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Cabrillo College, Public Schools, Libraries, and More Closed For Now

By Jondi Gumz

In a situation that is unprecedented, all school districts in Santa Cruz County, all public libraries, Cabrillo College, and the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk, one of the county’s largest employers, all county parks programs and the Aptos farmers market have closed to avert the spread of the deadly coronavirus COVID-19, which has killed 6,000 people around the world, including a reported 63 in the U.S., five in California.

The John Hopkins University dashboard reported 162,687 COVID-19 cases, with nearly half of those recovered, and 6,065 deaths, as of March 14.

All public schools in the county will close from Monday, March 16 thru Friday, March 20.

However, according to the Register-Pajaronian, the Pajaro Valley Unified School District Board of Trustees held an emergency meeting Saturday morning, and unanimously agreed to close all district schools for two weeks, allowing most employees to work from home.

Also, parents on NextDoor have been told that Rio Del Mar Elementary School in Aptos, where one of the seven local cases was confirmed, will remain closed until April 6.

Other local cases are related to a cruise, a trip to Seattle, the housemate of a staffer at Kirby School. County officials have not provided information on the other three.

Public school administrators will reassess this week whether an extension of school closures beyond March 20 will be necessary.

Santa Cruz County Public Health Officer, Dr. Gail Newel, reported that while the number of cases in the county remains small, the Santa Cruz County Public Health Division expects those numbers to grow significantly in the coming days and weeks which may require a continued response.

Pajaro Valley school officials said parents can pick up breakfasts and lunches in the morning at schools all week; a schedule is at pvusd.net.

Cabrillo

Cabrillo College also announced the campus will be closed and all classes will move to online instruction beginning Monday, March 16.

Cabrillo College President Matt Wetstein announced in an open letter Friday, March 13, that the school would be moving to online classes for the rest of March (which includes Spring Break).

The decision comes in the wake of the county’s public schools closing March 16-20, community college athletics contests being suspended by the state, and the number of cases increasing from four to seven in Santa Cruz County.

Cabrillo’s move to online instruction involves all classes, including lab, art studio and physical activity courses that normally require face-to-face work. All Cabrillo classes will either meet online or be cancelled next week.

Spring break will still be held the week of March 23-28, so there will be at minimum a two-week break from face-to-face instruction (March 16–30).

Services closed as of March 16 include: the Cafeteria, Drip Coffee kiosks, the Childcare Center, the Dental Hygiene Clinic, Adaptive Physical Education Courses, and Pino Alto Restaurant/Sesnon House.

Performances of “Considering Matthew Shepard” in the Crocker Theater have been cancelled. If you have tickets for this weekend’s performances, contact the Cabrillo Box Office to request a refund.

Community Education and Extension classes are expected to move to online delivery or be cancelled or postponed effective Monday, March 16.

Libraries

Susan Nemitz, director of the Santa Cruz Public Libraries, said the main library and all branches would be closed for two weeks, effective 5 p.m. March 14. Services provided by the Bookmobile also are suspended.

Nemitz cited the social distancing guidelines issued by county Health Services, which called for an end to mass gatherings and for people to stay an arm’s length away from each other.

During the closure, library staff will provide reference and information services via phone, text, and email. To access these services, call 831-427-7713, text 831.264.0647, or email elibrary@santacruzpl.org.

The system’s Virtual Library provides access to thousands of eBooks, eAudiobooks, eMagazines, news, movies, and music 24/7 from home with your library card and PIN/password. Research collections and other eLearning options are also available 24/7 from home. using your library card and PIN/password from the library’s research page. Educators and homeschool leaders without access to online teaching platforms may try Brainfuse Help Now’s MEET.

To decrease anxiety, the libraries have created a period of zero overdue fines for the rest of March and all of April for any materials returned late.

Farmers Market

The Aptos Farmers Market at Cabrillo College is closing for two weeks, March 21 and 28.

A student selling lettuce and tomatoes grown at Cabrillo said ripe produce for the next two weeks would probably be given away.

La Marea of the Sea, a Santa Cruz vendor selling oysters and fish and shrimp tacos, put up a sign welcoming orders by text, 213-219-0743, during the closure.

County Parks

Santa Cruz County Parks cancelled all programs, events, activities in facilities, and any rentals effective March 16 through March 30, with plans to reevaluate the situation at that time and determine next steps.

Simpkins Swim Center remains open, because according to the Centers for Disease Control, there is no evidence COVID-19 is spread through using pools. County Parks is focused on keeping common areas including the main lobby, restrooms and locker rooms disinfected and sanitized.

Services or reservations of cancelled activities may be rescheduled, credited or refunded. Contact reservations@scparks.com or (831) 454-7938 for information.

County Park Friends Santa Cruz said they must cancel the 3rd Annual Adaptive Egg Hunt April 11 and postpone the MyPlayClub Inclusive Play series planned for LEO’s Haven.

County Parks remain open, and the Friends encouraged people to take advantage of them.

“We are reminded and heartened by the power of our parks and public spaces to serve your mental and physical health even during this difficult time,” wrote Mariah Roberts, Executive Director, Terry Corwin, Board Chair, and Tricia Potts, Program Director, in an email message.

“We are rallying with other non-profit partners to combine resources and get creative to support you,” they wrote. “Please see below to learn about ideas and check our website and Facebook regularly to get the latest from home. We are in this together, even from a safe social distance.”

A virtual story time for elementary kids, for example, is planned for noon March 16 with Live Like Coco Foundation on the County Park Friends Santa Cruz Facebook page, watchable on mobile devices.

Twin Lakes Church

Twin Lakes Church in Aptos announced the suspension of in-person services, and the availability of services via live-streaming for March 14-15 and March 21-22.

Pastor Rene Schlaepfer, on the church website, wrotes, “We will be streaming on YouTube, Facebook Live, and Vimeo during our regular service times, Saturday at 6 pm, and Sunday 9 am & 10:45 am. If you don’t have internet access, we can make a DVD of the service available to you.”

He added, “Is this ideal? No. I can’t wait to get back to in-person, live services! But it will be exciting. Let’s get creative. Gather your family during our live stream and make it fun.”

Boardwalk

The Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk, Arcades, Boardwalk Bowl and the Boardwalk’s Cocoanut Grove event facility will be closed from March 13 through March 27.

UC Santa Cruz

UC Santa Cruz announced the suspension of in-person classes through April 3, encouraging students to study from home. Events such as Alumni Weekend April 3-5, have been cancelled but the campus has not closed, with students housing, dining and health services remaining open.

Santa Cruz Warriors

The NBA suspended the season after two players with Utah Jazz were confirmed to have COVID-19, and its G League season in which the Santa Cruz Warriors play, is suspended as well.