CLOSURE UPDATE
CLOSURE ISSUE #5: April 3, 2020
Dear Cambrian Families,
I am sure the recent news (see the April 1st announcement) is beginning to settle in that all Santa Clara County School campuses are closed for the remainder of the school year. This certainly is not how we envisioned the remainder of the school year, however, the public health threat of COVID-19 requires heightened collective attention to minimize the impact in the community. In the Cambrian School District, while our school campuses are physically closed, we are committed to delivering quality education through distance learning for our students. Please take a moment to watch a clip from last night's KNTV news where I was able to share details of our distance learning program in Cambrian.
Cambrian teachers and staff have been working tremendously hard to ensure we develop the best practices and resources for student learning to continue. We are also balancing the importance of social emotional support and connectedness we must continue in this online forum. We are working to integrate ways to be connected which will continue to help us learn together and celebrate important milestones. We want to be a resource for you and our families as we work together to support your child. In addition to the emails you have received from your child’s teacher you will find information each Friday as to local and district measures we are taking to help your child and family. This distance learning model requires true collaborative teamwork to ensure we are all able to help your child progress.
We are grateful for the feedback and input we have received thus far. The information helps the Cambrian team to better figure out how to support and meet the needs of our students and families. Our community is strong, and together we will overcome the negative impact of these life-changing events. When school sites re-open, we will enthusiastically welcome back all of the fabulous students, staff, and families to our campuses. In the meantime, thank you for your patience, flexibility, and understanding.I am so grateful to each one of you for your support and proud to be a part of this outstanding Cambrian team. Together, more than ever, we are CAMBRIAN!
SHELTER IN PLACE & RECENT SANTA CLARA COUNTY PUBLIC HEALTH DEPARTMENT ORDER
Click here to read more information on the most recent Public Order in Santa Clara County regarding COVID-19 and the extension of the Shelter-in-Place through May 3, 2020.
It is especially important to to continue following the Shelter in Place Order and to proactively engage in social distancing if or when you do leave your place of residence. As of yesterday the Santa Clara Public Health Department provided an additional recommendation requesting everyone in Santa Clara County to cover their nose and mouth when they are in public with a cloth covering. Items to consider to cover the nose and mouth could be home-sewn fabric coverings scarf or even bandanas, tied tightly around our faces. It is also recommended that these be washed frequently in hot water and dried in a hot dry cycle.The Santa Clara Public Health Department County is not recommending that you wear surgical masks or N-95 masks as those should be available only to health workers who are on the frontline.
Face coverings are not a substitute for sheltering in place, frequent handwashing, or social distancing, but they do provide an additional layer of prevention when you are outside of your home.
In following the recent Santa Clara Public Health Department order all playgrounds in the Cambrian School District have been closed for public use. However, we do understand that children and families in our community need to get outside to exercise and access to outdoor space; therefore, at this time our fields and blacktop areas will remain open. It is vital to remember that minimizing any contact with those outside your household group is critical to getting through this time period as quickly and safely as possible.
To that end, going outdoors for exercise is allowed under the recent Public Health Order, but social distancing is still required and every contact you have with people outside your home increases the risk of transmission. The City of San José has created a great video as to going outside here.
GUIDELINES FOR DISTANCE LEARNING AT HOME FOR STUDENTS AND PARENTS
We want to be a resource for families as we work together to support your child. You will find information below as to how we can help.
Distance Learning at Home Resources
With school closure being extended through the remainder of the year, CSD is committed to providing academic continuity that honors commitment to high-quality learning for all students. As such, CSD staff have created the Distance Learning at Home Resources website - one location where students and families can refer to if you have any questions or concerns with regards to distance learning. Our staff will continue to communicate regularly and post new information, updates or changes as needed. Please contact your child’s teacher directly via email if you have specific questions regarding schoolwork or scheduled Google Meet/Hangout assigned by your child’s teacher. You can find the resources at the following district website: https://www.cambriansd.org/Page/3578
Parent and Guardian Feedback
We want your feedback in order to help you at home. Please complete the following Parent Feedback Form to provide us feedback or if you have specific questions regarding distance learning. Our goal is to implement distance learning to the extent possible and with feedback from you about how your children are engaged in learning at home. Staff will do our best to respond to all questions in the FAQ via the Distance Learning at Home Resources webpage. This FAQ will be updated weekly.
Communication to Students & Families
Students and families can expect to receive a daily/weekly communication from classroom teachers regarding assignments and how and when they will be available for support by 9:00 AM every Monday or daily by 9:00 AM, specific to your child’s teacher’s availability and schedule. Please contact your child’s teacher via email and/or school principal if you do not receive the weekly or daily communication.
Providing Student Feedback on their Work
All teachers are available to offer feedback to your students as needed. Although student assignments are not graded and students are not to be penalized for missed assignments or unfinished work, feedback on the work assigned for all students is really important to motivate and engage students in continuing to learn. Please reach out to your child’s teacher for more information on how your child can get feedback on the work they have completed.
Social, Emotional and Physical Wellness Support
We recognize that this is a very unsettling and challenging time for students, families, and our community. The Cambrian School District believes in educating the whole child and that means providing for education, social, emotional, and physical growth and enrichment. In difficult times like these, students and families may find themselves in need of some social-emotional assistance and support. We have procured a list of resources we hope that you may can use to support your children during school closure at the following webpage: https://www.cambriansd.org/Page/3580
Project Cornerstone
In partnership with the Cambrian School District, Project Cornerstone has created additional resources for students to continue their learning from home. These additional educational resources include virtual field trips, literature/humanities, multi-subject, math, and science websites. You can find those resources via the following website: Youth Educational Resources Webpage
ARE YOU RETURNING NEXT SCHOOL YEAR (2020-21)?
It’s that time of year when we are planning for the new school year! It is so important for planning purposes that we know if your child is returning. Please take a moment to fill out the form for each school at which you have children. We need to know if you will be returning or not returning in August for the 2020-21 school year. Thank you!
Bagby Elementary School
Fammatre Elementary School
Farnham Elementary School
Price Middle School
Sartorette Elementary School
Steindorf K-8 Magnet School
TECHNOLOGY TIPS AND SUPPORTS
Video Conferencing
Our teachers and students are learning more about the added dimension of interacting remotely online. Cambrian is using Google Hangouts Meet to support video conferencing with our students and teachers. Hangouts Meet is integrated with the rest of the G Suite for Education currently used by our district, including Google Classroom, gMail, Google Docs, etc. As we move forward with a goal of finishing the school year out in a distance learning model, we are evaluating feedback from staff, security, usability and other factors in determining the distance learning platform to move forward with.
Expectations when Engaging in Live Video Class Sessions
Please take a moment to review this notice regarding live video class session expectations and considerations. It is also important that you review these live video class session guidelines with your child.
Online Tools for Learning at Home
We are constantly updating our Tools for Learning at Home web pages to provide better support for learning at home.
Technology Help
We are here to help you at home when your child is struggling online with their CSD device or tools. We know it can be difficult to figure out so let us help you. Do you need help with a technology issue related to using Cambrian’s digital tools? Please fill out this help request form and a member of the Cambrian staff will get back to you.
COUNSELING SUPPORT
School Counselors are reaching out to current families whose child(ren) were receiving counseling support prior to our school closures as a means to provide optional services via Google Hangout during this time. Each Counselor will provide consent forms for Tele-theraphy. In addition, classroom teachers will provide activities for families to support Social Emotional Learning through Google Classroom.
Community Resources for Reducing Stress and Maintaining Mental Health
The Santa Clara County Behavioral Health Services Department has developed some information sheets in multiple languages to help residents cope effectively during these times. Those sheets along with also resources can be found at https://www.sccgov.org/sites/bhd. You can also share this information via Facebook and Twitter.
The Mental Health Services Call Center is operating 24-hours, 7 days per week at 1-800-704-0900. The Center will make referrals to available community services. Language assistance services are available at 1-800-704-0900 (TTY: 1-800.855.7100 or 711).
The Suicide & Crisis Hotline continues to operate 24-hours, 7 days a week at 1-855-278-4204.
The Crisis Text Line continues to be available and provides free, text-based, confidential assistance to people in need in Santa Clara County. To receive text-based support from trained Crisis Text Line counselors, Santa Clara County residents can text RENEW to 741741.
The Substance Use Services Call Center operates Monday through Friday, from 8 AM to 5 PM at 1-800-488-9919.
The Uplift Family Services' Mobile Crisis Team provides 24-hour intervention to children and teens in the community who are in acute psychological crisis. To access the 24-hour/7 days a week crisis line call 1-408-379-9085 or call toll-free 1-877-41-CRISIS (412-7474).
COMMUNICATIONS UPDATE
Do you need support with translation? Please visit this webpage to learn more about translating emails from Cambrian and Cambrian website content to a variety of languages.
Resources for translating Cambrian emails and Cambrian webpages.
Warm LIne Community Language Resource
As our community navigates the impact of COVID-19, the Santa Clara Oce of Education’s Inclusion Collaborative has expanded to include Warm Line Services. This service is available 16 hours per day and has the following language capabilities: Spanish, Vietnamese, Mandarin, and Korean. Support will be provided by answering questions, addressing concerns and providing social stories to support children’s understanding of ‘social distancing’, etc. Also available will be alternative educational resources, support for flexible learning (media, etc.) and addressing individual needs for children with IEPs. Visual Support, individual schedules, etc. are also available. Call (408) 453-6651 or email WarmLineRemoteLearning@sccoe.org.
FAMILY WEEKLY WELLNESS CHALLENGE
Last week's family wellness challenge was to build a family obstacle course and we are so glad to have heard from our Cambrian families! Check out the photo of the Solomon family with their fabulous obstacle course! Great job!
For next week over Spring Break we encourage each family to complete the Classic Egg Drop Challenge. We challenge each family to make 2-3 different egg drop containers to see which works best. Grab household materials and allow for two opportunities to test the design and make adjustments. Once the containers are perfected record the drops and post on social media. First three families to complete this will be featured in our next newsletter. Tag us on social media: #wearecambrian.
CAMBRIAN'S LCAP COMMUNICATION SURVEY
Your voice matters to the Cambrian School District. We have already heard from 355 individuals in Cambrian. We are hoping to hear from more of you as we reflect on what we are doing well to support you and areas we can improve on moving forward. Last week you received the annual LCAP Communications Survey. This survey will inquire about how well we are communicating to you, our school families, at a district level and school level. We want to serve you as effectively as possible, and your feedback is vital to help us improve. Sunday is the last day to take the survey. Please take a moment and participate! The results will be shared in April.
CAMBRIAN EXTENDED CARE REGISTRATION FOR 2020-21
We are excited to announce that our registration site for Cambrian Extended Care is now live for the 2020-21 school year! Our district-run before and after-school care program will be provided at Steindorf STEAM Magnet School, Farnham Elementary, Fammatre Elementary, Sartorette Elementary and Price Middle School. To register and learn more about what our program has to offer, please visit our registration page!
Cambrian Extended Care Registration Website: https://cambriansd.ce.eleyo.com
Please note that for the 2020-21 school year Bagby Elementary School will continue with the extended care programs currently on campus. Please go to Bagby Elementary School’s webpage to learn more!
We look forward to providing our Cambrian families with high quality extended care opportunities! If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact us at your earliest convenience.
Christina Bingham, Coordinator of Extended Day Program
Email: binghamc@cambriansd.com
COMMUNITY RESOURCES & LOCAL INFORMATION
Where Can I Pick Up Food?
Cambrian School District will continue to serve breakfast and lunch during Spring Break the week of April 6-10th even though students do not have school.
Families may receive free breakfast and lunch daily Monday through Friday from 11- 1 PM. A drive-up food pickup service is available at Price Middle School, 2650 New Jersey Avenue, San Jose, CA 95124.
CA Meals for Kids Mobile APP
The CA Meals for Kids mobile application helps you find nearby California Afterschool and Summer Meal Programs Sites through your iOS, Android, or Microsoft devices. The Emergency Meal Sites section may be used during school closures due to emergency situations. https://www.cde.ca.gov/re/mo/cameals.asp
Reaching Out Food Center
We understand the challenge that some families will face with the District closure for this period of time. If you are in need of food resources, there are local agencies that can help. We encourage any family that is in need to visit the Reaching Out Food Center, 2315 Canoas Garden Avenue, San Jose, CA 95124, (408) 267-4691. They are open Wednesdays and Thursdays from 9:00 a.m. until 12 noon.
Just bring a photo ID and a bill with your address on it. Note that Reaching Out does not register your personal information with the U.S. Government, and you will be given free, nutritious groceries no matter what.
Food Distribution Map
The City of San José launched a food distribution map (bit.ly/SCCFoodMap) with important information on countywide food distribution sites to ensure food security for those in need. In collaboration with the County of Santa Clara, non-profit community partners, school districts, and faith-based organizations, the Silicon Valley Strong coalition now has 129 food distribution sites operating Monday through Friday. Visit siliconvalleystrong.org for more information on how to access food resources or to donate. Also, call 2-1-1, a 24-hour multi-lingual service, or text your zip code to 89821.
Help for PG&E Customers Facing Hardships
Pacific Gas and Electric Company is offering billing and service modifications, effective immediately, for customers experiencing hardships as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic to ensure that the lights stay on and the gas continues to flow. For details, visit www.pge.com/covid19 or call 1 (800) 743 5000.
Childcare Program for Health Care Workers
The County Office of Education supports county-wide child care programs for Emergency Service Workers: County Wide Childcare Program.
Can I get unemployment benefits information?
Parents who cannot work because of their child's school closures may be eligible for Unemployment Insurance Benefits. Please call the OLSE Advice Line for help in determining eligibility and assistance with applications or visit sccfairworkplace.org or call the OLSE Advice Line: (866) 870-7725.
CARES Act Economic Impact Payments
The Treasury Department and the Internal Revenue Service announced that the distribution of economic impact payments will begin in the next three weeks and will be distributed automatically, with no action required for most people. However, some taxpayers who typically do not file returns will need to submit a simple tax return to receive the economic impact payment. More information can be found here.
Eligible taxpayers who filed tax returns for either 2019 or 2018 will automatically receive an economic impact payment of up to $1,200 for individuals or $2,400 for married couples and up to $500 for each qualifying child.
Tax filers with adjusted gross income up to $75,000 for individuals and up to $150,000 for married couples filing joint returns will receive the full payment. For filers with income above those amounts, the payment amount is reduced by $5 for each $100 above the $75,000/$150,000 thresholds. Single filers with income exceeding $99,000 and $198,000 for joint filers with no children are not eligible. Social Security recipients who are otherwise not required to file a tax return are also eligible and will not be required to file a return.
In the coming weeks, Treasury plans to develop a web-based portal for individuals to provide their banking information to the IRS online so that individuals can receive payments immediately as opposed to checks in the mail.
Donation Opportunities
For constituents and businesses interested in making donations of cash or supplies, the Public Health Department has created a resource page with links to organizations addressing local needs .
The VMC Foundation is collecting physical and monetary donations for medical supplies. Meanwhile, the Silicon Valley Community Foundation is collecting cash donations to provide relief for residents, small businesses, and nonprofits. The Santa Clara County Office of Supportive Housing is accepting housing related donations for those that may be homeless or in need of housing due to COVID-19. Please email housing@eoc.sccgov.org for more information.
Corporations interested in providing medical supplies and other material assistance during this emergency are encouraged to contact the Business Operations Center to evaluate and route larger donations. They can be reached at sccboc@gmail.com.
For those who cannot donate financially, food and blood donations are still urgently needed through Second Harvest of Silicon Valley and the Red Cross, respectively. Donations of non-medical supplies, blankets, personal hygiene, diapers, infant formula, food, clothing and other goods should be given to the local community organization of one’s choice.
COVID-19 Information
Please click here to read the Santa Clara County Public Health Department's information about the New Shelter in Place Order.
To access further COVID-19 information from the Public Health Department, please click here.
COVID-19 Information Website Enhanced
The County’s COVID-19 informational website at sccphd.org/coronavirus has been enhanced and reorganized to make it easier for you and your constituents to more easily get the information you need. Links to Chinese, Spanish, Tagalog, and Vietnamese translations are now at the top of the page to better assist monolingual speakers.
Does Santa Clara County offer coronavirus information?
Comprehensive updates about the shelter-in-place in Santa Clara County can be obtained by calling 2-1-1, thanks to a new partnership between the County of Santa Clara and 2-1-1. Text services are available in English and Spanish and can be initiated by texting the message “coronavirus” to 211211.
2-1-1 operators are trained professionals with experience fielding questions and providing fact-based answers. 2-1-1 phone and text services are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, in 150 languages through phone interpretation services. Also, the Santa Clara County Department of Public Health has created a helpful FAQ document to answer your questions. https://www.sccgov.org/sites/phd/DiseaseInformation/novel-coronavirus/Documents/FAQ-Shelter-in-Place-03-16-20.pdf
San Jose Police Need Your Assistance!
Help us keep our neighborhood schools safe. Please report any suspicious behavior on school property: People casing around school campuses, suspicious people and vehicles parked on campus, people carrying school property or school property in vehicles, activity on school campuses at night, or trespassing, vandalism, graffiti or other signs of criminal activity. For emergencies or crimes in progress call 911 or (408) 277-8911. For non-emergencies, call (408) 277-8900.
Masks Recommended
Please click here to read important information regarding the use of non-medical face coverings during essential outings.
Santa Clara County Public Health FAQ
The Santa Clara Public Health Department FAQ has information as it relates to our local public health order:
Shelter in Place FAQ-Vietnamese
Can I get links to more Coronavirus information resources?
As a District, we want to keep you up to date on anything concerning the coronavirus. Below are valuable links to get you answers.
Santa Clara County Public Health Website http://sccphd.org/coronavirus
CAMBRIAN SCHOOL DISTRICT
Email: foremand@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