Important Message
From CSD Superintendent Dr. Carrie Andrews, July 20, 2020
Dear Cambrian Families,
Thank you again for your patience as we navigate a multitude of information and details to safely provide additional ways to support our students during these unique times in the 2020-21 school year. Last Thursday, July 16th, I shared with you how Cambrian School District Schools would start the school year in 100% distance learning and gradually phase back to in-person instruction (click here for my July 16th letter). I also presented that we would be offering a new option for families this school year given specific student needs. We are aware that each family has various situations or possible concerns. Recently there were some additions to California Education Code Section 43503 that expressly states that distance learning is allowable in circumstances for pupils who are medically fragile or would be put at risk by in-person instruction, or who are self-quarantining because of exposure to COVID-19.
As such this school year, families have the opportunity to “opt-out” of physically returning to a school campus, and instead choose to attend a 100% virtual school program. This may be a choice some families would prefer for their child instead of returning to in-person instruction during the 2020-21 school year, given the uncertainties of COVID-19 and their child’s specific needs. This new virtual school will be an opportunity based on what best fits each individual child’s needs and family situation.
Families have the opportunity to “opt-out” of physically returning to a school campus, and instead choose 100% virtual school program by Wednesday, July 29th. Please use the link below to “opt out” of your child returning to the Cambrian school campus this school year to participate in a virtual school program. If you have multiple children enrolled in Cambrian Schools, please complete the form for each child that you would like to attend the virtual school based on their individual needs.
Please note even though we will make every effort to accommodate all 100% virtual students at their neighborhood school if they choose to return to in-person instruction in the 2020-21 school year we may not be able to do so. However, you will be guaranteed in 2021-22 the school your child was assigned to for 2020-21.
NEED MORE INFORMATION ABOUT VIRTUAL SCHOOL?
For staffing purposes we are creating virtual school classes for the 2020-21 school year that will continue even when we come back to school in person.
Online classes may need to be created with students from various Cambrian Schools throughout the district. A class or classes would not be site based classes.
Students will be placed in a virtual class based on their specific grade levels that may include more than one grade level in a class. The number of students that apply for the virtual school will determine whether combined grade levels are necessary.
If you choose the virtual school model and want your child to opt back to in-person (hybrid model or full in-person) during the 2020-21 school year, students will be placed based on openings in the district at specific times (see below for more details). We will make every effort to accommodate all 100% virtual students at their neighborhood school if they decide to return to campus during the school year, but we cannot guarantee a spot at their assigned school for 2020-21. However, we will guarantee your child’s spot back in their assigned neighborhood school or school of assignment for the 2021-22 school year.
If you would want to return at a fixed time, the option would be at the 2nd trimester (Elementary/Steindorf K-8 School) and 3rd quarter (Price Middle School) in this school year or start of next school year. The reason for a fixed date is that we want to ensure continuity of learning for our students and thus allow students to complete a grading period before they return in person. In addition, if you opt for your child to return to in-person they would be assigned a new teacher.
Elementary Schools and Steindorf K-8 Magnet. The student report card periods are based on trimesters. Families can choose for students to return after the 2nd trimester reporting period ends. The 2nd trimester ends on March 5, 2021.
Price Middle School. The recording period is based on quarters. Families can choose for students to return after the 3rd quarter ends. The 3rd quarter ends on March 26, 2021.
The virtual school model will focus on the Common Core grade level standards, which are the same in the other model.
Students will be clustered by grade level or grade levels. Students will come from any of our Cambrian schools and be assigned a Cambrian School teacher.
All instruction will be online and there will be no in-person instruction or activities. If you are interested in in-person instruction or activities stay with the current Cambrian reopening with distance learning and phasing back to in-person instruction (hybrid schedule). You would not need to sign up for virtual school if you want live in-person instruction when the district deems it safe and appropriate to transition to in-person learning.
Middle school teachers will provide lessons in English Language Arts, Mathematics, Science and Social Studies through a combination of direct online instruction and recorded lessons. If a middle school student is registered for accelerated math we are able to provide an online program.
Elementary school virtual teachers will primarily focus on English Language Arts and Mathematics.
Students will be clustered by grade level or grade levels. Students will come from any of our Cambrian schools and be assigned a Cambrian School teacher. The Cambrian teacher would be assigned from any of our Cambrian Schools and class placements will be sent to families on August 17th.
If you would like your child to participate in this virtual school program, please click this link to complete the requested information by no later than Wednesday, July 29th so we may plan for a successful school reopening.
Throughout the summer, Cambrian will continue to send you updates to ensure a safe start to the school year in August. Thank you for your collaboration as we move forward to prepare for the 2020-21 school year. We are excited to have our students back for another year of learning and growth.
CAMBRIAN SCHOOL DISTRICT
Email: klavond@cambriansd.com
Website: www.cambriansd.org
Location: 4115 Jacksol Drive, San Jose, CA, USA
Phone: (408) 377-2103
Facebook: facebook.com/CambrianSchoolDistrict
Twitter: @Supt_Andrews