Join Us to Keep Neighbors Healthy

Dear Mountain View, Los Altos, and Los Altos Hills Families,

Local authorities have shared with us their concerns and observations that groups of children and teenagers are out and about and seeming to ignore the social distancing protocols. As the superintendents charged with the education and well-being of local children, and as your neighbors, we want to provide clear and specific guidance related to the directive on social distancing and shelter in place in place for our community. As COVID-19 continues to spread at an alarming rate throughout the state and nation, it is absolutely essential that we all do our part to protect our communities and look out for one another by complying with these directives.

Please take a look at these helpful FAQs from Santa Clara County Public Health Department to understand how to follow the directives. 
English FAQ
Spanish FAQ
Chinese FAQ

Here are some simple tips:

• Please adhere closely to the directives and guidance from Public Health and make clear to your family that you expect them to do the same.
• Practice excellent hygiene and pay close attention to your health.
• Please continue to buy only normal quantities of essential supplies, food and medicine. Grocery stores, pharmacies, and other essential services will remain open.

We know many of our families may have questions about these regulations and how to follow them with children and young adults at home. While children may not be as susceptible to serious illness from the novel coronavirus, they can still get sick and spread disease to those who are most vulnerable. Please be sure your children are practicing strict social distancing and excellent hygiene. 

Here are some tips health experts are passing along to those of us with children or teenagers at home: 

Do:

1. Do allow children and teens to get outside daily in a setting where they can maintain proper social distancing of six feet from others.  This could include playing games in the backyard, or taking a walk, run or hike.
2. Do encourage your children to maintain regular contact via phone or video chat with friends and relatives. Give them the time to socialize.
3. Do find the time to play games, read books and discuss what your children do each day, including distance learning.
4. Do take the time to listen to one another and share your feelings.  Adults balancing work and all-day childcare are undoubtedly stressed, as are children.

Do Not:

1. Do not organize play groups or play dates for young children or gatherings for teenagers in your home or in the homes of others.
2. Do not allow your children and teens to meet up at a park or other areas in the neighborhood, unless you or another adult will be able to supervise and ensure the six-feet separation rule.
3. Do not allow your children and teens to go hang out at schools.  Our custodians have been working very hard to keep our schools sanitized and safe, and with schools closed, there is no reason for anyone to be on campus right now.
4. Do not allow your children to go outside of the home or the backyard if they are exhibiting any signs of illness, especially a fever, cough or runny nose.
5. Do not engage in any non-essential travel, even within California or the Bay Area.  This is particularly important as Spring Break approaches.  Please note that most airlines, hotels and other tourism related businesses are providing refunds and credits.

It is up to all of us--every member of our community--to protect public health. We have the ability, by working together, to mitigate this devastating health crisis. 

Sincerely, 
Jeffrey Baier, Superintendent, Los Altos School District
Nellie Meyer, Superintendent, Mountain View-Los Altos Union High School District
Ayindé Rudolph, Superintendent, Mountain View Whisman School District
 

Click Here for Spanish Version

Dear Los Altos School District Community, 

This morning, our Board of Trustees held an emergency meeting, granting me the authority to close our schools in response to the ongoing COVID-19 crisis. 

Following the Santa Clara County Public Health Department (SCCPHD) announcement at noon today placing far greater limits on all community gatherings and in conjunction with the Santa Clara County Office of Education directive to close all schools, the Los Altos School District (LASD) will close beginning Monday, March 16.  Our schools plan to reopen on Monday, April 13, unless circumstances dictate the District to remain closed.  During this time, the District Office will remain open. 

The SCCPHD has reported that COVID-19 may be present in the County for months to come. LASD has developed plans to operate in a manner that complies with all applicable public health guidance, so that we can reopen as soon as feasible. 

The safety and wellbeing of our students, staff and their families is front of mind during the public health emergency of the novel coronavirus, or COVID-19. Our community is facing an unprecedented health crisis with new information surfacing rapidly. 

We recognize that school closures will be a hardship for many of our families and staff.  Our schools are a vital service for our community and we will do all that we can to help minimize the social disruption that school closure is likely to create. 

Student Nutrition
We will be partnering with Mountain View-Whisman, Mountain View-Los Altos High School District and other community resources to share food distribution services. Please stay tuned for specifics as we iron out the particular details of this arrangement.

Remote Teaching and Learning Plan
Our amazing team of educators is prepared for this moment with a plan for remote teaching and learning.  Early next week, you will receive instructions to ensure that you and your child are prepared for learning at home, as well as a road map for the initiation of our remote learning program.  We will work with our families to ensure that all families have the computers and wifi access they need to continue their children’s education from home.  

Wi-Fi
Our IT department has been diligently working to secure Wi-Fi hotspots for students who may lack internet at home so they may have access to online learning resources. Comcast has already offered to provide their Internet Essentials plan to low-income families at no cost for 60 days. They are also increasing internet speeds for existing customers to help accommodate the anticipated greater demand at home.  If your family needs a device and/or internet access, please let your school know immediately so that we can contact you as resources are identified.

Social Distancing to Stay Healthy
We ask all members of our community to join us in doing all we can to prevent the spread of illness by practicing social distancing and taking other measures as advised by the CDC and the SCCPHD, which has a very helpful and regularly updated FAQ.

Students should stay home and minimize social contact as much as possible to keep caregivers and adult family members safe. While children have not been shown to be a high-risk group for serious illness from this virus, they can transmit the virus to those most vulnerable. Public health officials recommend that families make arrangements for childcare during closure that avoid leaving children with elderly people who are more vulnerable to serious illness. 

Keeping You Informed
We know that our schools are an important source of information regarding matters such as the COVID-19 global pandemic.  We will continue to keep our community apprised of health recommendations as the situation evolves.  

LASD Staff Is Here to Help
While your children will not be in our classrooms during the school closures, our staff will be hard at work to ensure all students receive the best education possible under these very challenging circumstances.  Our teachers, principals and staff are here to help and can provide you information you may need during this crisis. Please contact your principal or me if you need assistance. 

I appreciate your partnership in navigating these unprecedented times for our schools, our district, and our community.

Sincerely, 
Jeffrey Baier
Superintendent
Los Altos School District