Osterizer
April 2020
Message From Mrs. Taormina
SeeSaw Information for TK-1st graders
You may find that you would prefer a USD student device in order to access Seesaw. To request a USD device, please visit the @Home Learning website: Technology Device and Internet Access Help
4th and 5th Grade Student Email
Beginning April 1st, the district has turned on internal email for students in 4th and 5th grade. Student email is a closed system, which means students are only able to send and receive emails within the @unionsd.org domain (and specific educational items approved by the tech department). Additionally, a content filter will be monitoring email and reporting any issues to the principal. We are enabling email to better facilitate communication between teachers and students and to help improve notification and provide feedback in Google Classroom.
Helpful Parent Resources:
Message from Superintendent Denise Coleman
Dear Union School District Community,
These past few weeks I have been uplifted by the emails and social media postings of teachers, parents, and principals. It is uplifting to see our community galvanized around supporting one another and ensuring that our children are being nurtured in a positive environment.
Update on The Closure of School Buildings
This afternoon Governor Gavin Newsom and California State Superintendent Tony Thurmond stated in a press conference that school buildings in California will remain closed for the remainder of the school year to prevent the spread of COVID-19. It is disheartening for all of us to know our students will not be back together in their classrooms. Learning in the presence of each other and their teachers is where the magic happens. It is in the interactions of children with one another and students with their teachers that deepens a shared learning that cannot be replicated by any textbook or virtual program. However, we are learning new ways to stay connected. We look forward to the time when we can safely be together again. In the meantime, distance learning will continue through the end of the normally scheduled school year. I know this brings forward additional questions, and as we learn more and receive state guidance, we will continue to provide updates and answers.
New Public Health Guidance
As you may have also heard, the Santa Clara County Health Officer and Public Health Director announced an updated order to extend the guidance to shelter in place through May 3. Additional restrictions were also announced. These actions were taken to further reduce the number of people with whom all individuals come in contact with every day.
New restrictions include:
- Use of playgrounds, dog parks, public picnic areas, and similar recreational areas are prohibited. These areas must be closed to public use.
- Use of shared public recreational facilities such as golf courses, tennis and basketball courts, pools, and rock walls are prohibited. These facilities must be closed for recreational use.
- Sports requiring people to share a ball or other equipment must be limited to people in the same household.
- Essential businesses must develop a social distancing protocol before April 3.
What does this mean for us in USD?
It means that we will be securing/locking all school campuses to prohibit the use of the playgrounds, tracks and social meeting areas as outlined by the public health department. We understand that this is a hardship for our community. We support this preventative action outlined by our public health department to help our community stay healthy and flatten the curve.
County Public Health Information
- Summary of Official Order - March 31, 2020
- Order of the Health Officer of the County of Santa Clara - March 31, 2020
- Santa Clara County Public Health COVID-19 Frequently Asked Questions - Updated March 31
Union School District At-Home Resources and Information - athome.unionsd.org
Your unwavering support of the health and safety of every one of our community members is deeply appreciated. If you have any questions, please contact me at colemand@unionsd.org.
Best to you and your family,
Denise Coleman
Superintendent
USD will be on Spring Break April 6th-April 10th. No on-line school work will be posted during this time.
Resources and Support for Families
Essential information and resources for San Jose residents:
Financial assistanceShelter needsCommon Sense Media-How to keep you and your kids calm
USD Parent Resources