BPUSD Extends Remote Learning For 2019-20 School Year

Press release from the Baldwin Park Unified School District:

April 2, 2020

Baldwin Park Unified School District will be following the latest guidance, provided this week, by Governor Gavin Newsom, State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond, and Los Angeles County Office of Education Superintendent Debra Duardo, to keep our campuses physically closed, while continuing to provide instruction through remote learning until the end of the 2019-20 school year.

Dear Baldwin Park Unified Community,

During these challenging times, please know that the health, safety and well-being of our students, staff and community is our top priority. As we do our best to anticipate the challenges that come with this public health crisis, we know that ongoing social distancing remains critical to protecting our community.

With that in mind, the Baldwin Park Unified School District will be following the latest guidance, provided this week, by Governor Gavin Newsom, State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond, and Los Angeles County Office of Education Superintendent Debra Duardo, to keep our campuses physically closed, while continuing to provide instruction through remote learning until the end of the 2019-20 school year.

Dr. Barbara Ferrar of the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health is in agreement with the decision, knowing that we are safer at home and urges communities to continue following the social distance guidelines designed to minimize the risk of contracting COVID-19.

We understand that this decision will pose hardships for our students, families, and our entire District team. It is not an ideal situation, nor is it one we would have wanted for our students, who we believe are best served in the classroom. However, we also believe it is the best option for slowing the spread of COVID-19, while public health workers provide medical care for the mounting number of patients throughout the county.

Continuity of Instruction

Although students will not be returning to school campuses, instruction will continue for all students through the end of the school year. Remote learning is a new experience for all of us and we ask for your support as our District teams work each day to identify solutions to support this new learning environment.

The District will place all of its efforts on strengthening the delivery of instruction through distance learning and ensuring continuity through remote tools, including online learning programs and printed materials. Our teams of teachers and educational leaders are hard at work revising lesson plans for remote instruction and innovating ways to deliver those lessons to support student achievement.

Device Request Information

The District is working to provide Chromebooks to students who need devices so that they may continue their education. Chromebooks will be available for students who need them for the remainder of the academic year. Due to limited availability, priority will be given to families without a device in the household. If you have a device for your child at home, please do not submit a request. To request a device, please fill out the Baldwin Park Unified School District - Student Chromebook Request Form. Specific details on how to apply are available on our website. For further assistance, please contact your child’s school.

Graduation / Commencement / College Applications

As a District, we are committed to celebrating the achievements of our students and, in particular, the Class of 2020. We are working on alternative ways to celebrate the accomplishments of our students. As we work through the details, we will provide updated information.

The California Department of Education has provided guidelines to ensure that grading policies hold students harmless for their spring grades and the transition to distance learning. The District is reviewing the option to incorporate a “pass” or “no pass” grading system for the A-G courses in lieu of the letter grading typically required for the university systems admissions. Grades of pass/no pass will not affect the UC or CSU calculations for GPA. The SAT and ACT testing have both been cancelled, and will not be required for students applying for college this year. Seniors who were on track for graduation at the onset of the school closures should be on track during the final weeks of school. Should you have questions regarding graduation requirements, please reach out to your specific school site.

Nutrition Services

The District will continue the grab-and-go meal distributions, delivering nutrition to our students to fuel their academic and personal success. Please visit our website at www.bpusd.net for the current distribution schedule.

Updates and Communication

We highly encourage you to continue visiting our official website, social media platforms, and the BPUSD Mobile App to receive the most updated information on this and other matters. All official and accurate information will be available to you via these modes of communication, but please do not hesitate to reach out to your child’s teachers or school staff with any questions you may have.

We are all facing unprecedented challenges during these unsettled times, but please know that the District stands with you. Once again, we thank you for your patience and support as we navigate this fluid and dynamic situation.

We, the Baldwin Park Unified family, are in this together and will persevere together.

Sincerely,

Froilan N. Mendoza, Ed.D.

Superintendent

This press release was produced by the Baldwin Park Unified School District. The views expressed here are the author’s own.