ALVORD UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT

Dear Members of the Alvord Community,

As we all work together to provide our students with as normal a school experience as possible, I want to thank our students, staff, and families for all of your support and all of your input. While we navigate the ever-changing conditions as well as the science behind how best to protect everyone, we will continue to work closely with state and local public health officials. We are prepared to pivot as necessary when new science emerges that reveals a current strategy may not be a best practice anymore, or when a new strategy is recommended.

As an example, due to the limitations, challenges, and inconclusive findings related to its effectiveness, the practice of temperature screening upon entry was no longer recommended in the current guidance. Instead, families are expected to routinely screen their students’ health and keep them home when they are sick. Schools and families are expected to work together to regularly test students and staff.

The reason schools work so closely with local public health officials is that there are multiple factors to consider when determining layered prevention strategies against COVID-19. Primary among the multiple factors is the local level of community transmission and vaccination rates.

Our region is currently experiencing an uptick in the case rate, the positivity rate, and the hospitalization rate. See the prior-to-current-week comparison below in the News section. While hospitalization rates in the County have exceeded those from a year ago, the number of people in intensive care units has not exceeded the number of people in the ICU a year ago. Also, hospital systems are better equipped to handle this summer's surge based on last year's experiences. Nonetheless, local health officials are monitoring the conditions very closely.

Similar to hospitals, we too are better equipped to handle the challenges of operating during a pandemic. Two of the greatest challenges we are experiencing are managing the contact tracing process and finding substitutes in our staff's absence. Related to finding substitutes, it's becoming increasingly difficult as dwindling numbers of people are willing to work in schools, presumably due to the health risks. Then, there's the additional challenge of ensuring all adults on campus are following our vaccination and testing protocols for employees. We are working through these challenges. Our principals are superstars, but they can't be in two or more places at once.

When a school is unable to fill an absence, principals have to respond with their teams to ensure students are supervised and teaching and learning continues. If you're interested in joining the Alvord team, or know someone who is, visit our EdJoin page here for details of the positions and to complete an application. We seek substitute teachers and a variety of classified positions. See the image below for employment opportunities.

As far as contact tracing is concerned, it's a labor-intensive process which we are responding to by adding additional staff to support the effort. We also work closely with County health officials on contact tracing since every case we identify is reported to them. Below is a flowchart of current practices when a student comes into contact with a fellow student or adult who tested positive.

Teachers from the Alvord Educators Association joined other educators to thank parents for being partners in celebration of all that educators, parents and school communities have done together to safely return to in-person instruction this school year. Let's continue to work together to keep our schools open.

Q: Why can't students have the option of wearing a mask indoors as well as outdoors?
A: While we recognize and acknowledge that a portion of our school population objects to the mask mandate, all of the available scientific evidence points to masks as the most effective protection available, along with vaccines. It is our intention to continue to require masks for all students and staff while indoors, until such time the CDPH and local health guidance changes.

Note: This past Wednesday, the California’s Supreme Court denied a petition from Orange County’s Board of Education in their effort to overturn the mask mandate for schools.

Q: When would an entire school be quarantined due to an outbreak?
A: The decision to temporarily close a school would be made in consultation with the Riverside County Department of Public Health, if it is determined that not closing poses a significant threat of substantial school or community spread.

Q: How long may schools be quarantined?
A: The length of closure will depend on the reason for closing. Decontamination and contact tracing may result in 3-5 days of closure. Significant absenteeism of staff and students may result in 2-4 weeks. If closing is part of a larger community mitigation strategy for local areas with substantial community spread, it could result in 4-8 weeks of closure.

Q: Will teaching and learning continue during quarantine?
A: Yes, students currently quarantined due to testing positive or exhibiting symptoms after exposure to a positive case have been moved to asynchronous distance learning until they are safe to return to school. In the case of an entire class or school, we will utilize both synchronous and asynchronous distance learning strategies, depending on the situation and circumstances.

We are excited to announce that we recently adopted a new advanced form of school-to-home communication at Alvord. It's called ParentSquare. It's designed to keep parents informed and facilitate participation at school. It provides a safe way for principals, teachers, staff, and parents/guardians to:

• Send and receive school and class information
• Share pictures and files
• See calendar items
• Sign up to volunteer
• and much more . . . all in one centralized place!

Look for more information from your principal as we roll out the new communication system. Learn more about it in the video below.

Your children are in the process of being assessed in language and mathematics. As you may recall from last year, we use iReady as part of our overall assessment plan. It provides us with rich insight into student mastery and the tools to use the data to inform instructional decisions. It also serves as a tool to determine comprehensive supports for our students who may have experienced learning loss or are performing below grade level. iReady pinpoints students’ strengths and knowledge gaps at the sub-skill level, helping teachers address skills gaps. For questions about iReady or our general assessment plan, contact our Coordinator of Assessment, Erin Askier, here.

While we are still accepting applicants for our extended learning program after school, McAuliffe, Terrace, Valley View, Arizona, Loma Vista and Villegas are at capacity. Students applying for those schools will be placed on a Wait List. Learn more about our after school program below in the News section.

Join us in-person at the Family Engagement Center on the campus of Arlanza Elementary School at 5891Rutland Avenue, Riverside, CA 92503. Or participate via Zoom. Details below.

If you're a 10th or 11th grade student and you haven't signed up yet, please do so today using the registration link here. All 10th and 11th grade students are strongly encouraged to take the PSAT exam. Students can earn a merit scholarship. We offer the exam at no cost. Students need to register for the PSAT prior to September 10, 2021. Learn more about the PSAT in the News section below or by meeting with your high school counselor.

On behalf of the Board of Education and our entire team, thank you again for your partnership, your support, and your grace as we work together during these challenging times.

Stay positive. Stay safe. Test weekly.

Sincerely,

Allan Mucerino

The PSAT score is used by the National Merit Scholar committee to determine scholarship rewards of up to $2500. There are three types of Merit scholarships awards that can be awarded based on the PSAT score:

• National Merit® $2500 Scholarships
  Every Finalist competes for these single-payment scholarships, which are awarded on a state-representational basis. Winners are selected by a committee of college admission officers and high school counselors without consideration of family financial circumstances, college choice, or major and career plans.
  
  
• Corporate-sponsored Merit Scholarship awards
  Corporate sponsors designate their awards for children of their employees or members, for residents of a community where a company has operations, or for Finalists with career plans the sponsor wishes to encourage. These scholarships may either be renewable for four years of undergraduate study or one-time awards.
  
  

• College-sponsored Merit Scholarship awards
  Officials of each sponsor college select winners of their awards from Finalists who have been accepted for admission and have informed NMSC by the published deadlines that the sponsor college or university is their first choice. These awards are renewable for up to four years of undergraduate study. The published deadlines for reporting a sponsor college as first choice can be viewed on page 4 of the Requirements and Instructions for Semifinalists in the 2021 National Merit® Scholarship Program. (Adobe Acrobat Reader is required.)
  
  

For more detailed information regarding the National Merit Scholarship program please visit their website (https://www.nationalmerit.org/s/1758/interior.aspx?sid=1758&gid=2&pgid=424).

To Register for the PSAT at AUSD please complete the google form (link below) no later than September 10, 2021. Please remember that once you complete the form you are registered for the exam. We will not be able to accept late registrations.

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSct73ff1Do5AD7qm6TJl-ufDtomKirEvjhKBXhiGxeOefwxwA/viewform

Thank you and please do not hesitate to contact your counselor if you have any questions regarding the PSAT or the National Merit Scholarship program.

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;
• Students in grades' 3-12 with specialized academic needs use Odysseyware;
• Students in the district's moderate to severe program utilize our alternative curriculum, News‑2‑You (N2Y);
• 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 a video explanation of the program in English here and in Spanish here.

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.

CVS Pharmacy

CVS @ 6215 Riverside Avenue, Riverside, CA 92506

CVS @ 6840 Lincoln Avenue, Riverside, CA 92506

CVS @ 491 E Alessandro Blvd, Riverside, CA 92508

Mobile Van Schedule

Wednesdays @ Bordwell Park, 2008 Martin Luther King Blvd.

Thursdays @ Bryant Park, 7950 Philbin Ave.

Fridays, @ Casa Blanca Library, 2985 Madison Avenue

Saturdays @ Fairmount Park, 2601 Fairmount Blvd.

Sundays, Arlington Heights Sports Park, 9401 Cleveland Avenue

Drive-Thru Locations

La Sierra Park Drive-Thru Location
Make an appointment @ 5215 La Sierra Avenue

7 days a week (except holidays)

Open daily (except holidays)
11 a.m. – 6:30 p.m. (closed 3 – 4 p.m.)

UCR Lot 26 Drive-Thru
Make an appointment @ 3443 Canyon Crest Dr.

Riverside, CA 92507

Open daily (except holidays)
8 a.m. – 4 p.m. (closed noon – 1 p.m.)

Kiosk Location

Make an appointment @ 3900 Main Street
Open daily (except holidays)
8 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. (closed 12:00 p.m. – 12:30 p.m.)

For locations sponsored by RIverside County, visit their COVID-testing location finder here.

The Riverside County Department of Education (RCOE) also provides many services for school-age children and their families. Click on the image below or here to visit the RCOE Parent Portal. To browse by topic, click on the links below for detailed information.

Child Care for Essential Workers

Child Care Assistance and Resources

Child Care Finder

Head Start

Migrant Head Start

State Preschool

Teen Parent Program

Infant/Toddler Special Education Programs

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