Back-to-School Resources

As schools across the state welcome students and staff back to campus for in-person instruction and the 2021-22 school year, the California Department of Education is monitoring the questions and issues on the minds of educators and families. This Back to School web page is designed to provide quick access to key information and tools specific to serving the needs of students as schools work open for safe, in-person instruction and stay open even within the changing public health conditions, wildfires, smoke and other challenges. This page will be updated as new information becomes available.

Families | Educators

Families

Health and Safety

Updated California Department of Public Health (CDPH) Guidance for K-12 Schools

On September 1, CDPH issued revised school guidance to cover extracurricular activities, including athletics and music. The updated guidance applies to all extracurricular activities that are operated or supervised by schools regardless of whether they occur during school hours, including sports, band, chorus and clubs. To view the full CDPH COVID-19 Guidelines for Schools, visit COVID-19 Public Health Guidance for K-12 Schools in California .

COVID-19 Vaccine Resources for Parents

State Superintendent Tony Thurmond wrote to California parents and guardians encouraging them to make getting the COVID-19 vaccination a priority as students return to in-person classrooms this month, stressing that vaccines are safe, effective, free, and given to all individuals living in the U.S. regardless of insurance or immigration status. Access helpful infographics:

Families: What You Need to Know About the COVID-19 Vaccine (PDF)
Familias: Lo que necesitan saber sobre la vacuna para el COVID-19 (PDF)

Connectivity and Devices

Closing the Digital Divide

The Closing the Digital Divide Initiative focuses on identifying needed resources and partnerships to support distance learning in California schools and equip all California students with computing devices and connectivity.

Educators

Health and Safety

What’s New in Independent Study?

Easy access to new updates, FAQs and other information pertaining to Independent Study for 2021-22 school year.
What’s New in Independent Study

Clarifications for Student Learning During Quarantine

Learn how the California Department of Education has helped to clarify student learning during quarantine.
Clarifications for Student Learning During Quarantine

Free COVID-tests for K-12 Schools

The State of California and the CDPH Testing Task Force have developed a program for antigen testing in California K–12 schools .

Updated CDPH Guidance for K-12 Schools

On September 1, CDPH issued revised school guidance to cover extracurricular activities, including athletics and music. The updated guidance applies to all extracurricular activities that are operated or supervised by schools regardless of whether they occur during school hours, including sports, band, chorus and clubs. To view the full CDPH COVID-19 Guidelines for Schools, visit COVID-19 Public Health Guidance for K-12 Schools in California .

Emergency Services Information

School Disaster and Emergency Management

Learn about guidance, grants, training, and resources for local educational agencies (LEAs) related to the management of natural disasters and emergency hazards by visiting the School Disaster and Emergency Management.

School Emergency Reporting System Training

As schools open for 2021-22 school year, dozens of schools are also being impacted by wildfires raging across California. To facilitate strong communication in the event of natural disasters, LEAs should take part in School Emergency Reporting System Training to ensure the exchange of real-time information and needs-based support in all types of crises. Training sessions will be held every Thursday at 2 p.m. on Zoom throughout the month of September. Each session is limited to 500 participants. To learn more visit School Disaster and Emergency Management or register for School Emergency Reporting System Training today.

COVID Relief Funding Sources

Federal Stimulus Funding

COVID-19 Relief Funding Summary

School Nutrition

Universal Meals

Learn Details about Universal Meals and Assembly Bill 130.

Expanded Learning

Expanded Learning Programs

California's Expanded Learning programs are an integral part of young people's education, engaging them in year-round learning opportunities that prepare them for college, career, and life.

Social and Emotional Learning

SEL Overview

Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) reflects the critical role of positive relationships and emotional connections in the learning process and helps students develop a range of skills they need for school and life. Visit our SEL web page for guidance and resources for supporting social and emotional learning.

T-SEL Competencies and Conditions for Thriving

These guidance tools, developed for voluntary use, aim to build on and respond to the call from California’s diverse stakeholders to embed equity-focused Transformative Social and Emotional Learning (T-SEL) in every learning and teaching context across the education system.

This website will be updated as new information becomes available.