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Dear Members of the AUSD Community,

As I reported in last week's message, the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) updated its K-12 Schools Guidance to reflect the latest science and recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The state's reopening color-coded tier system has also been modified. Under the new system, the daily new case rate in the Red Tier has shifted from between 4.0 and 7.0 to between 4.0 and 10.0. The adjustment is due to the impact of vaccinations. Riverside County is now securely in the Red Tier with a case rate of 4.8 and a positivity rate of 2.7%. While the threat of COVID remains substantial, we continue to trend towards less restrictive tiers.

The county's likely transition to the less restrictive Orange Tier in the next few weeks is great news as it will allow us to plan a proper and traditional graduation ceremony for our seniors in May, in addition to planning for an in-person summer school program in June-July. See the updated Blueprint for a Safer Economy tier system chart below:

Will the Class of 2021 get to walk in a traditional graduation ceremony?

Yes, we are planning for a traditional graduation ceremony for our seniors. CDPH guidance on graduation ceremonies was released this past Friday. We are also planning a drive-through graduation event similar to 2020 as a back-up plan if the pandemic trend reverses and it's not safe to conduct a traditional event.

How many graduation tickets will students be given for their families to attend the ceremony?

That depends on what tier we are in as we approach the event the last week of May. For example, to follow social distancing and other safety protocol requirements, in the Red Tier attendance is limited to a maximum of 20% capacity of the venue. In the Orange Tier attendance is limited to a maximum of 33% capacity. In the Yellow Tier, attendance is limited to a maximum of 67% capacity. The number of tickets each students is offered will also be impacted by the size of the graduating class. Each high school will communicate ticket details and safely protocols with their families.

Will schools open for full in-person instruction this school year now that social distancing requirements have changed?

No. We have reopened based on serving stable groups and maintaining an overall capacity to ensure 6-feet of distancing between adults and between adults and students, as well as meeting the current 4-6 feet distancing requirement in common areas around campus, including when masks can’t be worn, such as when eating, and during activities when increased exhalation occurs, such as singing, shouting, band practice, sports, or exercise. We designed our concurrent instructional program to allow students and their families choice and to maintain students' and teachers' schedules for the remaining eight weeks of this school year.

Will students return to full in-person instruction next school year?

We are planning and preparing for all possibilities, including a return to full in-person instruction, for all students, and for all grade levels, five days a week. Of course, that will depend on whether or not there are any social distancing requirements or other safety measures schools are expected to follow. We are examining all of our classroom and campus spaces since we will have to reconfigure many classrooms or other spaces if social distancing of 3-feet and/or other restrictions remain when we open the 2021-22 school year on August 6.

Will families have the option of remaining in a distance learning program next school year?
Currently, almost 40% (6,734) of our students continue to learn from home. We will survey families later in the Spring to determine the demand for program choice in 2021-22.

Expanded Learning is accepting registration forms to attend HALF-Time and PRIME-Time in person for the remainder of the 20-21 school year for students in Cohort A or B. Students at Arlanza, Collett, Foothill, La Granada, McAuliffe, Myra Linn, Orrenmaa, RMK, Stokoe, Terrace , Twinhill, Valley View, and all middle schools are encouraged to register. The program will run from school dismissal until 4:30 PM Monday - Thursday. You can register here.

Additional details and registration information are included on the flyer in the News section below. We will also continue to provide academic support online for students from 2:45-4:15 Monday - Thursday. Google Meet log in codes are available on the Expanded Learning webpage here.

On behalf of the Board of Education, please enjoy a safe and relaxing spring break. We will return on Monday, April 5.

Sincerely,

Allan Mucerino