ORINDA UNION SCHOOL DISTRICT
NEWSLETTER
November 14, 2020
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Dear Orinda USD Community,
With Thanksgiving approaching soon, I want to express my gratitude to all Orinda stakeholders for your support of our schools during the pandemic. Contra Costa Health Services (CCHS) has issued guidelines entitled "Safer Holiday Celebrations During COVID-19." I urge you to review these guidelines and share them with your family members and friends.
Contra Costa County's Potential Move Back to Purple Tier and Impact on Return to In-Person Learning
On Friday, I received information from Dr. Chris Farnitano, Chief Health Officer for CCHS. According to Dr. Farnitano, Contra Costa County is expected to regress back into the purple tier of the Governor's Blueprint for a Safer Economy on 11/24 or at the latest 12/1. If we have not partially opened a school for in-person learning when the county moves into purple, we will not be able to open until the county moves back into the red tier. Orinda USD is not eligible to apply for a waiver to reopen our elementary schools because we would have to double our teaching staff to meet the cohort requirements of the waiver. Here is a link to the County Health clarification on moving back into the purple tier and what it means for our schools.
Despite the potential for our county to move back into the purple tier, Orinda USD teachers, staff, and administration continue finalizing plans and preparations for our return to in-person learning in the hybrid model of instruction. The current timeline has us opening school sites to students in grades TK-2 beginning the week of November 30. If we are unable to open on November 30 due to the county's purple status, we will continue providing instruction via distance learning and adjust our timeline to open our school campuses for in-person learning at the first available opportunity. Our Special Day Classes consist of small cohorts of students and can remain open in the purple tier while continuing to implement the recommended health and safety protocols.
FREE COVID-19 Testing - New Opportunity on 11/30 at the District Office
Agile Force Inc. in partnership with PMH Laboratory Inc. held COVID-19 testing at the District Office on 11/9. A total of 263 people underwent the RT-PCR test (nasal swab) with 262 people testing negative and one testing positive (asymptomatic). Twelve people underwent the antibody test, and all twelve were negative.
Our next testing opportunity will be on Monday, November 30. This is voluntary, but we very strongly encourage you to take advantage of this opportunity. If you tested on November 9, you are welcome to test again. You must make an appointment in advance as well as complete the required forms to partake in this testing day. Here are the details:
Date: Monday, November 30, 2020
Time: 7:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Location: District Office, 8 Altarinda Rd.
To access more information including the online scheduling calendar and the required forms, click here.
The OPEN Plan has been updated to include the TK-5 Hybrid Plus schedules/models and the revised OIS Distance Learning schedule/model. In addition, the health and safety section has been revised to reflect one set of symptoms rather than high/low risk, and it reflects new guidance for siblings/households in the event of a positive case or symptoms. A pulmonologist with Stanford Health recently read the OPEN Plan and commented that it is one of the very best she has seen among many she has reviewed.
Website Design Experience
If you have experience as a web designer and would be willing to donate your time to support the school district, please contact me at cseaton@orindaschools.org.
Substitute Teachers Needed!
The Board recently approved a temporary pay increase to attract candidates to join our substitute pool for the in-person hybrid model of instruction. Click here to see more information about the pay and email Jennifer Valencia at jvalencia@orindaschools.org to learn more and sign up. Having a strong pool of substitute teachers will be critical to our success in the in-person hybrid model of instruction.
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As always, I welcome your comments, suggestions, and questions on any topic related to our Orinda USD schools.
Sincerely,
Dr. Carolyn Seaton
Superintendent of Schools
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November 18: WISSE Committee Meeting, 3:30 p.m.
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November 18: Here We Go! Elementary Return to In-Person Learning Webinar for Parents/Guardians, 5:00 p.m. Zoom link here.
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November 19: Virtual Board Coffee, Wagner Ranch only, 8:30-9:30 a.m.
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November 23-27: Thanksgiving Break, No School
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November 30: COVID-19 Testing at the District Office
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Week of November 30: Grades TK-2 Return to Campus in Hybrid Plus Model
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December 1: Coordinating Council Meeting, 9:30-11:00 a.m.
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December 2: Orinda USD Safety Committee Meeting, 2:00 p.m.
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Week of December 7: Grades 3-5 Return to Campus in Hybrid Plus Model
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December 9: ADL Anti-Bias Parent Education Event, 7:00 p.m.
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December 14: COVID-19 Testing at the District Office; Regular School Board Meeting, 6:00 p.m.
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December 17: Virtual Board Coffee, OIS only, 8:30-9:30 a.m.
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December 19-January 1: Winter Break
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January 4: All Grades Return to School in Distance Learning; COVID-19 Testing at the District Office
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January 7 or 8: All Grades Return to Campus in Hybrid Model
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2020-21 Orinda USD Board School Assignments:
OIS: Liz Daoust
Del Rey: Cara Hoxie
Glorietta: Hillary Weiner
Sleepy Hollow: Jason Kaune
Wagner Ranch: Carol Brown
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The Board of Trustees took the following actions at their November 9, 2020, regularly scheduled monthly meeting:
If you would like information regarding future Board meetings, email Debbie Jamieson at djamieson@orindaschools.org.
Upcoming Events
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November 19: Board Coffee for Wagner Ranch, 8:30 a.m.
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December 14: Regular Board Meeting, 6:00 p.m.
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Hybrid Plus Schedule for Students in Grades TK-5
Our elementary principals developed revised hybrid schedules for students in grades TK-K and 1-5. Their goals included incorporating the best instructional strategies and practices from Distance Learning, providing significant time for students to learn on campus, and addressing parent and staff concerns about the AM/PM model. This schedule will be a "stepping stone" to facilitate returning students to our school campuses safely. The District will increase the in-person time for students in the next iteration of the hybrid schedule. The Board approved timeline for returning students to school campuses is as follows:
- Grades TK-2: Week of November 30
- Grades 1-5: Week of December 7
- Grades 6-8: Week of January 4
Students' actual start day for on-campus instruction will depend on their assigned cohort, A or B. More detailed information about schedules for students participating in the hybrid model and students continuing with distance learning will be forthcoming from each school's principal soon. In addition, all elementary principals are hosting a joint webinar on Wednesday, November 18, from 5-6 p.m. entitled, "Here We Go! Elementary Return to In-Person Learning Webinar for Parents/Guardians." Here is the Zoom link, and the passcode is 459853.
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
Orinda USD is proud to continue its focus on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion. Since September, Dr. Seaton, Mr. Schrag, Board Vice President Liz Daoust, and Board Member Hillary Weiner have been working in concert with representatives of the City of Orinda including Mayor Darlene Gee and City Manager Steve Salomon to develop a citywide diversity, equity, and inclusion group titled IDEA in Orinda: Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Action. The IDEA partnership has developed a District-City collaborative action plan.
As a part of this action plan, we have created a joint Proclamation and Pledge related to diversity, equity, and inclusion in our community and larger world. The Board of Trustees approved this pledge on November 9, and the City Council followed with approval at their meeting on November 10.
Mark your calendars! Orinda USD is excited to offer a virtual anti-bias training facilitated by the Anti-Defamation League for parents/guardians on December 9 at 7 p.m. More information to come soon.
Read more about Orinda USD's work in the area of diversity, equity, and inclusion.
Parent Education Session Recordings
If you missed Thursday's Parent Education event, "Managing Big Feelings During the Pandemic" presented by Dr. Chelsey Hague, you can access the recording here. To access the recordings of other Orinda USD Parent Education events related to the pandemic, click here.
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ONE Orinda's Business Partner Program is live and seeking local businesses to join and support the community-targeted fundraising effort. Please visit the website and encourage frequented businesses to join us.
With the return to in-person learning dates of November 30th and December 7th announced for grades TK-5th, ONE Orinda has launched a specific BACK TO CAMPUS campaign to help raise funds for essential needs for a safe return for students, staff, and teachers. The current focus is on air purification systems. Please visit the website to access the campaign, which is targeting the non-parent community and focusing on businesses, realtors, and friends of Orinda students. Please look for additional campaign support as well in December's Orinda News.
We are ONE Community and we remain Stronger Together for a Brighter Tomorrow.
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Glorietta gophers thoroughly enjoyed their first ever drive-through Halloween parade on Friday, October 30. Teachers and staff were dressed as wizards and witches to greet students. Cars were decorated, and it was heartwarming for teachers to make eye contact with their students and shout, "Happy Halloween." In addition, room parents did a marvelous job developing creative virtual classroom Halloween parties.
Glorietta's staff and teachers are excited to see our students back on campus beginning the week of November 30. Ms. Lewis, teachers, and staff have been working diligently to ensure the school campus and classrooms are prepared. Families will be notified soon about their child's/children's schedule for in-person hybrid or distance learning.
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Sleepy Hollow wrapped up the month of October with a variety of class Zoom Halloween parties. Parent volunteers worked with teachers to offer fun activities while in Breakout rooms. In the afternoon, students were invited to join a special Halloween Parade while teachers and staff greeted each car in the carpool line.
Sleepy Hollow just finished Kindness Spirit Week, which started with a Kindness Calisthenics video led by P.E. teacher, Mr. Hull, and ended with collecting Kindness "ROCKS" which students have been painting throughout the week. We look forward to finding a special place on campus to remind each other how valuable using encouraging words is in order to spread kindness.
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Wagner Ranch had a wonderful Halloween parade, complete with a car costume contest. Ms. Natal's kindergarten class, in conjunction with STEAM Instructional Assistant Leslie Volk, presented a STEAM project to the Board of Trustees on November 9. Students shared the houses they had created that could withstand the huffing and puffing of the big, bad wolf.
Wagner Ranch is working diligently to reopen the school campus and classrooms, and teachers and staff look forward to seeing students in classrooms soon. Mr. Manheimer will be sharing information regarding student schedules for both the in-person hybrid and distance learning schedules with parents/guardians in the near future.
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The Orinda USD Board approved proposed revisions to the OIS distance learning program at the October 29th meeting after a presentation by OIS Principal Stacy Wayne and Associate Principal Maple Lai. The presentation included an explanation of the process for evaluating the effectiveness of the distance learning program and recommendations for revisions to the Session Cycle schedule. The new schedule will begin the week of Monday, November 16th. Work groups are currently reviewing and revising the OIS hybrid schedule for the planned return to in-person learning in January.
In recognition of October's designation as Dyslexia Awareness Month, OIS presented information to all students about dyslexia. According to some experts, up to 20 percent of the population shows signs of dyslexia and/or reading challenges. Resources were curated by parent partners in the newly-formed OIS Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) committee and were included in this screencast created by Associate Principal Maple Lai.
Upcoming Events:
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November 16: New Session Cycle Schedule Begins
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November 16: Start of OIS On-Campus Athletics: Run Club and Yoga
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November 17: Start of OIS On-Campus Athletics: Frisbee Golf and Sports Conditioning
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November 19: OIS PC Meeting
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November 30, December 7, December 14: School Pictures
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December 19: Bulldog Theater Virtual Performance
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On Friday, October 30, Del Rey held its very first Halloween drive-through parade. Despite not being our traditional parade, it was so wonderful to see students arrive in costume, drive through a decorated parking lot, while being greeted by teachers and staff all decked in costume too. There was no shortage of smiling, happy faces. Following this special event, Del Rey Parents’ Club hosted a taco truck for all our hard working teachers and staff to enjoy.
In anticipation of going back to school, Del Rey created more space for several recently purchased outdoor tables. Del Rey hopes that when the weather permits, classes will be able to take advantage of the outdoor space. On Tuesday, November 17, Del Rey will have parent volunteers help prepare the campus for reopening -- they will be spray painting markers on the ground, duct taping directional arrows, and placing signage throughout the school.
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