Superintendent's Friday Update

March 12 , 2021

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"Communication works for those who work at it." John Powell

At ALSD, we're working at it! Our communication this week includes updates on what learning will look like for the remainder of this year for Distance Learning and Hybrid Learning, and how the two options reside well together (please see Concurrent Classrooms, below.) We're also sharing a current snapshot of interest in ALVA (Alta Loma Virtual Academy) for 2021-2022.

And we're asking for your input! We'd like our websites to be great sources of information for you. If you have thoughts on what you'd like to see on the District or school site website(s), please send them to amohler@alsd.org.

Wishing you a wonderful weekend ahead,

Karen Hendricks

Superintendent

Important Topics

"Remember to bring your mind ready to learn and your heart ready to be loved!!!!"

-Dayna Bautz, Kindergarten teacher- Hermosa

Update on Preppy K and Kindergarten

As of Monday, March 15, some of our youngest learners will be continuing with Distance Learning while others will be arriving to their classrooms for In-Person Learning. Whether students are experiencing the classroom environment virtually or in-person, they'll be seeing sparkling clean and welcoming learning spaces! Teachers and support staff have worked tirelessly to make sure all materials, supplies, and safety measures are ready to go, and are eagerly awaiting the opportunity to welcome students back into classrooms. This will be an exciting weekend for many, filled with anticipation about what Monday will bring!

Photos: Through the eyes of the learners

One of the safety measures deployed in our classrooms is the use of plexiglass barriers. These provide an additional layer of protection when utilized with masks and physical distancing. Our Maintenance Team has worked diligently to locate, secure, and assemble high quality barriers for use on classroom desks/tables.

We received some great questions about what this might look like through the eyes of the learner at the desk!

Below you'll find a picture taken through one of the plastic units. I'm hoping this provides a good example of the clarity and functionality. Thank you to our staff, students and parents for your support of our commitment to maximizing safety for those who are returning to campuses.

Concurrent Classrooms

From our ALSD Teachers on Special Assignment (TOSAs) Margaux Cruz, Gwen Marich, and Tamara Youngstrom

As we prepare to welcome some 3rd-8th grade students back to our campuses in a Hybrid Model, a common question asked is, “What does hybrid mean?” In this case, hybrid means a mixture of at home Distance Learning with In-Person teaching.

The real question everyone wants answered is, “How does this model change the teaching and learning that takes place each day?” The good news is that teachers, students, and their families have already done the heavy lifting, at the beginning of the year, when everyone had to learn so much and everything seemed new. Now that we all have settled into a routine of teaching and learning in this digital format, the upcoming adjustments should be minor in comparison to those we all endured back in August.

Welcome to the concurrent classroom, where teachers and students interact with students learning in-person and students learning at home concurrently! Concurrent classrooms will employ a variety of models that might include: continuing to meet with students in small groups, allowing all students to collaborate together through Google Meet, and/or assigning work to be completed independently (or asynchronously, if at home). All of this will likely take place in a very similar schedule to what our students and families have been used to, all the while being cognizant of the need to not have in-person students on a “screen” all day.

As we embark on this new learning journey, please know that our teachers and staff are ready to rise to the challenge once again, to make small tweaks to their workflow in order to honor both, the students physically in the classroom, and the students who are learning from a distance, simultaneously. We are excited for the new adventure and ask that you join us in our enthusiasm to learn, opportunity to grow, and with the wisdom to give each other a little bit of grace as we navigate through these uncharted waters.

Junior High School

In anticipation of moving from the purple to the red COVID-19 tier level, we hope to reopen classrooms for In-Person Instruction on April 6th! Parents should have received an email updating them on this development, and providing two current options to select from:

Continue Distance Learning 5 days a week
Begin Hybrid Learning: attend school 2 days a week for periods 1 - 4 each day

The schedule will look like:

Monday: All students in Distance Learning

Hybrid Learning Tuesday/Thursday

Last names A - K attend In-Person for periods 1-4; periods 5 & 6 are in Distance Learning.

Last names L - Z attend your Hybrid class from home

Hybrid Learning Wednesday/Friday

Last names L - Z attend In-Person for periods 1-4; periods 5 & 6 are in Distance Learning.

Last names A - K attend your Hybrid class from home

Any variations in cohort assignment by last name will be worked on by the individual school. The days of the week (per alphabet) align with the elementary sites; we are trying to avoid another complexity to the schedules that families are managing. Once sites have returned survey information to work with, they will be able provide you more details.

Breakfast and lunch will not be served on campus. Students on campus will be able to grab a lunch and breakfast for the next day on their way out. Families whose students are continuing with Distance Learning are invited to drive up before school starts to pick up meals.

As basic safety information, please remember that everyone on campus will be expected to wear masks throughout the day and maintain physical distancing.

Students will also wipe down their workspaces upon entering and exiting classrooms.

Please contact Alta Loma Junior High School or Vineyard Junior High School for questions specific to your child/ren. We are SO excited to anticipate that some of our Grade 7 and Grade 8 students will be back on campus soon!

Special Education Department Update

From Special Education Director, Lisabeth Piña

On March 1st, 2021, we joyfully welcomed back 94 students in 14 special day classes (SDC) for in-person instruction. These small cohort classes first returned in November of 2020, however, instruction was paused in December due to dramatic increases in COVID-19 rates. We were excited to open an additional class at Banyan Elementary to accommodate an increase in students wishing to attend school in-person.

We have also resumed in-person testing while expanding our ability to test students virtually using a variety of platforms. All special education services such as speech, occupational therapy and counseling will continue to be provided virtually as well as in-person.

We are also looking forward and planning for the extended school year (ESY) program which will run from June 3rd - June 30th, 2021. Registration for the ESY program will be sent home in the next two weeks.

Fall Instructional Options for 2021-2022 School Year: Update on ALVA

From Associate Superintendent Lori Thompson, Educational Services

We are pleased to offer the Alta Loma Virtual Academy (ALVA) for the 2021-2022 school year. This provides an option for parents who prefer a Distance Learning program for their student for another school year. ALVA is available to students in grades 1-8. Our first 200 students have already committed to ALVA, so if this is of interest to you please fill out the application form that was emailed to all families. If you have questions, do not hesitate to contact 484-5151 ext. 102040. Registration is open through April 1, 2021.

Upcoming District Events

Sunday, March 14 - Daylight Savings Time Begins
Monday, March 15 - Preppy K & Kindergarten students return
Friday, March 19 - Modified Day (check your school for times)
Monday, March 22 - Friday, March 26 - Spring Recess
Monday, March 29 - Junior High Staff Returns
Tuesday, March 30 - Grades 1 and 2 Return
Tuesday, April 6 - Grades 3, 4, 5 and 6 Return / Tentative Return Date for Grades 7 and 8 (in expectation of moving from Purple to Red Tier)

A Gatorade Dump, a Shaved Head and Silly String Blast at Victoria Groves "Boosterthon"

Most students haven’t yet returned to school campuses, but that hasn’t stopped Victoria Groves students and PTA from being in the thick of the action.

Even during the distance learning environment, the “boosterthon” raised $15,376 in contributions toward new classroom technology. However, the impressive fundraising effort didn’t happen without incentives.

Teaching Assistant Principal Jim Perry promised to have his head shaved if the Victoria Groves family could raise $6,000. If contributions topped $9,000, Principal Kristy Johnson would have a big jug of Gatorade poured over her head. And if the school could raise $12,000, then every student would receive a can of Silly String to blast Mr. Perry and Mrs. Johnson at a drive-through event.

While safety protocols kept the crowds away, both Perry and Johnson were nonetheless true to their words, as evidenced in the attached photos and video.

The Silly String drive-through event is set for 1:45-3:30 p.m. on Monday, March 29. Vehicles will be routed through the school’s bus loop for close shots at the Victoria Groves administrators.

Some Great Things Happening At Our Schools

Alta Loma Elementary School

Teachers, proctors, support staff, custodians, and the front office are busy getting ready for the return of Preppy K and K students on Monday. Everyone is excited and eager to see them!

Ms. Chiever's talented class produced an outstanding book, titled "Distance Learning A-Z." As Ms. Chiever shared, the book is "a historical record of education in a 21st century pandemic from the perspective of a 3rd Grader." Each page is special and captures an element of Distance Learning as it has been experienced this past year. Thank you for sharing this, Ms. Chiever and Crew 12!

Banyan Elementary School

One of Banyan's fourth grade teachers continues the tradition of Fun Friday in creative ways. Fun Fridays have included:

Fort Friday where students built a fort at home and participated in their Social Studies lesson from the inside of their fort.

Field Trip Friday was a hit, as students collaboratively decided upon a virtual class field trip.

Friend Friday is a favorite where students have time to talk with friends in breakout rooms monitored by various teachers.

Film Your Talent Friday is coming up. Students will film a talent and share with the class.

This is just a highlight, as teachers continue to find creative activities to keep Bulldogs connected throughout Distance Learning!

On March 11, Banyan celebrated students' academic achievement for Trimester II with its “On a Roll, Honor Roll” drive-thru. Students in grades 4-6 who achieved Honor Roll or Principal’s Honor Roll participated in a drive-thru event where they were greeted by Banyan's Bulldog Team and also received a fun treat.

Carnelian Elementary School

Principal Deegan asked Miss Sorenson how she feels about welcoming our kindergarteners onto our campus and into our classrooms next week, with a bright smile she said, "It's amazing. This is such a unique time because in our hearts it is like starting a new year of school as we would in the fall, but in our minds, we know we are teaching content and students are learning as they would at the end of their kindergarten year. We are very excited to have them in our classrooms."

Staff is also pleased to recognize exceptional efforts in student learning and achievement in Carnelian's Virtual Trimester Awards Assemblies this Friday.

March is a busy month full of excitement and anticipation in the second week of having CHAMPS and Child Care back on campus. Staff is working hard and preparing to welcome kindergarten next week and to ensure a successful transition in the coming weeks.

Deer Canyon Elementary School

Kindergarten, first grade and second grade teachers are receiving technology training for their modernized classrooms to prepare them for the return of their students. Thank you to District Teachers on Special Assignment Margaux and Felicia for facilitating this opportunity for the Deer Canyon staff!

Principal Donna Carlson and Assistant Principal Jennifer Rice will be hand delivering Eagle of the Trimester Awards to one student from every classroom. Congrats to these stellar students!

Hermosa Elementary School

"I am so impressed with how well our youngest students have adapted to online learning, but could not be more excited to watch them step into my classroom. What fun we will have! Hermosa Preppy K is READY!"

-Kim Giron, Preppy K teacher

Hermosa is busy with last minute preparations for some Preppy K and kindergarten students to return in person. Staff is over the moon excited to have them on campus for learning! HOWL!

Staff will invite their sixth graders to campus for promotion pictures. Along with the promotion certificate, these pictures are used in a special promotion sleeve... it will be a memento to treasure for a lifetime.

Jasper Elementary School

The TOSA Team was in full force Tuesday on the Jasper campus. Teachers in grades 3-6 took part in a Hybrid Training. Thank you Team TOSA!

The Kindergarten Team is putting some final touches on classrooms as they prepare to welcome students back to campus.

"I’m excited to be able to share my favorite time of the year with my favorite little humans; to be able to share my love of books and take our time to chat and laugh together."

-Jennyne Sulanchupakorn, Kindergarten teacher

"I am excited to be a part of your firsts. Today is your first day in our kindergarten classroom. I am happy that you are here."

-Dionna Growsky, Kindergarten teacher

Floyd M. Stork Elementary School

Virtual Honor Roll Assemblies were held on Thursday, March 11. The Stork team was excited to have Superintendent Hendricks join them for the 5th grade assembly.

After celebrating 60 kindergarteners returning to In-Person Learning on March 15, Stork will have a PFSA Dine-Out at Vince’s Spaghetti.

Victoria Groves Elementary School

VGS is busy preparing for the return of their Preppy-K and kindergarten students. Staff have been working on Welcome Back videos to help ease any Grizzly Cubs nerves about starting school in-person!

Grizzly students had fun watching the “Gatorade Dump” on Mrs. Johnson and Mr. Perry getting his head shaved. The school earned these fun incentives for reaching "boosterthon" donation goals!

Alta Loma Junior High School

Alta Loma Junior High School students: if they received straight A's this quarter, they are being invited to come to the school office for a custom ALJH Straight A Cookie! Thanks to the PTSA for sponsoring this terrific treat.

This week ALJH held its Tribe Time lunch meet; this is the fifth Tribe Time meet. Every 7th grader is grouped and assigned to an 8th grade ASB student. They experience group building and connectivity, ASB students lead fun games, conversations and other fun experiences.

Vineyard Junior High School

It was exciting to see Vineyard Junior High students who earned a 4.0 GPA (Principal’s Honor Roll) and Purple Reign Award recipients (Physical Education Performance) at the school's drive-thru celebration this week. The community is incredibly proud of the accomplishments of these students.

Newly selected 2021-2022 ASB leadership and yearbook students were congratulated in a special Google meeting this week. VJHS looks forward to what these new leaders will bring to the school in the upcoming year.