COVID-19:

Keeping the RCSD Community Updated: March 31, 2020

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Message from Superintendent Baker:

Dear RCSD community,

I am writing this very quick message to you because I learned late this afternoon that State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond has notified County Superintendents of Schools, including the San Mateo County Office of Education, that California children will not be able to return to school this year due to California’s needs to continue social distancing efforts.

This new information means that our school district will not resume school on location at our sites for the remainder of the school year. Instead, we will remain open and continue teaching and learning using our Distance Learning format until the last day of school, which is scheduled for June 8.

As you know, at this time, we are prepared to continue with Distance Learning and Working until Monday, May 4, which was the date announced last week for our return to our sites. Upon our return from spring break on Monday, April 13, I will meet with Cabinet to look very carefully at how the rest of the school year will look past May 4. Please continue to remain engaged with our district and your school principal as it will be important for you to understand how children will be learning and how employees will be working for the rest of the school year.

I continue to thank you for your patience and understanding. If it is hard for us adult folks to comprehend how the world is shutting down, I can’t imagine what our children are feeling. As you protect your children at home, we will continue to do our best to help them learn while remaining vigilant of the current public health situation.

In partnership for your children,

John Baker
Superintendent

Chromebook Distribution for 2nd Grade Students

Now that RCSD has deployed Chromebooks to all 3-8 Grade students who did not have their own personal device at home, the school district has checked its inventory and determined that there are enough devices for 2nd Grade students. A device check-out process for 2nd Grade students will take place this week. Please note that specific days and times have been scheduled for specific schools to practice social distancing and avoid large crowds and lines at the District Office. The schedule is as follows:

  • Adelante Selby Spanish Immersion School and Garfield Community School:
    Wednesday, April 1, 9 am-noon.

  • Henry Ford Elementary School and Roosevelt School:
    Wednesday, April 1, 1-4pm


  • Hoover Community School:
    Thursday, April 2, 9 am-noon


  • Clifford School, Roy Cloud School, and Orion Alternative Elementary School:
    Thursday, April 2, 1-4pm

Please note: Taft Community School 2nd graders do not need to check-out a Chromebook as the school is using a different learning format.

The check-out process will take place at the District Office, which is located at 750 Bradford St. in Redwood City at the specific times listed above. The student does not have to be present but the parent will need a form of identification and sign for a Chromebook that will be returned to school.

As a reminder, the RCSD Department of Technology and Innovation has implemented a process to support parents or staff who may experience challenges at home with RCSD devices.

If you are experiencing trouble with your RCSD device, please click here for english and here for español. After you fill out this form, RCSD technicians will receive your request and they will help you accordingly.

Because families or staff members may be experiencing trouble having online access and won’t be able to fill out the form, they may also call the District Office main line at 650.482.2200. Please make sure that you leave contact information and an RCSD technician will follow up.

School Board Meeting to Take Place Virtually

Due to the Shelter in Place Order, the Board of Trustees and Superintendent Baker will be attending the Wednesday, April 1, 2020 meeting virtually. Instructions on how members of the public can attend this meeting can be found here.
How Can I Help?

The Redwood City Education Foundation (RCEF) launched the COVID-19 Family Relief Fund to provide direct financial support to RCSD families experiencing severe economic hardship. Support the fund here.

How Can I Get Help?

Families who may need help with food, rent, or other basic needs are asked to call the Fair Oaks Community Center at 650.780.7500.

CDC Guidelines on Coronavirus Prevention

The latest updates, tips, guidance, and resources from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

RCSD COVID-19 Information Hub

The RCSD COVID:19 Information Hub is a service of the RCSD Department of Communications to keep families, staff, and all RCSD stakeholders updated. Updates from RCSD and resources for families and staff are added as information becomes available.