November 25, 2020           

Superintendent Video Update 

Please see Superintendent Dr. Jeff Wilson's 11-25-20 Video Update at https://youtu.be/l4cyn6nviQA

Dear San Marino Community,

Thanksgiving has always been a very special time to my family with vivid memories of my very large family gathered together to pause, reflect and consider the many blessings in our lives.  For teachers, the Thanksgiving holiday is somewhat like a very long sprint followed by a few moments of recovery time before another exhausting finishing run to the Winter holiday season.  This year is not so very different in that after an exhausting season of virtual teaching and learning, we get to pause for a week and celebrate the holidays with those closest to us, though many of our extended families and friends will be missing, making this Thanksgiving holiday feel a bit incomplete.  Having said that, it is with a complete sense of deep gratitude that I wish for you and your family a very Happy Thanksgiving.

On Tuesday, November 17, we received word from the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health that our TK-2 Waiver applications for Carver and Valentine Elementary Schools have been initially approved, pending "...a site visit from the LACDPH School Technical Assistance Team."  An LADPH  visit would most likely occur by the second week of December.  In addition to the inspection by the LADPH Technical Team in December, we will continue to work with our teachers to finalize an instructional model that best meets the needs of our students -- both those who attend school physically for part of the day and those who remain in remote and virtual learning environments only. Our COVID-19 Compliance Team will continue to monitor preparations for the County visit including plans for large numbers of students returning, adequate supplies of personal protective equipment, appropriate safety barriers, adequate hand-washing stations, signage, safe areas for isolating students and staff who exhibit symptoms, technology support, classroom and systems maintenance, protocols for activities, and professional development.  Again, an inspection will most likely not occur until the second week of December and with the County and State COVID-19 rates sharply increasing during the last couple of weeks, all students will remain in distance learning through at least the Winter Break, as supported by our Board of Education on Tuesday, November 10.

I continue to be grateful for our wonderful teachers, counselors and instructional support staff, our maintenance and operations staff, our human resources, business, educational services, technology, nutrition services, office support staff, coaches, campus security, and administrators for continuing to answer the bell and provide the best possible education for our students.  I am also so proud of my cabinet in how they have led during this very difficult time.  

I hope you enjoy today's video update.  The video ends with a very special performance by our combined SMHS and HMS Choirs, under the direction of our very talented and committed Director, Mr. Derek Jamieson.  The song represents a poignant message for this very difficult period in American and World history and is sung beautifully by the students of San Marino High School and Huntington Middle School.

Warmest Regards to Your Families and Friends,

Dr. Jeff Wilson, Superintendent