Marshall Fundamental Unvaccinated Seventh Graders in Quarantine, Back on Distance Learning

Unvaccinated seventh-grade students attending Marshall Fundamental School could be back in the classroom as soon as Monday with a negative COVID-19 test, or on Aug. 30.

According to an email sent out Wednesday, all unvaccinated seventh-grade students at Marshall Fundamental were quarantined after the city’s Health Department linked two cases of COVID-19 to students attending the school. 

The students have transitioned back to distance learning. 

“We have informed Marshall Fundamental 7th-grade parents and guardians that the Pasadena Public Health Department informed us this evening that it has found evidence that two confirmed cases of COVID-19 are epidemiologically linked,” states an email Marshall Principal Lori Simone Touloumian sent to families of students attending the school.

According to the Touloumian, the two infected children share a common membership at school (e.g., classroom, school events, school extracurricular activities, academic classes, sports teams, clubs, transportation).

The two confirmed cases have been present at some point in the same setting during the same time period while infectious within a 14-day period, the email continues.

According to a report on the infections released Wednesday, the district is implementing additional infection control measures as directed by the city Health Department exposure management protocol and immediately quarantining all unvaccinated seventh graders. 

“All other Marshall grades will remain open,” the report states.

Rumors of an outbreak at the school began surfacing late last week, but school officials would not comment on the matter.  

PUSD schools opened seven days ago.

In the report, the district said there have been no additional cases among students or staff in the past 10 days, and no new cases at Marshall Fundamental in the past 10 days. 

The district did not respond to an email about the report, but a city official said the Health Department continues to work with the district.

“We are investigating several cases and working in consultation with PUSD to provide guidance and recommendations,” said city Public Information Officer Lisa Derderian. 

Rumors of a quarantine began surfacing late last week, despite several emails sent earlier this week requesting information about a COVID exposure at Marshall. The district did not provide a comment to Pasadena Now. 

The district has so far not mandated vaccinations for its teachers.

Last week Gov. Gavin Newsom announced a statewide policy requiring all school teachers and employees in the state to show proof of COVID-19 vaccination or submit to weekly testing.