Article Source: San Bruno Park School District
Letters recently distributed
February 16, 2018
Dear El Crystal and Rollingwood Families and Staff:
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As we begin the holiday weekend, I know you are anxious for information about the Board of Trustees' action at the meeting last evening on the matter of school consolidation.
After lengthy public comment to the recommendations of the District's 7-11 Surplus Facilities Committee, the Board adopted resolutions to address fiscal recovery and implementation of Schools with Tomorrow Inside that will a) consolidate El Crystal Elementary School at the end of the school year; b) consolidate Rollingwood Elementary School in a few years, pending completion of Phase One of modernization; c) declared the two sites as surplus property; and, reaffirmed the surplus property designation of the school district office site. Declaring property "surplus" allows the Board to discuss in the future, potential sale of property to accomplish new school construction and modernization of the four remaining elementary schools and the intermediate school.
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On February 20th, I will be sending a letter to El Crystal families with more details about process and timeline for the consolidation and will meet with El Crystal families about the details on February 26th at 8:30 a.m. and 6 p.m. at the school. I will meet with El Crystal staff on the morning of February 201h
I will meet with Rollingwood parents and staff as soon as I can arrange a time with Ms. Hennessy for this to occur.
The decisions made by the Board required thought, sensitivity, and deliberation about what is in the best interest of all students in San Bruno, now and in the future, which depends on fiscal recovery. I know this is a stressful time for you. Along with District staff, I am committed to helping you through this transition with support and responsiveness to your questions.
I hope the holiday weekend will bring you a welcome change of pace and that we can return next week to the journey ahead of us, working together in solidarity on behalf of your children.
Sincerely,
Stella M. Kemp, d.D. Superintendent
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FAQ’s UPDATED FEBRUARY 16, 2018
On February 15, 2018, the Board of Trustees was presented with a report from the District Surplus Facilities 7-11 Committee. Please see earlier FAQ’s for history of this committee.
What action has the Board of Trustees taken to consolidate schools?
On February 15, 2018, the Board voted in favor of the Committee’s recommendations and took action to consolidate two of the elementary schools into four: El Crystal at the end of June 2018 and Rollingwood in a few years, pending completion of Phase One of modernization. The Board also declared the two sites as surplus property, keeping the door open for future discussion about sale of property to complete new construction and modernization.
I am an El Crystal parent. Where will my child go to school?
On March 14, 2018, the Board will vote on redrawing District attendance boundaries so that El Crystal students can be assigned to one of two schools being recommended for the transition. In the interim, Superintendent and staff will be meeting with El Crystal families to be responsive to questions and concerns.
When will I know where my child is assigned?
Letters will be mailed to parents on March 19th advising on school of assignment.
If I am an El Crystal parent wanting to transfer to another District school, what can I do?
The District will offer an early open enrollment period in March for this purpose. El Crystal families will receive information about this in a letter being mailed on February 20th.
I have an incoming El Crystal Kindergarten student. What happens to my child?
Parents of incoming Kindergartners will receive a letter the week of February 20th advising of timelines, etc. If you have enrolled before March 30th, you will be considered a student at El Crystal and will receive information current parents are receiving regarding the placement and the open enrollment process.
If you enroll in Kindergarten after the March 30, 2018 early open enrollment window closes, the attendance boundaries will have changed so you will have a new school assigned to you. If you are interested in applying for an intra-district transfer at that point, your request will be addressed as space at the requested school becomes available.
I have an incoming Rollingwood Kindergarten student. What do I do?
We welcome you to Rollingwood! It will be several years before there are changes there. The District has Phase One of modernization to complete before decisions affect Rollingwood.
Will I have the opportunity to talk with the District about questions or concerns?
Yes. In the letter being mailed, dates/times of meetings will be announced. You are also welcome to contact Superintendent Dr. Kemp at skemp@sbpsd.k12.ca.us
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EXCELLENCE TOGETHER
February 20, 2018
Dear San Bruno Park School District Parents and Staff:
Re: Consolidation of two Elementary Schools
For over a year, the District has been communicating with our families and the community at large about fiscal challenges. The conversation about the costs to operate, maintain, and repair old and under enrolled schools is not new. For some while, the District has not been "right sized" for current or projected enrollment well into the future.
Most recently, this issue is being addressed with the District's new vision for Sthools with Tomorrow Inside - consolidation of elementary schools to create larger, modem 21 century centers for teaching and leaming that give the children of San Bruno, now and for generations to come, the skills they need to be successful in a global economy. San Bruno Park Schools, which were built 5276 years ago were for a different generations of students.
Taking all this into consideration, the Board of Trustees directed the Superintendent last September to form a 7-11 Surplus Facilities Committee, comprised of school and community stakeholders, to work with a team of experts to arrive at a recommendation on school consolidation. A public hearing was conducted on January22 for the Committee to take input from the community on its recommendation to consolidate El Crystal and Rolling-wood Elementary Schools.
Decision on School Consolidation
At the Board of Trustees meeting February 15h , the Board adopted the recommendation of the 7-11 Surplus Facilities Committee to close El Crystal Elementary School at the end of this school year, and, Rollingwood in the next few years. The Board also voted to declare those sites surplus property leaving the door open for future discussion of selling property to allow for extensive new construction and modernization of what will become, over time, four elementary and one middle school serving San Bruno students.
These actions are one step in the process to improve the District's financial standing,
which provides the opportunity for all San Bruno Park students now, and in the future, to benefit from high quality instruction and an improved environment for learning.
Next Steps
The District will be redesigning attendance boundaries to reassign El Crystal students to one or more of the District elementary schools and finalize the plan for a smooth transition for El Crystal students and their receiving schools. At the same time, facilities visioning has been ongoing that has engaged members of the school district and community-at-large in conversation about what
San Bruno schools should look like for 21 century teaching and learning and what their functionality should be to provide teachers and students with the best environment for instruction and learning now and in the future.
Meetings with El Crystal and Roliingwood families and staff are planned including establishing transition teams for El Crystal. Please watch for the District's Report to the Communify which will provide additional details as the transformation of the District moves forward.
Sincerely,
Stella M. Kemp, ELD. Superintendent
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February 20, 2018
Dear El Crystal Families: Current and Incoming Kindergarten
Background
For over a year, the District has been communicating with our families and the community at large about serious fiscal challenges. The conversation about the costs to operate, maintain, and repair old and under enrolled schools is not new. For some while, the District has not been “right sized” for current or projected enrollment well into the future.
Most recently, this issue is being addressed with the District’s new vision for Schools with Tomorrow Inside – consolidation of elementary schools to create larger, modern 21st century centers for teaching and learning that give the children of San Bruno, now and for generations to come, the skills they need to be successful in a global economy. San Bruno Park Schools, which were built 52-76 years ago were for a different generation of students.
Taking all this into consideration, the Board of Trustees directed the Superintendent last September to form a 7-11 Surplus Facilities Committee, comprised of school and community stakeholders, to work with a team of experts to arrive at a recommendation on school consolidation. A public hearing was conducted on January 22nd for the Committee to take input from the community on its recommendation to consolidate El Crystal and Rollingwood Elementary Schools.
Decision on School Consolidation
At the Board of Trustees meeting February 15th, the Board adopted the recommendation of the
7-11 Surplus Facilities Committee to close El Crystal Elementary School at the end of this school year, and, Rollingwood in the next few years, pending completion of Phase One of modernization. The Board also voted to declare those sites surplus property leaving the door open for future discussion of selling property to allow for extensive new construction and modernization of what will become, over time, four elementary and one middle school serving San Bruno students. This action by the Board will provide the opportunity for all San Bruno Park students now, and in the future, to benefit from high quality instruction and an improved environment for learning.
The District is sensitive to feelings you have about the decision and recognizes that El Crystal has a legacy that will always remain part of the fabric of San Bruno. This decision is in the best interest of ALL children in San Bruno, including those yet to attend our schools.
Next Steps in Assignment of New School of Attendance
1. The design of new attendance boundaries is in process.
2. The Board will act on the recommended boundary changes at its meeting on March 14th, to be held at Parkside Intermediate School at 7 p.m.
3. On March 19th a letter will be mailed to all El Crystal families advising the following:
4. Incoming Kindergartners who have already registered at El Crystal for the 2018-19 school year or will register before March 30th,will be assigned, along with other El Crystal students, to a school of residence once the boundary process is completed. Please see below for transfer request process.
5. Incoming Kindergartners who register after the boundary process is complete and the open enrollment window is closed (March 30, 2018) will register at their new school of residence. Transfers will be considered on space available basis.
Process for Early Open Enrollment (Intra District Transfer Request)
March 21-30th the District will offer an early open enrollment period for those parents who may wish to request an intra district transfer to a school other than the one to which they are assigned in the March 19th letter. That process is as follows:
1. Transfer request forms will be available at El Crystal on school days from March 21-30th, between the hours of 8:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m. Deadline to submit is March 30th at 3:30 p.m.
2. Transfer requests will be color coded to differentiate between students residing in current El Crystal attendance boundaries and those residing in other school attendance boundaries.
3. On April 3, the District will conduct two lotteries: the first will be for requests coming from families residing in current El Crystal attendance boundaries and the second, for families residing in other school attendance boundaries.
4. Note: requests drawn in the lotteries will be granted on a space available basis at the requested school. Once space at the requested school is filled, names will be placed on a waiting list for that school
5. The week of April 9th, parents will receive notification of the results of the early open enrollment/intra district transfer request process.
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Important Information Meetings and Timeline
It will be very important in the days and weeks ahead to be aware of meetings and timeline as we move through this transition together. Additional meetings will be added as we progress.
- February 26:
8:30 a.m. and at 6 p.m. at El Crystal
Superintendent and Principal meet with parents to review process and timeline
- March 14:
- March 19:
- March 21-30:
- Week of April 9:
- April 9:
7 p.m. Board meeting held at Parkside
Board takes action on new attendance boundaries
Parents receive letter advising of new school of assignment and about process for early open enrollment (intra-district transfer requests)
Early Open Enrollment. Please see above for details and timeline.
Parents who request intra district transfer will receive letter advising of results.
District facilities teams begin work to address classroom readiness for 2018-2019 school year.
Moving Forward Together
District staff are committed to a smooth transition for your children. Indeed, we will be forming transition teams and activities and events will be announced to involve you and your children as quickly as possible in the spirit and environment of your new school of attendance. It is critical, that our collective focus now remains on your children’s instruction until the school year ends.
Please continue to check the FAQ’s on the District website as these are frequently updated.
Thank you in advance for your support and cooperation. We encourage you to become involved in your new school. Each of our schools also has a legacy of which they are proud and they look forward to sharing about it with you and your children.
Sincerely,
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Photo Credit: San Bruno CA Patch Archives
Source Credit: Superintendent Kemp - San Bruno CA Park School District
