Good Afternoon BRSSD Community!
This update contains information on the following:
- A Blueprint for Safer Economy - The State's Tiered Reopening
- Parent Education Event Recording
- Belmont Water Dog Run
- Education Commitment Campaign - Please commit today!
A Blueprint for Safer Economy - The State's Tiered Reopening
Governor Newsom released the “Blueprint for a Safer Economy” on August 28th that changed the way the state monitors counties to determine when schools can open for in-person instruction. The blueprint includes a four-tiered, color-coded system that tracks counties by the number of Covid-19 cases recorded each day and the percentage of positive cases out of the total number of tests administered, both averaged over seven days. In the Blueprint for a Safer Economy, criteria is set for when school districts may, with local county health department approval, begin to reopen schools. We encourage you to become familiar with the Blueprint by visiting https://covid19.ca.gov/safer-economy/.
San Mateo County is currently in the most restrictive tier; Tier 1: Widespread (Purple). However, the county is making progress towards Tier 2: Substantial (Red). San Mateo has an adjusted case rate per 100K of 6.0 and a 4.1% test positivity rate. Both of these indicators are within Tier 2. The County will be reclassified if this rate remains stable over the next few weeks.
While our team continues to stay current with guidance and plan for in-person learning when it is safe to do so, we are also cognizant of barriers that limit our abilities to do so. One of the requirements for in-person learning is our ability to provide routine covid testing for staff. We are working collectively to discuss how we might tackle the testing challenge. We are also engaging in conversation with our employee groups. Ensuring that our employees feel safe with in-person teaching is critical to our success.
Additionally, a shift to hybrid instruction would potentially require shifting student/teacher assignments. The relationships that our teachers develop with their students is critical. Changes of this magnitude require careful consideration and reflection.
We are committed to continuing to engage all of our stakeholders to determine the appropriate next steps for the Belmont-Redwood Shores School District. The administrative team will provide the Board of Trustees with an update next Thursday, September 24th. Login information and the agenda for the Board meeting will be posted Monday on the District website.
Parent Education Night Recording Now Available
Earlier this week the district PTA’s and SchoolForce hosted “Now What? Helping Children (and ourselves) with Anxiety in this Uncertain Time”. If you were unable to attend you can view a recording of the event at https://singletrack.box.com/v/AnxietyParentEd.
Password is PTA&SF. The recording will be available through October 13th.
Please remember events like these are supported through your very generous donations to the Education Commitment Campaign (ECC). If you have not participated already, please donate to the ECC before October 31st.
Belmont Water Dog Run - Register Today
Good News!! The Belmont Water Dog Run will be virtual this year and will still have the 1mi, 5k, and 10k distances as previous years. Starting October 10th, You can run/walk in your neighborhood, or any open public area, while practicing social-distancing, wearing a face covering, and following all local regulations designed to reduce the spread of COVID-19. Please check the air quality before you venture out! Be sure to complete your event no later than 6 pm on October 25th. You can upload your results through the Asics RunKeeper app or manually at https://belmontwaterdogrun.com/.
Your participation supports education in Belmont and Redwood Shores. In 2019, the event provided more than $16K in grants to worthwhile educational projects. To continue this community support we invite you to join our VIRTUAL 2020 run.
Education Commitment Campaign
Even though we are all home, our school community is trying hard to stay connected and ensure that our kids get not only academic support but also the social and emotional connections they need and crave. We need your support to do that by participating in the Education Commitment Campaign.
An investment of $1,800 in your child's education covers your PTA ($250) and SchoolForce ($1,550) for the whole year. For about $10 per school day, you can make sure that all your child's educational needs are being met. It can be a lot at once, so spread it out over the year with recurring payments. While $1,800 is the suggested donation, please give what you are comfortable with. Donate today.
Board Meeting
Our next Board meeting is scheduled for Thursday, September 24 at 6:15. More information can be found on our website at brssd.org.
Have a wonderful weekend.
Dan Deguara
Superintendent
