Important Updates from EUSD
February 26, 2021
_______________________________________
Updates in this communication include:
- Phase 3 Reopening Followup
- 2021-2022 School Year
Dear Families,
As we enter March this next week, I am reminded that it has been a full year that we have been working together through this pandemic. Throughout this year, we have continued to be humbled and appreciative of the resilience and perseverance of our students, staff and families. Although we know COVID-19 will still be with us for a while, there are several bright spots on the horizon! Two important ones are Phase 3 on Monday, April 12 and our full return to our pre-COVID-19 schedule for 2021-2022.
Phase 3 Reopening Followup
This week you should have received an email on Tuesday noting the specific date of Phase 3 for our 5 days per week return. I wanted to provide follow up information and resources that were shared in December regarding specifics for Phase 3. Although we have adjusted the timeline and the required distancing and testing due to new guidance, the other factors remain the same.
December Video Overview and Presentation Slides
Specific Schedule Information:
March 22-26 Conference Week
*Individual 1:1 virtual conferences to review student progress on grade level standards
*Monday-Wednesday 12:15 p.m. Dismissal
*Thursday-Friday virtual learning only (teacher prep for transition; teachers will provide specific information for these days in advance)
April 12th - Phase 3 begins! (regardless of tier)
Monday - Friday, 8:00 a.m. - 12:45 p.m.
Individual sites will share specific staggered starts/dismissal times
*Grab n go lunches
*Doubles instructional time
*Meets the requirements for SB 98 so no distance learning needed
*One enrichment class will be in person per week with other after school options provided
We have received some additional inquiries as to the decision to end the school day at 12:45 p.m. during Phase 3. This schedule was built during the planning and reopening committee discussions for Phase 3 and shared throughout the process, starting in late Fall 2020. It is important that we continue to share the rationale for the shortened day schedule beginning on April 12th. In making this determination, we looked at all of the needs and lessons learned so far this year during the pandemic. First, we have certainly learned that the most vulnerable time for students is during lunch. This has been managed during hybrid with picnic lunches but that shifts dramatically with 550 students on site at a time. It is prudent for us to not include this at this time. However, we recognize the aspirations of all is to get to a pre-COVID-19 schedule. Additionally, we have learned that teachers must be able to connect with students that are home quarantining or ill during the school day. The number of students home or ill or quarantining during the pandemic has added another layer of need for teachers. We also needed to include teacher collaboration and planning as part of the time.
2021-2022 School Year
We understand that many are interested in what school will look like in 2021-2022. In EUSD, we are anticipating a return to full in-person learning at the regular (pre-COVID-19) schedule for the 2021-2022 school year: 8:00 a.m. - 2:20 p.m. Monday-Thursday, and 8:00 a.m. - 12:45 p.m. on Fridays. This would continue to include mitigation strategies as needed and suggested – including, but not limited to distancing, masks and other protocols currently in place. Classroom sizes and spacing will be based on distancing guidance at that time. The 2021-2022 school year may include a Cloud Campus option. Please know we will continue to update our families with new information, protocols, and programs when additional information is available. To view the 2021-2022 school calendar, please click here. As a reminder, next year’s calendar includes the adjustments to fall break, Thanksgiving and opening day (Tuesday, August 17) to better align with San Dieguito Union High School District calendar.
Warmly,
Andrée Grey, Ed.D.
Superintendent
Encinitas Union School District
Website: www.eusd.net
Location: 101 South Rancho Santa Fe Road, Encinitas, CA, USA
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/EncinitasUSD/