When will there be more information about reopening?
Principals will communicate directly with their students and families about the specifics related to their campus. While the basic safety protocols and rules will be the same in every school, there will be slight differences based on the physical differences of each campus and the number of students present on campus. Look for information from your principal.
Will there be bussing?
Yes. The only question that remains is if we will be able to provide it immediately upon returning on March 22. The primary challenge is securing our bus fleet since we contract with a provider for bus service and they too are reopening their business. I will provide an update next week.
Will there be an after school program (Extended Learning)?
Yes. As soon as Riverside County transitions to the Red Tier. We will offer the Expanded Learning Program for students who are on-campus for in-person school that day at all of the schools where we offered the Expanded Learning Program before schools closed, Monday through Thursday until 4:30 pm. The program includes a meal, intervention supports and tutoring, and enrichment activities including physical fitness, arts and crafts, and other creative and fun activities, including coding/robotics in our middle schools.
Will the child nutrition program still provide meals for students not attending in-person instruction?
Yes. Meals will remain free until the end of the school year. Hybrid students on campus will receive meals on-site, and take a “grab and go” lunch at the end of the day for their next day at home. Students who do not attend school in-person will be able to get their meal kits on Fridays. Principals will provide further details on the meal program. Please call the Child Nutrition Center at 951-509-6200 with your questions.
Other Q's & A's for your information....
Are current progress reports available?
Yes. Beginning March 5. Visit the Aeries Parent or Student Portal here.
Is the 2021-22 school year calendar available?
Yes. Find it below in the News Section and on our web site here.
What are key upcoming dates I should be aware of?
Next Progress Reporting Period 2/22/21 - 4/9/21
State Testing Window 03/01/21 - 05/28/21
Spring Break is 03/29/21 - 04/02/21. No classes.
Last Quarter Reporting Period 4/12/21 - 5/28/21
Last Day of School is May 28
K-8 Summer School begins June 7 through July 15 (M, T, W, TH).
Find the entire 2020-21 calendar here.
When is Summer School and what is being offered?
We are excited to offer a Kindergarten - 8th Grade (current 8th graders) Summer Academy. Summer Academy will begin on June 7th and continue through July 15th (no program on July 5th legal holiday), Monday - Thursday. No program on Friday.
ELEMENTARY: 8 a.m. - 2 p.m.
(lunch provided)
MIDDLE SCHOOL 8:15 a.m. - 12:15 p.m.
(lunch provided)
Summer Academy will be focused on providing targeted support and intervention to our students in the areas of Language Arts and Mathematics by our Alvord teachers and will include enrichment activities from our Expanded Learning staff. Enrichment may include activities in arts, crafts, Science, health, physical activity, and more. Registration for this program will be available when we return from spring break. Watch for messages from your principal.
High schools will provide their own summer programs. Look for information from your high school principal and counselor.
Will there be State academic testing this year?
State testing including CAASPP (ELA and Math grades 3-8 and 11) and ELPAC (English Language Proficiency TK-12 for current English Language Learners only) will still occur in Spring 2021 regardless of whether students are learning from home or are back in classrooms. The testing will be given remotely to students that are still learning from home. Students taking the assessment remotely will be using a video secure browser that has already been installed on all district Chromebooks. Students using their own personal device for distance learning will need to download the video secure browser. The browser cannot record students, it is only designed for teachers to actively monitor students while taking the assessments. Web cams must be in working condition and turned on in order for students to take the assessments. Directions for the browser will be given to students/families. The State Board of Education has requested some modifications that have yet to be approved by the Department of Education, including a possible waiver for the CAST (Science test grades 5, 8, and 11). Testing schedules will vary by school site and will be taking place during the months of March-May 2021. Look for more information from your principal. If you have any state testing related questions, you can reach out to your child's school staff or email Assessment Coordinator, Erin Askier here.
Can I opt out of state testing for my child?
Yes. Parents may opt your student out of CAASPP (SBAC/CAST) testing for the 20-21 school year by submitting a letter to your child's principal indicating your choice to opt out. The letter needs to have a wet signature and delivered to the school site for each child.
What will graduation 2021 look like?
The California Department of Education and Department of Public Health are expected to release guidance soon on graduation ceremonies. We have begun the planning process. As we did last year, we will gather input from students and their families to inform us as we plan the event. We will be bound by the restrictions of the color-coded tier. Hopefully by late May we will have transitioned to the least restrictive tier. The guidance will also apply to promotional events and other traditional year-end large gatherings.
Celebrations....
At our March 4th Board Meeting, we recognized our Red Ribbon Week poster winners. See them and their award-winning art work below in the News Section.
On March 5th, Alvord was recognized by the National Postsecondary Strategy Institute as a recipient of the Power of Hope Award. The award recognizes school districts that engage school counselors in leadership roles that effectively organize and implement grades 6-12 college and career postsecondary enrollment strategies. See more in the News Section below. Great work by our great counselors!
On April 15, Alvord will be recognized by the State as a Model SARB District by the California Department of Education (CDE) and California Association of Supervisors of Child Welfare and Attendance (CASCWA). Only districts with the most outstanding and innovative programs that improve attendance and reduce dropout rates are selected. Alvord has been selected for the third consecutive year.
In closing....
A Thought Exchange on reopening was launched on March 4. Please participate and have your voice heard. The exchange is anonymous. No log-in is necessary. Your thoughts will help us plan for a smooth and safe reopening. Take the parent survey here. Student take the student survey here.
On behalf of the Board of Education, we are excited to bring our students and staff in the hybrid program safely back onto our campuses soon. Look for additional reopening information in my weekly message as well as from your principal as we approach March 22.
Stay positive. Stay healthy. Be well.
Sincerely,
Allan Mucerino
