Laurel Dell Elementary School

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April 7, 2020

Dear San Rafael City Schools’ Community:

The purpose of this message is to update you on the COVID-19 situation with my thoughts on its impact on how we operate to serve our students. With the health and safety of all students and staff in mind, and through consultation with our public health officials from across the region, San Rafael City Schools joins other school districts from around the Bay Area to announce that school closure has been extended for in-person instruction through the end of this school year. All SRCS school campuses are closed and we will continue to provide virtual instruction through remote learning for that duration of time. Please see the joint press release between the Marin County Office of Education, Department of Health and Human Services and the County of Marin here.

While I know this is the prudent, responsible decision, I also know the implications are something our students could never have anticipated. Spring is a time within the District that brings memorable experiences and meaningful connections within our school communities from open houses, field trips, class picnics to graduations, school dances and sporting events. Our school community is missing out on countless in-person celebrations and well-deserved recognition of achievements. This is a challenge for all of us and unfortunately, the world is living under similar circumstances under this intense crisis. 

Remote learning is not regular school nor is it a teacher's best practice. Most of our parents are not teachers. The intentionality of school and the experience of learning in the classroom cannot be swapped out for a Chromebook and on-line lessons. While school is about academics, it is also a place for meaningful connection, social-emotional learning, and learning from and collaborating with peers. Parents everywhere share similar worries and concerns. What I have heard most clearly regarding remote learning from parents across the board is the need for their students to have regular opportunities to connect in real-time with their teachers. We will continue to support our teachers with professional development and training on all of the tools at our disposal, including Google Hangout Meet and Zoom, to ensure we have safeguards in place so that safety is not compromised. Teachers are getting more comfortable and skilled in preparing online lessons every day, and the quality of the learning will continue to improve.

I am heartbroken for the class of 2020. Our inspiring graduating seniors have earned their proms, graduations, and all the celebrations that typically come for every senior class. I can’t believe I’m saying this, but they should get to experience “senioritis!” It hurts to see them not have the senior year memories they so deeply deserve. We will do everything possible to support them during their transition and will come up with a creative and special way to commemorate their accomplishments. One suggestion we will act on is to form a high school graduation task force to look at all the different options available to us, including virtual options.  Our high school PTA leaders have agreed to chair this Task Force, and we will also set up a Website to share more ideas and information. More information to come on this soon.

Currently, the biggest challenge we are facing is how to grade students, especially at the secondary level. There are many factors for us to consider as we want to make sure we are meeting the needs of all students, and also appreciate that remote learning is a completely new way of teaching and learning for our staff. Grading will be very challenging. We have lots of guidance from the California Department of Education, from the UC/CSU system and other colleges and universities. We are gathering input from a broad spectrum of educators, parents, and students, and we will begin to address the question of grading at our next Board of Trustees meeting on April 13 at 6:00 PM.  Please join us virtually to participate in the discussion. The agenda for the April 13 meeting will be posted later this week on the District's Agenda Online Homepage.

Many of you have asked the question, “How can we help?” First of all, I am so thankful for that question. There have been so many wonderful foundations, non-profit organizations, individuals and corporations who have generously given their time, resources and financial contributions on behalf of our community. We are forever grateful for their service. While we are not asking for donations, but since many of you have asked, if you are able and willing to financially contribute, please consider the following organizations who are directly supporting our community:

• Our bi-weekly food pantries would not happen without the support of the remarkable San Francisco-Marin Food Bank. Their support has enabled SRCS to feed over 700 families per week. They continue to set up additional pop-up pantries around San Rafael and Marin supporting vulnerable seniors and our families. Donate here to the SF-Marin Food Bank.
• Canal Alliance has set up a client support fund, giving $350 grants to every family on their caseload. They've distributed over 200 grants so far, but have over 500 families yet to receive one. Your donation will help hardworking immigrants put food on the table, pay rent and utilities, and cover for other urgent expenses. Donate here to the Client Support Fund.

I have never been so proud of how our community is coming together and how we are supporting and caring for one another.

Thank you for staying home. Thank you for following proper physical distancing protocols. The joyful voices of our students on the playground are sorely missed. Yet through all of the new life changes we are experiencing, we are exhibiting love and care for each other, our elders, and our community. 

We Are One. We will forever be one. Todos Somos Uno.

We miss your students dearly. 

Sincerely,

Jim Hogeboom, SRCS Superintendent

Joint Press Release 04/07/20

SRCS will be closed for Spring Break April 4th to April 10th

Remote Learning Website:

bit.ly/SRCSRemote

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March 30, 2020

Dear SRCS Community:

The purpose of the communication is to update you on our distance learning plans for the coming weeks as well as to provide some other updates on key activities happening in the district. The COVID-19 situation changes daily as we respond to changing circumstances.  We are working to be proactive and methodical in implementing online learning. 

If you have questions during this time, it is best to first contact your teacher, then your principal, and then me. My email is jhogeboom@srcs.org, and I will try to get back to you within 24 hours.

Celebrations

In the last two weeks, we have been working to provide our community with a number of resources to meet the educational needs of our students. You will read about these in more detail below along with next steps: 

• Online Classrooms: Every teacher has an online classroom up and running for remote learning opportunities (Grades TK-8 in Google Classroom, Grades 9-12 in Canvas).

• TK-5 Packets for Learning: Every TK-5 student has received 1 two-week learning packet (on 3/13) and a second two-week learning packet is accessible online and being distributed at Pickleweed Community Center Tuesday,  March 31 from 10am-2:30pm.

• Chromebook Deployment: By Tuesday, March 31 we will have distributed Chromebooks to middle and high school students who need devices to support online learning. We will distribute Chromebooks  to elementary students on Thursday, April 2nd and Friday, April 3rd (See schedule below). 

Communication

Every morning at 11:00, I join other Marin County Superintendents, County Superintendent, Mary Jane Burke, and Marin Department of Health and Human Services staff to receive the latest news and information as well as to share ideas and address challenges. I also meet virtually with SRCS’ district leaders every day, and with our school principals at least twice a week to ensure we are moving forward as quickly and efficiently as possible. 

Tomorrow, Tuesday, March 31st, we will send out a survey to students, parents and teachers to obtain feedback on how we are managing this crisis: what we are doing well, what challenges do you have, and what suggestions and questions do you have?

On Thursday, April 2nd, from 5:00 - 6:00pm, I invite you to join me at a Facebook Live School House meeting. I’ll give a short update and will answer your questions and take comments. We will be sending weekly communications to parents every Friday, and more frequently if important new information arises.  

Teachers Stepping Up

There is a learning curve for our teachers to become adept and proficient at distance and online learning. There are excellent on-line resources, quality technical coaching from other teachers and coaches, and new group staff development - all ways our teachers are getting ready. 

Many of our teachers have their own young children at home and are balancing the need to supervise their kids with creating lessons and connecting with their students. Fortunately, we do not know of any teachers that have tested positive for the COVID-19 so far. 

We are negotiating Memorandums of Understanding (MOU’s) with our Elementary and Secondary teachers’ unions to guide expectations during this time to balance consistency with flexibility and ensure quality learning takes place for all of our students. School employees are identified as Disaster Service Workers and can be called in by the Office of Emergency Services if necessary.

Distance Learning Plans/Spring Break

Below are the learning plans for each level (elementary, middle and high school) for the next two school weeks from March 30 through April 17, with spring break in between. This is the beginning of week 3 of school closures, and there are about 10 weeks of instruction remaining in the school year. While we have been directed to be closed through May 1, we are prepared for the possibility that school closures could continue into June and possibly through the remainder of the school year. 

The week of April 6-10 is spring break. This time has been negotiated with unions throughout the county and cannot be changed. Teachers and staff will be off during this time except for some district administrators, essential food service employees and maintenance personnel.

ELEMENTARY SCHOOL DISTANCE LEARNING PLANS

This week: March 30 - April 3

All teachers have set up their classrooms on Google Classroom and teachers are available to communicate with students every day to answer questions and provide additional support for students as they work on weekly and daily learning assignments. Teachers will post their schedules on Google Classroom. Most teachers are also connecting to their students via Google Classroom with their entire class on-line.  

• SRCS has new TK-5 packets (for the period of March 30 to April 17) available online here. 

• Hardcopy TK-5 packets are also available for pick-up on TUESDAY March 31 at Pickleweed Community Center: 50 Canal St, San Rafael. Timing is by grade-level. If you have more than one child in different grade levels, please choose a time that is best for you:

  • 10:00AM to 11:30AM: Grades TK-1st 

  • 11:30AM to 1:00PM: Grades 2nd and 3rd

  • 1:00PM to 2:30PM: Grades 4th & 5th

• We will distribute Chromebooks to elementary students who do not have access to a computer at home on Thursday, April 2nd and Friday, April 3rd. Your principal will communicate with you on specific timing and location for your school.  

Spring Break: April 6-10

No required school work! Find enrichment activities available on our Remote Learning website. 

April 13 - 17

Teachers will post new assignments to their Google Classroom and have office hours on a daily basis during which they will have Google Hangout Meets, answer emails, and more. Your teacher/s will determine and communicate their schedule to you and your student. 

MIDDLE SCHOOL DISTANCE LEARNING PLANS

Chromebooks were distributed at Davidson Middle School on Monday and will be distributed at Venetia Valley K-8 School on Tuesday, with Bahia Vista serving as a back-up distribution point. 

As of Wednesday, April 1, we expect the vast majority of students to have devices and access to the internet. Therefore, on April 1st, work assignments will be required and not optional. If students have not made contact yet with each of their teachers, they should do so immediately. Teachers will be connecting with students through office hours and also on-line through Google Classroom and Canvas, Google Meet or live feedback on assignments through comments. All teachers have set up their classrooms on Google Classroom (GC) and have assigned work and on-line resources for students. The following schedules have been developed for Davidson and Venetia Valley so that in the afternoon if teachers choose to meet on-line with their classes we won’t have scheduling conflicts. Please note that not all teachers will meet with students during all of these periods, and may do so in different formats. Beginning April 13, my expectation is that teachers will meet with students at least once a week during these time slots. To find out when teachers will be meeting, please go to your teachers’ Google Classroom home page.

Davidson Middle School Distance Learning Schedule 

Venetia Valley Middle School Distance Learning Schedule 

HIGH SCHOOL DISTANCE LEARNING PLANS

All teachers have set up their classes on Canvas, and students who are able should have accessed and logged into Canvas to connect with their teachers and begun to work on assignments. Up until March 27, assignments have been optional and for enrichment purposes. Now that the vast majority of students have devices and internet access, starting today, March 30, weekly assignments will be posted by every teacher and will be assessed by the teacher. Students are expected to complete all assignments. If students have not made contact yet with each of their teachers, they should do so immediately.  Teachers will be connecting with students through office hours and also on-line through Google Classroom and Canvas, Google Meet or live feedback on assignments through comments. Your teacher will post his/her lesson instructions, schedule, and how to reach them on their Canvas homepage.  

The following schedules have been developed for San Rafael High, Terra Linda High and Madrone so that in the afternoon if teachers choose to meet on-line with their classes we won’t have scheduling conflicts.  Please note that not all teachers will meet with students during all of these periods, and may do so in different formats.  Beginning April 13, my expectation is that teachers will meet with students at least once a week during these time slots. To find out when teachers will be meeting, please go to your teachers’ Canvas  home page.

High School Distance Learning Schedule (SR, TL, Madrone)

Again, for safety reasons we request that you do not allow your student to congregate on school campuses unless they are there for a specific reason (e.g., to pick-up a meal or a chromebook). In other communications, we have stressed the importance of abiding by physical distancing protocols. Remember to wash hands frequently, stay at home, keep six feet apart from others when out in public, and let your doctor know if you have a cough and/or fever. Together we can keep people healthy, and help our healthcare workers manage the spread of the coronavirus. Thank you for your patience and understanding. We are doing everything we can for your student!

We look forward to seeing you on our Facebook Live Town Hall this Thursday, April 2nd from 5:00PM - 6:00PM. Click here. (Link: https://www.facebook.com/SanRafaelCitySchools/live/)

#SRCSWeAreOne! #SRCSTodosSomosUno!

Sincerely,
 

Jim Hogeboom, SRCS Superintendent