Message from Superintendent Amerson |
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Dear Students, Families, Staff, and Community,
Please note that this Monday, our newly elected board members will take their oath of office. The ceremony will be live-streamed on our district’s website, and I encourage you to tune-in at 5:00 p.m. to watch as Mrs. Carroll, Dr. Finlay, and Mrs. Ku are sworn in to start their four-year terms on our school board. Click here for the link to view the ceremony. The remainder of the Special Meeting will follow the ceremony. The board’s annual organization will take place at the Regular Meeting held on Thursday, December 17, 2020.
As we enter the final week of this semester, I want our scholars to know how proud I am of the work you have accomplished so far this school year. You are almost over the first-semester finish line, and I encourage you to finish strong.
Winter recess begins December 21, and it cannot be emphasized enough how important it will be for all of us to abide by the Governor’s Stay at Home Order. Please plan accordingly during the holiday break this year and follow the LA Department of Public Health orders to prevent a further influx of COVID-19 cases. We never imagined that we would still be engaging remotely nine months ago, yet now we know what needs to be done, so we do not have to endure this for another nine months. Please, wear a mask, wash your hands, physically distance, and follow the Stay at Home Orders.
The day we were forced to close our buildings due to COVID-19 last March, we had just wrapped filming a video featuring our students and staff’s voices and footage. As an incentive for us to manage our behaviors, I offer a reminder of the wonderful place we are trying to return. Duarte Unified is a place where everyone belongs, and the essence of who we are is beautifully captured within this film. Thank you to everyone from our DUSD family who volunteered their time to the creation of this video. Please watch the first release below.
Be safe, healthy, and well this week!
Best,
Gordon
Gordon Amerson, Ed.D.
Superintendent of Schools
Duarte Unified School District
#ProudSuperintendent
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Upcoming District Events and Reminders |
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Organizational Board Meeting |
On Thursday, December 17, the annual Organizational/Regular Meeting of the Board of Education will be held starting at 7:00 p.m. At this meeting, the President and Vice President will be appointed. The meeting will be conducted virtually. View the meeting here. Once posted, view the agenda here.
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Winter break will take place December 21, 2020 - January 1, 2021. Classes will resume for students on Monday, January 4, 2021. We wish all of our students and staff a safe vacation and happy holidays. Please adhere to the Stay at Home Order and have a very happy new year! |
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Understanding the Reopening Tier Framework |
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Every county in California is assigned to a tier based on its test positivity and adjusted case rate. At a minimum, counties must remain in a tier for at least 3 weeks before moving forward. Data is reviewed weekly and tiers are updated typically on Tuesdays. To move forward, a county must meet the next tier’s criteria for two consecutive weeks. In addition, counties must meet the health equity criteria to demonstrate the county’s ability to address the most impacted communities within a county. If a county’s metrics worsen for two consecutive weeks, it will be assigned a more restrictive tier. Public health officials are constantly monitoring data and can step in if necessary. See how tiers are assigned and change, as well as county historical data (California Blueprint Data Chart), at the California Department of Public Health guidance page.
The implementation of programs currently by DUSD is listed below:
Grades TK-12: 100% Distance Learning at least through First Semester.
1:1 Assessment of ELL and SPED students: In-person, ongoing as needed.
Full Day/Full Year Preschool: In-person instruction as of November 2, 2020.
Learning Centers: Limited in-person enrollment during the school day for students in Grades TK-8 faciltated by Think Together as of November 9, 2020.
High School Sports Conditioning: Return to Play Plan postponed.
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Congratulations to DHS Band Director Limon |
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Foothill Credit Union Selects Mr. Limon for $500 Grant! |
Duarte High School's Band Director, Mr. Maurice Limon, was selected to receive a $500 grant from Foothill Credit Union! The funds will be invested in platforms for students to be able to continue performing and learning music together during distance learning. Congratulations Mr. Limon and thank you to Foothill Credit Union for supporting Duarte Unified's educators. |
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DHS Zoom Concert Celebrating the End of 2020 |
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The DHS Band would like to invite you to our digital Zoom concert event celebrating the end of 2020.
Time: Dec 18, 2020 at 7:00 PM
ZOOM MEETING ID- 974-8189-8367
Password: **( our school mascot, plural, all lowercase)**
View the promotional video below:
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Duarte High School's Finals Week Schedule |
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Beardslee's Virtual Friday Flag Assemblies |
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You don’t want to miss Beardslee’s virtual Friday Flag assemblies on their YouTube channel. Principal Romero, and their Teaching and Learning Coach, Mrs. Mata, are the hosts. They capture the true Beardslee Bears' school spirit each week. Subscribe to their channel so you do not miss out on these assemblies at the link below:
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DUSD Curbside Meals FREE this School Year |
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Even though Curbside Meals are FREE,
We NEED Your APPLICATIONS By December 31!
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The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) has reversed its decision and will now allow school districts to offer curbside meals for free this school year. This will make it possible for Duarte Unified to once again provide all children who are 18 years old and under a breakfast and lunch combination daily, Monday - Friday.
Children do not have to be students of DUSD and do not have to be in the car at the time of pick-up. The monthly menu options, locations, and times for service previously provided will stay the same as listed below:
TIMES:
Meals will be distributed Monday - Friday from 6:30 a.m. to 8:30 a.m. except for major holidays. You will be notified in advance as to the days of curbside meals service closure.
LOCATIONS:
Andres Duarte Arts Academy (1433 Crestfield Drive, Duarte, CA 91010)
Maxwell Academy - IB World School (733 Euclid Avenue, Duarte, CA 91010)
Royal Oaks STEAM Academy (2499 Royal Oaks Drive, Bradbury, CA 91008)
Parents can pick up meals from the location that is the most convenient for them.
Any questions regarding the above information can be directed to the Duarte Unified Food Service Department at 626-599-5022 or 626-599-5023 or by email to bvolz@duarteusd.org.
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Even though we are able to provide FREE curb side meals this school year, we ask that families still submit an application. The application will not be used to determine eligibility for school meals, but it will help our district qualify for additional programs and resources that can be used to help our students.
You may have already been notified in the mail by Duarte USD Food Service Department of your status whether you were automatically approved for free or reduced price meals. If you don’t receive this letter, then please fill out an application in person or online.
Online Free & Reduced meal applications are available at www.schoolcafe.com. If an application is to be filled out in person (Paper Application), then it will need to be turned in curbside during meal distribution hours.
If you have any questions about creating an online account, please call the Food Service Office at 626-599-5022 or 626-599-5023 or you may call the school café help line at 855-Pay – 2EAT or 855-729-2328.
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CSArts-SGV Virtual Preview Day |
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Prospective families be sure to check out our Virtual Preview Day! Interested students are invited to learn more about everything CSArts-SGV has to offer through this new online experience! |
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Student Chromebook Repair/Replace Plan |
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Duarte Unified School District is offering a district repair/replace plan to protect school-issued devices given to students. Duarte Unified will protect the device against an assortment of damages. This district repair/replace plan will provide full replacement cost coverage and will protect the item worldwide (on and off school grounds). This policy is transferable to a temporary replacement unit unless the original unit is a total loss, in which case a new repair/replace plan will need to be purchased for the new device. |
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Free Online Tutoring for DUSD Grades 6-12 |
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Duarte Chamber Champion Christmas Trees |
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Our Duarte Chamber members are thrilled to bring you a little holiday cheer this season with our Chamber Champion Christmas Trees, which you have the opportunity to win!
- From NOW until 11:59 PM on December 13th you can purchase opportunity drawing tickets next to the tree (or trees) of your choice.
- Tickets are $5 per tree and $10 for the Grand Prize Chamber Champion Tree!
- In addition to the decorated trees, there's at least $100 worth of prizes and the Grand Prize tree is valued at over $400 in prizes.
- Winners will be announced on December 14th!
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You can view the trees and purchase tickets here - https://bit.ly/ChaChaXmasTrees
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No-Cost or Low-Cost Health Insurance Information |
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Parent University Virtual Classes - Enroll Now |
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Download the Free WIN APP for Resources |
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Please help us to share that a Mobile App for LA’s Homeless and Struggling Youth, Families and Adults is in the APP Stores TODAY! With it you can search for food, shelter, jobs, and other services near you! |
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Mental Health Support Offered by D'Veal |
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LGBTQIA+ Parent Support Group |
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Keep these Distance Learning Tips Handy! |
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Please click on the links below to view the written guides and videos that contain helpful information and instructions to navigate our Distance Learning platforms. |
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Email our Tech Support for IT Assistance |
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100% Distance Learning Website Hub |
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We have created a dedicated section within our website to serve as a hub of information for our 100% Distance Learning Model. Included within this section are the schedules, contact information, technology support and services, Aeries navigation directions, instructional guides and videos for Google Classroom, and much much more. It is our goal to have all of the information you may need for distance learning within just one click. Start by visiting the 100% Distance Learning Hub.
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DUSD Social Media Directory |
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As you know, you can follow @duarteusd on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Youtube. But, we have also put together a DUSD social media directory of all the official sites operated by our district, schools, and staff for your convenience. In addition to following @duarteusd, we encourage you to follow these other sites too for important information and updates during distance learning.
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COVID-19 Safety and Public Health Information |
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The best protection against COVID-19 is to wash your hands frequently, avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands, self-isolate if you are sick, practice physical distancing, and wear a clean face mask whenever in public. Also avoid the three C's: crowds, confined spaces and close contact with people outside your own household.
The Reopening Protocols, COVID-19 Surveillance Interactive Dashboard, Roadmap to Recovery, Recovery Dashboard, and additional things you can do to protect yourself, your family and your community are on the Public Health website.
Always check only trusted sources for the latest accurate information about COVID-19:
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Download it Today for FREE |
Stay up to date with everything that is taking place at every school across our district by downloading the DUSD APP. Check your child's grades, attendance, lunch balances, sports scores, notices from teachers, calendar of events and more all in one place! Download our free app from the Apple App and Google Play Stores. |
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Download the ParentSquare APP |
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School Flyers Available Via Email |
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Save Paper & Stay Informed |
DUSD uses Peachjar to send home school-approved flyers digitally, saving our schools time and money while eliminating paper waste. This means that now our parents can opt to receive flyers via email. |
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See Why YOU Belong at DUSD |
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Submit Your Newsletter Ideas |
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Have an idea, information or a suggestion for a story for our newsletter? |
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DUARTE UNIFIED | 626.599.5000 | communications@duarteusd.org |
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