Manhattan Beach Unified School District

Return to Campus 2021-22 COVID-Related Frequently Asked Questions

Updated August 20, 2021
TESTING

Is testing for students mandatory or just strongly COVID testing for students is strongly recommended, but not
recommended? required.

Why isn’t MBUSD requiring all students to Per the CDC, diagnostic screening tests are recommended for
provide a negative test result prior to the start of unvaccinated people to identify those who are asymptomatic and
school? do not have known, suspected, or reported exposure to SARS-
CoV-2.

Screening helps to identify unknown cases so that measures can

be taken to prevent further transmission. In discussing screening
testing models, the CDC identifies groups to prioritize based on
feasibility, specifically naming teachers and staff in K-12 settings.
While the CDC also identifies “specific age groups for whom
increases have been documented early as incidence rises,” it has
not specifically named any school aged groups or further defined
this category. In addition, the California Department of Public
Health recommends diagnostic screening for certain high-risk
non-healthcare and healthcare settings but specifically states that
“schools are not considered a high-risk setting.”

The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health

recommends regular diagnostic screening for some staff and
students (as well as for unvaccinated individuals who have
travelled out of the state and anyone who has travelled out of the
country); however diagnostic screening is not recommended for
all, including vaccinated individuals and for individuals who have
had COVID-19 within the last 90 days.

In reviewing the available guidance from county, state, and

federal public health experts, we are currently prioritizing
mandatory diagnostic screening for all employees as a pre-school
baseline measure.

We are encouraging students to get tested as well. In the coming

weeks, we will collect documentation of vaccination information
among students ages 12 and up and will develop a diagnostic
screening program for students; the scope of this program will
depend on a variety of factors, including evolving guidance,
testing feasibility and capacity, and current case rates.

Please watch for further updates on this topic.

Does testing apply for preschool students also? Yes, we are asking that all students in all age groups participate in
diagnostic screening testing before the start of school.

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What is a screen or screening test?
Is it the same thing as a COVID rapid test?
Are we being asked to provide test results before
school starts?
What value do diagnostic screening tests provide
and what information do they provide us?
Aren’t diagnostic screening test results just
reflective of the test results at the point in time
the test was taken?
How often should these tests be taken?
PROCESS
Will we need to turn in evidence of a negative
test result?
Who do students/parents report the test to?
How will the test results be collected?
Who has access to testing information?
Who has access to vaccination information?
“Screening testing” or “diagnostic screening testing” is defined as
“testing asymptomatic persons without recent known or
suspected exposure to SARS-CoV-2 for early identification,
isolation, and disease prevention.” Any FDA approved molecular
(PCR or NAAT) or antigen test may be used, and families are
asked to seek testing that will provide results prior to the start of
the school year, or as soon thereafter as possible.
Yes, diagnostic screening testing provides information about an
individual’s status at the moment the test was administered and
does not provide insight into subsequent transmission or
infection. It is most effective when it is conducted using a regular
cadence, bi-weekly, weekly, and sometimes even more frequently
depending upon transmission rates and other conditions.
However, by asking all students and staff to test, we will establish
baseline data that will help us to identify any current cases,
asymptomatic or otherwise, and provide an extra layer of a
mitigation strategy to prevent on-campus spread as we start the
school year. Testing guidance and systems are currently evolving,
and the District will continue to evaluate its capacity and the
general advisability of ongoing diagnostic screening testing for
students and staff. At a minimum, the District will be requiring
weekly diagnostic screening testing for unvaccinated employees.
Yes, preschool, elementary, and middle school students, please
turn in a paper copy to the staff member checking students in at
the gate of your campus on the first day of school with the
following information clearly written at the top of the page:
1) Your student’s full name,
2) I.D. number (found in your Aeries portal)
3) Grade level
4) Homeroom teacher or first period teacher name
If your student receives a positive test, please contact your school
principal or Health Services Assistant immediately and do not
bring your student to school.
Mira Costa High School will send instructions for electronic
submission of test results.
Only those District staff who must have access to testing and
vaccination information will have access to it.
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Will teachers know which of their students have
been tested or vaccinated?
Will parents know which of their teachers have
been vaccinated?
TIMELINE
Can you clarify how close to the first day you’d
like the test to be carried out?
We had our student, who has been vaccinated,
tested on August 1. Does our student need to
take another test before school starts?
Is COVID testing required by August 25?
One of my students got tested because of sports
about a week ago. Is that test result sufficient?
Would you be able to specify the timeframe
within which you’d like the kids to be tested for
COVID?
We just traveled and have negative test results
dated August 13. Do I need to have my students’
test again?
TYPE OF TEST
Can students take a rapid test if a molecular test
is not available at the pharmacy?
Which test would you prefer students to use: PCR
or antigen?
Will home antigen testing suffice?
The District will retain student testing information only for as long
as it takes to coordinate verification of submission. Student
vaccination information will be maintained in the same manner
as other immunization records within the District’s student
information system. The District is currently developing plans to
gather evidence of vaccination status for students who are
eligible to be vaccinated. This information will be used during
contact tracing to guide quarantine decisions.
Employees’ personal medical information is protected by federal
privacy laws and will not be shared with parents or the public.
As soon as possible; test results can take a day or two to be
returned.
Yes - the District is seeking current testing results within a week
the first day of school.
While not required, we are strongly encouraging all families to
have students tested by the first day of school on August 25.
We are seeking test results within a week of school starting.
We are seeking test results within a week of school starting.
We are seeking test results within a week of school starting.
Any FDA approved molecular (PCR or NAAT) or antigen test may
be used, and families are asked to seek testing that will provide
results prior to the start of the school year, or as soon thereafter
as possible.
Different types of tests have different advantages and
disadvantages. Generally speaking, laboratory-based PCR tests
are the most accurate, but results take longer to receive. Point-
of-care molecular and antigen tests produce results much more
quickly but may be less accurate and may require a second
confirmatory test. For more information on this topic, please
refer to this page from CDPH.
Any FDA approved molecular (PCR or NAAT) or antigen test may
be used.
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Will the Cue system that uses NAAT (nucleic acid Any FDA approved molecular (PCR or NAAT) or antigen test may
amplification test) for anytime at-home testing be be used.
accepted?

The COVID test is not covered by insurance at
EXER, it would cost $240. Since this is being asked
by the District, will the District cover the cost?
The District is not currently reimbursing for the cost of testing.
Many sites offer testing at no charge (though you may be asked
to provide insurance information). Testing through the County of
Los Angeles and the City of Los Angeles mobile testing sites is free
for all LA County residents who meet the criteria for testing,
regardless of their immigration status. Visit
https://covid19.lacounty.gov/testing/ to make an appointment
and register for a free COVID test.

For the baseline COVID testing, is it okay to use Any FDA approved molecular (PCR or NAAT) or antigen test may
an at-home testing kit like this one be used.
(https://www.cvs.com/shop/abbott-binaxnow-
covid-19-antigen-self-test-2-tests-for-serial-
testing-prodid-550147)? Or will we need a
certified result from a medical facility?

Will the District create a testing program for all At this time the District is not planning to require a mandatory
students and staff, regardless of vaccination testing program for students. MBUSD strongly recommends that
status? all students get tested regularly.

A State of California Public Health Order requires all school

employees to provide proof of vaccination or participate in
mandatory weekly COVID testing.

LOCATIONS

Are there plans for the District to offer testing at The District is currently evaluating its ability to offer testing for
school sites? students; please watch for further information on this topic.

Can elementary schools implement a testing
schedule at school?.
Currently, the District is evaluating its ability to offer testing for
students; however, it does not appear likely that it will be
possible to offer testing at all sites. As the District’s testing
program is implemented, further information about dates, times,
location, and eligible students will be provided.

Some of the testing sites you list require Many sites offer testing at no charge (though you may be asked
payment. Please provide information for cost-free to provide insurance information). Testing through the County of
testing for students. Los Angeles and the City of Los Angeles mobile testing sites is free
for all LA County residents who meet the criteria for testing,
regardless of their immigration status. Visit
https://covid19.lacounty.gov/testing/ to make an appointment
and register for a free COVID-19 test.

CONTACT TRACING

What are contact tracing protocols for vaccinated The District follows guidance from LACDPH in determining
students who fall subject to a trace? protocols resulting from contact tracing related to potential
exposure. The LACDPH decision pathways flowchart can be found
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If a student tests positive for COVID, does the
remainder of the class need to be tested?
At meal and recess times students are grouped by
grade level, not class, so how will that impact the
contact tracing process? If they are outside, is this
also considered a “non-exposure”?
What is the protocol after a student, school staff
member, athlete, team/club member is exposed
to a person with COVID?
How does the District collect Data for the
Dashboard and ensure accuracy?
WHAT IF MY STUDENT TESTS POSITIVE OR
NEEDS TO QUARANTINE?
What should I do if my student tests (or has
tested) positive?
here.
Testing and quarantine decisions are made based on whether or
not students were “close contacts,” with a close contact defined
as “a child or employee at the facility who was within 6 feet for ≥
15 minutes over a 24-hour period with a potentially infected child
OR who had direct contact with bodily fluids/secretions from a
potentially infected child.”
Each school site has a different physical layout, and principals will
be determining the right meal and recess protocols for their
campus. While masks are optional in MBUSD when outdoors on
campus, activities that involve crowding will result in mandatory
masking. Each principal will make a determination about when
such crowding is unavoidable and masks are therefore necessary.
Close contact is based upon physical distance and contact with
bodily fluids/secretions, regardless of whether this took place
indoors or outdoors.
The District will utilize the LACDPH decision pathways, in
consultation with LACDPH personnel.
The District collects data for the dashboard based on school-
related activities. Cases of COVID among students that occur
outside of the school setting (when the student has not been on a
school campus or at a school event during the potential exposure
period) are not recorded in our data, nor does the District have
access to those students’ protected medical information. Such
cases are managed separately by LACDPH and any other
organizations involved.
If a student tests positive while school is in session (or if the
period when exposure was possible or the student’s
quarantine/isolation period extends to a time when school
is/was/will be in session), regardless of the location of potential
exposure, we ask that the parent immediately contact their
school site principal or health office specialist to inform them of
the situation. While LACDPH will likely reach out to the District if
there was a potential exposure on campus, it is helpful if we
receive the information right away so that we can support the
student who has tested positive and begin any necessary contact
tracing to protect other students and work to stop any further
potential transmission. As noted above, if the student is not
considered a potential contact of anyone on campus, the District
will not have access to any information about the student’s
diagnosis unless the parent chooses to disclose it to us, and we
want to be able to provide support to affected students as
appropriate.
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What are the contingency plans if a student can’t
be in the classroom if they contract COVID and
have to quarantine? Will they be able to distance
learn through Zoom while in quarantine?
If my student contracted COVID two weeks ago,
they’re going to test positive. What should I do? ?
How will it work for siblings of students who have
been exposed?
If one student in a classroom is quarantined, will
the entire class need to quarantine?
What is the protocol after a student, school staff
member, athlete, team/club member is exposed
to a person with COVID?
If the whole class is quarantining, does that mean
the teacher will switch to virtual learning or will
we just receive emails with handouts?
VACCINATION REQUIREMENTS
Is MBUSD requiring vaccinations for eligible
students?
MASK PROTOCOLS
What if a student doesn’t wear a mask properly
or simply refuses to use a mask while in class?
What are the specific consequences?
Who does a student report inappropriate mask
use to? The teacher? A vice principal? Their
principal?
MISCELLANEOUS
Teachers will work with students to determine the best method
to provide work and access to the curriculum so that they are
able to smoothly return to the classroom. Different circumstances
(including the student’s symptoms) may require different
approaches.
As noted in the question, a person who contracted COVID can
continue to test positive for 90 days. In such situations, evidence
of the prior positive diagnosis (including the date of the diagnosis)
will be acceptable, as long as the student is symptom free.
The District will utilize the LACDPH decision pathways, in
consultation with LACDPH personnel. Siblings of close contacts
(contacts of contacts) are not generally considered to be
potentially exposed.
LACDPH protocols are based on close contacts. A positive
diagnosis does not necessarily mean that an entire class will be
quarantined; only those with close contact will be quarantined,
based on the current LACDPH decision pathways.
The District will utilize the LACDPH decision pathways, in
consultation with LACDPH personnel, to determine the
appropriate next steps.
Teachers will determine the best method to provide work and
access to the curriculum so that the class can continue to make
progress. Different circumstances may require different
approaches.
MBUSD is not requiring vaccinations for eligible students at this
time. However, the District is planning to require that students
submit evidence of vaccination for contact tracing purposes; if
evidence is not provided, the student will be considered
unvaccinated for contact tracing purposes.
We will handle this on a case-by-case basis. In general, not
wearing a mask will be considered a violation of school rules (and
state law). In rare cases, students who present appropriate
documentation demonstrating a disability or condition that does
not allow them to safely wear a mask may be granted an
accommodation in consultation with a health care provider.
Students should report inappropriate mask use to any teacher,
counselor, support provider, administrator or on-campus trusted
adult.
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Lunch is outdoors, but what if it rains? What are Principals are making site by site plans about lunch procedures
the backup plans for eating indoors? during inclement weather and will share those with families.

Can you please provide a copy of the daily RUVNA The questions have not changed. Currently, the District’s
screening questions we will be required to
answer so that we can be compliant. Have the
RUVNA questions changed since June?
screening questions include:
● Verification that the student is not experiencing
symptoms
● Verification that the student is fever free
● Verification that the student has not been a close contact
and does not live in a household with anyone who has
symptoms, is in the testing process, or has a confirmed
case of COVID
● Verification that the student does not have symptoms, is
not in the testing process, and does not have a confirmed
case of COVID