CLOSURE UPDATE 3.20.20
CLOSURE ISSUE: WEEK 1-- March 20, 2020
Dear Cambrian Families,
This is an unprecedented time in our community, state, and nation. First and foremost, I hope everyone in your family is healthy. I am writing to you today as we come to the end of our first full week of schools being closed and students immersed in distance learning. I hope everyone in your home is transitioning well. As many of you are aware I am a parent of 3 young boys (5th, 7th, and 9th grade) so I completely recognize what this transition entails not only for our children but for parents and the family as a whole. We understand the complexity of the situation so we are offering not only resources for distance learning but ways to get through this time together.
It is amazing just in the few days what staff has put together to ensure your child has the tools, resources, and connections to their classroom/school so quickly. I am very proud of what we were able to put together as we define distance learning for our students as we continue with our Shelter in Place (SCCPHD) and the recent Stay at Home Executive Order from the Governor. Together, we are all embarking on this new adventure to ensure health and wellness, support your child at home with their learning and support each other in our greater community during these difficult times.
The scope and scale of recent events are almost inconceivable and together we are supporting each other. As a staff, we have had to move all of our teachings online and create distance learning opportunities and academic learning activities for all students. The staff has put in long days—and long nights—to make sweeping change in almost every area of the District possible.
Our goal has been to serve the students and families of the Cambrian School District the best way possible, no matter the circumstances. A huge debt of gratitude to the Cambrian staff for making this come to life so quickly. Of course, we are still building this as we go so you will still receive communication from your child’s teachers, school principal and District as to how we can continue to support your child, family and our greater community during this time with school closure in place.
I encourage you to heed the Governor's Executive Order and stay home and remember to practice social distancing of at least six feet from any other person when you are outside your residence. That means you still can go outside to exercise and get fresh air, but if you are sick, please stay home inside.
We humbly ask for your patience as we develop what this distance learning model looks like and create ways to ensure online class interaction. Remember, we are committed to getting tools in your hands so students have access to some of the digital learning aspects needed for distance learning. We also recognize there are other needs as well.
With appreciation,
Dr. Carrie Andrews
Superintendent
SANTA CLARA COUNTY PUBLIC HEALTH DEPARTMENT AND GOVERNOR'S EXECUTIVE ORDER
The Public Health Department released information to the public on March 19, 2020 in regards to Governor Newsom’s Executive Order:
"We are pleased that Governor Newsom has issued an Executive Order that directs all Californians to stay home except as necessary to maintain or access critical systems and services. His action follows similar actions by the County of Santa Clara and neighboring jurisdictions on Monday, March 16, 2020.
As the novel coronavirus continues to spread in our community and statewide, it is critical that all residents follow the direction of public health leaders to stay home except when necessary. We urge all residents to comply with the restrictions in both the County and State orders. The County will continue to implement the County Health Officer’s Order.
Limiting interpersonal interactions is a proven strategy to protect the most vulnerable members of our community and slow the spread of the virus. Additional information about COVID-19 in the county is available at www.sccphd.org/coronavirus."
FAQ REGARDING THE EXECUTIVE ORDER FROM GOVERNOR NEWSOM
Governor Gavin Newsom’s website answers frequently asked questions about his Executive Order https://covid19.ca.gov/stay-home-except-for-essential-needs/
How long will we stay home?
This went into effect on Thursday, March 19, 2020. The Executive Order is in place until further notice.
Essential services will remain open such as:
Gas stations
Pharmacies
Food: Grocery stores, farmers markets, food banks, convenience stores, take-out and delivery restaurants
Banks
Laundromats/laundry services
- Essential state and local government functions will also remain open, including law enforcement and offices that provide government programs and services. This is in effect throughout the State of California until further notice.
2-1-1 UPDATES
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
SCHOOL CLOSURES AND WHEN SCHOOLS WILL REOPEN
At this time we have no new updates as to when schools in Santa Clara County would re-open. We will follow the guidelines of the Santa Clara County Public Health Department. All school districts in Santa Clara County have pledged to work together on school closures and the reopening of schools. We will be re-evaluating when schools could potentially re-open and provide more information as we move forward when more information is known in collaboration with Santa Clara County Public Health Department guidance and Governor's direction.
WHAT DOES DISTANCE LEARNING AT HOME LOOK LIKE?
As the school closure period continues, CSD staff is striving to best provide a ‘continuity of education’ to all of our students. Our staff is working diligently on ways that we can continue to provide quality and meaningful learning experiences for all CSD students. Providing a “continuity of education” for students during a long-term school closure is a community approach to creating, gathering and distributing resources. We want to continue to allow students and families to have flexibility over the types of learning and time dedicated to learning each day. This will also allow for instructional staff to respond to student or family emails in a supportive yet flexible fashion.
As such, we encourage you to check in with your child’s teacher communication for flexible learning options. In addition, please check our district webpage for “Tips for Distance Learning at Home” at https://www.cambriansd.org/Page/3536.
TECHNOLOGY UPDATE
Did you know? In a classroom setting, teachers are able to monitor student activity online to ensure students are safe and responsible. In our current distance learning model, we will need to work as partners to ensure our students are making responsible choices online. Please consider reviewing the Student Technology Agreement your student signed at the beginning of the year as a reminder of student online expectations.
Common Sense Media is also an excellent resource for supporting digital citizenship and literacy. Please refer to the following pages to get started. Look for more to come on this topic in the following weeks.
FOOD RESOURCES FOR FAMILIES
Where Can I Pick Up Food?
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.Local Food Resources for Families. 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.
Free Food Distribution
Chromebooks in Homes!
Food For Hungry Cambrian Families
COUNTY WARMLINE RESOURCES
As our community navigates the impact of COVID-19, the Santa Clara Office 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.
UNEMPLOYMENT BENEFIT 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.
SHARED FAMILY WELLNESS ACTIVITIES
There’s nothing like a throwback dance party for some much-needed fun any time of day!
Related At-Home Activities:
Who knew kids could learn so much with some pairs of shoes? Collect some shoes from different family members and give your kids any of these challenges:
- Put the shoes in size order from smallest to largest.
- Mix up the shoes, so kids can match up pairs as fast as they can! Build a tower of shoes! Challenge kids to see how high they can build a “shoe tower” before it falls. Measure or count the shoes in the tower to add some math!
- Sort shoes by color, type, or owners.
- Take a picture during or after the activity and send it to foremand@cambriansd.com. Please note if you send in a photo, Cambrian School District may include it on our website or social media.
CORONAVIRUS RESOURCES
- Governor's Executive Order (3.19.20)
- Santa Clara Public Health Department COVID-19 FAQ
- SCCGov Covid-19
Santa Clara County Public Health Website http://sccphd.org/coronavirus
Santa Clara County Public Health Facebook https://www.facebook.com/sccpublichealth/
Santa Clara County Public Health Instagram @scc_publichealth
Santa Clara County Public Health Twitter @HealthySCC
Centers for Disease Control (CDC) Coronavirus COVID-19 Information www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-nCoV
California Department of Public Health (CDPH) Coronavirus COVID-19 Information www.cdph.ca.gov/Programs/CID/DCDC/Pages/Immunization/nCOV2019
World Health Organization (WHO) Coronavirus COVID-19 Information www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019
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