March 27, 2020
Dear NUSD Community
I sent you a short message on Wednesday informing you of our need to extend the closure of our schools to students through May 1, 2020 (with a return date of May 4, 2020). NUSD’s goal is to do everything to ensure that you hear information from us before you see it on television or social media. Know that this challenge grows as the number of agencies involved in the decision increases.
Yesterday I held a Facebook Live Virtual Town Hall Meeting. You can view that meeting here. I based the content of the meeting on topics generated by an NUSD community survey. Key topics discussed were:
- When will we return to school
- Promotions, graduations and testing
- Grades
- Virtual learning
- Access to internet and learning
- Food
- Cleaning of our schools
I want to reiterate a huge thank you to the NUSD community, our students, teachers, classified staff, administrators, Trustees and especially parents. We have entered into a new world for education without sufficient time, resources, or training. We are asking a lot of people who have many other things on their minds. I appreciate everyone who has stepped up to help us address this challenge. We couldn’t do this without you.
Obviously, one of the key questions out there is when do we anticipate returning to school. As of today, we anticipate returning to school on May 4, 2020. We are hoping for the best. We know we will be in a virtual learning environment until then. We are preparing for the worst and are building contingencies in the event that we are out of school for the rest of the school year. This is not our desired outcome, but we need to be prepared for the possibility.
Year End Celebrations
Not being sure when school will return brings about reasonable concerns about typical end of year activities and celebrations. I cannot speak to them all, but I can touch on promotions and graduations. We currently intend to hold graduations and promotions as scheduled. There are two things that could get in the way of us holding them in the traditional manner. Schools could still be closed to students or rules regarding the size of gatherings could be in place.
We are committed to scheduling backup dates for graduations and promotions should they be needed. I am working with our administrative team on these plans. Those dates will likely be the week of August 3, knowing that it is impossible for us to pick a date that will work for everyone. We will share more details as they become available.
Testing and Grades
Testing will look very different this spring. Advanced placement tests will continue but will be completed individually rather than in large groups. Expect more information from your student’s schools on this topic. SAT and ACT tests are currently postponed. They will resume once things return to normal. All statewide tests including CAASPP and ELPAC are canceled for this year.
How we address grades during this closure is a work in progress. We are working with of our partners including San Rafael City Schools and Tamalpais Union High School District to educate ourselves on the topics, observe trends across the State, and gain guidance from the California Department of Education on this important topic. Please know this is a challenge for us and we will take the time it takes to find the best solution to this complicated problem. Our commitment is that our students will not be punished for these circumstances any more than they already have been.
Virtual Learning
We continue to refine how we provide instruction during this difficult and unprecedented time. Virtual learning is currently in effect for grades 3-12 and will be rolled out to second grade soon. We are working hard to ensure that all students can access virtual learning. Students in grades TK-2 have been completing work packets with check ins from their teachers.
I want to share some thoughts on virtual learning. We have asked teachers to totally change the way they teach with about a couple of days of notice and even less training. I could not be prouder of how they have stepped up. Many are comfortable with this new technology, many aren’t. They have all done their best and have worked long hours behind the scenes to take these risks to serve our kids. They will continue to learn and grow.
Our students have been pulled out of their classrooms, away from many supports, friends and teachers. COVID 19 has taken them away from their structures. It would not be a surprise if many of our students were struggling with these changes. We are doing our best to support them through this time. We know our parents are as well.
Speaking of parents, I can’t say enough about how this has impacted our parents. We are asking our parents to support this new digital learning, to create structures, check in, etc. This is all while many are worried about employment, housing, working from home, groceries, family and our community. We have heard from many parents about the impacts this is having on them and we have done our best to adjust expectations. I feel for each and every one of you.
Meals
We continue to provide food through our food services program. We have served lunches, and a breakfast for the next day, at both the Hill Education Center and Hamilton School since we switched to virtual learning. This service is available to any child 18 and under in Novato and I encourage you to access it. On our first day we served about 300 meals. Since then we have seen that number grow to approximately 850 meals each day. It is obvious that we are providing a necessary service to our community. With this in mind, we will do all we can to continue to provide meals during spring break.
Cleaning of Our Schools
Our custodial, maintenance, and grounds staff are working hard to make sure our schools are safe to return to whenever the time is right. District custodial staff are in the process of deep cleaning all schools. They will be deep cleaned prior to students’ return. Maintenance staff are using this time to get caught up on work orders. Our grounds staff is taking care of weed abatement to reduce any potential fire risk upon return.
That was a lot and I hope it wasn’t too overwhelming. In closing, I want to thank our whole NUSD community one more time. I am so proud of each of you who has chosen to come together to make the best of this challenging time. I hope that each of you will give everyone a little grace. Our teachers are doing the best they can in a new environment. Our students are doing the best they can in a new environment. Our parents are doing the best they can in a new environment. Let’s be understanding and supportive of one another. We will get through this, together.
Sincerely,
Kris Cosca
Superintendent