School reopening

Maria Jimenez swabs her 7 year old daughter, Glendy Perez, for a COVID-19 test at Canal Alliance in San Rafael on Sept. 25, 2021. Photo by Penni Gladstone for CalMatters

Coronavirus

Rapid COVID-19 tests in short supply in California

Californians seeking same-day COVID-19 tests for sick kids, infection scares or employers are finding empty shelves and long delays, which could fuel outbreaks.

By

Kristen Hwang

• September 27, 2021

Kayden Christiansen and his mother, Heather Christiansen, at their home in Simi Valley. Kayden, a fifth-grader, was in quarantine for 10 days shortly after his California school reopening. Photo by Shae Hammond for CalMatters

Education

Quarantined: A new law is disrupting California school reopenings

As classes resume, a new state law governing independent study is worsening staff shortages, threatening school budgets and forcing quarantined students to relive last year’s school shutdowns.

By

Joe Hong

• August 25, 2021

From left: Dina Kassan talks with California Gov. Gavin Newsom, who visited Carl B. Munck Elementary School, Wednesday, Aug. 11, 2021, in Oakland, Calif. The governor announced that California will require its 320,000 teachers and school employees to be vaccinated against the novel coronavirus or submit to weekly COVID-19 testing. Photo by Santiago Mejia, San Francisco Chronicle, Pool

WhatMatters

Buckle up: A big day for California

Local election offices must send ballots for the Newsom recall election to every active registered voter as the campaign starts its final sprint.

By

Emily Hoeven

• August 16, 2021

Students wear masks and sit one to a two-person desk in order to social distance during summer classes at Laurel Elementary in Oakland on June 11, 021. Photo by Anne Wernikoff, CalMatters

Education

Small California school districts will refuse to follow mask mandate

Some school officials are flouting the updated state rules, saying students will be allowed to return to the classroom with or without a mask.

By

Joe Hong

• July 15, 2021

WhatMatters

A massive week for California

Good morning, California. It’s Monday, July 12. Pivotal deadlines This week is going to be a big one for California. Today, a judge is expected to issue a decision in the lawsuit Gov. Gavin Newsom brought against his own elections chief to be listed as a Democrat on the ballot for the Sept. 14 recall […]

By

Emily Hoeven

• July 12, 2021

Mario Ramirez Garcia, 10, does a spelling activity during distance learning in the bedroom he shares wit his sister on April 23, 2021. According to their father, the internet connection at their Oakland home cuts out about twice a week which is especially frustrating to the kids when they are taking tests. Photo by Anne Wernikoff, CalMatters

WhatMatters

Remote learning here to stay, via independent study

Distance learning is dead. Long live distance learning — or something like it. Last week, a waiver allowing California schools to engage in distance learning expired — putting the state on track to resume full-time in-person instruction in the fall. But on Monday, state lawmakers introduced an amended budget bill that would require schools to […]

By

Emily Hoeven

• July 6, 2021

Alex Armstrong, 51 and his wife, Paula Armstrong, 45, prepare pick up orders during lunch hour at their Long Beach restaurant, VBurger, on June 8, 2021. "It's been very challenging for us, but we couldn't back out," said Armstrong of opening mid-pandemic last year. Photo by Pablo Unzueta for CalMatters

WhatMatters

Masks at work? California can’t decide

Good morning, California. It’s Thursday, June 10. School: Yes. Work: Maybe. Masks at school, but not at the store. Well, unless you work at the store. But store employees may only have to wear masks until June 28. As long as they’re fully vaccinated. But it’s up to businesses to figure out how to verify […]

By

Emily Hoeven

• June 10, 2021

From left: Harrison, 8, and Allie, 10 carry signs with their parents Elizabeth Owen and Steve Ganotis during a rally to reopen Oakland public school for in-person instruction at Astro Park on Feb. 28, 2021. Photo by Anne Wernikoff, CalMatters

WhatMatters

Newsom: 99% of schools to reopen fully in fall

Good morning, California. It’s Tuesday, June 8. Lots of uncertainty remains “The one thing I’m certain of is there’s uncertainty in the future,” Gov. Gavin Newsom said during a Friday press conference that cast doubts on the extent of the state’s grand reopening next week. It was difficult not to think of that comment when […]

By

Emily Hoeven

• June 8, 2021

WhatMatters

Newsom: Get vaxxed, win $$

Good morning, California. It’s Friday, May 28. Note: Due to Memorial Day, the newsletter will pause until Tuesday. More money up for grabs Gov. Gavin Newsom on Thursday unveiled the country’s largest vaccine incentive program at a high school in Los Angeles — a city in which only 7% of high schoolers have returned for […]

By

Emily Hoeven

• May 28, 2021

California Capitol, home of the Assembly and Senate. Photo by Anne Wernikoff for CalMatters

Commentary

California still mistreating its school kids

The school year will end soon and most of California's 6 million public school students are still trying to learn at home.

By

Dan Walters

• May 16, 2021

School Reopening