ALVORD UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT
Distrito Escolar Unificado de Alvord
A Message from the Superintendent...
Dear Members of the Alvord Community,
When we welcome our students back to school this coming Friday, August 6, it will be the first time since all schools in California were closed on March 13, 2020 that practically all our students and staff will be present on campus at the same time. We are thankful that we are able to safely deliver full-time, in-person instruction. Our safety protocols are firmly in place and have been tested, as a result of reopening our schools to students in the hybrid program this past March. We kick-off the 2021-22 school year prepared, confident, and ready to safely reopen our schools given the current conditions. We are also confident that we are prepared to adapt to changing conditions to ensure our schools remain open.
We are working closely with Riverside County public health officials to monitor local conditions. Riverside County Public Health published the following statement this past Wednesday:
“Following the updated face mask guidance issued by the Centers of Disease Control and Prevention and the California Department of Public Health, and in light of the recent increase in local COVID-19 cases, Riverside County Public Health recommends residents follow the new state and federal guidance for face coverings. The current state and federal masking guidance recommend that vaccinated individuals wear face masks in public indoor settings. The state still requires unvaccinated individuals to wear masks indoors. As the impact on the Delta variant increases transmissibility, Riverside County health officials continue to stress that getting vaccinated is the best protection against the virus and its variants.”
Below is the most recent video featured on the Riverside County Department of Public Health's coronavirus home page, with a message from Deputy Public Health Officer Dr. Shunling Tsang, MD.
I appreciate all of the concerns that have been brought to my attention, by both our families and our employees, and I understand and appreciate how very real those concerns are to each and every person who expressed them. We remain confident that our standard operating procedures related to safety will provide everyone attending school in-person with the feeling that they are safe and protected. However, if 100% of our in-person population are not strictly following our procedures and protocols, everyone is at a higher risk of transmission. Given that, I hope that an individual's personal position on masking and other policies and practices be set aside in the interest of safely reopening our schools and keeping them open.
As I have written in my recent messages, all K-12 students and staff are required to mask indoors, regardless of vaccination status, with exemptions per CDPH face mask guidance. The American Academy of Pediatrics joined forces with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention last week recommending that everyone older than age 2 wear masks, regardless of vaccination status.
In addition to wearing masks, we strongly encourage all students and staff to COVID-test weekly, regardless of vaccination status. We are prepared to provide all students and staff with a free home-testing kit weekly. Schools will communicate procedures for accessing the kits. While the test is administered in the privacy of the tested person's home, we fully expect families will alert the school principal of a positive test result so that contract tracing can immediately occur.
At this point in time, testing is voluntary for students and staff in our schools. That may change if conditions worsen. In the meantime, please participate in our screening testing program. We are setting our goal at 100% of all students and staff, vaccinated or not.
We need to work together to keep our students and staff and your family safe, and keep our schools open too. Our neighbor in Los Angeles, LAUSD, plans to require testing for all students and staff in the in-person program. Students who choose not to participate in their testing program will not be permitted to attend LAUSD schools in-person. They must learn in a home-based program. There are no other school districts that have implemented mandatory testing, at this point in time.
We have fewer than 300 families choosing the home-based learning option. It's clear that in-person learning is how our (and most) children learn best. So let's continue to work together to keep our kids in school, keep our schools open, and keep everyone safe.
Look for more information about our weekly screening testing program from your principal and please participate.
Thank you Alvord Education Foundation. We Love You...
Despite the pandemic, the Alvord Educational Foundation (AEF) distributed over $108,000 in scholarships for students and classroom grants for teachers in 2020-21. Sixty-one scholarships to students were awarded. Two graduates of La Sierra High School, who wish to remain anonymous, have launched a “Giving Back” $1,000 scholarship program for any La Sierra graduate going to college. Contact AEF at 951-687-7484 or alvordef.org to contribute.
California State Assembly Recognizes Four Alvord Teachers For Distinguished Award...
All New and Returning Students Must be Completely Registered...
With school starting this upcoming Friday, it is important to ensure that all new and returning students are completely registered and required documentation has been uploaded to the Aeries Parent Portal. If you need assistance in navigating the data confirmation or new student registration process, and would like individual guidance, please make an appointment to meet with Coordinator of Family Engagement, Dr. Cisneros, at the Family Engagement Center located at Arlanza Elementary School, by clicking on this virtual scheduler and selecting the time that best suits your schedule. If coming to the Family Engagement Center is inconvenient for your family, the Family Engagement Office YouTube channel has guidance videos that walk families through the data confirmation process in English and in Spanish. New student registration walkthrough videos, in English and Spanish, can also be accessed.
Next Registration and Data Confirmation Workshops Monday August 2, 3, 4 & 5...
Sign Up for Our Expanded Learning 2021-22 After School Program...
When we return for the 2021-22 school year on August 6, 2021, our two after-school programs, HALF-Time (K-5) and PRIME-Time (6-8), will be available M-F from school dismissal until 6:00 PM. The program provide FREE academic support, homework assistance and enrichment activities like art, crafts, music, sports and STEM (Science Technology, Engineering, and Math) along with a nutritious meal. Please register your Kindergarten through 8th grade students soon as space is limited. Sign up here in English and here in Spanish.
Family Engagement Office Fall 2021 Workshop Schedule...
August 10 Workshop In-Person or on Zoom...
In Closing....
On behalf of the Board of Education and our entire team, we can't wait for school to begin!. Together we have reopened our schools, and together we can keep them open and keep everyone safe in the process.
Stay positive. Stay safe. Test weekly.
Sincerely,
Allan Mucerino
Ms. Lizeth Vega, President
TRUSTEE AREA 2
Arlanza K-5
Terrace K-5
Norte Vista 9-12
Child Nutrition Services
Dr. Joanna Dorado, Vice President
TRUSTEE AREA 1
La Granada K-5
RMK K-5
Twinhill K-5
Valley View K-5
Loma Vista 6-8
Alternative Ed Center
Mrs. Julie Moreno, Clerk
TRUSTEE AREA 3
Collett K-5
Foothill K-5
Myra Linn K-5
Wells 6-8
La Sierra 9-12
Mrs. Carolyn Wilson, Trustee
TRUSTEE AREA 5
Lake Hills K-5
Promenade K-5
Villegas 6-8
District Office
Mr. Robert Schwandt, Trustee
TRUSTEE AREA 4
McAuliffe K-5
Orrenmaa K-5
Stokoe K-5
Arizona 6-8
Alvord High 11-12
Hillcrest 9-12
Dr. Allan Mucerino, Superintendent of Schools
Board Meetings Are Audio-Streamed
BOARD MEETINGS IN-PERSON
August 19, 2021 (Regular)
September 2, 2021 (Regular)
September 16, 2021 (Regular)
More details here on Agenda On-Line
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Board Meetings Are Conducted in Zoom
Q: Will school be fully in-person, five days a week, when the 2021-22 school year begins on August 6?
A: Yes.
Q: Has the CDPH released its guidance for the 2021-22 school year?
A: Yes. On July 12, 2021. Find the guidance here.
Q: Will students have to get their temperature taken to enter campus when school begins on August 6?
A: No. Parents are required to conduct a daily self-check of their children, If a child has a fever, chills, cough or other common symptoms, parent are expected to not send their child to school. It is recommended any student exhibiting symptoms be COVID-19 tested.
Q: Will masks be required for K-12 students indoors when school begins on August 6?
A: Yes.
Q: Will masks be required for K-12 students outdoors when school begins on August 6?
A: No. They are optional.
Q: Will masks be required for K-12 staff indoors when school begins on August 6?
A: Yes.
Q: Will masks be required for K-12 staff outdoors when school begins on August 6?
A: No. They are optional.
Q: What if a student or staff member has a medical condition and is exempt from wearing a mask?
A: The student or staff member must wear a non-restrictive alternative, such as a face shield with a drape on the bottom edge, as long as their condition permits it.
Q: Are schools required to enforce the mask requirements?
A: Yes.
Q: What if a child refuses to wear a mask indoors?
A: Students will be offered our distance learning program.
Q: Are parents allowed to know the vaccination status of school employees and teachers at the school in regards to Covid?
A: No. An employee’s COVID-19 vaccination is confidential medical information under the ADA, which requires employers to maintain the confidentiality of employee medical information, such as documentation or other confirmation of COVID-19 vaccination.
Q: Why can't families choose to wear masks when indoors instead of having to choose home-based learning?
A: We recognize that the indoor masking mandate does not sit well with 100% of our stakeholders. And while we strongly support and celebrate everyone's right to their beliefs and perspectives, we will strictly adhere to CDPH guidelines and enforce the masking mandate.
NOTE: School districts are held accountable for implementing and enforcing the CDPH mandate. While a school district, through the school board, has broad permissive authority under Section 35160 of the Education Code, the district and board must act in a manner which is not in conflict or inconsistent with any law. Failure to follow the directives can be enforced as a criminal offense. Furthermore, if a school district takes action to forgo CDPH requirements it may present liability issues for individual board members, as well as any applicable district staff, for willfully neglecting to obey a lawful order issued under the California Emergency Services Act. Additionally, there could also be insurance issues with likely exclusions from insurance coverage, which puts the district in a very risky and vulnerable position that could significantly impact its budget.
Q: What safety measures will be in place?
A: No less than the following safety measures will be in place:
- face covering indoors
- air scrubbers in every space
- improved ventilation
- respiratory and hand hygiene/cough etiquette taught
- desk shields and barriers (at least until November 1 and updated guidance)
- daily sanitization of spaces and high-frequency touch-points
- staying home when sick and getting tested promotion
- contact tracing in combination with quarantine and isolation
- physical distancing, when possible and appropriate
Q: Do students and staff have to COVID-19 test?
A: Student and staff, vaccinated or unvaccinated, are strongly encouraged to participate in our weekly voluntary screening testing program. Home-kits are provided and administered in the privacy of the tested person's home. Positive tests are expected to be immediately reported to the school to initiate the contact tracing process. Schools will provide additional details.
Q: Will there be sports and performing arts events?
A: Yes. Regarding sports, we await guidelines from the California Interscholastic Federation-Southern Section (CIF-SS), the governing body for high school athletics. Regarding performing arts such as marching band, choir and theater, we will follow CDPH guidelines for events.
Q: Will spectators be able to attend indoor events?
A: Yes. Spectators will be required to follow all indoor face-covering and other safety measures.
Q: Will student-athletes have to COVID-19 test?
A: Yes. We expect that participants in competitions will be required to antigen test, which provides results within 15-20 minutes. But we await official guidance on exactly what procedures will be required.
Q: If students take a school trip off school campus to an indoors location, do vaccinated students need to wear a mask indoors if the location they are visiting does not require vaccinated people to wear masks?|
A: If students are participating in a school event or being supervised by school staff, face mask guidance for K-12 settings must be followed regardless of location.
Q: Do fully vaccinated teachers and staff need to wear masks in school buildings if school is out for the summer and students are not in the building?
A: For district staff in administrative buildings or for teachers on campus when student programs are not in session and students are not in the building, masking guidance is governed by current Cal/OSHA requirements. A district may use any of the options for masking that are provided to businesses to guide masking policies for anyone from the general public who may be entering the District Offices or coming on-campus when student programs are not in session.
Q: Is the State's requirement and Riverside County's requirement the same?
A: Yes. Riverside public health officials confirmed that children and staff do not need to wear a mask outside because we are not an area of high transmission, but must follow all State guidelines indoors.
Q: What is the home-based option for families choose who are unable to attend school in-person?
A: Yes. Principals surveyed their families during the week of July 12. a home-based learning model. If you are new to our district this week, missed the survey deadline, or have had a change of heart or a change in your living conditions and want to reconsider, please contact your principal immediately.
Q: What will the home-based learning option be in 2021-22?
A: Unlike last year, when thousands of students learned from home, the home-based option in 2021-22 will rely primarily on an independent study model, utilizing Edgenuity™ for 6-12 students and Accelerate™ for K-5 students.
Q: What is Edgenuity™ and Accelerate™?
A: Both are computer-based, user-friendly learning management systems that structure and monitor learning. Students are assigned to an Alvord Unified School District teacher who monitors attendance and progress, but does not directly teach on a daily basis.
Q: Regarding home-based learning, what if my child has an IEP or is an English language learner?
A: Learning from home is not ideal for many students. Principals, counselors, and IEP teams will discuss each case on an individual basis to determine the best course of action for any family requesting the home-based learning model.
Q: What if I plan for my child to attend in-person but change my mind if face covering restrictions, or other requirements that I disagree with, are mandated when school starts?
A: The option of a virtual program will always be available. After all, conditions and circumstances for families change. But for staffing and learning continuity purposes, we will ask families to make a commitment of no less than a semester in the virtual program, although special circumstances will be addressed on a case-by-case basis.
Attending to the physically and emotionally safe return of all students to classrooms is our priority. We are designing for that safe return by bolstering support services and strictly adhering to safety guidelines to ensure that our students have a sense of belonging and feel safe. Given the mental health and trauma that many students, families, and educators have faced these past 15 months, we believe in-person school provides us with the best opportunity to provide the guidance, support, and resources necessary to accelerate learning, recover learning loss, provide social and emotional support, and intervene when students are struggling academically or emotionally.
With that being said, we also have prioritized choice by providing alternatives to in-person instruction in the event conditions change related to COVID or related to family circumstances. We are confident that regardless of the model chosen, we will be prepared to meet the needs of each and every student. As of July 30, 2021, 275 students have chosen to not attend school in-person in 2021-22, opting for on-line learning.
Our home-based program utilizes Edgenuity™ and Accelerate™ to deliver curriculum and instruction. Both programs are computer-based, user-friendly learning management systems that structure and monitor learning. While students are assigned to a certificated Alvord Unified School District teacher, the teacher simply monitors attendance and progress. The teacher does not directly teach the curriculum. The Edgenuity courses provide direct-instruction videos featuring expert, on-screen teachers. The Accelerate courses provide direct-instruction audio featuring expert, on-screen teachers. Both computer-based programs also provides rigorous assignments, performance tasks, and assessments to engage students and ensure subject-area mastery.
Visit the Edgenuity Video Library here for a series of videos on the advantages of Edgenuity. For the K-5 Accelerate program, visit their website here for additional information. Following are key elements of the program. Contact your principal for additional details:
- Students learn from home and do not attend school in-person;
- Students continue to be active members of the student body at their home school.
- Students utilize an age-appropriate computer-based leaning program that uses a combination of animations, video-led direct instruction, relevant websites, and activities to support the curriculum;
- Modification and accommodations will be made for English learners, students in foster care or other high-needs groups;
- Students are provided with a Chromebook and an Internet connection, if needed;
- Students in grades' 6-12 use Edgenuity;
- Students in grades' K-5 use Accelerate;
- A parent or guardian is responsible for student progress;
- Parent is responsible for ensuring student engages in learning platform for designated time per day;
- Students are assigned to an Alvord teacher, however;
- The Alvord teacher does not teach the curriculum;
- The Alvord teacher utilizes the Google classroom to meet with students at the conclusion of each school day for an "office hour" to record daily attendance and to ensure progress is being made;
- The Alvord teacher supports the student and parent;
- Instructional minutes are the same as they are for in-person instruction:
• Kindergarten: 200 minutes;
• Grades 1-3: 280 minutes;
• Grades 4-8: 300 minutes;
• Grades 9-12: 360 minutes; - Meals are made available for pick-up for students in the home-based program;
- Students may transition back into in-person instruction within five days of declaring they no longer choose to participate in the home-based program;
- For high school students, access to all courses offered for graduation and approved by the University of California or the California State University are made available.
Our home-based program meets the requirements of Senate Bill 130, which was recently enacted to ensure students have an alternative to in-person instruction.
Watch the video below for an overview.
Family Engagement Coordinator
Call 951-396-0126 or email Alejandro
Child Care for Essential Workers
RESET YOUR GOOGLE PASSWORD
Alvord Unified School District
Email: 2Superintendent@alvordschools.org
Website: https://www.alvordschools.org
Location: 9 Kpc Parkway, Corona, CA 92879, USA
Phone: 951) 509-5000
Facebook: facebook.com/alvordunified
Twitter: @AlvordUnified