Important Updates from EUSD
February 4, 2022
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Updates in this communication include:
- Mid-Year Update on Focus Areas: Equity, Well-Being & Multi-Tiered Systems of Support (MTSS)
- EUSD Educational Partners Overview & Feedback for LCAP 2022
- COVID-19 Case Rates Over Time
- COVID-19 Testing Reminder
- Mask Mandates in Schools
- Thank you, Volunteers!
- EUSD is Hiring!
Dear EUSD Families and Staff,
As we move into the second half of the 2021/22 school year, I wanted to take a moment to provide some updates on the successes and progress of our students and staff. When we began this school year, we shared our 3 areas of focus including equity, wellbeing and instructional supports or a mutli-tiered system of support. From day one, our district and site teams have been steadfast in their commitment to provide exemplary learning experiences for students in a safe, welcoming and emotionally supporting environment. In my visits to classrooms each week, I continue to be amazed and impressed by the unrelenting work of teachers, support staff and administrators to ensure every student is getting what they need to thrive.
Equity
At this point in the school year, every staff member across the Encinitas Union School District has been engaged in professional development surrounding equity. Our employees have been a part of understanding what equity means and looks like for all. This included starting with hearing the voices of former students who shared their experiences in EUSD that allowed us to see where we have succeeded and where we need to improve.
Additional trainings for staff and our EUSD Board are being held this Spring so that we can continue to take action to ensure our schools are the safest, most inclusive and welcoming they can be. A curriculum audit is also on deck to ensure representation and perspectives are inclusive and accurate.
Wellbeing
Health and Wellness has been a district pillar and core value for sometime, however, the need for increased support was evident due to the ongoing impacts of the pandemic. To begin the year, we elevated the work of our TRAC teachers, added counselors in addition to having a school psychologist at every site. Just this month we added a second day of counseling for every school site. In TRAC, our students have been engaged in identifying feelings, learning coping and regulation skills and calming techniques. Our Yoga/PE program provides the connection to mindfulness, movement and exercise needed for a healthy body and mind.
Our Child Nutrition Team has also been instrumental as they doubled the amount of daily lunches to provide no cost lunch to all children. The quality of our lunches surpasses any other local district as students are nourished with scratch made items that include the fresh produce from Farm Lab. This recent article highlights how Farm Lab has also continued to expand to meet the needs of our students in a variety of ways.
Multi-Tiered System of Support (MTSS)
It has been incredible to see the robust, comprehensive districtwide structures of support that have been put in place to meet the needs of every child. Since August the following supports and outcomes have been realized:
One dedicated MTSS ToSA at each school site and a district Coordinator
A higher level of MTSS understanding throughout the district
A consistent student progress monitoring system district-wide
Teacher release days to allow student progress monitoring meetings to take place
A significant decrease in SST’s at most sites
An increase in the amount and quality of student data
On-going professional development opportunities for MTSS ToSA’s
On-going professional development opportunities for teachers surrounding Tier 1 / first instruction strategies
We know these systems are making an impact on students getting what they need, when they need it. We appreciate the continued partnership with our families.
Warmly,
Andrée Grey, Ed.D.
Superintendent
EUSD Educational Partners Overview & Feedback for LCAP 2022
Each spring, EUSD gathers feedback from all educational partners including students, families, and staff. The Local Control Accountability Plan (LCAP) and update are presented to our Board annually in June for review and approval along with the budget. Following approval, updated goals and actions are implemented the following school year, with an update to the Board on midyear progress in February.
This year, we will be holding an information session on Monday, February 14 at 4:00 p.m. via Zoom webinar (provided below). Please note that the webinar will be recorded with a link shared in a weekly update and posted to the district website for viewing as well. Following the webinar, surveys will be open for feedback from all of our educational partners. We look forward to hearing from you.
Join from a PC, Mac, iPad, iPhone or Android device:
Please click this URL to join. https://eusd-net.zoom.us/j/88524839677?pwd=RE5qWDhGOTdWWTZUOFlOKzhNc3pjZz09
Passcode: 120855
Or, join by phone:
Dial +1 720 707 2699
Webinar ID: 885 2483 9677
Spanish interpretation and translation will be available.
COVID-19 Case Rates Over Time
As we begin to see a slowing of case rates from the latest COVID-19 surge, we would like to reflect back on the case rates for several time periods during this pandemic.
While we work to maintain safe environments for our students and staff, we appreciate the ongoing support of our community.
COVID-19 Testing Reminders
Testing for EUSD Students and Staff:
Farm Lab from 7:30 a.m. - 3:45 p.m. Monday - Friday. Note: PCR testing ends at 3:15 p.m.
County Testing Sites for after hours or weekends
Mask Mandates in Schools: Reminder
We understand that families and students may have strong emotions and varying opinions about COVID-19 safety measures, including wearing masks, and vaccine and testing requirements. Schools are legally required to enforce the mask requirement.
The State Public Health Officer Order of June 11, 2021 specifies that:
“All individuals must follow the requirements in the Guidance for the Use of Face Coverings issued by the California Department of Public Health.”
“All individuals must continue to follow the requirements in the current COVID-19 Public Health Guidance for K-12 Schools in California, the current COVID-19 Public Health Guidance for Child Care Programs and Providers…”
The June 11 order is a legally enforceable order that is based on “Health and Safety Code sections 120125, 120140, 120175,120195 and 131080 and other applicable law.”
In a memo to school administrators, the state public health officer also warned school administrators about potential negative consequences for their schools, and to them personally.
The local public health order, which is also a legally enforceable order, includes the following statement regarding local governments:
“Pursuant to Health and Safety Code section 120175.5 (b), all governmental entities in the county shall continue to take necessary measures within the governmental entity’s control to ensure compliance with State and local laws, regulations, and orders related to the control of COVID-19.”
Volunteers
A resounding Thank You to our volunteers! We reached a milestone of 1,000 volunteer applications processed in EUSD! Thank you, Volunteers!
EUSD is Hiring!
To view open positions, please visit EdJoin.org!
Currently, we have Noon Supervisor positions available Districtwide.