May 24, 2020

Dear Alvord Families,

This week’s message would usually be a farewell message as we enter the final week of the school year. But there is nothing usual about this school year. Instead of farewell, then, I want to invite you to continue to follow the district closely as we transition from the 2019-20 school year to the 2020-21 school year.

We have assembled a School Re-Opening Task Force to begin planning for 2020-21. There will be a steering committee and eight teams that will work together towards the common goal of making recommendations to the Board of Education. The Task Force is modeled after the Riverside County Department of Education model. We are members of that Task Force along with all Riverside County districts. Watch an excerpt here from our current podcast for an update on the work of the County Task Force.

Each of our Task Force teams will have a representative from each stakeholder group, including students and parents. Teams will meet once a week or more, when necessary. The Task Force Study Teams are as follows:

1. Communications and Public Information

2. Curriculum and Instruction

3. Business and Operations

4. Student Support Services

5. Personnel and Risk Management

6. Technology Supports

7. Early Learning/Preschool Support

8. Policy and Governance

In addition to the working teams, multiple surveys will be conducted to gather input from all stakeholder groups. Please continue to stay connected to us by visiting our web site frequently, following us on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook @alvordunified, and by downloading the AUSD mobile application so that you never miss any notifications from the district or from your school. Please download it today.

We remain committed to open all schools on schedule: August 10. I will use this weekly newsletter to keep the entire community informed on the progress of the Task Force as well as to gather input. The newsletter can be translated into most languages. And you can count on it waiting for you in your inbox or on your mobile application device.

In closing, on behalf of the Board of Education, thank you for your partnership. This year was like no other. We are committed to continue to work closely with you to prepare for next school year. Safely educating our students is our goal. Student, staff, and community wellbeing will guide our planning and impact all decisions moving forward.

We all recognize that the impact of the disrupted 2019-20 school year will be felt in many ways. But if we continue to work together we can address learning loss and other potential obstacles to student achievement caused by the COVID closure.

We will overcome.

Thank you

Stay healthy. Be well.

In partnership,

Allan Mucerino