Dear Los Altos School District Community,
As you may have heard, yesterday Santa Clara County Public Health Department (SCCPHD) announced encouraging news regarding the County’s progress to prevent the spread of COVID-19. Based on the new State of California color-coded reopening system, as of Tuesday this week, Santa Clara County has stayed in the “Red” Tier for 14 consecutive days.
Schools May Reopen Countywide to All Grade Levels
SCCPHD’s announcement means that all schools in Santa Clara County are eligible to reopen for in-person learning at all grade levels, with modifications based on strict adherence to all state and local guidelines. Santa Clara County has been a leader in strong public health and safety standards to prevent the spread of COVID-19, ensure robust testing capability, and provide the contact tracing needed to reopening our economy and our schools.
Family Town Hall Forum
LASD will host a Town Hall Forum on Thursday, September 24 from 7:00pm-8:30pm to provide information and answer questions regarding our phased approach to reopening our campuses for in-person learning at the TK-6th grade level. This town hall is particularly well-timed for our TK-1st Grade families, whose students will return to campus first. To register, please click here.
With the announcement from SCCPHD, we now know we may reopen to all grade levels and are no longer operating under the waiver (as described in my prior messages). We will host another forum in the coming weeks regarding our reopening plans for our junior high schools. Please keep an eye out for an invitation from your principal.
LASD’s Reopening Plans
LASD has been preparing for months to safely and responsibly reopen our schools with a phased and measured approach to ensure our reopening remains sustainable. We will proceed with returning students to in-person learning on our campuses according to our Reopening and Instructional plans. We will always strictly adhere to any changes in state or local guidelines to ensure student, staff and community safety. Please visit our Reopening and Coronavirus web pages for more information and FAQs.
Reopening Schedule
The below chart shows the schedule for students’ return to campus by grade level with the coinciding deadline to switch programs. It is important to note our TK, Kindergarten and 1st grade students will be returning first, so the deadline to switch programs for these students is coming up on September 28. Please notify your principal by email by the corresponding grade level deadline if you would like to change your child’s enrollment to either the Virtual School or the Blended Learning (in-person) program, which will combine two days on-campus with three days of asynchronous learning each week.
As always, we will monitor the air quality to ensure student safety and provide for proper ventilation in our classrooms to protect everyone’s health. If necessary we will delay the start date or learn remotely on days with poor air quality.
Thoughts on Going Back to School
As educators dedicated to the academic success and emotional well-being of every one of our students, we believe the best place for children to learn is in our classrooms. We recognize none of us have ever experienced a classroom as we will in the coming days: wearing masks, physically distancing ourselves, regularly washing our hands, and disinfecting our classrooms. While it’s hard to imagine school under these circumstances, what we’ve heard from colleagues across the globe is that despite these changes in our students’ physical environment and daily routines, the joy of learning and social connectedness will endure in this new educational world.
For those students and families who prefer to remain in a distance learning model, we will continue to provide a robust academic experience with the well-rounded curriculum for which our schools are known through LASD Virtual School. We will build community in LASD Virtual School and protect those ties that bind us to our neighborhood school communities, too.
As we move forward together in partnership to provide an excellent education to all students despite these challenging times, I am reminded of all that we have overcome and accomplished together since our schools first had to shut their doors in March. I am constantly inspired by all of your dedication to our children and to one another. If you have questions as we continue to move ahead, please feel free to contact me. I’m happy to help.
Sincerely,
Jeffrey Baier
Superintendent
Los Altos School District
Dear Los Altos School District Community,
Recent news regarding the Los Altos School District (LASD) Waiver Application, new California Department of Public Health (CDPH) guidelines, and news of Santa Clara County’s move from “purple” to “red” is a lot to absorb. As I’ve said before, the only constant during this pandemic has been change. Below is a summary of how this new round of information and change will impact LASD.
LASD’s Waiver Application Is Approved
SCCPHD and CDPH have approved LASD’s Waiver Application to bring targeted groups of students back to campus in a phased approach, including those in grades TK-3. We believe it is essential to focus this limited reopening on the students who experience the greatest challenges in distance learning, including students with special needs, English language learners, students receiving nutritional services, and our youngest learners.
Reopening with the Waiver
Our phased approach under the waiver is as follows:
On September 21st, Group 1 Starts
- Students Enrolled in Special Day Class
- Students Requiring Academic Supervision in Distance Learning (see waiver)
After Group 1, approximately three weeks will separate each group’s return to campus in our Blended Learning model, physically attending school in the A/B Group format, on Mondays/Tuesdays or Thursdays/Fridays, respectively. Those students enrolled in Virtual School will remain in distance learning unless they request to move into the Blended learning program. The rest of the groups and their order of return to campus are as follows:
Group 2: Transitional Kindergarten and Kindergarten Students
Group 3: First Grade Students
Group 4: Second Grade Students
Group 5: Third Grade Students
LASD will consult with the Santa Clara County Public Health Department for approval prior to implementing each step of this phased approach. The LASD Virtual School will continue to operate for those families who do not wish to return their child to campus. Furthermore, all families will continue to have the option to change to the Blended Learning or Virtual School program every six weeks. That being said, your school principal requires notification two weeks in advance of the designated program switch dates. The first such switch date is October 5, with a notification deadline of September 21. For more information click here.
New California Reopening Strategy and Santa Clara County in “Red”
The State of California recently announced a new reopening strategy, or tiered color system, which now guides the reopening of businesses and schools. Yesterday, Santa Clara County moved from the “Purple/Widespread,” or most severe level, to the “Red/Sustained” tier. If Santa Clara County remains at the “Red” tier for 14 consecutive days, LASD and all other school districts in the county will be allowed to reopen campuses to students.
LASD’s plan is still to reopen in a Blended Learning format, with TK-8th grade students returning to campus 2 days per week in stable A/B cohorts. Students would not return to campus all at once, but rather in a phased approach and by grade level as outlined in our Reopening Plan. As we reopen, our schools must still adhere to all SCCPHD guidelines.
When and if the state clears schools to reopen in Santa Clara County, we will immediately update our community at that time so that we can all make preparations accordingly. Additionally, I will have public discussions with our Board of Trustees to determine the phased return of each grade level of students, along with corresponding dates. I will communicate those to you as they become available.
Health and Safety Is Our Priority
As we slowly return groups of students to campus in a phased approach, LASD will strictly adhere to all current and future state and local public health guidelines to keep our students and staff safe. We will ask our families and staff to collaborate with us in strict adherence to all guidelines at home as well. This collective action will be critical to ensure our reopening is sustained and that our entire community stays healthy.
I’m very proud of our school district’s proactive efforts to safely and responsibly bring students back to campus under ever-changing circumstances. I recognize the current situation is challenging and requires a great deal of effort from families and staff alike. Your partnership and collaboration is appreciated as we continue to navigate this public health crisis together.
As always, I am available to answer your questions and address your concerns as we work to provide the best educational experience for all students.
Sincerely,
Jeffrey Baier
Superintendent
Los Altos School District
Questions and Answers: Waiver
Under the approved waiver, which groups of students will return to campuses first and when?
Focusing on students with the greatest need for academic support in distance learning, students in Special Day class and those otherwise requiring significant assistance in distance learning will return to campus in small cohorts beginning on September 21.
What is the approximate time-frame between each group’s return to campus under the waiver plan?
Approximately three weeks will separate each group of students’ return to campus. LASD will work in coordination with Santa Clara County Public Health Department to determine the exact date of return of each group based on public health circumstances and our schools’ ability to safely and effectively implement all public health requirements to keep our communities healthy.
What if my child is enrolled in Blended Learning, but we prefer not to return to campus yet?
All families have the option to change to the Blended Learning or Virtual School program every six weeks. The first notification deadline is September 21 for an October 5 switch date. Your school principal requires notification two weeks in advance of the switch date. Please click here for more information on program switch and notification dates.
What are the health and safety protocols under the waiver process?
LASD will strictly adhere to all current and future health and safety requirements from state and local public health officials. Please review the Waiver Application for more information.
What will the school day look like when my child returns to campus in the Blended Learning format?
Students will attend school in their stable cohort in the A or B Group. Group A students will learn in their classrooms on Monday and Tuesday. Group B students will learn in their classrooms on Thursday and Friday. Wednesday will remain an online learning day. On the days when students are not attending class physically, learning will be online and largely asynchronous.
How do I know if my child is in the A or B cohort?
If your child is in elementary school, you should have received notification of your child’s cohort and classroom teacher assignment via a letter from your principal in August. If you need more information or have misplaced this information, please contact your school principal. Junior high school families will be notified of cohort designation prior to our actual return.
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.
Dear Los Altos School District Families,
Thank you to those of you who participated and asked great questions during our Town Hall meeting yesterday evening. If you did not have the chance to ask your question, please email me at jbaier@lasdschools.org. We also received many questions in advance. We are working on responding to them today using the email you provided.
Town Hall Video
For those of you who couldn’t make it, but would like to view a video of the Town Hall, please click here. We had a great discussion of the Health and Safety measures that will be in place once it is safe and allowable to reopen our school campuses to students. Additionally, we discussed the Virtual and Blended Learning options, and the plan for beginning our schools in a distance learning format for all our students on August 19.
Reminder: Please Complete the Fall Re-Enrollment Survey
As we discussed during the Town Hall, the deadline for the Fall Re-Enrollment survey is the end of day today, Friday, July 24. Each family was emailed an individual invitation and link to the survey. If you haven’t completed the survey, please find the email from me dated July 17 and complete the simple, one-question survey to choose either the 100% Virtual or Blended Learning model. The email you received provides information about these choices. You may also find more information on our Reopening Web Page.
Thank you again for your collaboration and partnership as we work together to provide a great learning experience for all students during these challenging times.
Sincerely,
Jeffrey Baier
Superintendent
Los Altos School District
Dear Los Altos School District Families,
Today, Governor Newsom announced new guidelines and requirements for California’s schools. These guidelines are in response to the recent increase in COVID-19 cases in many California counties that have been placed on the state’s Monitoring List, including Santa Clara County.
Fall Reopening: Online Instruction
Per California’s new public health guidance for K-12 schools, LASD will begin the school year on August 19 in an online learning model. According to the state, school facilities may only open in counties that have been off the state’s Monitoring List for 14 consecutive days. Santa Clara County is currently on the Monitoring List and therefore, LASD must begin the year in a distance learning model.
We are heartbroken for the families struggling with this rapidly spreading illness and for those who rely on our schools for essential services. With a focus on educational equity, LASD will prioritize in-person learning opportunities for targeted students who require additional academic support whenever it is allowable and safe. These targeted populations include students in special education programs, students participating in the school nutrition program and beginning English learners.
We’re Prepared to Provide a Well-Rounded Education for All Students
In anticipation of changing public health conditions, LASD developed a flexible Instructional Plan for the 2020-21 school year, which includes three modes of educational delivery to ensure academic consistency for all of our students. As I’ve mentioned before, we are prepared to operate in any scenario due to thoughtful planning, adherence to scientific research and public health guidance, as well as the collaboration from parents, teachers and our community.
Fall Re-Enrollment Survey
Although we will begin the school year with all instruction online, we are continuing to prepare to bring students and staff back to our neighborhood schools as soon as we are able. For that reason, we will run two instructional programs simultaneously so all students have the educational continuity of the same, highly-qualified teachers regardless of the instructional model: one program for families who wish to continue in a 100% virtual model once orders are lifted and another for those who wish to return their children to campus. LASD families will receive a confirmation email with their child(ren)’s enrollment and more information about the program. If you have not yet completed the Fall Re-Enrollment survey for your child(ren), please look for a reminder email later today.
The only constant during this global pandemic is change. As public health data continues to evolve regarding the COVID-19 crisis, we will heed the guidance of our public health officials and balance the need for in-person instruction with a safe learning experience for our students, and a healthy working environment for all our staff.
Thank you for entrusting us with the monumental task of redesigning education for all LASD students as we continue to navigate this public health crisis. This is without a doubt the most difficult challenge we’ve ever undertaken, but I am confident LASD will continue to be a model of academic excellence.
Warm Regards,
Jeffrey Baier
Superintendent
Los Altos School District
Dear Los Altos families,
Thank you for your patience and understanding as we work through the multitude of details and regulations related to the reopening of our schools in August. Yesterday afternoon, the Santa Clara County Public Health Department (SCCPHD) released its requirements and guidance to safely reopen schools in the fall. Thanks to input already received from parents, teachers, students and staff, as well as the hard work of a dedicated team of diverse employees and stakeholders, we are very pleased that LASD’s plans are in-line with the newly published SCCPHD requirements.
Monday evening, Assistant Superintendent of Curriculum and Instruction Sandra McGonagle and I presented our Draft Instructional Plan for the 2020-21 school year to the Board of Trustees and the community. The plan outlines a “Continuum of Instruction” to maintain educational continuity for all students throughout the school year, as well as the flexibility we need to strictly adhere to any changes in public health regulations. If you missed the School Board meeting, you can view a recording here and a PDF of the presentation here.
At this time, staff recommendation to the board is to begin the school year in a Blended Learning format, with all students spending a portion of their week learning on campus and remaining days learning online. SCCPHD requirements to safely reopen schools are complex and it will take time for our students and staff to adjust to these new norms. For that reason, we view Blended Learning as the best initial instructional model to provide educational continuity for all students, while protecting the health of all students and staff. This is one big step towards our eventual goal of a safe and measured return of all students to our campuses.
From our May survey, we know many families are anxious for students to return to our campuses full-time. Alternatively, some families feel more secure in a Virtual School model, so our plan allows families to choose a 100% Virtual School option.
Over the next several days, we will scrutinize the SCCPHD guidelines for K-12 schools, ensure our plan strictly follows all regulations for both elementary and junior high schools, and finalize our instructional model for reopening in August. We will use these additional guidelines from Santa Clara County to implement the final details of our health and operations plans.
Here are the next steps:
● July 1-5: LASD staff will review the instructional plan against the new SCCPHD K-12 requirements
● July 6: The LASD Board will review and consider approval of the 2020-21 Instructional Plan
● Mid-July: Once approved by the Board, the final Instructional Plan will be emailed to families, along with a survey to choose 100% Virtual School or an on-campus learning option
● July 27: Staff will bring Health and Operational Plans for the Board to consider approval
● Early August: Finalize Technology and Site Operations plans
● August 19: First day of school
As we continue to move forward in our planning, we want to hear from you. Please email trustees@lasdschools.org with questions, feedback or concerns. Your partnership is paramount to the success of all students. We look forward to opening the school year safely with you.
Sincerely,
Jeffrey Baier
Superintendent
Los Altos School District