Durham Unified School District
is
Accepting new students for 2021-2022!
Please visit our enrollment page for more information
Announcements
Dear Superintendent Bohannon:
Thank you for writing to me to express your concerns over required COVID-19 vaccination for K-12 students. As your representative in the California State Senate, I will continue to vote for individual choice and parental rights when it comes to vaccines. It is clear that many California parents are opposed to Governor Newsom’s COVID-19 vaccine mandate for students. Regardless of a parent’s reason to decline the vaccine for their children I fully stand by the principle that opting-out is their right.
Although we are less than two years into studying the COVID-19 virus, all current evidence suggests that risk of death or hospitalization of children is extremely low. Denying access to a public education because a student is unvaccinated against COVID-19 is wrong.
In your letter, you cited that a COVID-19 vaccine mandate would be damaging to the districts, leading to students being withdrawn from school and unfilled staff vacancies. Further, your note stressed the importance for schools and their governing school boards to maintain local control; I agree.
Since Governor Newsom’s COVID-19 vaccine requirement was enacted administratively, medical and personal belief exemptions must be considered. However, the personal belief exemption disappears if Legislators vote to add COVID-19 to the list of required K-12 immunizations, which only permits medical exemptions.
While I am not opposed to vaccines, I have been consistent with my philosophy that parents are responsible for the medical decisions of their children. That simple principle will continue to guide me as I review any legislation dealing with COVID-19 vaccine mandates.
Thank you for your service to the community. If you need assistance with any state or legislative issue, please phone my Chico District Office at 530-879-7424.
Sincerely,
JIM NIELSEN
Senator, Fourth District
Asymptomatic weekly testing applies to several groups: unvaccinated staff, athletes
playing indoor sports, and those on modified quarantine following an on-campus
exposure to a Covid-19 positive person. Additionally, testing is required of all
unvaccinated coaches and volunteers working with or transporting students. This
program is being offered free of charge for students, staff and volunteers of Durham
Unified School District. This will help to ensure that we meet the California Department
of Public Health Guidelines currently in effect.
Registration Process and Results
Please click the following link to register. This process will only take you a few minutes!
https://my.primary.health/l/durham-usd
Attention: Staff, Coaches and Parent Volunteers
Please register under “STAFF Registration”.
Attention : Students
Parents, if you are registering a student please click on “Student Registration”
All consents are gathered electronically during this process and remain in effect for one
year. Many of the questions asked are used for local and State reporting purposes and
your information is not shared beyond that. Results will be shared with the contact
person provided on your registration after testing is completed. If there is a positive test
site administrators will also be notified automatically.
Type of Tests:
We are using the State testing program which utilizes the antigen or rapid Bianax Now test kits. The nasal swabs are sterilized by the use of radiation, not ethylene oxide. The test requires you to self-swab for 15 seconds per side in the lower nares (just inside your nose). The test takes 15 minutes to run and results will be sent via a link to your mobile phone and/or email.
Testing Days and Times:
Our testing site is in Portable #13 on the Durham Intermediate School campus (next to
the Durham Intermediate Gym). Testing will be available on Wednesdays
between 11:30am-3:00pm or by appointment by contacting the one of the following
DES
Carina Ellis
530-895-4697 ext 224
cellis@durhamunified.org
DIS/DHS
Jean Hensley
530-895-4685 ext 226
530-521-3773
jhensley@durhamunified.org
Modified quarantine students will be tested between days 5-7 following a classroom exposure. If you wish to have your child who is on modified quarantine tested outside of school testing, please provide your
results to the Health Office once you receive them.
If you have any questions or concerns, please reach out to me, Jean Hensley, District Nurse, by phone
530-895-4680 ext 226 or via email Jhensley@durhamunified.org.
In honor of the 100th year of Durham High School we are looking for graduates of years past to honor and recognize at the homecoming game on October 22nd.
For more information or if you are interested in being recognized please contact Matt Stanley mstanley@durhamunified.org
Bond Project
