Hello Belmont-Redwood Shores Community,
 
This update includes:
  • Fall reopening model and survey
  • Distance learning, negotiations, and policies
  • Revised health order and statement
  • Last call for SchoolForce donations for 2020-21
  • Goodbye and new superintendent starting July 1
 

Fall Reopening Model and Survey
Here is the presentation that the BRSSD Board of Trustees supported in its discussion of our reopening plans for 2020-21. In addition to endorsing the program outlined in slides 10-14 in the above presentation, the Board encouraged staff to:
  • consider moving minimum days to Mondays (which we will explore in negotiations with our employee groups) so that all families could reliably have two full days of school per week for their student in the fall,
  • work closely with our on-site childcare providers,
  • continue to weigh the pros and cons of a different (am/pm) schedule for the TK and K grade levels,
  • offer a distance learning alternative to the in-person program to students that need it,
  • clarify and improve the consistency and structure of the distance learning program,
  • continue consulting the community Advisory Committee on our planning as appropriate,
  • communicate well with our stakeholders, including program choices, student assignments and schedules, and
  • negotiate in good faith with our employee groups to ensure that we have the necessary agreements in place to educate students successfully in 2020-21. 

You can find all of the presentations, survey data, and the town hall recording in the BRSSD Reopening Information section of our website. The BRSSD Reopening Information page will be your resource in the future for information from the district on reopening plans.

We will be sending out individualized survey links to families in the coming days. Please make sure you click on the personalized link for each of your children. You will be asked to give your initial thoughts on returning to school. Your best estimate at this point will help us plan, and we understand you may change your mind as circumstances evolve. You will be asked to finalize your choice for in-person or distance learning schooling in mid-July.


Distance Learning, Negotiations and Policies
We heard frustration from numerous parents and staff that our distance learning program this past spring was inconsistent, lacked structure and a common platform, and could benefit from more direct teacher-student contact and District support of teacher practice. As part of our response to this feedback, the Board planned to pass policies on distance learning and working remotely to outline its values and expectations in this area. Our teachers’ collective bargaining group, BRSFA, expressed an interest in negotiating the effects of these policies, and the Board postponed acting on these policies last Thursday in support of the negotiations process. We have five negotiation sessions scheduled through July and early August to come to agreement with BRSFA on the supports needed to provide a more consistent distance learning program. Note that we are preparing for distance learning for those students that need it full time and for the possibility of a County Health Order requiring us to return to distance learning at some point during the 2020-21 school year.    


Revised Health Order and Statement
On June 17, the County Health Officer released a revised health order which rescinds the shelter in place order, allows gatherings of no more than 50 people, and allows many businesses to reopen. Additionally, Dr. Morrow released a statement to the community earlier in the week.  

 
Last Call for SchoolForce Donations
As June and my time here in BRSSD draws to a close, I would like to encourage you to donate to SchoolForce . SchoolForce has just one more week to raise funds for the coming school year to soften the impact of decreased funding Sacramento is proposing for our schools. Together, we have the power to do better for our students and their futures. Let’s make a difference for our kids. Please contribute what you can, as all donations make a difference. Thank you to you as a community for supporting SchoolForce, the BRSSD public education foundation.


Goodbye, and New Superintendent
I expect that this will be my last community update. Yesterday was the last day of my work year, though I will continue to serve as your superintendent through the end of the month.  On July 1, Dan Deguara will assume the role of BRSSD Superintendent. I’m confident that you’ll be as positively impressed by Mr. Deguara as I have been in our transition conversations this past spring. Mr. Deguara has excellent experience, perspective, communication and leadership skills, and most importantly core values. I have no doubt that he’ll be successful in working with our Board, staff, and stakeholders to meet the challenges of the coming year and lead BRSSD to new heights over time.  

I’ve truly enjoyed my seven years as your superintendent. Thank you for supporting your student, our staff, schools, and leadership team. Community support and a committed, professional staff have been BRSSD’s keys to success. As mentioned above, please respond to the survey that we send to you next week, and we’ll be in touch again in July.

Sincerely,

Michael Milliken
Superintendent 


 Suvarna Bhopale | Amy Koo | Samuel Leinbach
Jim Howard | Rahila Passi