Dear Los Altos School District Families, 

On the first day of school, I wish you a very warm welcome to the 2020-21 school year!

While beginning a new school year is always filled with mixed emotions of excitement and trepidation, this year is certainly like no other.  We all face the stress of the ongoing public health crisis coupled with the challenge of distance learning. In this moment, I believe we must remember we face these challenges together, as an exemplary school district and community made up of amazing students, families and staff.  

Ten Schools Together Make One Amazing School District
We are a strong community of ten amazing schools--nine neighborhood schools and our new LASD Virtual School. Together, our resilient community is well equipped to overcome all obstacles in the 2020-21 school year. Over the last several months, we have proven time and time again the force of our collective effort, energy and innovation to ensure all students get the best education possible in the wake of this pandemic.  

Community Action in a Moment of Crisis
When news of the novel coronavirus first emerged in the early Spring, our Curriculum and Instruction Department spearheaded a multi-school, teacher- and principal-driven effort to deliver a plan for Emergency Remote Teaching.  Within a week of school shutdowns, our students were back in school online, and our staff worked tirelessly to provide as much continuity as possible for all students in LASD.

Our Reopening Plan:  A Collective Effort
Teacher and principal representatives from all schools, as well as district administrators and nurses, pored over State of California and Santa Clara County Guidelines and educational research to develop a comprehensive 2020-21 Reopening Plan to ensure every LASD student could have a strong start to the school year, regardless of public health circumstances.  While our preference was always to have 100% of our students safely back on campus, when it became clear that would not be possible, we were able to turn on a dime and implement the distance learning program we are launching today.  We did not leave this for our individual schools to tackle on their own because we are stronger as a district team.  We need cohesive and collective action to provide for our entire community of children.

PTAs:  Support for Blended Learning and Virtual Students Alike
While our district may be a network of separate PTAs, our PTA leadership has a history of working together for the success of all students.  Our amazing parent volunteers have many ideas to not only fundraise for all schools this year, but to continue those strong community ties that hold us together--especially in times of crisis.  

More than ever, our PTAs are continuing to think beyond individual schools, collaborating and combining resources to ensure all students and families are safe, healthy and thriving.  When you donate to your school PTA this year, your support will not only benefit the students in your neighborhood school classrooms, but will also support those children from your neighborhood school who opted for Virtual School.  This support is critical for all of our students. Look for PTA-sponsored events that bring Virtual School and Blended Learning families together to celebrate our wonderful school communities.  If you haven’t made your contribution to your school’s PTA yet, please consider an online donation of any amount using the links at the end of this letter.  If you’re interested in volunteering, please contact your PTA leadership or principal to lend a hand.  

LAEF:  Protecting Essential Programs in Uncertain Times
The Los Altos Educational Foundation (LAEF) is an organization that supports every student in LASD, not just the students at one or two schools. Furthermore, LAEF is no stranger to perseverance in a time of crisis, as it was founded when Proposition 13 slashed school budgets across the state. Regardless of participation-level, LAEF benefits all students because that is who we are as a community:  we stand together as one to support everyone.

Even in a pandemic and a distance learning program, LAEF donations will protect these vital programs for which LASD is known. LAEF is committed to leading our community’s support for STEM, PE, Art, music and wellness programs, especially in this time of crisis. Please consider a contribution to LAEF this year to ensure all of our kids continue to receive a well-rounded education.

Teachers and Staff:  Making the Sacrifice
Last but certainly not least, I want to extend my gratitude to our amazing LASD staff and their unwavering support for students, families and co-workers.  The Los Altos Teachers Association donated thousands of dollars at the beginning of Shelter in Place to support LASD families and fellow staff members in need.  Many staff members have made sacrifices to support one another by changing positions or schools to ensure those with health issues could remain safe during this pandemic.  Through collaboration and commitment, our staff has crafted a plan for deep student learning, as well social-emotional support for all students we serve.  Our teachers are ready to hit the ground running in distance learning after spending the summer engaged in professional development to deliver a comprehensive online education to all our students.  

Our principals have been working together all summer to build strong distance learning programs, in addition to formulating plans for safe reopening of their school sites.  Through consistent communication, hundreds of phone calls and virtual meetings, they have prepared parents and staff for the rigors of the year ahead.  More importantly, they have worked together not just to lead their own sites, but to share ideas and support each other through all their challenges.  This teamwork and collaboration is inspiring and has strengthened our leadership team to ensure a consistent educational experience for all students and families across the district.

This year is going to be an enormous challenge for all of us.  To reach our highest potential as a school district, we must continue reaching beyond ourselves and do what is necessary for the good of all students in LASD.  Our commitment to supporting one another, to acting as a cohesive community, and dedicating our energy to student success above all else will allow us to rise above this moment. I thank you in advance for your support.

I am so proud to be part of this community of dedicated parents, students and staff.  I am always here to support you, so please let me know if there is anything I can do to help.  

Sincerely, 

Jeffrey Baier
Superintendent 
Los Altos School District 
 

Please consider a donation of any amount to your neighborhood school’s PTA.  All donations will support all students from the school site, whether they attend the Blended Learning or Virtual School program: Almond, Blach, Covington, Egan (password: vikings), Gardner Bullis, Loyola, Oak, Santa Rita, and Springer.