September 29, 2020

Dear RCS Families, Faculty, and Staff,

Unless the COVID-19 numbers spike in Alameda County, I believe there is a very good possibility that in the next several weeks RCS will move from Phase 1 to Phase 2 - where students can return to campus. Therefore, planning for students to return to campus is in high gear! There are two main scenarios that we are planning for, and two action items for parents and guardians to be completed by Monday, October 5th as follows:

Scenario 1 For All Students to be Eligible to Return to Campus: Alameda County Remains in the Red & ACPHD Allows Students to Return

RCS Phase 2 , will take place when Alameda County Public Health Department (ACPHD) allows for all grade levels to return to campus for live instruction, in small cohorts.   I am encouraged that Alameda County has finished one week in the RED!!! After two weeks of being in the RED, schools in California can begin to open, pending any additional requirements from their local county health department. On September 22, 2020, ACPHD stated that schools will not be able to immediately open, even after being in the RED for two weeks. They are looking at additional metrics in order to decide it is appropriate. We are still awaiting an announcement of these metrics. The entire Rebuilding RCS plan is published on the school’s website.

Scenario 2 For Elementary and Middle School Students (only) to Return to Campus: Elementary Waiver and the State of California's Guidance Related to Cohorts

Meanwhile RCS has two additional plans to return elementary and middle school students to campus, within the current guidance. As you know, we have already applied for the Elementary Waiver, and have designed a plan for Middle School students to return to campus as well. RCS is still waiting to hear the verdict of our Elementary Waiver application (no school in Alameda County has yet to receive an Elementary Waiver). Once the Elementary Waiver is granted, elementary students will be allowed to return to campus, in small cohorts, for live instruction. In addition, RCS will use the Guidance Related to Cohorts and guidance “Providing Targeted, Specialized Support and Services at School” to bring middle school students back to campus. This guidance allows for a school to bring back up to 25% of its capacity to campus, in small cohorts. In both of these cases, RCS will follow the protocols already published in Rebuilding RCS and posted on our website.

Action Item 1: Parents/Guardians Choose On-Campus or Online

When RCS begins to bring students back to campus, do you want your child to return to the small cohort classroom or do you want for them to stay home with online education? By Monday, October 5, 2020, 8am, RCS needs for you to fill out this form (one form is required per child). Based upon responses received, RCS will plan and staff the small cohorts for each grade level. Families who choose to remain Online will only be able to transfer to On-Campus if there is available space in a small cohort or when enough students are returning to establish another cohort.

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Click Here to Choose "On-Campus" or "Online" for each student in your household by 8 am, Monday, 10/5

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Action Item 2: Download the PikMyKid App & Register

The app, PiKMyKid, will be required for pick up and drop off when school returns to on-campus (Phase 2).  Parents/guardians, please download PiKMyKid on the app store to your phone and register. Your student(s) should be linked to your email address* as provided in RenWeb. PikMyKid for iTunes PikMyKid for Google-Play

*RCE parents/guardians can also use the car tag (that was in the last packet pick up). Note: MSHS parents/guardians will receive their car tag at a pick up date TBA in the near future, but can still register with email.

Thank you in advance for your prompt attention, especially to these action items. Unfortunately, we do not know the time frame, however, I anticipate it could be in the next few weeks. If you have any additional questions, please email me. In Christ, Al Hearne II, PhD Superintendent “For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.” Ephesians 2:10 #GodsPurpose

Redwood Christian Schools | 510-889-7526 | 4200 James Avenue, Castro Valley, CA 94546 | www.rcs.edu ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌