Santa Cruz goes back to school as California announces new vaccine mandate for teachers

SANTA CRUZ, Calif. (KION) Wednesday was the first day back in the classroom for students across Santa Cruz, and with masks covering their faces, students were excited to be back at Bay View Elementary.

"This was the first day of school where we are starting on campus in 2 years," said Principal Renee Golder. "We’re following the CDPH guidelines from the state so we are masking indoors, and being very cautious in regards to COVID."

Parents say they feel the schools in the district are doing enough to keep their kids safe.

"We are moms, so it’s our job to be worried about our kids but it seems really nice, everyone has their masks on, and mostly outdoor play," parent May Ocal noted.

Still, to keep students safer in the classroom, Governor Gavin Newsom announced a new requirement for all school staff to get vaccinated for COVID-19, or undergo weekly testing for the virus. The new plan also includes paraeducators and any classified staff, such as custodians and bus drivers.

"We think this is a sustainable way to keeping our schools open and to address the number one anxiety that parents like myself have for young children," Newsom said in a press conference in Alameda County Wednesday morning.

Santa Cruz City Schools says they were already planning a similar mandate to test all unvaccinated employees weekly. Vaccinated staff in the district will also be tested monthly. They are confident their policies in place will keep students safe and in-person this year.

"We actually had students and teachers back on our campuses before the vaccine was even available. We had about 1,000 students at the height of our small cohorts program and they were successfully protected by masking and our ventilation upgrades that we’ve done indoors," said Sam Rolens, Chief of Communication for the district.

More than 90% of teachers at Santa Cruz City Schools are already vaccinated. They are also offering testing for students on campus. Interested parents can sign their kids up here.

The state's new policy for school staff will go into effect tomorrow, and schools must be fully compliant by October 15, 2021.