Crisis Response

PCOE Public Facing Web Site

Update as of November 18, 2021

On November 18, the Placer County Superintendent of Schools and 15 of the school district superintendents joined together to advocate for students, educators, and families in a letter to Governor Newsom expressing concerns and requesting clarity on the COVID-19 masking mandate and the proposed vaccine mandate in schools. Read the full letter.

While we recognize our legal responsibility to comply with State laws, mandates, and guidance from the California Department of Public Health (CDPH), we also recognize the challenges these mandates create at schools and in our broader communities. Many families throughout Placer County have expressed concerns over the continuance of mask mandates, and the introduction of the vaccination mandate has created additional concerns. We have received hundreds of emails and have heard many hours of public comment from concerned parents.

We presume the State intends to create a supportive structure for public schools; therefore, we are requesting more be done during this challenging time to support our work of educating children and youth with the following:

1. It is critical to engage the public transparently and coherently by clearly reinforcing that the authority over these mandates lies with the State and clearly informing the public how they can engage with the correct decision-makers in these matters.

2. In addition, we request the State identify what benchmarks must be met to end universal masking in classrooms. 

3. Furthermore, the creation and implementation of COVID-19 safety guidelines, including guidelines for masks, quarantines, and the establishment of normal classroom instruction, must be tailored to local conditions. County Public Health Directors should be provided the authority to adjust all CDPH guidance and mandates to fit local conditions.

4. It is vital that the State maintain medical and personal belief exemptions regarding the COVID-19 vaccination requirement for K-12 students. It is essential to honor the voices and decisions of our parents and families.

5. Finally, California school districts already struggle to find qualified employees for both certificated and classified positions; therefore, we request the option to continue COVID-19 testing in lieu of mandatory vaccination for staff and school employees for the foreseeable future.

Additional Update for Masking for Indoor Sports

The California Department of Public Health (CDPH) has permitted local health jurisdictions to implement local exemptions to the requirement for masks during play for some indoor school sports. For high-intensity indoor school athletic programs (including basketball and volleyball), participants in Placer County now have updated guidance from Placer County Public Health. Read the update.

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.​

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

The following information is intended for school district administrators. 

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

Update as of November 18, 2021

On November 18, the Placer County Superintendent of Schools and 15 of the school district superintendents joined together to advocate for students, educators, and families in a letter to Governor Newsom expressing concerns and requesting clarity on the COVID-19 masking mandate and the proposed vaccine mandate in schools. Read the full letter.

Additional Information:

On October 1, Governor Gavin Newsom announced a new vaccination state mandate for school employees and students. The state mandate will go into effect only once the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) fully approves vaccines for those 12 and older. Upon FDA approval, staff and students will have until the start of the following academic term, either January 1st or July 1st, to be fully vaccinated. We do not know at this time if the mandate will extend to child care or state pre-school settings.

Until more information is available, continue to follow issued guidance for childcare settings. If there are differing requirements between the most current CDPH, CCL, Cal/OSHA, and local health department guidance or health orders, licensees and providers should follow the strictest requirements.

Requirements At-a-Glance:

• Child care providers must ensure compliance with the current CDPH Guidance for the Use of Masks. As of June 15, 2021, the use of face coverings is required by the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) and the Division of Occupational Safety and Health (Cal/OSHA) in child care indoor settings regardless of vaccination status. Never place face coverings on babies or children under 2 years of age because it poses a danger and risk for suffocation. Children should not wear face coverings while sleeping. Child care providers and licensees must ensure the use of face coverings does not cause children to overheat in hot weather.

• Licensees and providers must continue to mitigate the spread of COVID-19. Review Cal/OSHA COVID-19 Guidance and Resources to implement steps to protect staff and minimize exposure to the COVID-19 virus.The Cal/OSHA COVID-19 Prevention Program (CPP) is a written plan required under the Cal/OSHA COVID-19 Emergency Temporary Standards. For more details and to access a template, refer to the California Department of Industrial Relation's COVID-19 Prevention Emergency Temporary Standards.

• Child care programs must exclude or isolate any child, parent, caregiver, or staff showing symptoms of a contagious disease or illness as required pursuant to Title 22 in CCR sections 101216(h), 101226.1(a)(1) and 102417(e).

• Child care centers are required to report epidemic outbreaks to the CDSS Community Care Licensing Division (CCLD) through their local Regional Office as required pursuant to Title 22, CCR section 101212(d). Family child care homes must report a communicable disease outbreak, when determined by the local health authority, to CCLD through their local Regional Office pursuant to Title 22, CCR section 102416.2(c)(3).

Additionally, on August 11, the state issued a Public Health Order requiring school workers to be fully vaccinated or undergo weekly diagnostic screening testing. PCOE is currently reviewing the order to determine it's impact, if any, on state preschools and childcare settings.

Additional Links

• COVID-19 Stimulus Bill Updates and Business Resource for Early Childhood Programs​
  

• First Five Years Fund Website - Information Regarding SBA Loans Available to Child Care Providers​
  

• Small Business Association Website - Small Business Guidance & Loan Resources​ 
  

• List of California Essential Infrastructure  Workers 
  

• Grab, Adapt and Go - COVID-19 Resources for Child Care Programs​
  

• Child Care Law Center - Corona Virus Resource Page​ 
  

• Placer County COVID-19 Directive​
  

• ELCD Management Bulletin 20-04 Guidance on Apportionment, Attendance and Reporting Requirements​
  

• PIN 20-04-CCLD Governor's Proclamation of a State of Emergency to Address the Novel Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) in California​
  

• PIN-20-04-CCP Statewide Waivers for Licensing Requirements Due to COVID-19 , and Prevention, Containment, and Mitigation Measures​
  

• PIN 20-05-CCLD Dedicated Link to Community Care Licensing Division E-Mail Address for COVID-19 Related Questions​
  

• Previous PINs on the CCLD website​
  

• Public Health Placer County​
  

• Stop the Spread of Germs Information Flyer​
  

• California Department of Public Health COVID-19 - Information on Guidance for a Child Care and Preschool Setting
  

At this time, there is not a PG&E Public Safety Power Shutoff (PSPS) scheduled to impact Placer County. 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.

​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).

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.