We are pleased to announce that the District has received one at home COVID test kit box for our probationary and permanent employees. The test kits will be delivered to school sites next week and your administrator or supervisor will provide you with a notification where and when to pick up your test kit. Each text kit includes two tests that are packaged in one box.

As of February 19, 2022, an extension to the Supplemental Paid Sick Leave (SPSL) and reimbursement has been approved to provide supplemental paid sick leave relating to COVID absences for all employees. This leave is retroactive to January 1, 2022 and will be in effect until September 30, 2022. The available leave is slightly different from the previous SPSL leave. It includes 5 work days or 40 hours for COVID related absences due to symptoms, vaccinations, or exposures. An additional 5 work days or 40 hours are available for employees who have tested positive for COVID-19 and for the employee who is a primary caregiver for someone who has tested positive for COVID-19. The attached form can be used by employees to complete when requesting leave reimbursement as well as future leave requests for available COVID related leaves.

(COVID-19 Decision Tree, Updated February 7, 2022)

It is important to know that if an employee is vaccinated and booster eligible, but not boosted, there are additional guidelines regarding quarantine if that employee is exposed to another COVID positive person.

• If an employee is fully vaccinated and has had their booster shot, that employee would not need to quarantine or wear a mask when not indoors at work.

• If an employee is a close contact and is fully vaccinated, booster-eligible and not boosted, that employee may remain at work provided that they wear a mask, indoors and outside, when within 6 feet of others through Day 10, and provide evidence of a negative test result from a sample collected on Day 3, 4, or 5. Testing within 24 hours of close contact notification is also recommended, but not required.

• If an employee is unvaccinated, that employee who was determined to be in close contact may return to work on or after Day 6 if they provide evidence of a negative test result from a sample collected on or after Day 5, and they wear a mask, indoors and outside, when within 6 feet of others through Day 10.

Vaccinations and boosters are available Monday through Friday at our current vaccination site, Vista Innovation Center, 836 Olive Ave, Vista, CA 92084. Employees should provide proof of their booster shot by uploading their booster card to PeopleSoft in the same manner as they had previously uploaded their vaccination records. The following attachments provide information regarding PeopleSoft accounts and how to upload your booster vaccination card. A video is also attached for any vaccination or booster information upload.

The VIC will remain open on Friday, Feb 18th and Monday, Feb 21 for COVID Testing and vaccinations.

Hazard Reporting Link remains available for all staff. This link can be found on any school website and is connected to this newsletter here.

Please remember to self assess with the Daily Health Screening each day prior to coming to work. As you enter a school site, you will see the posters linked above.

Feeling stressed? Overwhelmed?

One thing we can all agree on is how life in a pandemic has brought new challenges to our daily routines.

Vista Unified is committed to supporting all of our employees through the seasons of life with its Employee Assistance Program. This program is designed to help anyone experiencing stress at work, seeking financial or legal advice, or coping with the death of a loved one. The program offers assistance with concerns, such as:

• Depression, anxiety, and stress

• Substance abuse

• Relationship problems

• Workplace conflicts

• Parenting and family issues

• Living with chronic conditions

• Child and elder care support

“The challenges you face each day can lead to stressful feelings. At times, such feelings may overwhelm you. Your homelife, your happiness and your performance at work all can suffer. We can help.”

Please contact Jarrod Madrusso in the Benefits Department for more information on Vista’s Employee Assistance Program. All calls and referrals are confidential.

Certificated Employee Contact Information:

Rachel D’Ambroso, Assistant Superintendent, Human Relations

racheldambroso@vistausd.org

Shari Fernandez, Certificated Director, Human Relations

sharifernandez@vistausd.org

Jan Westerlund, Administrative Assistant, Human Relations

janwesterlund@vistausd.org

Classified Employee Contact Information:

Corey Nabone, Classified Director, Human Relations

coreynabone@vistausd.org

William Meni, Classified HR Analyst

williammeni@vistausd.org

Questions Regarding Employee Benefits:

Jarrod Madrusso, Employee Benefits Technician jarrodmadrusso@vistausd.org

Other General Questions

Certificated HR Main Line

(760) 726-2170 x92221

Other General Questions

Classified HR Main Line

(760) 726-2170 x92200

Revised Cal OSHA Temporary Regulations, Effective January 14, 2022

Guidance for the Use of Face Coverings, January 5, 2022

COVID Decision tree updated February 7, 2022

Classified ext. 92200

classifiedhrdept@vistausd.org

Email: hr@vistausd.org
Website: https://www.vistausd.org/departments/human_relations
Location: 1234 Arcadia Avenue, Vista, CA, 92084
Phone: 760 726-2170
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/VUSDHR
Twitter: @VUSDHR