Important Update
Cambrian School District, July 26, 2021
Dear Cambrian Parents/Guardians,
I hope you are having a wonderful summer. Our team has been working enthusiastically in preparation for our August 19th opening. The health and safety of our students and staff is our top priority and I want to assure you that our team will go above and beyond to follow the California Public Health Department's K-12 COVID-19 safety protocols and maintain standards of excellence in the classroom. I will be sending you more information soon regarding safety protocol details and school logistics.
For this coming school year, in addition to in-person instruction, school districts are required to offer an independent study option to families with students whose health would be put at risk by in-person instruction, as determined by the parent or guardian.
To meet the needs of all of our families, the Cambrian School District will offer an Independent Study Virtual School Program option in addition to full-time, in-person learning. Please read the information below to make an informed decision as to whether this option is right for your child(ren).
I am also including valuable information about State Assembly Bill (AB) 104, which provides options for students and parents/guardians to address learning recovery needs. Please read this summary of the law as it relates to student retention for the 2021-2022 school year.
Enjoy your final three weeks of summer vacation before our exciting school year begins.
AB/SB 130 Independent Study Option for 2021-2022 school year Assembly Bill/Senate Bill 130
The goal of our Independent Study Virtual School Program is to provide an alternative to in-person instruction for students whose health may be put at risk by attending class face-to-face. As such, the Independent Study Virtual School Program is an educational program that provides instruction based on the state-adopted content standards by certificated teachers. There are specific requirements for the instructional time that may include both synchronous and asynchronous work.
“Synchronous instruction” means classroom-style instruction or designated small group or one-on-one instruction delivered in person, or in the form of internet or telephonic communications and involving live, two-way communication between the teacher and student. Synchronous instruction shall be provided by the teacher of record for that student.
These expectations will also be outlined in the students’ written Learning Agreement, which must be signed prior to enrollment.
Program Description
TK-8 Independent Study Virtual School Program: The district’s Independent Study option will be offered in conjunction with Stride Learning (www.stridelearning.com). Stride Common Core-aligned digital curriculum will be used for all subjects. The program will include:
Daily live synchronous instruction in core subjects using video conferencing
Students will remain enrolled in the Cambrian School District but their assigned teacher of record will be a non-CSD teacher who is contracted with Stride
Class sizes may range depending on enrollment
Class enrollment may consist of multiple grade levels, particularly in TK-5
If a parent enrolls their child in the Independent Study Virtual School Program option and chooses to have their child return to in-person instruction, the parent must notify the Enrollment Department to make the request. We will enroll students as quickly as possible, wherever space is available.
Note: Space may not be available at the student’s currently assigned school due to in-person student enrollment and staffing availability.
Parents who have enrolled their child in the in-person program will have the option to request the Independent Study Virtual School Program if their needs change.
*Parents/Guardians as Learning Coaches
The Independent Study Virtual School Program requires that a responsible adult be at home during school hours to supervise the instruction of each student. As a Learning Coach, you can expect to spend an average of 3-5 hours per day on direct student instruction (depending on student’s grade level) with additional time for daily or weekly lesson preparation. A student’s successful progress requires daily Learning Coach commitment to the discipline and organization implicit to manage a rigorous and relevant education.
Apply for Enrollment in the Virtual School Independent Study Option
For staffing and planning purposes, please let us know your commitment ASAP for the 2021-2022 Independent Study Virtual School Program.
Complete this Independent Study Option Enrollment Form.
Independent Study Virtual School Program enrollment forms are due by Monday, August 2, 2021.
Parents with a child with an individualized educational program (IEP) may request a time to meet with the IEP team to discuss if the Independent Study Virtual School Program option is an appropriate placement. For more information, please contact Student Services at 408-377-2103, ext 1110.
The district will be hosting a Parent Information Webinar to provide an overview of the Independent Study Virtual School program option with Stride Learning (https://www.stridelearning.com/) on Thursday, July 29 from 4:00 - 5:00 p.m.
Parent Information Webinar link: https://k12.zoom.us/j/93043373555
To assist us in maximizing our time, please submit your questions using the link below. We will try to answer these questions ahead of time on a FAQ.
Submit your questions here: https://forms.gle/NHqGDmVufgqgBTph9
For additional questions regarding the Independent Study Virtual School Program option for the 2021-22 school year, contact Educational Services at 408-377-2103, extension 1108. If interested, please complete this Independent Study Option Enrollment Form by Monday, August 2, 2021.
AB 104: Assembly Bill 104 & Student Retention
State Assembly Bill (AB) 104 provides options for students and parents/guardians to address learning recovery needs. The following information provides a summary of the law as it relates to student retention for the 2021-2022 school year.
Student Retention for 2021-2022
Parents/guardians of students enrolled in kindergarten through 8th grade during the 2020-21 school year who received deficient grades for at least one-half of the coursework in 2020-21 may provide a written request to your child’s school for a meeting to discuss student retention for the 2021-22 school year. (For grades TK-5: Student received 1s - Far Below Grade Level Standard in ELA & Math; For grades 6-8: Ds or Fs for core content courses.) This consultation shall occur within 30 calendar days of receiving the written request for a consultation.
School staff will meet with the parent/guardian and student to discuss learning recovery options, research regarding retention, and data regarding student progress. After the meeting, school staff will notify the parents/guardians of the final determination of the District’s decision within 10 calendar days of the consultation. The District has the final decision.
If you are interested in a discussion regarding retention, please contact your child’s school principal when the staff returns from summer break beginning in August. For more information about CSD’s Retention Policy and Guidelines, please visit the following website: https://www.cambriansd.org/Page/3455.
If you have any questions, please email Assistant Superintendent Linh Nguyen at nguyenl@cambriansd.com.
CAMBRIAN SCHOOL DISTRICT
Email: klavond@cambriansd.com
Website: www.cambriansd.com
Location: 4115 Jacksol Drive, San Jose, CA, USA
Phone: (408)377-2103
Facebook: facebook.com/CambrianSchoolDistrict
Twitter: @CambrianSDist01