Coronavirus: Santa Rosa Schools Close After County Advisory

SONOMA COUNTY, CA — The largest school district in Sonoma County, Santa Rosa City Schools, is suspending in-person classes and canceling after-school activities and child care for the next three weeks, officials said Saturday.

The closure begins Monday and will run though April 5, according to a release from the district, which has 16,000 students in 24 schools.

The decision to shutter school sites, in an effort to slow the spread of COVID-19, was made in collaboration with the Sonoma County Department of Health Services and the Sonoma County Office of Education, district officials said.

On Saturday evening, both of those county offices released a joint statement recommending all school districts in the county suspend classes through March 27. With most districts in spring break this week, March 16-20, the suspensions would officially start March 23.

"Schools are vital community hubs and service providers. This recommendation to postpone in-person classes was not made lightly," Dr. Steve Herrington, Sonoma County Superintendent of Schools, said in a statement. "We know that suspending classes creates a significant disruption to the lives of students, staff and families. School districts have been diligently preparing for how to offer continuity of education, meals and other vital services even if students are not physically at school."

Board of Education officials said leaders from each district will work with the Department of Health Services and will meet with County Public Health Officer Dr. Sundari Mase on Monday to discuss specific plans for their areas.

Santa Rosa city teachers are working to provide instructional materials for students, both online and in paper format and principals will give more detailed information about getting the materials to students and families, the district said in a news release.

After spring break this week, students will complete assignments at home and teachers will continue to work - using social distancing practices - to provide assignments, the school district said.

Carry-out meals will be available for all Santa Rosa students, starting March 23. A list of sites providing students with a drive-thru/carry-out lunch service from 11:30 a.m.-1:00 p.m. Monday through

Friday is available online at srcschools.org.For more information on the status of the coronavirus spread in Sonoma County, call 211, text your zip code to 898-211 or visit www.socoemergency.org

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