SCUSD’s New COVID-19 Vaccine Mandate

e-Connections Post

As you may have heard, SCUSD’s Board of Education moved to pass a resolution (as of October 12, 2021) that all SCUSD students: 

  • Aged 12 or older and staff not yet vaccinated (first or second dose) by November 30, 2021 
  • Students aged 5-11
  • Students and staff with exemptions, accommodations or conditional admissions

Will be tested for COVID-19 on a regular, routine basis based on public health recommendations for testing cadence, available staffing and testing resources. You may read the Board’s resolution in its entirety.

Students, Staff and Volunteers Who Have Already Submitted Proof of Vaccination

Student and staff who have already submitted proof of full COVID-19 vaccination are in compliance with SCUSD’s COVID-19 vaccination requirement and no further action is needed.

Students, Staff and Volunteers Who Still Need to be Fully Vaccinated

Students and staff who need to receive a first or second dose of a two-dose COVID-19 vaccine can do so by scheduling an appointment at a SCUSD clinic or other locations found through MyTurn.ca.gov. SCUSD will need receipt of these records by completing this online vaccine status reporting form* by Tuesday, November 30, 2021. This form may also be filled out and turned in as a hard copy at your school site office. If you have only received your first dose of a two-dose vaccine, you still must opt into regular, routine testing until you are fully vaccinated. 

Students and Staff Who are Filing for a Medical Exemption from the COVID-19 Vaccination

If you are seeking a medical accommodation or exemption, you will need to provide SCUSD with a signed, written statement from a physician (Medical Doctor or Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine) licensed in California which states:

  • The specific nature of the physical condition or medical circumstance for which the licensed physician does not recommend immunization.
  • Which required vaccine is being exempted (COVID-19).
  • Whether the medical exemption is permanent or temporary.
  • An expiration date no more than 12 calendar months from the date of signing, if the exemption is temporary.

Students who are seeking an exemption will be required to attach their signed, written statement from a physician to their vaccination status online form. If turning in documentation at the student’s school site, the signed, written statement will need to be provided along with the hard copy of the vaccination status form.

Volunteers who need to test routinely due to a personal need may arrange for such with their respective school site. Volunteer Groups may choose to complete a certification form to certify that their volunteers providing services at SCUSD sites are compliant with the Vaccination Requirement resolution by Tuesday, November 30, 2021. These records can be audited by Sacramento City Unified School District.

Staff Medical Exemption Filing Process

Staff members requesting an exemption to the COVID-19 vaccination can send all supporting documentation by:

  • Email to amber-pena@scusd.edu
  • Serna Center (address below) receptionist counter Attn: Amber Pena, Risk Management
  • US mail to: Sacramento City Unified School District, Attn: Risk Management Box 840, 5735 47th Ave, Sacramento, CA 95824

Download Staff Medical or Religious Belief COVID-19 Vaccine Exemption Form

SCUSD will need receipt of exemption documentation by Tuesday, November 30, 2021. Once your exemption documentation is submitted, you will be contacted by Risk Management regarding next steps. Those with an approved exemption will be required to register for regular, routine COVID-19 testing.

Students Filing for a Personal Belief Exemption from the COVID-19 Vaccination

Students who wish to file an exemption for personal beliefs (including religious) can do so by completing this online exemption application form. Those with an approved exemption will be required to register for regular, routine COVID-19 testing.

Download Student Personal or Religious Belief COVID-19 Vaccine Exemption Application in EnglishEspañol / SpanishHmoob / Hmong中文 / Chinese, and Tiếng Việt / Vietnamese.

Staff Filing a Request for a Religious Belief Exemption for the COVID-19 Vaccination

Staff members requesting an exemption to the COVID-19 vaccination can send all supporting documentation by:

  • Email to amber-pena@scusd.edu
  • Serna Center (address below) receptionist counter Attn: Amber Pena, Risk Management
  • US mail to: Sacramento City Unified School District, Attn: Risk Management Box 840, 5735 47th Ave, Sacramento, CA 95824

Download Staff Medical or Religious Belief COVID-19 Vaccine Exemption Form

SCUSD will need receipt of exemption documentation by Tuesday, November 30, 2021. Once your exemption documentation is submitted, you will be contacted by Risk Management regarding next steps. Those with an approved exemption will be required to register for regular, routine COVID-19 testing.

Learn More about the COVID-19 Vaccination Requirements

We understand that many parents, students and staff may have concerns and questions, so we’ve put together this FAQ page to help you get answers to common questions and learn more about what options are available to SCUSD staff and students. 

Thank you for your patience and partnership as we work together to increase immunity, keep our school sites open and our community as safe as possible.

 

*All documentation of immunization records meet HIPAA confidentiality requirements.