Dear MPCSD Families,
There is no rest for the weary, is there? As we approach Mid-Winter Break I want to share some important and time-sensitive information with you about our break, our ongoing financial stability conversation, and reminders about trimester three, which will be here before we know it.
The California and national news seems suddenly filled with the urgency to reopen schools, and the difficulty that so many districts have in achieving that goal. Here in MPCSD we remain profoundly grateful to the School Board, labor partners, teachers and staff, and our parent community who cooperatively developed and executed a plan to bring our students back. Let us not forget, though, the privilege of open schools is an agreement we all make with each other: our teachers and staff take personal risk to be here every day to serve students, and our families prioritize their children’s education by foregoing other activities in order to stay safe and send their children to school.
Mid-Winter Break, February 15-19
Throughout the Fall we had exceptionally low numbers of COVID cases reported throughout the district. Then following Winter Break we had two weeks of noticeable spikes in COVID cases, although our numbers remained well below the 5% positivity threshold that would cause us to close a campus. Let’s do better after our upcoming break. Every time we must close a classroom it disrupts many families, and every case is a reminder that we must continue our vigilance in following health guidelines. We need your adherence to these guidelines - even though it's hard to do - in order to keep our classrooms open:
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Stop all non-essential gathering. Daily we hear stories of families gathering unnecessarily. Indoor sleepovers, birthday parties, playdates, etc. can all wait. We know it’s happening. None of it is worth sacrificing our in-person school experience.
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Ensure facemask fit. Families have been great about sending kids to school with facemasks and kids have been really good about wearing them; however, in order for facemasks to work well, they must fit on the face without falling down. Please ensure your child’s mask fits their face.
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Don’t travel. We know you’re feeling shut in. However, those slopes/beaches/family reunions can wait. This season let’s stay home and stay safe. If you travel outside the Bay Area, please quarantine 10 days upon your return as San Mateo County Health recommends. You may request an ISP for your child and we expect you to do so.
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Get the vaccine. When it’s your turn, we hope everyone who can will get the vaccine. MPCSD is working hard with our colleagues throughout San Mateo County to ensure that teachers and staff can be vaccinated as soon as possible. Our nurses and other staff who qualify are already receiving their vaccines.
Cuts and Parcel Tax
The School Board and district leaders are engaged in planning for our long-term financial health. We intend to find a measured and sustainable path as we practice student-centered stewardship that achieves efficiency without sacrificing quality. The politics and economics may have changed as a result of COVID, but not our resolve to provide a world-class, community-funded education. Our community has affirmed its support of schools many times, including passing Measure X in 2017. Now it is time to come together again to find opportunities for savings and gear up to renew Measure X this fall. We invite your help and input in both endeavors.
How can you get involved? The Board wants to hear what you think about potential cost savings. MPCSD staff has prepared over $2.2M in possible cost savings; the Board will discuss them at its meeting this week: February 11 at 5:00 p.m. Please attend, listen, and share your thoughts. The Agenda is here and Zoom details are here.
School Board members and I will also host three additional Community Engagement sessions to give you more opportunity to tell us your priorities and input about cuts and our replacement parcel tax. Please join me
The Friends of Menlo Park Schools committee, led by parent volunteer Azadeh Rassmusen, is currently seeking volunteers to participate in the campaign. Please consider how your skills and passion for high quality public schools can serve this effort. Email Stacey Wueste to learn more about our volunteer needs. Great schools don’t happen by accident!
Trimester 3 Virtual/Hybrid Switch Option
We promised families that they would have a chance at each trimester to request a switch between Hybrid in-person school and the Virtual Academy pending space availability. Now is that chance for Trimester 3, which begins March 8. Please complete this form if you haven’t already, by Friday, February 12. If you DO NOT want to switch your students, you don’t need to fill out the form. We will make changes ONLY if space is available and notify families on February 26.
Well, this seems like enough to keep us busy for the next few weeks at least. Thank you for being a part of this journey and making MPCSD such a remarkable place. I think few of us could have imagined our lives would continue to be turned upside down a year later. We have weathered it together, and together we and our beloved schools will come out stronger.
With gratitude,
Erik
