Watch: Santa Monica School Officials Update Community

SANTA MONICA, CA —Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District officials announced that staff has come together to develop their programming and school remains in session with distance learning. SMMUSD Superintendent Dr. Ben Drati spoke in a video update, sharing what parents can expect for graduation, summer school, along with other important resources that are available to students and families during the coronavirus pandemic.

School is still in session and although campuses are still closed, school and administrative staff continue to support students and families, Drati said.

“We are closely following direction and advice from the LA County Office of Education, the LA County of Public Health, the California Department of Education and Gov. Gavin Newsom’s office. We also continue to work with Santa Monica and Malibu city leadership in our roles as essential businesses, serving our communities as not only educators but providers of comprehensive support and resources to our families as well,” Drati said.

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Santa Monica and Malibu city officials are collaborating, he added.

Drati also described the district's distance learning model and how parents can access information, including the parent portal on the district’s website.

“I want to say that I’m very proud of the work that we’ve been able to accomplish with our amazing teachers, administrators and staff,” Drati said.

Making sure students had access to technology during the transition to at-home learning was most important, including providing digital devices such as Chromebooks and hotspots.

School officials are still determining grading policies. The district staff will be proposing a grading criteria for school board approval by May 7, he said.

This will pay close attention to how students might be facing challenges, different learning environments.

Graduations, senior nights and promotions will be discussed in coming weeks, including elementary schools and high schools.

“Our principals are determined to make a positive, memorable experience for our graduating seniors under these challenging circumstances," Drati said.

For Drati, it's personal, too.

"I have a son graduating this year as well, so I feel the pain that families are feeling over this situation," he said. "We especially want our seniors to know that your seniors and I have been celebrating our options regularly and our minds are on celebrating your success and achievements in these coming months.”

Summer school will be held for students who are credit deficient and it will be online, he said.

More information will be available as details are updated on the district website: https://www.smmusd.org/

SMMUSD Drati video 1 - 050120 from Gail Pinsker on Vimeo.

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