Superintendent's Friday Update
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Hello Alta Loma School District,
We are so glad to have welcomed students and staff back from Winter Break to our school sites this week. Because many questions at this time pertain to COVID guidance and District responses, I wanted to share with you the most current information. This information remains rapidly evolving and subject to change. We appreciate your patience and support as we work through this together and attempt to provide timely knowledge and materials.
The safety and wellbeing of our students and staff remains our top priority. ALSD continues to utilize mitigation strategies to assist in slowing the spread of COVID and its newest variant. N-95 masks have been sent to sites for adult use, plexiglass partitions which were kept stored are being made available upon request, and all of the safety reminders about handwashing, distancing, and use of face coverings continue to be provided. Isolation, quarantine and testing updates follow:
On January 6, 2022 the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) issued updated guidance that shortens the ISOLATION period for COVID positive individuals to five days if they meet the following criteria:
- A negative COVID test on day five or later; and are
- Asymptomatic or their symptoms are resolving
This update also requires that anyone returning from isolation continues to wear a well-fitting mask around others while indoors.
We have been notified by the San Bernardino County Office of Education that the CDPH K-12 Guidance will align with this update. We are happy to share that ALSD will begin implementing the updated isolation period guidance beginning on Monday January 10, 2022 for all staff and students who test positive.
It is important to note that the above change is for COVID positive individuals and their isolation period. Please see below for details regarding the quarantine period for students and staff members.
Student Quarantine Period
Student quarantine options remain the same and include:
- Option 1 - Modified quarantine
Student may remain in school and test twice during the quarantine period
- Option 2 - Complete a 7-day quarantine at home
7 day quarantine begins day after exposure
Provide negative test results on or after day five
- Option 3 - Complete a 10 day at home quarantine
10 day quarantine begins day after exposure
No testing required
As a reminder, families will be notified via email and text if their student is a close contact to a COVID positive individual on campus. This email will include a form that allows you to choose your student’s quarantine option.
Staff Quarantine Period
The CDPH K-12 Guidance for unvaccinated individuals who are close contacts changed late in the day on January 6. District staff is currently working with CalOSHA to gather and align information. An email will be sent to all staff members as soon as the update is compiled.
Available Testing for Students
Great news! Our supply of state provided at home tests for students is expected to arrive soon. This will allow us to make more tests available early next week. Tests will be at your school site on Tuesday, January 11th after 9 AM. If your student is in need of a rapid at home test please stop by your school office during the school day.
We will also keep tests on hand in the event you do not need one at this time. This will allow families to test if their student experiences an exposure or is symptomatic at a later date. When you receive your test from the school site you will need the following link to register your student and test:
Available Testing for Staffing
On January 3, 2022, ALSD resumed state public health mandated COVID testing for those ‘unvaccinated, incompletely vaccinated, or unknown vaccine status’ staff. This testing has been provided weekly at the District Support Center, Monday through Wednesday from 7:00 am to 4:00 pm.
ALSD also offered a post-winter break testing clinic to any ALSD employee who would like to be tested.
During the week of January 10-14, we will offer staff testing to all staff Monday through Friday. This testing will continue to be provided at the District Support Center from 7:00 am to 4:00 pm.
In Addition
Free over-the-counter antigen self test kits are being made available at the following locations:
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My best to you,
Karen Hendricks
Superintendent
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Board of Trustees Meeting
- Wednesday, January 12, 2022 - The Board of Trustees Regular Meeting will begin at 6PM for Open Session. Trustees will move into Closed Session at the conclusion of the Open Session Meeting.
For your convenience, below is a list of some of the Regular Open Session Agenda Items
- Trustee Caryn Payzant will be recognized for her 28 years of service to the Alta Loma School District as she prepares to retire from her role on January 14, 2022. Trustee Payzant is moving out of state later this month. We will miss her here, while celebrating the fact that she will be living close to where her children and grandchildren live! A timeline and process for filling the vacancy created by her move is addressed later in this meeting.
- Hanover Research will be providing us with an update on their survey design, outreach and data analysis work for ALSD. Representatives will be presenting an initial look at what we're learning, and what it means to us in providing students with the best possible student experience in ALSD.
- Board members will report on items related to their roles in the District.
- Staff will provide reports on matters of special interest or importance, including providing an update on COVID-19 and District efforts.
- A Resolution will be brought to the Board to Maintain Trustee Area Boundaries, as the demographic data reflects compliance with areas as they are currently designated.
- A Board Vacancy Timeline will be presented and discussed.
- The Board will be asked to review and accept the and the 2020-21 Audited Financial Report for the General Obligation Bond Building Fund as presented. There were no findings / recommendations from the audit process for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2021.
Other Important Dates
- Monday, January 17, 2022: Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day - School Holiday
- Monday, January 24, 2022: Staff Development / Professional Learning Day - No school for students
- Thursday, January 27, 2022: Preppy K Parent Information Night, 6:30pm at the District Support Center or Virtual Presentation
- Tuesday, February 1, 2022: Kindergarten Registration Begins
- Tuesday, February 1, 2022: Application Window for Intra and Inter-District Transfers Opens
- Wednesday, February 2, 2022: Regular Meeting of the Board of Trustees
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Great Things Happening At Our Schools |
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From Principal Curtis Quanstrom:
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The students of Jasper Elementary started the new year with new classroom furniture. Over the winter recess, Jasper's new furniture was delivered. New desks, tables, chairs, cabinets, bookcases, and shelves were moved into the classrooms. It was a joy to see the look on the students’ faces as they walked into their home away from home. Modernization is almost complete. |
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From Principal Val Bires:
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Hermosa Husky students continue to shine, make strides in their learning and have positive attitudes. Each month a student is selected by their homeroom teacher as a Super Husky student and is recognized in front of our student body. Super Husky students are learners who are safe, respectful and responsible on campus. Not only do they receive a Super Husky tag to wear on their backpack, they receive the ROC award which comes with a free meal certificate from our local Richie’s Diner. The ROC award stands for Recognition for Outstanding Character. You can also drive by Hermosa and see their names in lights on our marquee! Congrats to Lindsey (5th grader), Kayven (2nd grader) and Evelyn (4th grader) who are three of the twenty students that were recognized in December. |
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From Principal Guadalupe Berzunza:
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Stork Superstars came back from winter break ready to continue learning. Our first phase of construction is nearly completed. Our students came back to new classrooms that are bright and beautiful. Our students and staff were excited to see the new rooms.
We appreciate our M & O Department for all the help and support they have given us through the first phase. Thank you Mr. Brian Salsgiver for ensuring that our Stork Superstars have what they need to be safe at school. We can’t wait to see the next phases completed. Stork Superstars are well on their way to building a solid academic foundation while enjoying their interactions with their teachers and peers.
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From Principal Kristy Johnson:
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Our Grizzlies are back and excited for the start of 2022! This week our classrooms are reviewing rules and expectations so students are set up for success!!
We’d like to honor Caryn Payzant for her dedication and years of service to our community. We appreciate all her support over the years and wish her a happy retirement.
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From Principal Michele Rachielles:
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Anthony Pacheco is the best Lead Custodian in the world! Anthony has a quiet confidence and takes pride in the campus, his team, and his work. ALJH has a huge, beautiful campus, and Anthony and his team are responsible for the clean, safe campus for all. We are so lucky to have the most incredible custodial team. All our thanks to Anthony, Jaime, Isaiah, Richie, and Phil! |
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Thank you to Mr. Wysocki for producing a wonderful winter concert before break. The chorus and bands did an amazing job. It was awesome to have a full amphitheater and everyone was so proud. Well done, Mr. Wysocki and students. |
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From Principal Sandy Rose:
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We are fortunate to have a district that supports our fine arts program at Vineyard. Mrs. LeBeck has done a phenomenal job teaching art this year. After studying the artist Vincent Van Gogh, our 8th grade students in the yearlong art class were given a Starry Night Parody art assignment. Students were to use the style and techniques exhibited in Van Gogh's original Starry Night painting to create their own unique versions. They were able to use colored pencils, markers, water colors, and oil pastels in any combination. We are incredibly proud of our talented Vikings! Check out their incredible artwork below.
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From Principal Dolly Bentley:
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ALE teachers and students are working hard every day! In addition to their school day, many students are participating in our after-school program which allows them additional time in reading and math. Thank you to our amazing teachers for giving so much to our students and providing even more opportunities for our students to achieve! |
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From Principal Khaleelah Lewis-Wilkins:
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This new year is a new opportunity for a fresh start. Our students and staff have arrived with new hopes, dreams and goals for the year 2022. We want to allow this New Year to bring more opportunities for our students to be happy, loved and supported. We started the week off with Birthday Book celebrations sponsored by our magnificent PTA. Students whose birthdays were in January, received a book of their choice. |
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This week, Banyan would like to honor and highlight our 6th grade team- Mrs. Andazola, Mr. Guerrero, and Ms. Carlson. This stellar team shines bright and students flourish in their classrooms. Our 6th grade students have learned to pontificate and think deeply about the core subjects- math, science, reading, social science and English language arts.
This week students reflected on their productivity during winter break, learned about geometrical design and patterns, and how to read Egyptian hieroglyphs! We appreciate the passion and intensity that the team brings to Banyan. Their desire for new learning and professional development transfers to our students and inspires them to quest for more in their academic endeavors. We wish all of our Bulldogs, their families, and our community partners, a happy and a prosperous New Year ahead in 2022. Let's continue to grow, shine, discover, and explore this school year. Go Bulldogs!
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From Interim Principal Sue Geddes:
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Carnelian had a great return from winter break! Students were happy to be back and eager to learn. The Cardinals all sported their college apparel on Wednesday, reminding students of their college-bound future. Cardinals are scholars! Friday was our Cardinal Spirit/Awards assembly highlighting our Writers of the Month and Cardinal awards. Be it in person or virtual, our motto is clear…Be Safe, Be Kind, Be Proud! |
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In light of the passing of our amazing 2nd grade teacher, Mrs. Christina “Tina” Potter, it is important that we share that she was an amazing, intelligent, witty, caring, and loving person. I could use a plethora of adjectives because she was worth every word.
Mrs. Potter loved her family, she loved her students, she loved her colleagues, and she loved everything about Deer Canyon. She was a proud Eagle. Her voice was so distinctive that when you heard it, you knew exactly who it was. Sometimes hearing that voice meant you were going to have a conversation about how to be better, other times you were being loved on. Either way, that voice and those words were coming from a place of love and a place of deep, deep care. She loved all her students, she cared for them and even when they went on, grade after grade, she still checked in with them as if they were sitting in front of her in Room 12.
See, this is what was so special about Mrs. Potter, she cared so greatly about her students that she never forgot them. Never, not one. If you were a Potter kid you always knew you had a person in your corner and a champion to help root you on or take the time to coach you up. Tina knew the power of care and wanted everyone to treat one another with kindness and respect. She made kids want to be better students and better friends. She encouraged every student to be their best and to try their hardest.
As we all know, she was a magnet on the playground and if you were lucky enough to be a recipient of her hug, well, then you knew you were safe. At that moment everything was ok. You knew you were cared for. You knew you were protected. See, that’s who she was and that is how we will remember her. Her impact and her ripple will be felt for years to come. We will never forget Mrs. Potter as she will forever live on in our hearts and in our minds.
Once an Eagle, always an Eagle. We send our condolences to her husband and her two amazing children, and to all who had the privilege of knowing her.
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From the COVID-19 Safety and Information Team:
ALSD continues to receive and deeply respect diverse input related to vaccines, which are not currently mandated.
As of the date of this communication, the Governor, the Legislature, and the CDPH have not adopted any order or statute that would implement a vaccine mandate for students in K-12 schools. At this time, we do not know if, or how, a vaccine mandate consistent with the Governor’s October 1 press conference will be implemented.
Policies related to this matter would be set at the state level, not at the county or local level. If you'd like to reach out to your local representatives, contact information for Assembly Member Ramos and Senator Ochoa-Bogh can be found at https://findyourrep.legislature.ca.gov/. Information for contacting Governor Newsom's office can be found at https://govapps.gov.ca.gov/gov40mail/.
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