Items Covered in This Issue
We continue to update information as it becomes available and solidified. We want to express our continued gratitude for everyone's patience and understanding as we navigate the reinvention of our educational program to meet current state mandates. We apologize in advance for the length of this newsletter. There are many items we know families are awaiting updates on so to decrease the number of individual emails you are receiving from the District, we have tried to consolidate information into this newsletter. The District will continue to communicate regularly and do our best to limit individual one topic communications unless they have associated deadlines.
In this issue, we are providing information about:
- TVUSD's SEL (Social Emotional Learning Teams) Video Message of Support
- Nutrition Grab N' Go Meals Important Update - Transitioning from Daily Service to Weekly Service Available on MONDAYS ONLY - Beginning Monday, August 31
- Technology Devices, Insurance, and Internet Access Assistance
- Online Learning Safety and Student Privacy Concerns
- Reminder About Input for the Learning Continuity and Attendance Plan
- California Department of Public Health Updates:
- Tk-5 Elementary Waiver Process
- Athletics Conditioning Update
- CDPH Cohort Guidance
Technology Devices, Insurance, and Internet/WIFI Resources
TVUSD continues to support student technology needs by providing devices and technical support during online learning. Every student who needs a device can receive one.
If your child currently has a digital device, such as a desktop computer, laptop, Chromebook, IPad, Galaxy tablet, and other Android-based devices that can connect to Chrome in your home available for your child’s use, you may not need to request a device.
TVUSD can also assist with supporting internet/wifi access for families who are unable to obtain services through other sources.
Online Learning Safety and Student Privacy Concerns
We are aware of parent concerns regarding the safety of Zoom and video conferencing tools. We want to assure you the safety of our students remains our top priority and in order to maintain a safe learning environment for all of our students, we have provided teachers training on safety protocols and best practices for the utilization of Zoom video calls. Some of the specific safeguards we have put into place are the utilization of the waiting room feature and mandatory TVUSD login for secondary students to ensure proper student identification, etc.
Is my student required to turn their camera on during online instruction?
Students are expected to actively engage in all video conference sessions. TVUSD believes students are more likely to be productively engaged if they can be seen by their teacher and classmates. Therefore, students are encouraged, and at times required, to have their web cameras on during online video conferencing sessions. Students who have privacy concerns are asked to communicate those concerns to their teachers via email so that appropriate accommodations can be made.
Can teachers record a video conference lesson and share a recorded lesson with a student who was absent?
It is permissible under FERPA (Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act) to record classes and share the recording of the virtual class to students who are unable to attend. Classroom recordings are intended to depict the teacher’s lesson and instruction. The video recording will only be shared through a system that is accessible to the class members.
We take the safety of our students very seriously both on campus and in the digital classroom. As such, in order to maintain a safe learning environment for our students, we will continue to follow the law, CA Ed Code, and TVUSD Board Policies. For more online safety resources, please click here
Please review an important notification document by clicking on the button below. It is also available on our website under our 2020/21 School Year Resources section.
Reminder - Learning Continuity and Attendance Plan - Request for Feedback
State and County Public Health Updates: TK-5 Waiver, Athletic Conditioning, and Cohort Guidance
Riverside County Public Health has released information on the waiver process for TK-6 grade campuses. Because TVUSD's campuses are Tk-5, 6-8, and 9-12, we are only able to consider applying for a waiver for our Tk-5 campuses. We are currently exploring the waiver options and working to address the criteria and logistics involved in the process. Please know that the process is not simple and requires a great deal of consideration, thoughtful evaluation, confirmation that our processes can support the requirements, and consultation with all stakeholder groups. Three important points we would like to share about the Tk-5 waiver process. If we are granted the waiver, 1. Students would return to on-campus instruction for two days a week to accommodate County Public Health requirements; 2. Current teacher assignments could change, as some teachers may need to remain online and/or opt to be considered to teach those students desiring to remain full-time online; and 3. Face coverings/masks will be required for all staff and students (except students in grades K-2), consistent with current public health mandates. Additionally, the county has indicated the waiver process won’t be a rubber stamp, and elementary schools will be required to publicly demonstrate they have the pieces in place to operate safely or they won’t be approved. Please be assured that TVUSD is committed to this critical and thoughtful evaluation process to address the needs of all stakeholders to the best of our ability. We will continue to update as we move through the process.
Athletics and Conditioning
At this time, all sports in the CIF Southern Section have been suspended and are proposed to begin in the winter with a modified schedule. The state guidance for youth sports established a consistent set of rules that apply to all youth sports programs — including school-based, club, and recreational programs. Outdoor and indoor sporting events, assemblies, and other activities that require close contact or that would promote congregating, such as tournaments and competitions, are not permitted at this time. The return to formal team practices, preparation for a competition, and competition is currently not authorized under state regulations. Guidance for that phase of activity will be provided when state and local authorities authorize those activities.
With extensive safety and adherence protocols, TVUSD is authorized to move forward with athletic conditioning. We will follow three phases for implementing athletic conditioning and team sports.
Phase 1: Beginning September 8 – September 25
Provides a period of conditioning for students and staff. Activities during this period are limited to building the conditioning and strength training of students. No sports specific activity during this time. No Indoor activity in this phase. Riverside County Public Health has reaffirmed the authorized conditioning activities apply only to athletics and do not apply to any other co-curricular activities. We continue to advocate for the expansion of the current authorization to include co-curricular activities, such as band, drumline, and other visual and performing arts activities.
Phase 2: Beginning September 28 until Authorization by the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) for youth sports competition
Provides a time to conduct sport/activity specific training, with no sharing of equipment and no contact between individual participants.
Phase 3: Dependent on CDPH Guidance
Following CDPH authorization for the return on youth sports competition. Instructions if needed will be provided when this phase is authorized.
CDPH Cohort Guidance
On August 25, 2020, the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) issued guidance related to cohorts of students (limited to 14 students and 2 supervising adults) returning to campuses, which sets minimum health and safety guidelines across multiple sectors. The guidance enables schools to provide supervision and care for students, including specialized services for students with disabilities and English learners, access to internet and devices for distance learning, and in-person support for our most at-risk and high-need students. TVUSD is currently working with a small committee to explore safe options to implement targeted CDPH guidance cohorts throughout the district. Just as we are doing with the waiver process, we will follow a thoughtful evaluation process that involves our stakeholders, including parents through a survey gathering interest in their child participating in a CDPH cohort model. Again, the purpose of these cohorts is to provide services to our most vulnerable students and families. The CDPH cohort guidance and process is separate from TVUSD’s planned Cohort Learning Model. TVUSD’s Cohort Learning Model is what we will utilize to transition students back to on-campus learning when we are authorized to do so.
Temecula Valley Unified School District
Website: https://www.tvusd.k12.ca.us/2021schoolyear
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TVUSD