San Mateo Co. Schools Ramp Up Support For In-Person Learning

SAN MATEO COUNTY, CA — San Mateo County school officials are prepared to continue offering in-person instruction as it deals with a current surge in COVID-19 cases.

With students returning to the classroom after winter break, the county’s Office of Education said in a news release last week that it would continue following protocols to “create a safe and smooth return to in-person learning and instruction.”

“The importance of in-person learning for the academic and social development of all our students cannot be overstated,” Superintendent Nancy Magee said. “Due to the partnership of San Mateo County Health, the San Mateo County Office of Education, and our local districts and schools, San Mateo County has been and will continue to be successful in supporting in-person learning for our students.”

Magee added that county schools leaders and staff have “diligently and effectively followed the pillars of COVID safety for schools throughout the course of the pandemic.”

Over 90 percent of school staff have been vaccinated, according to the county.

The Office of Education also received rapid tests from the California Department of Public Health for students to use, and the office said it is working to distribute the tests to the county’s school districts.

Efforts to vaccinate kids between the ages of 5 and 11 are ongoing, according to the county. The county will host several vaccination clinics at school sites in January and February.