The latest news, events and updates from the San Marino USD
September 16, 2021
Message from the Superintendent
Dear San Marino Unified School District Parents/Guardians,

As we approach the end of the sixth week of school, I’m writing to provide you with an informational update on a variety of issues. In this update, I will provide updates on Covid-19, our most recent Board of Education meeting, independent study, wellness and safety.

Covid-19 has been an ongoing challenge for all California schools in numerous ways. In San Marino, our wonderful teachers continue to work tirelessly to provide high quality instruction while overseeing student compliance with all Los Angeles County Department of Public Health (LACDPH) orders. Our maintenance and operations personnel are working diligently to keep all classrooms, restrooms and common areas clean and sanitized; food services employees are providing free lunches and breakfasts to students daily, paraprofessionals are providing daily support to students and teachers, Covid staff are screening, coordinating testing, assisting with contact tracing and administrators, directors and District staff are ensuring that the schools have the needed supplies and information to provide staff and students with the tools necessary to be safe and successful.

While we must continue to remain vigilant and do everything possible to follow the LACPDH guidelines, we are pleased to report that to date there has been no evidence of a single Covid-19 transmission occurring on any of our campuses. Having said that, this week, we identified two positive cases, one at Huntington Middle School and one at Valentine Elementary. Contact tracing was done immediately and those students identified as close contacts were quarantined. 

This morning, Dr. Ferrer reported that the rate of Covid cases in LA County is declining and after having gathered over four weeks of data from schools, the health department will be releasing modified quarantine guidance as early as tomorrow to all public schools within Los Angeles County. More information on this new guidance will be forthcoming. Dr. Ferrer also hinted that there may be a vaccine available for children under the age of 12 before the end of this year.

During the September 14 Board of Education meeting, the Board was presented with a report on declining enrollment. According to the Department of Finance, most districts in California will experience declining enrollment through 2027-28 and San Marino Unified School District is no exception. The District’s total enrollment is currently 2,701 and functions optimally at 3200. Commencing tomorrow, I will be working with Dr. Lena Richter, Executive Director of Education Services, and all four principals to develop a plan to stabilize and potentially grow enrollment.

Additionally, the Board was presented with the District’s Unaudited Actuals financial report and a budget update presentation. Originally, the District was planning to hold a full day study session on Friday, September 17; however, due to unforeseen scheduling conflicts, it has been canceled. More information on the District budget will be presented to the Board at its upcoming September 28th meeting.
With the expiration of SB 98, and the passage of AB 130, California public schools are required to offer in-person instruction and independent study to students who are not able to return to campus due to the pandemic. Currently, the District provides a self-paced independent study program to 96 students. Elementary students receive synchronous instruction daily from a credentialed District independent study teacher and secondary students receive weekly synchronous instruction. Dr. Lena Richter is overseeing the program and is working with our independent study teachers and counseling professionals to ensure that independent study students have multiple methods of connecting with their respective schools.

Student wellness is of utmost importance to the District. As such, the District is providing social-emotional learning opportunities at all four schools.  The elementary counselor provides TK-5th grade students with high-quality lessons from an evidence-based curriculum called Second Step. This program builds a foundation for a positive, inclusive culture through developing social-emotional competencies, which include perspective-taking, empathy, processing emotions, understanding and resolving conflicts, and building positive relationships. San Marino High School has a progressive wellness center staffed by a credentialed counselor who is also a licensed MFT along with several other marriage and family interns. Huntington Middle School is also working to open a new wellness center for 6-8th grade students who are feeling stressed, anxious, sad, or just plain overwhelmed. This wonderful new space will be staffed by trained MFT interns as well.

In terms of safety, it has come to the District’s attention that there have been some traffic safety concerns reported at Carver Elementary School during the afternoon student pick-up time. If you are visiting the Carver campus between the hours of 2:00 p.m. and 3:00 p.m. Monday through Friday, please plan to wait your turn in the single file (right lane) parent pick up line and do not bypass the line by driving around into the left lane. This applies to all employees, visitors and parents. Cutting into the left lane on the east side of the driveway has resulted in some close calls and we don’t want anyone to get hurt.

Finally, I wish to extend a heartfelt thank you to all of our amazing parents for supporting their children and our schools during a very challenging time in our history. If you have questions, concerns or suggestions for the District, please plan to attend one of our monthly Coffee and Conversation meetings with Board President Ryan and Superintendent Dr. de la Torre. The next one will be held on Wednesday, October 13 at 6:30 p.m. at the District Office. Invitations will follow.

In Sincere Appreciation,

Dr. Linda de la Torre
Acting Superintendent