On Tuesday, the Brentwood Union School District announced via letter it would be asking families to voluntary test their children as they return to school next week.
“We can’t require testing because there is no state law or board policy at this time to require it,” said Eaton. “But, if people voluntarily take it at home, we are hoping fewer positive cases come onto campus which would impact other students and staff. Our whole goal is to keep our students and staff in school and avoid distance learning which is the last thing we want to do.”
Here is a copy of the letter that went out:
Dear Brentwood Union School District Community:
I am writing to give you an update on recent developments involving COVID-19 and guidance for schools. We are excited to return to school on Monday, January 10th and are working to do so as safely as possible.
With the emergence of the new COVID-19 variant Omicron, we are reminded of how important it is to work together to protect the health of our students, staff and community. We are asking all students and staff to help us to continue to maintain the safest possible school environment. We are asking all families to voluntarily test their children for a safe return to school and keep students home if they test positive or are experiencing any symptoms. Our actions in these first few days are essential to mitigating the spread in our schools. We are very appreciative of your commitment to our health protocols and confident that together, we can continue to keep our schools safe and open for in-person learning.
COVID-19 Testing Information
Prior to winter break, the Brentwood Union School District submitted an application to the California Department of Public Health to participate in a program to distribute free home testing kits. We are planning a Thursday (1-4 PM) and Friday (9:30 AM to 12:30 PM) drive-thru distribution at Bristow Middle School, which is located at 855 Minnesota Avenue. If we have leftover tests, they will be available at school offices on Monday 1/10, when school offices open.
Testing Instructions: How to Test Your Student for COVID-19 as They Return from Break: English (PDF), Spanish (PDF)
We will continue to make decisions that follow the recommendations from our public health officials. Our COVID-19 website provides information about health and safety protocols as well as information about free testing available at our schools. We will continue to implement all of the practices which have been instrumental in keeping our schools safe learning spaces. Our COVID dashboard will continue to be updated every Monday.
Thank you for taking the time to read these updates and we will be sending more information out as it becomes available to us.
Sincerely, Dana Eaton, Ed.D
Superintendent, Brentwood Union School District
The Los Angeles Unified School District announced it will be requiring students and staff to get tested for coronavirus before returning to school after winter break next week. However, many school districts throughout the state, including Mt. Diablo Unified, San Ramon Valley Unified, West Contra Costa Unified are offering at-home test or opening testing sites ahead of school returns.
As of Tuesday, Contra Costa Health Services showed COVID cases countywide at an average new cases per day at 1,090 with 97 people hospitalized—21 in the ICU. The vaccine progress shows the county at 78.3%.
Locally, in the last 14 days, here is a rundown of cases:
- Antioch – 487
- Bay Point – 99
- Brentwood – 372
- Concord – 492
- Danville – 418
- Discovery Bay – 78
- Oakley – 213
- Pittsburg – 287
- Walnut Creek – 437
Cities with over 80% vaccination include:
Alamo (89.9), San Ramon (88.6), San Pablo (88), Danville (86.6), Moraga (84.5), Walnut Creek (83.8), Hercules (82.2), Martinez (81.5), Pinole (81.2).
In East County, the numbers of vaccinated:
- Antioch – 69.5%
- Bay Point – 78.2
- Bethel Island – 61.1%
- Brentwood – 74.7%
Byron – 71.4% - Discovery Bay – 60.6%
- Oakley – 68.3%
- Pittsburg – 69.7%
