FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

Capacity has been returned to pre-COVID capacity for the 2021-2022 school year. There are no longer social distancing requirements. However, the district will continue to encourage social distancing as much as possible. Other precautions include masking requirements, passive screenings at home, hand sanitizer available in all class, regular hand-washing, and regular sanitizing of all classrooms.

Some classes have been outfitted with plexiglass partitions. However, this is not a requirement for schools to reopen and not all schools/classes have partitions. All students and adults will be required to wear masks on campus when in doors.

We are not allowing parent volunteers on campuses at this time, but will re-evaluate throughout the year.

Students will be enrolled in the Independent Study (IS) track if parents choose to have their child participate in the IS program. Students will be allowed to return to their previous school/program if space allows, but the space will not be held for children on IS as several of our schools are schools of choice (Sol, Real, Plaza) and have waiting lists to get in that must be honored.

If a student prefers to wear a shield, it must have a drape that covers the full face and rests on the shoulders/back.

Yes, students will be eating outdoors as much as possible with social distancing in place, whenever possible.

Rio will try to allow students to return to their previous school. However, if a student is currently enrolled in a school of choice (Sol, Real, Plaza) or the school that they are enrolled in is impacted, students may be assigned to another school upon the end of the Independent Study program/year.

No. However, mask wearing at school at all times is highly encouraged and we will request that students put their masks on when leaving or entering the classroom and/or lining up as there is less social distancing during those times.

Yes, we request that unvaccinated students remain home if a child, parent, or other member of the household is diagnosed with COVID-19.

The absence will be considered an excused absence and parents can work with the classroom teacher to make up any missed assignments.

Yes, students at home due to COVID will be considered absent. However, this will be an excused absence and parents can work with the students.

Parents will work with their child’s teacher to make up any school work due to absences. There is no hybrid/virtual program offered this year.

Some, but it is not required or available in all schools.

Yes, daily.

Yes, students may be allowed to bring their own lunch to school this year.

There is not a remote or hybrid program, but there is an independent study program with a virtual component.

A student enrolled in the independent study program is not guaranteed a spot in their home school, or school of choice. The district will make every effort to return a student to their previous site, but due to waiting lists and other changes in enrollment, a place in their previous school/program cannot be guaranteed.

No. Students in middle school may not rotate between classes. Most likely students in middle school will only have one teacher assigned to them. The work will be highly independent and the teacher is there in the morning to provide some direct instruction and support. However, the students will not have a different teacher for each subject like they will in the in-person model.

Yes, teachers will provide instruction on appropriate mask wearing during the first days/weeks of school and remind students when they are not being worn properly.

At this time we are not requiring test results. However, parents are asked to complete passive symptom screening including temperature checks daily prior to sending students to school.

The California Department of Education and the California Department of Public Health provide guidance to schools about requirements and continue to maintain that transmission of the virus in school settings is minimal if appropriate masking is required. The best prevention for transmission is masking of all, even when vaccinated which is why both adults and students will be required to wear masks indoors on campus and encouraged to wear them outside whenever possible.

Yes, students can return to an in-person setting. However, it will be discouraged to bounce back and forth between programs.

Parents need to complete the contract, not an application. Parents have the decision with the exception of students in special education programs in which case the decision is made by the IEP team which includes parent input.

Not at this time, but it is encouraged.

If PE is conducting class indoors, yes. If activity is outside, no.

There was no transmission of cases from students to students or teachers to students when we re-opened.

At this time there is no mandate to get vaccinated. However, schools are under guidance from the state and vaccines may be required in the future.

At this time, Rio will not be requiring COVID testing at school However, we are working with a community agency to provide free-weekly testing at a central location within the district for those who would like to get tested.

No. Parents will not be allowed on campus at this time. The district will re-evaluate in the future.

All students will be offered breakfast, lunch and supper at no cost regardless of income level.

Yes, we have a social emotional learning curriculum and full time counselors at all of our school sites.

Yes, our counselors will be back on campus full time and provide groups and individuals as needed per site/individual.

Not at this time. However, new mandates from the state and public health may require vaccines and proof of vaccinations for COVID-19 in the future.

Independent study is only available to students on an IEP through team decision during an IEP. Please contact your school site principal or the Rio School District Director of Pupil Services, Ms. Nadia Villapudua to schedule an IEP.

Independent study will not be offered for bilingual education at this time.

It is possible to move in to the independent study in the future, if space permits once the school year begins. However, this is a one year program only. At this time, there are no Long-term independent study program and it will not be available in the 2022-2023 school year.

August 25, 2021- June 16, 2022

Rio School District staff will conduct appropriate contact tracing and notify any parties that were potentially exposed to the positive individual as allowed/required by the department of public health. Rio will make decisions about classroom closures based on guidance from the California Department of Public Health. Please see the district’s COVID Prevention Plan under the COVID tab on the district website for more information.

Most likely students in middle school will only have one teacher assigned to them. The work will be highly independent and the teacher is there in the morning to provide some direct instruction and support. However, the students will not have a different teacher for each subject like they will in the in-person model.

It is possible to move in to the independent study in the future, if space permits once the school year begins.

If student is enrolled in the independent study program and the school is shut down, the student would continue with the same course of study/teacher through the independent study program.

Independent Study will be provided in a group much like a regular class, but may have multiple grade levels and will be a lot of independent work.

Please contact your school site principal or the Rio School District Director of Pupil Services, Ms. Nadia Villapudua to schedule an IEP.

Many of our schools are schools of choice and have a waiting list. In order to meet the needs of the community, we will fill our schools of choice with those on the waiting list, if parents decide to enroll their child in the independent study program.

The state guidance is that students may choose the independent study program for the 2021-2022 school year due to health concerns.

Yes, students will have an opportunity to discuss this in class and/or with a school counselor as needed.

Yes

It is possible to move in to the independent study in the future, if space permits once the school year begins.

FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the plan in place if a child/children and/or staff test positive on campus.

What is max capacity for classrooms?

Are partitions being in use?

Will parents with proper immunizations and tb testing be allowed to volunteer at all this school year?

Will the students automatically be unenrolled in order to attend independent study program or do the parents need to do so?

Can students use a shield instead of a mask?

Will students be spaced out during lunch when they are maskless?

If our children are enrolled in independent studies, does this mean that when and if they return to school they will return to their current assigned school?

Do students and staff need to wear a mask outdoors?

If a sibling or parent are ill, are all siblings if at one school requires to stay home? That was the requirement last year.

If students are to remain home when a family member is ill, who’s does this affect the students attendance?

Will any student that is required to stay home with symptoms or with COVID be considered absent and how will they be able to keep caught up in their classes?

If a child gets sick or is identified as being in close contact due to tracing to another child/teacher that tests positive, is there a plan in place to have the child keep up with classroom work and homework? Maybe online or zoom while sick?

Are the desk going to have shields around it?

Will breakfast be served at the schools?

Are students allowed to bring their own lunch?

Are you still be offering remote learning or hybrid?

If someone tests positive will all students/parents be notified?

If we choose to do the independent study option for our children until the vaccine is approved for 5-11 year olds, would they lose their spot at Rio del Sol? Or would they have a spot still to go back to in person learning once vaccinated?

Are older middle school students going to be rotating between classes like in the past or just one classroom?

Some children don’t wear their masks correctly? Will staff be responsible to be on the students regarding face masks.

Is a negative COVID test required for students to go to school?

Why isn’t an online distance learning option available when cases in Ventura County are on the rise?

If parents opt-in for independent studies, can we change to in person learning in the middle of the school year?

You mentioned that the independent study program for the students we need to apply for the program?

Are teachers required to be vaccinated?

For PE do they were mask?

Was there COVID cases in school last year when the school reopened for in person class

Are kids going to be mandated to take the vaccine later down the road?

Will Rio be testing for covid-19 virus in-house during the year?

Are parents ok to walk child to class inside campus?

Are meals being provided with cost or without cost this year?

With so many children impacted emotionally by the pandemic, will there be any focus on mental health education/awareness?

Will group therapy, social skills groups etc be happening on campus this school year?

So we don’t have to disclose if our child is vaccinated?

If Independent Study is selected is the IEP still honored & supported ?

If students are currently enrolled a DI will independent study offer Bilingual classes?

Can we join independent study this year if a mandate from the health department changes and demands 12 and older be vaccinated? and we want to switch from in person to online

What dates do we put for beginning date and ending date on the form

If someone tested positive then what will happen to other children or staff?

Would my child who attends Jr. High have more than one teacher if enrolled in Independent Studies?

If i send my child back to school but in future any issues happen, can I still apply into independent study?

So if my child is on independent study and the school shuts down again, how will that affect their position with their school.

Will the Independent Study teacher be online with students on a one on one basis, or will multiple students be online at the same time with the teacher?

Who do we contact to have the IEP meeting prior to the contract due date?

Why can’t Rio School district guarantee return to home school if I prefer my child to enroll in Independent Study?

If you would like to participate in the independent study program dose it have to be covid related to qualify? for example what of remote learning just worked for us academically can we still qualify ?

Will the students be Informed or educated on covid-19 or will they have some class time to talk about this pandemic ?

If Independent Study is selected is the IEP still honored & supported?

If we choose independent study this year for Kindergarten, would we have to reapply back into the lottery next year for Rio del Sol for 1st grade?

Do you provide a lap top for the independent student?

If the online class is hard can we enroll back in school?

What if my child goes to school and has issues being in class how will that be handled. Can they go to independent study?