HBCSD To Close Schools Due To Coronavirus Concerns

From the Hermosa Beach City School District:

March 13, 2020

Last night MBUSD and PVPUSD moved to an on-line instructional platform based on circumstances in their individual city/district related to the COVID 19 virus. The City of Manhattan Beach received information about two reported cases of COVID-19 in Manhattan Beach, one of which was reported directly by an affected resident. These cases have not been confirmed by the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health, nor has it been confirmed that there was any contact with other residents. There has been no reported cases of COVID 19 in Hermosa Beach at this time.

As a result of this information, and in a proactive effort to protect the health of our students and staff, the Manhattan Beach School District is closing their campuses to students beginning on Monday, March 16, 2020, and will begin to provide instruction remotely (via email, google classroom, canvas, video conferencing, or other electronic platforms). This move to online instruction will remain in effect for at least a week. During this time, students and parents may come on campus (for an IEP, to pick up materials, etc.) with a scheduled appointment.

Since HBCSD is a K-8 school district, the Manhattan Beach Unified School District provides instruction for Hermosa Beach residents in 9-12th grades. There are approximately 500 Hermosa Beach students who are in attendance at Mira Costa High School and who will be a part of the school closure. Out of an abundance of caution and social responsibility, HBCSD will also be closing View and Valley schools, all offices and Extended Day Program (EDP), starting Monday, March 16, 2020 and begin to provide instruction remotely (via email, google classroom, hangout or other electronic platforms). This move to online instruction will remain in effect for at least a week, however, families should plan through the conclusion of spring break; returning April 13.

Over the past few weeks, our employees have been preparing for this possibility. We are committed to providing instruction that will allow us to continue educating our students. Your child’s school principal and teachers will be in touch with you to inform you of the details of these plans. While we recognize that there is no way for remote instruction to fully replace daily face-to-face classroom instruction, our teachers will be working to provide valuable educational experiences on a day-to-day basis, and we appreciate their dedication and creativity in this effort. Clearly, this is new territory for all of us, including our teachers, and we expect that we will be much better at this as we learn lessons and move forward.

Today, teachers will work to provide students with materials that they may wish to access in order to support ongoing instruction. Because much of our communication for the next week with students will be online, please email your child’s teacher and arrangements will be made to check out a laptop. There is a large number of moving parts and we ask that you exercise patience and wellness. There are many resources on the Beach Cities Health District website to access for help with stress or tips for speaking with children about COVID 19.

Please understand that during this time, all activities, events, and athletics will be cancelled as well. The EDP program will be closed. There will be no practices, meets or games, nor will there be any public gatherings held on campus or visitors allowed on campus without an appointment. Many of you have asked what you can do to help so please do not contact the office if at all possible, give your teacher time to properly organize communication and the students to prepare for the closure. Your classroom teacher will be your main source of information so please be patient if you don’t get an immediate response to an email (email is the best form of communication).

HBCSD understand that this move to online instruction will be challenging for many families. We appreciate your patience and flexibility as we work to implement the measures that we feel are necessary to protect the health of our entire community. Please continue to stay informed about COVID-19 from the County Department of Public Health and the CDC and to implement all recommended measures to protect yourself and your family.

Thank you for your support and understanding.

This press release was produced by the Hermosa Beach City School District. The views expressed here are the author’s own.