging issues in a timely manner.

Employee Resources

Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA)

The Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA or Act) requires certain employers to provide their
employees with paid sick leave and expanded family and medical leave for specified reasons related to COVID-19.
These provisions will apply from April 1, 2020 through December 31, 2020.

Managing Stress and Employee Mental Wellness

We know this can be a stressful time for you and your families. Changes to the way we work and to schools, cancellation of events and travel across our region, and the changing dynamics of COVID-19 in general. Please take care of your mental health. Be kind to one another. Check in on your friends and your co-workers.

  • We will be senidng weekly Health & Wellness email newsletters to all staff during this time. 
  • Take advantage of the Employee Assistance Program, which includes confidential emotional support, work-life solutions and online resources.
  • There are also a variety of options through the Placer County Network of Care.

 School Leaders

The following information is intended for school district administrators. 

In light of recent updates on COVID-19, public health officials have declared local public health emergency, which enables Placer County to access additional resources, necessary tools and mutual aid to keep the community safe.

Update as of July 17, 2020

In a July 17 press conference, Governor Gavin Newsom shared updated criteria from the California Department of Public Health regarding the safe reopening of schools for in-person instruction for the 2020/21 academic year. Specifically, the criteria states, “schools and school districts may reopen for in-person instruction at any time if they are located in a local health jurisdiction (i.e. county) that has not been on the County Monitoring List within the prior 14 days.” Read the full document.

Placer County was placed on the State of California’s COVID-19 County Data Monitoring List on July 9 due to increases in hospitalization rates and decreased bed capacity in Intensive Care Units. Therefore, at this time, Placer County does not meet the criteria for schools to safely reopen for in-person instruction.

The Placer County Office of Education continues to work closely and collaboratively with school district superintendents, charter school operators and Placer County Public Health towards a safe reopening of schools for in-person instruction in Placer County when conditions improve.

(If you are a school district superintendent, charter school operator or private school administrator and are not getting regular email udpates, please contact meklund@placercoe.org.)

For general questions about COVID-19 and precautions currently recommended by Placer County Public Health, residents may call the county's coronavirus information line at (530) 886-5310. Current information about the coronavirus is available at placer.ca.gov/coronavirus and on the CDC website.

Additional Resources for School District Personnel

Considerations and Guidance for the Safe Reopening of Schools

Resources from the California Department of Education

School Messaging Resources

 Childcare Providers

​The following information is intended for childcare providers in Placer County.

 PG&E Public Safety Power Shutoff (PSPS)

 Current Power Event

At this time, there is not a PG&E Public Safety Power Shutoff (PSPS) planned. Conditions may change and updates will be provided as we learn new information. We will continue to monitor the situation in partnership with the Placer County Health & Human Services department and the Placer County Office of Emergency Services.                                                      
The decision to operate schools during a PG&E PSPS is made at the local school district level. In many cases, school may continue as scheduled with additional contingency plans regarding safe food handling, hydration of students and modification of activities to ensure student safety.

 About

When gusty winds and dry conditions occur, combined with a heightened fire risk, PG&E may need to turn off power for public safety. This is called a Public Safety Power Shutoff (PSPS).

The Placer County Office of Education (PCOE), in partnership with the Placer County Health & Human Services department and the Placer County Office of Emergency Services, works to ensure our school communities are informed and prepared for these potential power shutoffs.

View the potential outage map to find out if your service may be impacted by a PSPS.

PG&E has indicated it will provide notice 48-hours in advance of a planned PSPS when possible. During a PSPS, power will remain off until weather conditions improve and it is safe to restore service. Please note, outages could last for multiple days. For more information about how a PSPS works, visit the PG&E PSPS website. Information is available in multiple languages.

Power Outage Resources

We believe planning ahead is the best safeguard. PG&E offers many resources to help prepare your home, family and business for a potential PSPS.

  • Update your contact information directly with PG&E at pge.com/mywildfirealerts to receive alerts for potential power shutoffs.

  • Identify backup charging methods for phones and keep hard copies of emergency numbers.

  • Plan for any medical needs such as medication that needs refrigeration or devices that require power. View additional information about medical needs from PG&E.

  • Build or restock your emergency kits with flashlights, fresh batteries, first aid supplies and cash. Have enough nonperishable food and water stored to meet your basic needs for at least a few days.

 Families

The following information is intended for families of students enrolled in a PCOE school or program such as Pathways iCARE Charter or Court & Community Schools.

Please note, the decision to operate schools during a PG&E PSPS is made at the local school district level. In many cases, school may continue as scheduled with additional contingency plans regarding safe food handling, hydration of students and modification of activities to ensure student safety. Please contact your local school district for additional details.

In the event a planned PSPS may impact a PCOE student-based program site, you can expect an email, voicemail and text message from your school principal through our emergency all-call system called School Messenger. Updates will also be posted to this webpage during the power event.

Standard Communication Protocol

48-Hours Prior

Early notification that PCOE is aware of a potential PSPS. We will continue to monitor the situation. Unless otherwise notified, please plan for school to continue as scheduled.

24-Hours Prior

Additional updates regarding the potential PSPS. Unless otherwise notified, please plan for school to continue as scheduled. You will be notified no later than 5 p.m. if PCOE if planning to close school the next day.

During the PSPS

Daily updates will be provided until power is restored and school is back in session. Please also check back to this webpage we updates will be posted daily.

 PCOE Employees

The following information is intended for PCOE employees.  

In the event a planned PSPS may impact a PCOE site, you can expect an email, voicemail and text message from our emergency all-call system called School Messenger. Please ensure your emergency contact information is updated in EPIC. You can access EPIC through the “MyPCOE” portal online.

Standard Communication Protocol

48-Hours Prior

Early notification that PCOE is aware of a potential PSPS. We will continue to monitor the situation. Unless otherwise notified by your supervisor, please plan to report to work as scheduled.

24-Hours Prior

Additional updates regarding the potential PSPS. In many cases, school and business operations may continue as scheduled with additional contingency plans. Even during an extended power outage, some functions of business will continue and you may be expected to report to work. You will be notified no later than 5 p.m. if PCOE is planning to close a school or office location for the following day. Unless otherwise notified by your supervisor, please plan to report to work as scheduled. Conditions may change and updates will be provided as we learn new information.

During the PSPS

Daily updates will be provided until power is restored and school or business operations are back in session. PCOE staff at school-based locations should observe the school closure protocol of the school sites where they are located. Unless otherwise notified by your supervisor, please plan to report to work as scheduled. Conditions may change and updates will be provided as we learn new information. Updates will also be posted to this webpage during the power event.

PCOE employees affected by a power outage at home are expected to be prepared to attend work as regularly scheduled. All absences must be approved by a director supervisor and reported in the absence management system.

 School Leaders

The following information is intended for school district administrators. 

The decision to operate schools during a PG&E PSPS is made at the local school district level. It is difficult for PG&E to predict which areas will be impacted far in advance of a weather event, due to a range of variables including the direction of the wind, location of any fires, etc. For this reason, districts are encouraged to prepare both for a small-impact shutoff that may impact just one or two sites, as well as a worst-case scenario power shutoff that could potentially impact all their sites. 

In many cases, school may continue as scheduled with additional contingency plans regarding safe food handling, hydration of students and modification of activities to ensure student safety. The Placer County Office of Education is here to ensure you have the information and resources needed to make informed decisions for your communities.

In the event a planned PSPS may impact schools within Placer County, you can expect an email from PCOE’s Safety Officer.

48-Hours Prior

Early notification that PCOE is aware of a potential PSPS. We will continue to monitor the situation and provide updates.

24-Hours Prior

Additional updates regarding the potential PSPS. PCOE will schedule a Superintendent’s conference call to discuss details and answer questions. PCOE will work to ensure data systems for districts remain operational.

During the PSPS

Daily updates and conference calls will be provided until power is restored.

Additional Resources for School District Personnel

 Lockdown Safety Video

Active-Shooter-Safety-Video

This video provides valuable information to allow you to understand how your school District has planned for emergencies and how you can be better prepared to understand your role.​ Unfortunately, violent acts such as school shootings are a real possibility.  While the topic is unpleasant, these kinds of plans are important for you to know what's expected of you during a critical incident and what you can expect from the Placer County Sheriff's office.​​

 FAQ's
 

WHO DO I CONTACT ABOUT CONCERNS ABOUT COVID-19?

For general questions about COVID-19 and precautions currently recommended by Placer County Public Health, residents may call the county’s coronavirus information line at (530) 886-5310. Current information about the coronavirus is available at placer.ca.gov/coronavirus and on the CDC website.

HOW DO I FIND OUT INFORMATION ABOUT COVID-19 AT MY SCHOOL?

COVID-19 has caused some fear and anxiety in our school communities. However, all official information pertaining to your student and your school will come directly from your school district, charter school or private school. Contact your school for additional information.

WILL MY SCHOOL BE OPEN DURING A POWER OUTAGE?  

The decision to operate schools during a PG&E PSPS is made at the local school district level. In many cases, school may continue as scheduled with additional contingency plans regarding safe food handling, hydration of students and modification of activities to ensure student safety. Our What's My District App will assist you by matching your address to your district.  Once your district appears on the map below, you can find the district schools and contact information for school Board of Trustees, Administrative contact information, in addition to school district websites links. ​​

 Contact List

 Key Links

 Placer County #Together

​

Let's hear your words of encouragement, or messages of gratitude. Now is the time to remind everyone that we are in this #together.

Use this Google form to send a shout out to each other - and feel free to get creative!

 Quotations
​​
“Teaching is the essential profession, the one that makes all professions possible." 

 
― Dav​​id Haselkorn​​​