Please take a moment to send this letter to the Poway Unified Board of Education, urging them to keep our students and staff safe!

Students, teachers, and staff in our middle and high schools deserve safety measures similar to what we have in our elementary schools, such as cleaning and disinfecting between different groups, a limited number of daily contacts, and stable cohorts. Secondary students attend, and teachers teach, multiple classes in our middle and high schools. This means students would have about 60-75 different contacts in one day and teachers would have about 90-120 different contacts over two days. As case rates spike and we look toward upcoming holiday gatherings and travel, this high number of contacts multiplies the risk of reopening now.

We love our middle and high school students and want to be back in the classroom as soon as it is safe to do so. For now, PUSD should be taking the same safety precautions as San Dieguito Union, Carlsbad Unified, San Marcos Unified, and San Diego Unified School District, who plan to remain in virtual learning until sometime in January. San Dieguito Union High School District was scheduled to reopen in November, but after consulting with UC San Diego and Rady Children’s Hospital, they have postponed until January. PUSD should be consulting with medical experts to decide when to safely reopen secondary schools.

Currently, small groups of secondary students are on campus if they need academic support, a safe social outlet, or emotional support. Before expanding the number of students on campus, the district should consult with medical experts, ensure safety protocols, limit the number of daily contacts for students and staff, and establish a robust testing plan.