Hermosa Beach City School District Reopening Schools Plan Revealed

Press release from the Hermosa Beach City School District:

August 7, 2020

Dear Parent/Guardians/Staff:

The purpose of this communication is to provide you a description of the programs that Hermosa Beach City School District will be offering to best serve our families during the 2020-2021 school year. Please take an opportunity to review our Reopening Schools Plan (CLICK HERE) to see details.

Our first day of school will be Thursday, September 3, 2020. Based on the Governor’s order as of July 17, 2020, HBCSD will be starting the school year in distance learning only. It is our greatest hope that we will be able to resume in-person instruction as soon as we can safely do so. After much consideration of allowable options, HBCSD intends to offer two educational options for students and families in 2020-2021 that will meet the the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health (LACDPH) guidelines. The LACDPH guidelines outline requirements schools must follow in order to reopen and we encourage you to review them (CLICK HERE).

Since the school year will begin in distance learning, we will not be asking parents to choose between 100% full distance learning and hybrid learning before the start of the school year. All students will begin the year in emergency school closures distance learning (see Reopening Plan for schedule and details). When we are able to establish a date for reopening campuses for hybrid learning/in-person instruction, we will then ask parents to select between hybrid learning or 100% full distance learning. We want our parents to make that selection when they have all the facts, and as of right now, there are too many unknowns and uncertainties to make that choice.

Please take a moment to review the Hermosa Beach Reopening Schools Plan and reference the schedule labelled, “Emergency School Closures Distance Learning Plan.” This is the schedule all students will begin the year with. Please take a moment to watch an informational video about the details of this schedule (CLICK HERE).

Below are the options that will be offered to our students once a firm date is established for when schools will reopen for in-person instruction. Again, at this time, all students will begin the year in the Emergency School Closures Distance Learning Plan.

HBCSD Educational Options for 2020-2021 School Year

Hybrid Learning (*Emergency School Closures Distance Learning) - In a hybrid learning model, students attend school two or three days per week and participate in remote instruction two to three days per week. This option allows for half of the students to attend school in-person at a time to comply with social distancing and other health protocols. The learning management system Schools PLP (Grades TK-8) has been added to enhance and streamline programs. During remote learning days, students will participate in daily check-ins.

It is important to note that during hybrid learning, it may be required to pivot due to emergency school closures. At this time, all students will participate in remote learning five days a week with their teacher through a combination of synchronous and asynchronous instruction. When local and state governments allow for a return to school with health guidelines in place, students will attend school in a hybrid model. This would include campus attendance two or three days per week and participation in remote instruction two to three days per week. In the event there is a COVID-19 outbreak in a class, grade level or entire school, selection of the Hybrid option does not preclude the need to shift immediately to emergency distance learning for a determined period of time.

100% Full Distance Learning - Students participate in remote learning five days per week with no in-person contact with the teacher. This is an opt-in option for families who have elected to continue their child’s education, virtually, in lieu of face-to-face instruction.

• 100% Full Distance Learning Grades TK-5 - For distance learning grades TK-5, the curriculum will align with the subjects at Hermosa View and Hermosa Valley Schools and will include daily video conferencing whether whole group, small group, or individual check-ins. All distance learning courses will utilize SchoolsPLP, a learning management system that provides for the administration, documentation, tracking, reporting and delivery of educational courses. This option will be taught by a dedicated distance learning teacher. The number of students who opt into online learning will determine whether classes are single grade or multi grade levels. Depending on the number of students, the district will make every attempt to group students by grades TK-3 and upper elementary grades 4-6. 6th grade may be included on our elementary teaching rosters depending on enrollment in distance learning.
• 100% Full Distance Learning Grades 6-8 - For distance learning grades 6-8, the curriculum will align with the courses at Hermosa Valley School and will include a combination of synchronous and asynchronous instruction. All distance learning courses will utilize SchoolsPLP, a learning management system that provides for the administration, documentation, tracking, reporting and delivery of educational courses. This option will be taught by teachers credentialed in each subject area in a 6 period schedule, reflective of the schedule detailed on page 21 of the Reopening Schools Plan (see below). The number of students who opt into online learning will determine whether classes are single grade or multi grade levels. This option may be 7-8 ONLY depending on enrollment in distance learning. Also note that elective offerings may be limited due to credentialing and schedule needs.

Closing Thoughts

I know starting the school year in Emergency School Closures will be incredibly difficult for our families. Also, I understand the desire for five-days of in-person instruction and if nothing else, at least in-person Hybrid instruction. We share this desire. Unfortunately, we will not begin the school year with those options due to safety benchmarks established by the state of California and LACDPH. We will continue to monitor what options are available to safely reopen schools. Safety is our number one priority for our students and staff. Thank you for your perseverance and passion to support y(our) children’s education.

We will be holding a Reopening Schools Q&A Presentation. After reviewing the plan, if you have questions, please take a moment to submit them via survey (CLICK HERE). Our Reopening Schools Q&A Presentation will take place on Thursday, August 20 at 3:30PM via Hermosa Beach City broadcast. It will be recorded for flexible access.

Best,

Jason Johnson, Ed.D.

Superintendent

HBCSD Reopening Schools Plan (CLICK HERE)

LACDPH Guidelines (CLICK HERE)

Emergency Distance Learning Informational Video (CLICK HERE)

Questions & Answers Presentation Survey Form (CLICK HERE

HBCSD Learning Options for 2020-2021 (CLICK HERE)

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