Schools Will Stay Closed Through End Of Academic Year In Six Bay Area Counties

Child being taught at home through distance learning
Photo credit Getty Images

Schools in six Bay Area counties will remain closed through the end of the school year. 

Alameda, Contra Costa, Marin, San Mateo, Santa Clara, and San Francisco County Superintendents and public health officers made the announcement Tuesday afternoon, confirming parents’ fears that in-class instruction would be suspended into the summer.

Schools will continue to utilize at-home and distance learning. This comes after Bay Area counties extended the school closures through May 1st. Governor Gavin Newsom and State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond had suggested earlier that California’s students would not return to campus this school year. 

Officials say school will continue to distribute free meals and provide childcare programs as needed. 

“We know that social distancing is the most powerful weapon in slowing the spread of COVID-19,” said Dr. Chris Farnitano, health officer for Contra Costa County. “As hard as it is to extend school closures, we know that it is critical to protecting the health and safety of all residents of Contra Costa County and the Bay Area in general.”

“While this means that physical campuses would not re-open to students this school year, it does not suggest that school is over for the year,” said Lynn Mackey, Contra Costa County Superintendent of Schools. “While we all pivot into a new way of delivering quality instruction, we know that learning will continue, and that every educator and caring staff member in our county will meet this challenge and continue to work hard on behalf of the students and families we serve.”

This announcement comes as local public health officers continue to monitor orders to shelter in place. Bay Area orders currently run through May 3, while the state of California’s order is indefinite.

Officials are now recommending that residents wear face coverings when out in public and are requiring essential businesses to post social distancing protocols.