Managing COVID-19: Opening Fallbrook Union High School District

The COVID-19 global pandemic has given everybody many challenges, especially those responsible for our students, teachers, and staff at our schools. As a board of five trustees for FUHSD, we have had to consider many aspects concerning reopening schools.

Because the health and safety of students, teachers, and staff is most important, as a public institution, we must follow the science as reflected in the guidelines set by the State of California and the San Diego County Health Board and Department of Education. Failure to do this is illegal and basically irresponsible to the welfare of everyone in our community.

Some wonder why the elementary schools in Fallbrook were open before the high schools. According to medical experts, this was required because older kids, many of whom are the size of adults, have the same breath capacity as adults and therefore older kids have a greater likelihood of passing on the virus to others.

It is much less likely that young children have even become infected and therefore, less likely to transmit the virus, although there are some cases. Because of these facts, the County Health Department has allowed our elementary schools to open sooner.

Even as we experience some improved conditions, we remain in a state of uncertainty, and it will be some time before many details concerning reopening will make us all feel comfortable again.

The Fallbrook High School District has been very diligent to listen respectfully to every one of the community’s concerns. Be assured that our teachers have been working extremely hard to provide hybrid learning to all the students in our district.

All California state funds provided to aid us in the pandemic have been used for materials and supplies needed and for training our teachers and staff as we transition back to campus learning. Our administrators, maintenance staff, food distribution and technical departments have been tremendous examples of what to do to serve the public while following medical science to the best of their ability.

We ask everyone to contact the District office directly for any concerns. Rest assured that your Board of Trustees for Fallbrook’s high schools remain committed to having our schools come back better than ever!

Diane Summers

President, Fallbrook Union High School District