MCOE Special Edition
COVID-19 CONNECTION
Message from the County Superintendent of Schools
Look for the Helpers
“When I was a boy and I would see scary things in the news, my mother would say to me, ‘Look for the helpers. You will always find people who are helping.'"
-Mr. (Fred) Rogers
Over the past several weeks Monterey County, our state, our nation, and our world have experienced an unprecedented crisis, but have also come together to solve seemingly insurmountable problems, and care for each other in countless ways.
MCOE is committed to the success of every student in every school, especially in this new reality. New challenges call for new solutions and creative problem-solving until we meet our mission to serve every student, regardless of need and where they may be. We will get there together.
A moment like this can rob us of our sense of power. However, I would argue that the path forward is to realize that we do have power, even in the face of something that makes us feel incredibly small, and that it lies where it always has—in remembering that we are in this thing together and in finding ways to embrace our collective responsibility and accountability to each other. This is one truth of which I am absolutely certain: We will emerge stronger and better from the challenges of this time to the extent we remember what it truly means to be members of a local, national and global community.
This newsletter includes resources, information, and highlights efforts being made around Monterey County to meet the needs of our students and families. My gratitude to those who are serving our families in this challenging time is immeasurable.
Be well in health and in spirits,
Dr. Deneen Guss
Monterey County Superintendent of Schools
Essential Services
MCOE, like all local schools and districts in Monterey County, is closed to the public at this time. Our county-operated schools have transitioned to distance learning, and our Student Programs and Services staff are working remotely to meet the needs of our students.
MCOE also serves the county's districts and schools, and provides essential services that are continuing through physical school closures and shelter in place orders. MCOE's main offices in Salinas are open to limited staff to allow essential work to continue. Most MCOE staff members are working remotely.
Closing the Digital Divide
All Hands on DEQ!
Distance Learning
Distance Learning in Monterey County
Distance learning is teaching that takes place when the student and the instructor are in two different locations. Instructional methods vary depending on the needs of the student, and may include online instruction, televised instruction, and printed packets.
State Testing Suspended
California requested an exemption from statewide testing requirements for the 2019–2020 academic year and has received preliminary federal approval. For more information on COVID-19 and the suspension of statewide testing, visit this CDE webpage.
Resources for Districts
Educational Services continues to provide virtual coaching and professional learning webinars to assist Monterey County Educators in the transition to distance learning. Content experts provide support focusing on the five key elements of quality distance learning programs:
- Teacher-student connections
- Learning structure and sequence
- Content presentation
- Engagement opportunities
- Feedback opportunities
Nutrition Services
Meals for Students During Closures
In response to COVID-19, Governor Gavin Newsom issued an Executive Order that allows California schools to continue to provide school meals while campuses are closed.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has approved waivers to some of its meal service requirements, allowing schools across the country to:
- alter schedules and offer additional meals outside of normal programs; and
- allow parents/guardians to pick up meals without a student present.
Districts are adjusting schedules and procedures as needs change, but stay up-to-date on when and where meals are available by visiting our nutrition services website at https://www.montereycoe.org/resources/alerts/coronavirus/nutrition/.
Childcare for Essential Employees
Childcare Options in Monterey County
The Monterey County Office of Education recognizes that during these times, families of essential workers will be in need of child care. In partnership with local early childhood education partners: First 5 Monterey County, Monterey County Child Care Resource and Referral, Bright Beginnings Early Childhood Development Initiative, Monterey County Public Health, United Way Monterey County, as well as local child care providers, MCOE has been working to identify how families of essential workers can obtain needed childcare.
For more information on where you can find needed childcare services, please visit https://www.montereycoe.org/resources/alerts/coronavirus/childcare/.
MPUSD and Gonzales Launch WiFi Initiatives for Communities
City of Gonzales
The City of Gonzales was set to launch "Internet for All" and distribute wireless hotspot devices to residents at a Community Summit earlier this year, but since it was canceled due to coronavirus, the city has had to get creative. In early April, the city hosted first drive-thru events for residents to pick up devices.
There are 2,000 hotspots available for residents and they can get one per household with proof of address.
The initiative came about through a partnership between the City of Gonzales and T-Mobile. Through it, residents can get a 4G LTE Wi-Fi hotspot with unlimited high-speed internet access that supports up to 12 connections at the same time for no cost.
In 2017, the city adopted a Broadband Infrastructure Strategy with the goal to provide basic, reliable internet access to every household. The partnership with T-Mobile and the initiative were then approved by the City Council in October 2019. The city said it is the first on the Central Coast to provide basic broadband service to all households.
MPUSD
A new project called "Park and Learn" brings school buses equipped with Wifi out to the community for families of students in need. Students can now access wifi in the following locations:
- Lucky parking lot - Marina
- Target parking lot - Sand City
- Dr. Martin Luther King School of Arts - Seaside
Three buses with Wifi routers will be strategically placed around Monterey County communities for families to pull up and park while their students access the online material they need on their devices.
This project will run from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday for the rest of the year as needed.
Connecting Via Video
Have a great video to share? Email it to jhull@montereycoe.org to be featured in a future update.
Celebrating Educators
King City Teacher Parade
Teachers from the King City Union School District toured town on Friday, April 3, with a Teacher Parade, during which dozens of vehicles drove through many of the city streets. Teachers wanted to let their students know that they miss them and are thinking about them during the coronavirus-related school closures. Likewise, many students and families held up signs letting their teachers know the children of King City miss their teachers, as well. There were signs, balloons, decorations and honking horns for hours as the caravan of educators cruised along. (Photos courtesy Sean Roney, King City Rustler)
Additional Resources
MCAETtv Resources
MCAETtv Broadcast Schedule for May 2020 can be found on the MCAET website at http://mcaet.org/. Please be aware that we are working on adding more content, so this will change in the coming weeks.
Find MCAETtv:
MCAETtv TV Guide Source ID: 15711
Over the Air in HIGH DEFINITION: Channel 38.1
Comcast Cable 26
Charter Cable 17
AT&T UVERSE Channel 99
JUST RUN
JUST RUN, an award-winning fitness program utilized by schools across the globe, has announced a fitness-at-home program to support physical activity in children facing school closures. In response to parent requests to have their child participate in JUST RUN during Shelter in Place orders, JUST RUN has developed a family-friendly program that encourages parents to log miles run or walked by their child, submit their mileage, and then be able to view their child's accomplishments on the website.
Children’s individual accomplishments and their team’s collective mileage will be posted on the JUST RUN website viewable on the Run Across the USA map. Educational points of interest through which the teams run are linked on the JUST RUN map, making this an educational experience as well.
“Staying active in a way that observes local health mandates can be a fun, family activity during
these stressful times,” said Susan Love, JUST RUN Director. “We had more than 25,000 children
involved in JUST RUN earlier this year. Many of our children are continuing to participate and
we hope that many new children will join us in the fun and fitness!”
In addition to tracking mileage, parents are encouraged to celebrate their child’s milestone
accomplishments by utilizing “Mileage Award Cards,” which can be downloaded from the
justrun.org website.
JUST RUN administrators remind parents to adhere to their local, state, and national guidelines
concerning the coronavirus pandemic when participating in the JUST RUN at-home program. To
sign your child up and get started today, visit www.justrun.org.
To learn more about JUST RUN visit www.justrun.org. For more information on the Big Sur
Marathon Foundation, visit bigsurmarathon.org
Stay Connected to MCOE
Email: jhull@montereycoe.org
Website: montereycoe.org
Phone: 831-755-0300
Facebook: facebook.com/MontereyCountyOfficeofEd
Twitter: @MCOE_Now