Families of Ripon Unified will have two educational options when the schools reopen on Aug. 12.

They can enroll their student in the traditional five-day in-school classroom only with additional health and safety measures.

The other choice is an off-campus distance learning for those not comfortable with the regular classroom environment.

The Ripon Unified school board looked at both educational options at a special session on Wednesday.

"The plan is subject to changes depending on the state and county," Trustee Kit Oase said.

Either way, the plan is to maintain the continuity of teaching and learning during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Currently, the San Joaquin County Public Health Education along with Gov. Gavin Newsom and San Joaquin County Office of Education recommend that staff and students wear face masks.

RUSD, for its part, purchased one reusable cloth mask for each student and staff member. Parents will have the option to allow their student to wear his or her own mask.

Other safety measures include:

*Daily health screening for staff will be implemented upon entering the facilities.

*Each classroom teacher will be provided with a touchless thermometer and will take each student’s temperature upon entering the classroom at the start of the school day.

*Students will be required to sanitize their hands with district-provided hand sanitizer or wash hands thoroughly with soap and water before entering the classroom.

*Any student with a temperature over 100 degrees will be directed to the school’s health office and take a second temperature. Parents will be contacted to pick up their child if the temperature remains above 100 in a designated sick area.

*The school nurse and health staff will be available to respond to COVID-19 concerns.

Director of Facilities Operation & Safety Services added the plan includes two-a-day cleanings of restrooms at each campus.

In the event of temporary closure of school facilities under the orders of SJC Public Health Department, Superintendent Ziggy Robeson noted that parents would be contacted and a speedy transition plan to distance learning would be implemented.

"My hope is to contain (the affected area) to a classroom or a wing. We have to plan for everything," she said.