BUSD News - Superintendent’s Update – July 27, 2021

We hope you are enjoying summer break with your children and want to thank you for your patience and flexibility in working with us during the COVID-19 pandemic. As shared in previous updates, we continue to be committed to providing full in-person instruction to all our families who are ready to return and providing an independent study option as an alternative for families who prefer to remain on distance learning when we return to school August 12, 2021. 

In preparation for the new school year, below are a few updates and information regarding our safety plan requirements based on the released updated COVID-19 public health guidance for K-12 schools from the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) and Reopening Protocols for K-12 Schools from Los Angeles County Department of Public Health (LACDPH).  We will continue to review the new guidance and update our plans as needed.  The plans, once finalized, will be posted on our District website as well as individual school websites.  The definitions below are provided to help with understanding how these requirements are being implemented to ensure we are keeping the health, safety, and well-being of all stakeholders at the forefront as well as to define the program offerings available in Fall.  

Definitions/Program Offerings:

Stakeholder: Students, staff, parents, visitors, service providers and anyone entering our premises. 

In-Person Model:  Traditional in-person model while continuing to follow the mandated guidance as set forth by CDPH and K-12 Reopening Protocols, which may include switching to a hybrid or online model if an outbreak of COVID-19 were to occur.  

Hybrid Model:  Only for students who are receiving in-person instruction and are required to move into this model if an outbreak occurs.  The COVID-19 Exposure Management Plan Guidance in TK-12 Schools requirements will be used to determine which stakeholders will need to quarantine.  While quarantined, students will be required to participate in virtual synchronous instruction during normal school hours. After the quarantine is over, students will return to the in-person model.     

Independent Study (BUSD TK – 12th Grade Virtual Academy):  This Academy is a distance learning, completely virtual instruction program provided through enrollment at Las Flores Home Education Independent Study Academy and is composed of both synchronous (students learning from a teacher) and asynchronous (students working on assignments on their own) instruction. Students enrolled in the program are expected to attend school each day and will receive opportunities for live interaction and synchronous instruction as follows:  

• TK-3: daily synchronous instruction (students learning from a teacher)
• 4-8: live daily interaction (two-way check in) and at least weekly synchronous instruction
• 9-12: weekly synchronous instruction opportunities provided and support and evaluation from BUSD supervising teacher

If you are interested in enrolling your student in the program, complete this interest form. You may request a meeting prior to enrollment for more information. Upon enrollment, all parents and students will meet prior to completing a written agreement that includes program details and requirements.  Visit the Las Flores website for more detailed information about the program.

Updates

Health and Safety

The health and safety of all is a shared responsibility. All stakeholders are to conduct an independent daily self-assessment before entering any District school or facility.  If any stakeholder answers yes to the following statement:  “If you are experiencing flu-like symptoms such as fever, coughing, shortness of breath, or have come into contact with someone who has tested positive for COVID-19” they are not to enter any site or facility.  While there is no need to submit a response, we ask that any person who answers “yes” contact the school administrator or District nurse.  Signs throughout the District entryways will remind everyone not to enter our schools or facilities if experiencing symptoms. 

All stakeholders entering our schools or facilities will be required to wear a mask while indoors at all times and may wear a mask outdoors should they choose to.  The District has provided two facemasks per student last spring, and we ask that children wear clean facemasks.  Should you need masks, please contact your site administrators.  Disposable masks will be available at all entryways of schools and District facilities should an individual not have one. Please also note that although some of the mitigation strategies are now recommendations, we are keeping them in place as part of what we view as enhancements to our schools and facilities.  All of our schools will continue to have refillable bottle stations, hand sanitizer throughout the school and classrooms, and Plexiglass barriers at various locations throughout the site. 

While our facilities are now open for regular business, visitors on campus that are not providing direct services to students will be limited.  All visitors will continue to be required to check in at the front office or entry of the facility.  Site administrators will provide ongoing information on how parents may continue to be involved both virtually and in-person.  At this time, only students will be allowed on campus before school. Each site will communicate dismissal procedures directly to parents.    

We are very fortunate to work with amazing partners like Think Together, Community Family Guidance, the YMCA and other organizations that help provide services to our students. They are also being informed of all our protocols and are being provided some of the same resources to help mitigate the spread.  

Technology

COVID-19 has provided us new opportunities for learning and the District will continue to support all our families with Wi-Fi access and devices if needed.  We will follow all requirements of providing ongoing learning should the need arise due to an outbreak of COVID-19 as mentioned above.    

Meals and Transportation

Meals for students in-person will return to our normal practices and we will provide a weekly pick up at the nutrition center for students on independent study.  We are happy to announce that every student in the District is eligible to receive a free meal.  If students are placed on distance learning due to an outbreak, we will also provide meals from our nutrition center. Families who transition into the hybrid model will be provided information about how to obtain meals during hybrid learning should this occur.  

We will once again be providing transportation and all students and staff riding the bus will be required to wear masks at all times.  Families of students with IEPs who prefer to drive their children to school are asked to work with their site administrator.  

Testing

We will also be providing free COVID-19 testing for all students, immediate family members and staff should the need arise.  Testing will take place on Mondays and Wednesdays from 12:00-3:00 p.m. at our Nutrition Center located at 10247 Alondra Blvd.  Should the need for testing arise sooner, please contact the following number (562) 866-9011 ext. 2034.  

Finally, we want to remind you that your first line of support is your site administrator.  Our administrators work closely with our teachers who are the first line of defense in understanding the needs of your children.  Should your child need additional resources when we return in Fall, do not hesitate to work with them directly.  

We are looking forward to the start of the new school year on Thursday, August 12, 2021 and to continuing to build futures for our students.  #busdwebuildfutures

Follow us on