DECEMBER 16, 2020
IN THIS ISSUE...

SCHOOL NEWS
Mr. Rossi's Retirement
Updated Health Guidance
Virtual Music Concert
PTA NEWS
Thank you for supporting Adopt a Family ♥


FOUNDATION NEWS
Pledge Day Thank You
& E-Bike Winner!
PRINCIPAL MESSAGE
Dear Bel Aire Families,

Do you remember when the year 2020 was popular in futuristic books and movies? No one predicted the real storyline. It turns out that fact really can be crazier than fiction.

We wish all of our Bel Aire families well, as we transition to a new calendar year. Although celebrations will be smaller and quieter, I know many of us are welcoming the potential of a more prosperous 2021.

🎉 Mr. Rossi is Retiring 🎉
Speaking of celebrations, please join me in congratulating Mr. Alan Rossi as he embarks on retirement as of Friday, December 18. Incredibly, September 2, of this year, marked Mr. Rossi’s 40th year at Bel Aire. For 40 years, Mr. Rossi has been caring for our Bel Aire students and offering them a high-quality physical education experience. One of the things I’ve appreciated most about Mr. Rossi, is that he is in continual search of ways to improve our school programs and the student experience. Mr. Rossi's thoughtful engagement, his generous spirit, his sincere kindness, and his longevity with the district, are nothing short of extraordinary. We will miss Mr. Rossi, but we wish him well!

Please Stay Safe & Healthy
Additional details are included below, but please avoid engaging in any non-essential travel and all social gatherings through the duration of our winter break.

I understand that canceling travel plans and holiday traditions with our loved ones feels like a big sacrifice in an already trying year. There is light at the end of this tunnel however. Vaccines are coming, and I am hopeful that with widespread commitment to these restrictive safety orders, this could be our final push.

Enjoy the holidays, choose safety, stay healthy, and be well.


Sincerely,
Ms. Lexie Cala
Principal
★ IMPORTANT DATES ★
  DECEMBER 21 - JANUARY 4 = WINTER BREAK
  JANUARY 5 - 8 = PHASE 1  (DISTANCE)
  JANUARY 11 - 15 = PHASE 3  (IN-PERSON, 5 DAYS/WEEK)
♥ BEL AIRE VIRTUAL HOLIDAY CONCERT ♥
With the support of Ms. Carolyn Balfe, Mr. Gist has put together a really sweet virtual concert, in lieu of our traditional Holiday Concert in the MPR.
We love this video and and are thrilled to be sharing these student performances with our Bel Aire families, but please remember that videos of our students cannot be shared via any social media platforms.

Thank you to Ms. Balfe and Mr. Gist for putting this together, and hats off to these courageous and talented students who submitted their performance recordings!
⚠ UPDATED HEALTH & SAFETY GUIDANCE ⚠
➜ High-Risk Activities are Prohibited and Defined as: 

Non-essential travel, including holiday travel, is not permitted under the State Stay Home Order. This applies to travel to second homes outside of the Bay Area even if travel is contained to a single household unit. Hosting and interacting with people traveling to the Bay Area is also not permitted.

Under the State Stay Home Order, gathering with anyone outside your immediate household is not permitted. “Social Bubbles” and gatherings (with even one additional household) are no longer permitted.

Close Contact is defined as a cumulative total of 15 minutes or within 6 feet of an infected person over a 24 hour period starting from 2 days before illness onset (regardless of safety protocols, masks, ventilation, etc.).
➜ Quarantine After High-Risk Activity

A 10-Day quarantine is necessary for families who participate in a high risk activity (e.g., travel, gatherings, close contact)

A 10-Day quarantine may be shortened to 7 days with a negative COVID-19 test (see below for details) if the person remains *asymptomatic for the entire 7 days. 

In order to shorten the duration of a quarantine from 10 days to 7 days, the test must be: 
  • a diagnostic molecular test for COVID-19 (RT-PCR) (this is a nasal swab test; rapid saliva tests are not acceptable proof)
  • administered 5 or more days after the high-risk activity 

Isolation is necessary if a person tests positive for COVID. Safe isolation separates sick people and those who have tested positive with COVID from people who are not sick. 


➜ Symptoms, Household Members, & ‘Test or 10’ Protocol

The ‘Test or 10’ protocol was designed for staff or students who develop symptoms of Illness. This requires staff or students with symptoms to:
  • provide proof of a negative diagnostic molecular test, or
  • quarantine for 10 days, or
  • provide a doctor's written clearance (alternate diagnosis) stating COVID testing is not required.

Household Members
During a Stay-at-Home order, the “Test or 10” protocol requires that all household members must remain at home until the person with symptoms is cleared to return. 
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★ WELCOME NEW RUSD TRUSTEES★
Liz Webb and Jacqueline Jaffee as were sworn in during last night's board meeting. We are so appreciative of their service to this district!

★ COPING WITH CANCELED HOLIDAY TRADITIONS ★

This article has some helpful reminders for those of us struggling with modified holiday plans. Here’s a summary:

  • Feel your feelings. It’s ok to feel your feelings. Our feelings are real, and we have to make space for them without judgement.

  • Accept your feelings. Fighting uncomfortable feelings can often create new problems (like an inability to be present for our loved ones).

  • Practice self-compassion. Self-compassion doesn’t take the pain away, but it can help us transcend the grief more skillfully by inducing optimism, resilience, and a sense of stability. 

  • Look for the good. Focus on what is within our control, and look for the silver linings.

THANK YOU!
Thank you Bel Aire families for your gift giving and helping families in need this holiday season. The PTA collected all gifts for six Marin County families and delivered these over the weekend to the Adopt A Family office in San Rafael. We are thankful for your generosity and support. Happy Holidays!
THANK YOU TO ALL WHO COMMITTED TO PLEDGE DAY!
We are so grateful for your support. In uncertain times, the Foundation strives to be a continued source of stable funding for our schools. Your commitment makes this happen - this is YOUR Foundation.    
E-BIKE DRAWING | WE HAVE A WINNER!
★ IMPORTANT LINKS ★