ORINDA UNION SCHOOL DISTRICT
NEWSLETTER
March 12, 2021
SUPERINTENDENT'S UPDATE
Dear Orinda USD Community,

It is surreal that it has been one year since we closed our schools on March 13, 2020, in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. None of us will ever again take for granted the ability of students to learn from their teacher(s) in a classroom setting. I am incredibly grateful that our TK-6th grade hybrid students have been back on campus for about a month, and I am eager to welcome our 7th and 8th grade hybrid students back to OIS next week!

7th and 8th Grade Hybrid Students' Return to OIS
Based on recent information shared by Contra Costa Health Services (CCHS), our county will enter the red tier by (or even potentially before) next Tuesday, March 16. In order to present our community with a concrete plan, we have set the date of Wednesday, March 17th, to welcome our OIS 7th and 8th grade hybrid students to campus for in-person instruction. Assuming we are in the red tier, students in Cohort B will attend school on 3/17, followed by students in Cohort A on 3/18. If we do not enter the red tier in time for our planned March 17th start date, students will return to campus on the first day that we are allowed to do so after March 17th. Principal Wayne and I will communicate with OIS parents as soon as we receive confirmation of the tier change date, but please join us in planning for a March 17th return. OIS parents are strongly encouraged to review the information shared in the Bulldog News with their students prior to 3/17 to help facilitate a successful transition back to campus.

Spring Break Guidance
Orinda USD is observing Spring Break from March 29-April 3. We will observe our normal distance learning and hybrid schedules immediately after Spring Break. We are not taking a pause for quarantine and are depending on sensible and COVID safe student/family/staff behavior over the break. We are not banning travel (nor do we have the authority to do so), but ask that students/families make wise choices and avoid high-risk situations. Should Spring Break activity result in high risk, we ask that individuals self-quarantine for the safety of others. If you are planning to travel during the break, please review this Orinda USD COVID-19 Return to School Checklist for additional clarification on travel and quarantining. Ultimately, it is up to each of us to be responsible, protect each other, and keep our schools/classrooms open. Thank you!

Special Board Meeting - Measures E & I Bond Workshop
The Board is holding a Special Meeting on Tuesday, March 23, beginning at 5:00 p.m. to review the progress and priorities on Measures E and I facilities bond projects. Dara Youngdale, Principal with HKIT Architects, will share project options for the Board's consideration. Members of the public are encouraged to attend. To participate in the meeting via Zoom webinar:

Option 1: Join Zoom Meeting using a computer or the app: https://tinyurl.com/2eh4hxsz
Password: 952330

Option 2: Call in using a normal telephone; dial 1 (669) 900-9128; Webinar ID: 853 8675 9959
Password: 952330

The agenda will be available on Monday, 3/22, here.

COVID-19 Testing - Next Opportunity on Monday, March 15
Our next testing opportunity will be on Monday, March 15, from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. This is voluntary, but we very strongly encourage you to take advantage of this testing event. If you tested on previous test dates, you are welcome to test again. As essential workers, Orinda USD staff are covered for asymptomatic testing by their insurance. Parents/guardians should check with their insurance company to determine coverage for their children and themselves.

This testing opportunity is in partnership with Eurofins/Transplant Genomics Laboratory. Registration is online, and results are available within 24 hours. Here are the details for the 3/15 event:

Date: Monday, March 15, 2021
Time: 7:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Location: District Office, 8 Altarinda Rd.
Parking: District Office Lot or Masonic Lodge Lot (across the street)

To access more information including the online scheduling calendar, click here.  
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
Orinda USD NEWS
District Calendar
  • March 15: COVID-19 Testing for Staff, Students, and Parents at the District Office, 7 a.m.-4 p.m.
  • March 17: OTAC Meeting, 3:30 p.m.
  • March 22: COVID-19 Testing for Staff, Students, and Parents at the District Office, 7 a.m.-4 p.m.
  • March 23: Coordinating Council, 9:30-11:00 a.m.
  • March 23: Special Board Meeting on Measures E & I, 5:00-7:00 p.m.
  • March 29-April 2: Spring Break, No School
  • April 5: COVID-19 Testing for Staff, Students, and Parents at the District Office, 7 a.m.-4 p.m.
  • April 12: Regular Board Meeting, 6:00 p.m.
  • April 15: Board Coffee for Wagner Ranch, 8:30 a.m.
  • April 21: WISSE Committee Meeting, 3:30 p.m.
  • April 27: Coordinating Council, 9:30-11:00 a.m.
Board Shorts
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
The Board of Trustees took the following actions at their March 8, 2021, regularly scheduled meeting:

  • The Board recognized the 2020-2021 Classified Employees of the Year: Sarah Lee (Del Rey), Lona Hornbuckle (District Office), Jerene Anderson (Glorietta), Angel Sorenson (OIS), Kim Shaw (Sleepy Hollow), and Jean Thuesen (Wagner Ranch). Jean Thuesen was named the District Classified Employee of the Year. 
  • The Board received a status update on state, county and local COVID-19 data and information.  
  • The Board discussed the projected return of 7th and 8th graders to OIS the week of March 15.
  • The Board approved the 2020-2021 Second Interim Report.
  • The Board voted on the CSBA Delegate Assembly.
  • The Board approved the CCCOE contract for firewall and ISP services.


If you would like information regarding future Board meetings, email Debbie Jamieson at djamieson@orindaschools.org.

Upcoming Events
  • March 23: Board Measures E & I Workshop, 5:00-7:00 p.m.
  • April 12: Regular Board Meeting, 6:00 p.m.
  • April 15: Board Coffee for Wagner Ranch, 8:30 a.m.
CURRICULUM UPDATE
Update on 2021 Spring State Testing - CAASPP
We are preparing to administer the California Assessment of Student Performance and Progress (CAASPP) test for all eligible students, which includes the ELA and Math portions for all 3rd through 8th grade students, and the California Science Test (CAST) for 5th and 8th grade students. The time it will take students to complete the CAASPP has been reduced considerably from prior years in light of this highly unusual school year. Testing will be administered for both hybrid students and distance learners. The testing window for administration will take place between April 26th and May 7th.  

The CAASPP test is one of several ways we are assessing students’ academic progress this school year. The data from these assessments will be very helpful to teachers and administrators as we plan for the 2021-2022 school year. We ask that parents/guardians please prioritize your students’ school attendance during the CAASPP test administration. More details will be shared by Principals about specifics regarding the assessments in the near future. For more information and resources related to CAASPP testing, please click on the CAASPP website for parents here.

Elementary Trimester Two Report Cards
It has been so exciting to welcome students back to campuses. Our transition to in-person instruction on February 10th included a re-shuffling of several classroom rosters, with many students and teachers returning to hybrid programs and others remaining in distance learning.  

During the Board of Trustees meeting on January 21, several parents/guardians made public comments about ways to support our teachers that would facilitate the reopening of our schools to students in a hybrid model of instruction as soon as possible. These comments included strong support for foregoing our second trimester elementary report cards in recognition of the time and effort needed to make the shift from the distance learning to the hybrid model of instruction. 

We agree that the transition in models and reconfigured classroom rosters make completing a typical timely, accurate, and comprehensive mid-year report card for all students unfeasible. In many cases, teachers have not had sufficient time working with their new class to complete a traditional end of trimester report card. Please know that all teachers continue to use a variety of tools to better understand their students’ growth and progress. These tools include benchmark literacy and math assessments, as well as ongoing formative assessments in all classrooms. Students in Special Education will still receive their second trimester progress reports per their IEPs. 

SPOTLIGHT ON CLASSIFIED
EMPLOYEES OF THE YEAR
2020-2021 Classified Employees of the Year
Classified Employees are the unsung heroes of our schools because their work is often conducted behind the scenes. Our classified employees include school secretaries and clerks, custodians, instructional and special services assistants, maintenance and operations personnel, library technicians, technology personnel, occupational therapists, and District Office staff. The following honorees were nominated and selected by their colleagues to represent their site because of their outstanding job performance, work ethic, and commitment to teamwork. Here are the 2020-2021 Orinda Union School District Classified Employees of the Year:
  • Del Rey: SARAH LEE, School Library Technician
  • Glorietta: JERENE ANDERSON, School Secretary
  • Sleepy Hollow: KIMBERLY SHAW, Instructional Assistant
  • Wagner Ranch: JEAN THUESEN, Instructional Assistant
  • OIS: ANGEL SORENSON, Registrar
  • District Office: LONA HORNBUCKLE, Administrative Secretary, Student Services

It was an incredibly difficult task to select one of these outstanding employees as the Orinda Union School District Classified Employees of the Year. This year, that honor goes to JEAN THUESEN, Instructional Assistant at Wagner Ranch. Ms. Thuesen is known for going above and beyond to support Wagner Ranch students and staff, and she did just that during the pandemic. Congratulations, Jean! You make Orinda USD better!
ONE ORINDA UPDATE
ONE Orinda is proud to support the return to campus for so many TK-6th grade students and we eagerly anticipate the return for grades 7-12 soon. ONE has raised $4.1M toward our $4.6M goal. We are grateful to the many parents, business owners, and community members who have generously donated and supported us thus far. 

Now is the time! If you are still planning to donate and help us reach the finish line, please do so at: https://www.oneorinda.org/ways-to-give. Every contribution counts and directly supports Orinda students. We continue to build our Business Partner Program and we are recognizing our partners in many ways. If you are driving by any of Orinda’s schools, please check out school campus marquees as we salute our higher-level (Platinum, Gold, Silver, and Bronze) donors.  

We are looking for volunteers as well to help create goals for the next school year and beyond. To join us, please email: info@ONEOrinda.org. We need you!

We are ONE Community, and we remain Stronger Together for a Brighter Tomorrow.
SITE NEWS
OIS
The administration and counseling departments of Orinda Intermediate School have begun planning for the next school year. Course selection occurred last week for all students currently in 5th through 7th grades, with approximately 90% of families completing the process. In addition, OIS held its annual 5th Grade Parent Information Night for families of next year's sixth graders via Zoom on February 24th. For those who missed it, the recorded webinar can be accessed here. The passcode is 4@7yNH&Q.
 
OIS is eagerly awaiting the return of the 7th and 8th graders to campus, which is anticipated for next week. Students will join the 6th grade Bulldogs in following the hybrid schedule, coming to school two days a week and participating via Zoom from home on the other three days. 


Upcoming Events:
  • March 15: Start of Quarter 4
  • March 17: Anticipated 7/8 Hybrid Start -Cohort B
  • March 18: Parents' Club Meeting, 10:00 a.m.
  • April 9: Bulldog News to 5th Grade Families
DEL REY
Del Rey students and staff are in full swing with the hybrid schedule. March is a busy month for Del Rey. Our teachers recently enjoyed a grab ‘n’ go catered lunch from Diablo Foods sponsored by the Parents’ Club. We are also in the midst of a food drive in partnership with PantryKids (a non-profit started by two Del Rey students!) and Monument Crisis Center. All of our students are getting involved by hand-packing snack kits for children in need. Del Rey has partnered with Orinda Books to have an offsite book fair this year. We’re looking forward to supporting this local business during these challenging times.


Upcoming Events:
  • March 17: Book Fair at Orinda Books
  • April 14: DRPC Meeting, 4:00 p.m.
  • April 15: School Site Council Meeting, 3:15 p.m.
GLORIETTA
Glorietta Gophers were thrilled to be able to return for in-person learning, and our school opening even made it on the news! Everyone is pleased at how well students have adapted to the routines and procedures for learning with safety protocols in place, and the joy of learning together is evident. Gopher Club is up and running. We're enjoying our smooth carpool and appreciate the extra support of parents who have signed up to help with crosswalk duties and to increase our numbers of walkers and bikers! Glorietta's families are going green! Our distance learning classes have developed a strong sense of community and are thriving. Thumbs up all around!


Upcoming Events:
  • March 23: GCC Meeting, 3:30 p.m.
SLEEPY HOLLOW
What a difference a month makes! You can hear happy sounds from all over campus these days as our classes have been filled with hybrid students since February 10th. This has made for a very fast & furious last four weeks! From drop off to pick up, Frontline check-in to iDismissal departure, we are enjoying our time together!

In addition to transitioning to our hybrid model, teachers spent much of February focusing on various grade-level lessons shedding light on and celebrating Black History Month. Students were also able to watch daily videos from Principal Templeton sharing one story each day of February showcasing moments in Black History that changed the world. 

 
Upcoming Events:
  • March 15: Sleepy Hollow Online Auction
  • March 24: A Kids Play About Racism family education (Zoom)
WAGNER RANCH
Out of a very strong staff, Jean Thuesen has been selected as our Classified Employee of the Year. Jean’s exceptional work ethic, dedication to our school, and ability to support teachers and students is second to none. Jean’s contributions are so exemplary that she was selected as the Orinda Union School District Classified Employee of the Year and will move on to the County level.


Upcoming Events:
  • April 9: Parents' Club Executive Board Meeting, 8:30 a.m.
  • April 12: School Site Council, 3:00 p.m.
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