ALVORD UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT

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Dear Students, Staff, and Families,

This past Friday, July 17, Governor Newsom announced new criteria for reopening schools as confirmed cases of coronavirus continue to rise across the state. School districts residing in thirty-two of the counties hardest hit, including Riverside, will begin the school year with full distance learning. No in-person instruction.

We cannot reopen our school sites until Riverside County is off the "Watch List" for 14 consecutive days. Under the new reopening restrictions, schools will be required to meet strict criteria related to a series of indicators in order to reopen. County health officials and school districts will work closely together to monitor local conditions.

Once reopened, a single school site will be closed for at least 2-weeks if there are multiple cases in multiple cohorts or when 5% or more of students and staff are diagnosed with COVID-19 within a 14-day period. School districts will close all of their schools if 25% of schools in the district meet or exceed the 5% threshold within two weeks. At any time, the Local Health Officer may also determine school closure is warranted for other reasons, including results from a public health investigation or other local epidemiological data.

Among the other key State mandates are as follows:

• Face covering for all staff and children in 3rd grade and above when indoors, on school buses, and in areas where physical distancing isn’t sufficient to prevent disease transmission.
• Face covering for children between age 2 and second grade are strongly encouraged.
• Students who refuse to wear face covering will be sent home and taught via distance learning.
• Teachers should be tested at least every two months on a rotating basis and should stay six feet away from each other and students.
• Schools ensure adequate amounts of soap, tissues, no-touch trash cans, face coverings and hand sanitizer are available.

Listen to Governor Newsom present the new criteria in the video excerpt from his July 17 briefing below.

Prior to the release of the new reopening guidelines, we announced the delay of the physical return of students and staff to school sites until at least after Labor Day, due to the current local conditions involving the Coronavirus (COVID-19). We had intended to reassess at that point in time. However, due to the State's new restrictions, our timeline will now be driven by meeting the reopening criteria.

From this point forward in my message, I will use a question and answer format to address the many questions I've received since the Governor's announcement. Thank you students, parents, and staff for your inquiries.

HOW CAN I SUPPORT THE DISTRICT'S EFFORT TO SERVE MY CHILDREN AND ALL STUDENTS, FAMILIES, AND STAFF?

I am asking everyone in the Alvord family to stay focused on what we can control. And what we can control is the delivery of our instructional program models and services to support our students and their families. Our objective is to minimize disruptions by seamlessly pivoting back and forth in the event schools open and close multiple times. It's impossible to predict. But we're prepared. We can also control how we treat each other during this difficult time. Everyone's situation is unique. A little patience goes a long way in better understanding what our students, parents, and staff members are experiencing and the impact those experiences are having on their mental and physical health.

WHAT HAPPENS NOW?

Students will still begin school on August 10, but it will be entirely remote. No In-Person instruction will be possible until further notice.

HOW WILL THIS FULL DISTANCE REMOTE LEARNING PROGRAM BE DIFFERENT FROM WHEN SCHOOLS CLOSED IN MARCH?
First and foremost, students will be held accountable for their learning with standardized instruction and assessment to facilitate mastery of grade level and content standards as described by the California Department of Education. Unlike in March, when schools closed abruptly, we have had the opportunity to prepare our instructional team to consistently deliver a rigorous distance learning program, including providing scheduled interaction with students, and for students with their their peers, virtually.

DOES THIS AFFECT THE PROGRAM WE HAVE CHOSEN (HYBRID OR FULL DISTANCE)?
No. Students remain in their program of choice. School staff will begin contacting families this week to confirm their choice and discuss whether or not, upon reflection and with the new State criteria in place, they want to remain in that program or switch before we begin the process of creating our class assignments and student schedules. Principals will also discuss expanded options for all secondary students choosing Virtual, including a 6-period day with Alvord teachers who are assigned to teach in the Virtual middle school or high school Full Distance model. Students who prefer to work independently can still choose Edgenuity.

WHAT IS THE DEADLINE TO CHOOSE?
Parent/students have until midnight tomorrow, July 20, to decide if they want the Virtual Full Distance model. All students will default to Hybrid if they do not choose the Virtual Full Distance model.

WHAT CAN MY ELEMENTARY-AGE CHILD EXPECT WHEN SCHOOL BEGINS ON AUGUST 10?
All students will follow the Full Distance Learning TK-5 model regardless of whether they are signed up for the Hybrid model or the Virtual school model. The only difference is that when students are allowed to physically return to school, students in the Hybrid model will transition to the Cohort A/Cohort B model schedule and attend school on either M/W or T/Th. Students in the Virtual school model will continue in their program with no changes.

See the schedule for elementary schools below. For more details visit the Elementary FAQ. Times may vary slightly by school.

WHEN ARE TK-5 STUDENTS RECEIVING CORE INSTRUCTION?

Core instruction is embedded throughout the day for all elementary students. During these times, students will interact with their teachers on areas of Language Arts, English Language Development, Mathematics, Science, and Social Studies.

WHAT DOES DISTANCE LEARNING LOOK LIKE ON FRIDAYS?
On Friday’s, students will work on assignments provided by their teacher. In addition, teachers will have open hours from 9:30 am - 11:30 am to provide additional support as needed.

WHAT IS SMALL GROUP INSTRUCTION FROM 12:45-1:30 LOOK LIKE?

For grades 1st - 5th, small group instruction will be provided by classroom teachers, special education teachers, and/or literacy teachers. This time is provided to complete assessments and work with smaller groups of students on specific skills needing additional intervention or enrichment.

WHEN DO ELEMENTARY STUDENTS HAVE PHYSICAL EDUCATION AND MUSIC?

Music and Physical Education are an imperative part of a comprehensive elementary education. Physical Education will be provided virtually to all students in first grade through fifth grade by their Physical Education teacher in addition to resources posted by the classroom and/or PE teacher on how to maintain physical activity throughout the day. Music will be provided virtually to various grade levels throughout the week by the AUSD Elementary Music team.

WHAT IS A BRAIN BREAK?

A brain break is similar to recess at school. During a student brain break, students are encouraged to use the restroom, wash their hands, stretch, get a snack, and pause from their academic work.

WHAT HAPPENS DURING TEACHER OFFICE HOURS?
Teacher office hours are for students and parents to access their teachers with any specific questions or supports needed. Teachers will be on-line during this time, while students will be assigned work to complete.

WHAT CAN MY SECONDARY SCHOOL-AGE CHILD EXPECT WHEN SCHOOL BEGINS ON AUGUST 10?
Same as elementary-age students. All students will follow the Full Distance Learning 6-12 model regardless of whether they are signed up for the Hybrid model or the Virtual Full Distance model. The only difference is that when students are allowed to physically return to school, students in the Hybrid model will transition to the Cohort A/Cohort B model schedule and attend school on either M/W or T/Th. Students in the Virtual Full Distance model will continue in their program with no changes.

See the schedule for middle and high school below. For more details visit the Secondary FAQ. Times may vary slightly by school.

WHAT TECHNOLOGY SUPPORT WILL BE PROVIDED TO PREPARE FOR DISTANCE LEARNING?

School site leaders will be in constant contact with their families to ensure each student has a computer (we will provide one per student if a student does not have a computer) and each household has connectivity. Please return the technology needs assessment survey by July 20.

WHAT SUPPORT WILL BE PROVIDED TO PREPARE FOR DISTANCE LEARNING?

School site leaders will also be in constant contact with their families to discuss learning needs. Remote support seminars will be offered on a variety of topics to support students and their families.

HOW CAN I STAY CURRENT AND INFORMED?
Visit our web site frequently and find answers to your frequently asked questions on the Reopening Landing Page. And download our mobile app for easy access to everything on our web page and to receive all notifications. Also, stay in close contact with your school principal and visit your school's web site regularly. Follow AUSD and your school on social media too.

WHAT SHOULD I DO IF I AM NOT RECEIVING NOTIFICATIONS FROM THE DISTRICT OR MY SCHOOL SITE?

Upon registration, you provided an email address and phone number. All communication is delivered using that information. Please check your Aeries Parent Portal to ensure this information is correct.

Principals returned from the summer break this past week. Please direct questions specific to teaching and learning and scheduling to your principal and members of the school site leadership team. And as I mentioned above, principals and their teams will be reaching out to all families in the next couple of weeks to confirm every student's choice and answer any questions students and parents may have. We have a highly-qualified team of school site leaders. They are ready to answer your questions and support your needs.

While principals and essential workforce staff will be present on school campuses, schools will remain closed to the public, except by appointment. Please call or e-mail your school site with any questions. If an on-site visit is required, it will be scheduled as an appointment to ensure safe social distancing. Face covering is required.

For students who qualify for the National School Lunch Program, meals will be provided and distributed using a drive-through model. Learn more about the program and complete your meal application on-line here.

Speaking on behalf of the Board of Education and our team of educators and support staff, I am deeply concerned that this public health emergency will continue to affect our most marginalized populations disproportionately, leaving many members of the Alvord community without access to basic needs. We will continue to serve as support providers for our students and their families. To that end, we have increased our capacity to help students and their families in a variety of ways, including adapting to virtual learning environments. We have also bolstered our student services team to address challenges related to food insecurity, mental health, physical wellbeing, housing insecurity, and exposure to adverse experiences. These are all realities for many of our students and their families.

Please reach out to us. We are here to help.

In partnership.

Respectfully,

Allan Mucerino

We are excited to offer our Summer Academy on July 6 through July 31 from 9 a.m. to noon Monday through Thursday. This online learning opportunity will be taught by our own AUSD teachers through Google Classroom, and is available to all students, no need to apply. We are offering both intervention and enrichment opportunities. Students may join the classrooms of their choice. Students will need to join the Google Classroom with their Alvord email.

Does my student have to attend Summer Academy, everyday?
Students may attend Summer Academy classes, as desired. Attendance will not be taken and there is no credit offered for these courses.

How can my student participate in the Summer Academy program?
There is no application necessary, all students are welcome to participate in any of the courses. Google Classroom codes for each course are posted below.

K-5 ACADEMIC JULY 6 - JULY 31
Tuesday and Thursday

• Kindergarten: dc5ajj5
• Grade 1: cyeakww
• Grade 2: jv7ftfj
• Grade 3: 3obexlf
• Grade 4: uaawhga
• Grade 5: xxzutjy
• Special Education Supports
• K-2nd: dwgjva5
• 3rd – 5th: zbipyxc
  
  

K-5 ENRICHMENT JULY 6 - JULY 31
Monday and Wednesday

• Dance: w5bp315
• Language: vrwaiwq
• Music: giabvos
• Visual Arts: h2ivuqc
  
  

6-8 ENGLISH LANGUAGE ARTS/MATH JULY 6 - JULY 31
Monday - Thursday

• Grade 6: ELA-arrazzf
• Grade 6:MATH-pvssncl
• Grade 7: ELA-hgpkwhc
• Grade 7: MATH-i44m3lt
• Grade 8: ELA-k4e5rl3
• Grade 8:MATH-wgotoxw
  
  

9-12 ENGLISH LANGUAGE ARTS JULY 6 - JULY 31
Monday - Thursday

• Grade 9: ELA-sbfcbmn
• Grade 10: ELA-7mukn4k
• Grade 11/12: ELA-q44euuk
  
  

INTEGRATED MATH 1, 2, 3 - JULY 6 - JULY 31
Monday - Thursday

• Integrated Math 1: uayagza
• Integrated Math 2: amveopd
• Integrated Math 3: hfu5j4h

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