Newark USD Community FAQs- April 6

Press release from the Newark Unified School District:

April 6, 2020

April 6, 2020

Dear Newark USD Community,

We hope that you and your family are doing well, first and foremost, and everyone is safe and healthy during these unprecedented times. We also want to thank you for your flexibility and patience as we have transitioned to distance learning as a result of school closures. As we return from Spring Break, we want to update you on the next phase of our Distance Learning Continuity Plan. Upon our return, NUSD staff engaged in a Staff Development Day in order to prepare, plan, and collaborate with one another for the learning ahead. In this new remote learning environment, students are best served when teachers are able to exercise their expertise to choose the online learning platform and schedule that best aligns with their students’ needs. Therefore, you will see flexibility from classroom to classroom within NUSD within our guidelines.

In an effort to support teachers as we transition to a distance learning model, NUSD will also be providing weekly professional development workshops for staff to collaborate and learn from one another. As a district, we are taking a hybrid approach to professional development; we aim to build off of the outstanding expertise already within our organization and couple this with opportunities to learn from experts in the field of distance learning. Initially, Google Classroom will be the online platform we focus upon, aligning our district approach to meet student needs.

Ultimately, we will expand professional development opportunities and offer additional online platforms. Please look for additional communication with more details on this and all the specifics about your students’ participation in remote learning later in April.

We thank all Newark Unified students, families, staff and the Board of Education for their patience and flexibility as we make this shift into distance learning. Please look for continued and detailed communication regarding this next phase of our Distance Learning Continuity Plan as we proceed throughout April. What follows is a list of frequently asked questions that have surfaced over the past few days.

In community,

Leticia Salinas

Acting Superintendent

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: If the Alameda County Public Health Department’s (ACPHD) order to shelter in place is only in effect until May 3, why close school facilities for the remainder of the year?

A: School facilities will be closed for the remainder of the year for a variety of reasons. ACPHD’s order is in place until at least May 3. With the governor noting the pandemic is not expected to reach its peak in California until mid-May, it seems unlikely that all social distancing restrictions will be immediately lifted after May 3. The safety and health of our students, staff, and community are our highest priority, and we do not want to put anyone in a position to have to return to school until we know it is safe to do so. Additionally, by not making any further changes, students, families, and staff can now fully prepare for the next two months of distance learning with more certainty.

As has become very clear over the past few weeks, this is a very fluid situation. If the governor or Superintendent Thurmond provide different guidance, we will be prepared to adjust accordingly.

Q: Will students and staff be allowed on campus if they need to pick up any materials?

A: During the week of April 6th we will allow staff to briefly go to their respective school sites to collect any necessary materials to support distance learning. Teachers are working directly with their site Principals to sign up. In the coming month we will send out information about a structured process for secondary students to empty their school lockers. Schools will have a process in place that will strictly adhere to social distancing guidelines. More information to come in the month of May.

Moving forward, we will develop and communicate guidelines for staff to return to their school sites prior to the last day of school in June to clear their work spaces similarly to how they do so before regular summer breaks. Students will also receive guidance on how to return any necessary materials (i.e. textbooks) or equipment.

Q: How will NUSD handle grades for the remainder of the school year?

A: The California Department of Education (CDE) just released guidance regarding grading. While the CDE does specify that students should be “held harmless” by grading policies, it allows each school district to make grading decisions that best support their local community. The higher education community has offered assurances regarding the acceptance of Credit/No Credit grades in lieu of letter grades for A-G high school courses completed in winter/spring/summer 2020. Our decisions are being guided by our continued commitment to equity and the acknowledgment that issues of access exist in our community. We are working with the teacher’s union to finalize our policy. More information will be shared once we finalize.

Q: What about graduation?

A: Graduation is one of the most important milestones in a young person’s life and we know that the prospect of not participating in a traditional graduation/promotion ceremony is disappointing for our seniors. At this time, we want to consider all options and ideas, such as a virtual graduation or a ceremony at a later date. Our high school principals, Ms. Rangel and Ms. Calderon, have formed a committee to explore ideas and we welcome any input you may have. Our elementary and Jr. High School principals will be meeting to discuss and make plans for what promotion ceremonies may look like. Please wait for an update from principals in the coming weeks.

Q: Will NUSD continue to provide free meals to students?

A: Yes. We will continue to provide “Grab and Go” meals each week on both Monday and Wednesday. Meals are distributed at Newark Jr. High, 6201 Lafayette Ave. and at the Central Kitchen, 37370 Birch Street. It is open to all students. There are new guidelines by the Department of Education and students do not need to be present. Parents/Guardians can pick up the. Please follow staff guidance when arriving at our school sites to pick up meals.

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