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Environmental Educators: Keeping our students connected to the natural world through virtual classes
DISTRICT UPDATE | OCTOBER 23, 2020
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We are cautiously optimistic about the county’s overall downward trend in new case rates since the highest point in July and what it means for our community’s safety and our Phase 2 campus reopening planning.

As you know, the Board of Trustees and district made a commitment to families and staff that we would not bring students back to campuses before the end of the first grading periods. As we near the end of the first trimester for elementary students, many families and staff are wondering what the beginning of the second trimester will bring. 


Elementary school students will not return to campus on November 9 when the second trimester begins. 



As we've shared in previous updates, while California's Blueprint for a Safer Economy now allows schools in our county to reopen, there are many factors that must be considered and planned for as we work with our stakeholders to ensure as safe an environment as possible for our students and staff.

The first step was completed last night when the Board of Trustees approved the SCUSD COVID-19 Health and Safety Plan.

Some key features:

  • Face coverings for all students, preschool - 12th grade
  • Face coverings for all adults
  • Daily symptom screenings for all students and staff
  • Additional hand-sanitizing stations
  • Enhanced cleaning protocols
  • Consistent signage across campuses
  • Training of staff, students, and families
  • Notification processes and template communications

In July, the Board of Trustees approved our district's COVID-19 Reopening Plan (Spanish) and gave us direction that they would need to consider and approve both a safety plan and the transition to Phase 2 of our reopening plan before students could return to campuses for in-person instruction.

I would like to thank everyone who completed our Readiness to Return Elementary Student to Campus survey which recently closed. We are analyzing the data and will be using what we learn to inform our planning. The open comments will also help us tailor communications to ease the transition back to campuses for in-person learning. 

Next Steps

The Board of Trustees will further consider the district's transition to Phase 2 at their next meeting on November 12. Discussion on November 12 will include timelines and features of Phase 2. In preparation for Phase 2, we are:
  • researching best practices from districts that have already opened,
  • gathering input and feedback from our stakeholders through focus groups, and 
  • collaborating with our labor partners through regular meetings and during negotiations
This work helps us determine the best schedules for hybrid teaching and learning environments in Phase 2. Families will have the option to keep their children in distance learning when the district transitions.
  • Families and staff are encouraged to attend the virtual meeting
  • We will also share an update on the outcome of the meeting through our next District Update on November 13

Following the board's approval to transition to Phase 2:
  • Teachers will be surveyed to identify those who will be returning to in-person teaching and learning
  • Elementary families will be notified of their teacher's instructional model to help inform the family's choice for their own student's instructional model
  • Families and staff will have at least six-weeks' notice before in-person teaching and learning begins

We committed to keeping our community informed and engaged in our planning and look forward to updating you as soon as we have new information.

Difference Makers Announced

Our Difference Makers program recognizes staff and community members who support our district's core values. At the October 22 Board Meeting, Superintendent Stella M. Kemp presented this quarter’s Difference Makers:

  • Traci Evans, Physical Education Teacher at Briarwood Elementary School, was honored for the core value of “Students First.”
  • Tina Vasquez, School Secretary at Bracher Elementary School, was recognized for the core value of “Empathy and Respect.”
  • Angela Quizon, Parent and Community Member, was recognized for the core value of “Connected Families and Collaborative Community.”
Congratulations, everyone! Learn more about our Difference Makers using the link below.
LEARN MORE

Post Secondary Student Receives 49ers Unity Youth Sports Leadership Award

Kenny Blow is a student in our Post Secondary program who embodies one of our core values at Santa Clara Unified — students first. In his efforts to help others, he not only achieves a high level of performance but also fulfills a commitment to excellence in his willingness to adapt, change, and improve. This selfless mentality is exactly why Blow is deserving of his 2020 49ers Unity Youth Sports Leadership Award.

Blow won the $10,000 grant for being a positive role model in the Bay Area Women’s Sports Initiative (BAWSI) Rollers program by showing his fellow peers how to play the games, join in, and actively providing encouragement by cheering others on. Blow teaches others that despite disability and body type, everyone can stay active and participate. The money will be used to support the BAWSI Rollers program and help it continue to thrive.

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Staff Collaborate to Create a Hands-on Virtual Garden Experience


With our school campuses closed due to the pandemic, teacher Cynthia Mallison from Bowers Elementary and Jennifer Zeitler and Karen Gwerder from Central Park Elementary wanted to ensure that our students still had access to gardening knowledge. After meeting through SCUSD’s CTE garden collaboration group, they began working over the summer to provide students with a hands-on virtual garden experience.

From their combined teaching experience in school gardens, they understand the meaningful learning that occurs with hands-on activities. Despite the global pandemic closing schools and forcing students into a distance learning platform, Mallison, Zeitler, and Gwerder wanted hands-on environmental lessons to continue as a way for our students to stay connected to the natural world — fuelling students’ interest in gardening.

Check out a couple of the lessons below. Happy gardening, from the SCUSD Garden Team:
LEARN MORE
APPLY NOW

The Firehouse Run Goes Virtual for 2020

The Firehouse Run Supporting Santa Clara Unified SchoolsRegister now to participate virtually in this year’s Firehouse Run to show your support for our schools. We encourage our community of all ages — walkers, first-time runners, and elite runners — to challenge themselves and participate in the race with us virtually by completing a 5K run or walk anywhere you choose. All proceeds will be donated to Santa Clara Unified Schools.

REGISTER NOW

Distance Learning Resources

Our teams are here to support you. Please use the links below to find out more information about specific areas or email communications@scusd.net with general questions:

Board Briefs
In an effort to keep the community up-to-date and informed of actions by the Board of Trustees, we share Board Briefs. Please visit our Agenda Online page to view the current and all previous board agendas.

Important Dates

Questions? Comments?

Email us at communications@scusd.net

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