COVID-19:
Keeping the RCSD Community Updated: April 3, 2020
Message from Superintendent Baker:
Dear RCSD community,
As we wrap up our third week of At-Home Learning, I can’t begin to imagine how our families and employees may be feeling. In the last several weeks, we have been challenged enormously as a community and I am so very proud of every RCSD team member for their efforts to get our At-Home Learning plan and other essential services up and running. The entire world is facing an unprecedented challenge and we, the RCSD Community, are doing our part to help mitigate COVID-19 as we help our students learn and we serve our families.
Next week, our scheduled spring break, is a time for all of us to pause. I ask that parents help their children put their school work aside and for employees to unplug. All of us, as one united RCSD community, have been working extremely hard adjusting to this current situation and we now need to take a deep breath and take a break. I know that this spring break will be different and it won’t feel like a joyous time for a vacation considering the situation. However, this is still a time to put school work away and focus on our wellbeing and on each other at home.
I know that you agree with me that we cannot ignore what we are witnessing through the news media as the situation is dire. There are individuals in our community, across the nation, and throughout the world who have lost family members and friends. All of us need a little time to process and to connect with our families even if we cannot do it face to face with those dear to us who may live far away.
Once we return from spring break, our district leaders will continue our work with planning for the remainder of the school year and what that timeline will entail. I know and I’m sorry that the next two months will be difficult. In my opinion, the best teaching and learning takes place face to face in the classroom at the school site where teachers can challenge their students academically, where they can meet their needs, and where children can be around their peers but I know that we will get through this together. Many of you may have questions about the learning material that is coming up, the end of year celebrations that we typically enjoy at this time of year, and what this kind of learning format means for the next grade level. District administrators have been and will continue to address these scenarios and will implement the processes as part of our plan.
Please make the best of your spring break next week and we will connect once we return.
John Baker
Improved Process for Food Distribution at RCSD Sites
Redwood City School District (RCSD) has streamlined and improved its school meal distribution process as it balances safety for both families and employees with continuing to provide this essential service.
The following will take effect starting Monday, April 6, at the Ford, Garfield, and Hoover sites:
Serving days will be on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Wednesdays only.
On Wednesday of every week, families will be able to also pick up meals for Thursday and Friday at the same time as the sites will be closed Thursdays and Fridays.
The meals that will be provided will continue to be breakfast and lunch.
The schedule will continue to be 10:30 to 11:30 am.
The following will take effect starting Monday, April 6, at the Roosevelt site:
Families will be able to pick up supper at Roosevelt in addition to breakfast and lunch.
Serving days will be on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Wednesdays only.
On Wednesday of every week, families will be able to also pick up meals for Thursday and Friday at the same time as the sites will be closed Thursdays and Fridays.
The meals that will be provided at Roosevelt will include supper in addition to continuing with breakfast and lunch.
The schedule will continue to be 10:30 to 11:30 am.
All families will need to continue complying with staff to maintain their physical distance.
Any child who is under 18-years old can get both breakfast and lunch. The child does not need to be a student in RCSD and does not need to be present anymore per a waiver from the USDA.
Frozen entrees will continue to be provided as drive-thru brown bags, which means families can pick them up and take them home to heat up.
As a reminder, families are asked not to park or get out of their cars as staff will be out front ready with the meals to be picked up. Families just need to pop the trunk and staff will place the meals in the trunk.
All RCSD Sites Remain Closed, including Playgrounds, with the Exception of Construction Work
All RCSD sites remain closed to the general public and will not open until further notice per the San Mateo County Health Officer’s order to Shelter in Place. The order includes the closure of playgrounds and fields. RCSD families and the general public are not able to visit any RCSD playground or field while the sites are closed.
In addition to child nutrition staff and custodians, the only other individuals allowed to be on school campuses at this time are contractors and construction workers. During a public School Board meeting held the morning of April 1, the RCSD Board of Trustees approved a resolution allowing the district’s construction program to continue. Learn more about the school district's Measure T construction program here.
Testing for Incoming 4th grade Gifted and Talented Education (GATE) Program Postponed for Fall of 2020-21
Parents whose child was scheduled to participate in testing will be notified of a new testing date this fall after school begins. Learn more about GATE here.
RCSD COVID-19 Information Hub
Website: www.rcsdk8.net
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RedwoodCitySchoolDistrict
Twitter: @RWCSchools