CUSD Newsletter
November 9, 2020
"I DON'T SPEND ANY TIME WHATSOEVER THINKING ABOUT WHAT MIGHT HAVE BEEN."
- Alex Trebek
Message from Superintendent Mueller
Good afternoon,
We learned on Tuesday that San Diego County has entered Tier 1 (Purple). This designation will not interfere with our phased reopening plan as we initiated in-person experiences in early October. This news has led to questions and concerns from our staff and parents. On Friday I spoke with two parents. One expressed frustration that his/her child was only back on campus in a limited capacity and questioned why we weren't more aggressive in our reopening timeline and approach. The second expressed fear while questioning if our actions to date were reckless and actually compromised the ability for all students to be back on campus by placing our staff and students at risk of contracting the virus.
The fear is real.
The frustrations are valid.
Some reminders:
What we offer, from an equity and access perspective and in order to preserve the integrity of instruction, pacing, and assessment of learning, must be congruent with the experiences provided via BRIDGE. This includes expanding the cohort model and hybrid schedules via live streaming. Districts that reopened and subsequently were ordered to close did not have these systems in place and, as a result, instruction and services to students were interrupted.
Comparing our phased reopening plan to districts in other states, abroad, or private schools is like comparing apples to oranges. We are beholden to State and County regulations and operate with the resources provided to districts in order to serve the public.
Our best efforts to curb the spread of COVID on campus are interrelated with the actions and behaviors of the greater community.
We have and will continue to provide updates and information to our constituents. This information is presented weekly via district and principal newsletters and updated regularly on our website.
We remain committed to and guided by hopeful and responsible decision-making. We are prioritizing the return to campus as quickly and as safely as possible. We will stay the course. Our Governing Board and community will hear an updated reopening plan with further phases on Thursday afternoon at the Board meeting.
Respectfully,
Karl Mueller
Superintendent
CUSD Grab-and-Go Meal Service
Grab-and-Go Meal Service at Village Elementary and Silver Strand
When: Every Monday (except Holidays)
Location: Multi-Purpose Rooms at VES (H Street) and Silver Strand Elementary
Distribution Time: 4:00PM - 6:00PM (while supplies last)
Next Distribution: Monday, 11/16 beginning at 3:30 PM.
>>Beginning November 2, 2020 meal distribution will have a new pick-up time from 3:30-5 PM.
CUSD Grab & Go Meal Service Goes Universal Through 2020
Meal distribution will continue every Monday while students are in a distance learning environment. The USDA has now approved universal feeding for all children between the ages of 1-18 years through December 31, 2020. They have recognized the need for this around the country and have decided to move forward with it. All children will get free meals regardless of meal status (free/reduced/paid). Children are not required to be students of the Coronado Unified School District.
All families with children 18 and under will be able to pick up free breakfast and lunch meals via curb-side pick-up. Each child will receive one bag that contains 7 days’ worth of meals for breakfast and lunch. Meals may consist of packaged, refrigerated, and/or frozen items (heating instructions will be provided). District and school staff will start "Grab and Go Distribution" of meal bags at 4 PM, and will stop once all bags are distributed on a first-come, first-served basis.
All meals will be distributed curb-side to decrease the risk of exposure. Bags will be placed into automobile trunks-they will not be handed through the vehicle window for the protection of both our staff and vehicle occupants. Only those in cars will be served meals during this pick-up window, no walk-ups or bicycles are allowed in order to maintain social distancing protocols. If you are unable to pick-up meals by car or during the scheduled distribution time, please email Charity.Campbell@coronadousd.net on Mondays before 2:00 PM and we will schedule an alternative window to pick-up a meal.
Meals may not be distributed to students. Students who are receiving meals are encouraged to be physically present at the time of pick-up. Additionally, adults may pick up meals for students not present by printing and submitting this form at the time of pick-up. No meals will be distributed to parents/guardians without a child present or a form submitted at time of pick up due to state regulations.
Meals are available for all children aged 18 and under. Children are not required to be students of the Coronado Unified School District. Our incredible Child Nutrition Service team members and volunteers have served over 216,000 meals since this program began. We are prepared to serve meals weekly to over 830 children (11,620 meals in total). As demands increase, we will continue to increase the number of meals we prepare in order to accommodate the needs of our entire school community. This is free for all children, regardless of meal status - please spread the word!
Daily lunch meals, free of charge, for those students who need it. Pre-order, one week in advance from Charity Campbell, Director of Child Nutrition Services. For more information or questions, please email: charity.campbell@coronadousd.net.
Caught Being Awesome!
As our educators, parents, and community come together to connect, challenge, and champion our students during our district closure, we are humbled by the outpouring of compliments during these trying times. What a positive testament to our CUSD family!
A big shout out to the PE staff at CMS for keeping our kids active in the midst of our unusual school setting. My two middle schoolers have been engaged in yoga, high-intensity workout videos, and fun, creative fitness projects. Mr. Bachman's lava course was super fun for my 6th grader! I enjoy hearing the encouragement and praise from Mr. T during my 8th grader's workouts. PE staff is on top of the kiddos to make sure they are successfully performing their class workouts and requiring activity logs to ensure kiddos are staying fit throughout the week. Physical fitness and health are extra important during a health crisis. Optimal health is one key way to fight off this pesky virus. We have 90-minute Zooms - lots of sitting. I am extremely pleased that the PE department is keeping our kids active and engaged and making it fun!
Gary and his M&O team are incredibly responsive and provide personalized support for the sites. Gary is quick with communications, proactive with support, and understanding of our needs, with more "yes" answers than no. When we requested an adjustment to our mowing/trimming times, Lenny and Aaron provided a rationale for the schedule but also committed to tweaking it to support instruction in classrooms. Some people do their jobs; others do their jobs with love, humanity, and a clear vision of supporting the big and small pictures. We could not imagine a better team managing our facilities and supporting the humans that occupy them!
Joellen Semo is our district anchor of health and safety. She calms the chaos, deescalates the ramp-up, reassures the anxious, clarifies the foggy, navigates the waves, provides the PPE, and messages the masses. She delivers personalized attention to our site and personnel and knows how to manage ALL the personalities. We are in terrific hands and our safe reopening and ongoing success is due in large part to her calm guidance. THANK YOU FOR ALL YOU DO, Joellen!!
Multiple parents, students, and staff recognizing staff for their support, guidance, and going above and beyond for our CUSD family: Cara Hetrick, Jennifer Rogale, Devon Roberts, Michelle Jenkins, Michael Connor, Lindsay Cummins, Jennifer Moore, Sophia Frost, Niamh Foley, Gary Hall and the M&O Team, Joellen Semo and Kerri Ramirez.
Click here to recognize an employee or volunteer who goes above and beyond to make a difference. Those who are "caught" will receive a copy of the positive words that were shared about them and a "Caught Being Awesome" decal. Please take a minute or two to brighten someone else's day!
Resources for Staff
Important Resources and Document Links
Adhere to Social Distancing
About CUSD
Email: information@coronadousd.net
Website: coronadousd.net/
Location: 201 6th Street, Coronado, CA, USA
Phone: (619) 522-8900
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CoronadoUSD/