NUSD Superintendent Update For September 4, 2020

Press release from the Novato Unified School District:

September 4, 2020

En español

Dear NUSD Family,

As the second full week of the school year winds down, I want to thank each and every one of you for all you have done to create a positive start for our students. While we didn’t have the traditional first day of school, I appreciated those families who sent in photos of their children’s first day. It was heartwarming to see all the smiling faces ready for their first day of school. As many of you have heard me say, what we are being asked to do is impossible, but you aren’t letting that keep you from giving it your all. Whether you are a student, a parent, or an NUSD team member please know that I am very proud of you and appreciate all you are doing and for making the impossible possible!

Specifically, today, I will touch on the following topics:

• The most likely date for returning students to hybrid learning
• Ongoing negotiations regarding a Memorandum of Understanding with the Novato Federation of Teachers around a return to on campus learning
• Preparations for a Return and Site-Specific Safety Plans

The most likely date for returning students to hybrid learning

As shared on August 19, 2020, and with the goal of transparency and helping families build their own unique schedules, it was decided that NUSD will remain on the remote learning schedule until at least October 4, 2020. This was based upon the previous state monitoring system that changed about a week ago. In the new structure, it appears likely that Marin County schools may be allowed to return students to schools as early as September 22. Please know that NUSD will honor the commitment that we made to our community on August 19, and we will not be returning students to campus until after October 4 at the earliest.

We will continue to monitor the data, hold discussions with public health and will confirm this timeline or changes to this timeline as soon as possible. Our schools will be ready for a return to in-person learning when the time is right. We are committed to student, staff and community safety.

Ongoing negotiations regarding a Memorandum of Understanding with the Novato Federation of Teachers around a return to on campus learning

On Thursday, September 3, 2020, the Novato Unified School District and the Novato Federation of Teachers met to negotiate a memorandum of understanding regarding the return of students to campus for on campus learning. While we did not come to agreement, we are optimistic that we will in the near future. I want to again remind our community that we do not need to have a memorandum of understanding in place in order to return students to our campuses, but believe that a mutually agreed upon and mutually beneficial agreement is best for all involved and we will continue to work hard to find agreement.

Preparations for a Return and Site-Specific Safety Plans (SSPP)

Each of our school sites are currently developing school site specific safety plans in partnership with our maintenance team members. These plans must include the following:

1. Perform a detailed risk assessment and implement a site-specific protection plan (SSPP)
2. Train employees on how to limit the spread of COVID-19, including how to screen themselves for symptoms and to stay home if they have them
3. Implement individual control measures and screenings
4. Implement disinfecting protocols
5. Implement physical distancing guidelines

These school site-specific safety plans will be approved by Marin County Public Health before we can return students to on campus learning.

Since March, we have also worked tirelessly to accumulate significant amounts of personal protection equipment (PPE) and have delivered these to our sites. This includes, but is not limited to:

• Cloth face masks
• Disposable face masks
• Clear plastic face shields
• Disposable gloves
• No touch thermometers
• Toilet seat liners
• Varying sizes of hand sanitizer dispensers and refills
• Soap and paper towel refills
• Plexiglass dividers for varying situations.

We will be ready to safely return when the time comes.

In closing, I just want to reiterate my appreciation for all you have done to get our school year off to a positive start. I thank you for giving grace when people did their best, but it didn’t measure up to your expectations. We will get through this challenging year, together.

Sincerely,

Kris Cosca

www.nusd.org/COVID

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