Message from Superintendent Amerson |
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Dear Students, Families, Staff, and Community,
We are quickly approaching Thanksgiving, and the holiday holds even more significant meaning this year in light of the pandemic. I keep in my heart and thoughts those who have lost their lives, those who have been sick, and everyone who has been impacted by this destructive disease.
While we continue to do everything in our power to keep our students and staff safe within our district, it's confounding that common-sense measures to control the spread of COVID-19 are not in place nationwide. We are now seeing surges in states across the country that could have been prevented, and an uptick again even in LA County. News that a vaccine may be released within the near future is reassuring, but until that time we must continue to protect the lives of our loved ones and ourselves by being vigilant about what we know does work. Please routinely wash your hands, wear a mask, and physically distance.
It's easy to see why people are struggling with what is being called, "COVID Fatigue." Living our lives virtually since last March away from our friends and loved ones is not easy, but if it will help us safely get to the other side of this pandemic, it's necessary. I hope it is with this in mind that you plan your Thanksgiving celebration this year. Please follow the guidance of the Department of Public Health which you can read here. The recommendation is only gathering with the members of your household. Our students do not have school the entire week of November 23-27. Enjoy this time for much deserved rest and relaxation, but please only engage in activities approved by our Department of Public Health. A travel advisory has been issued by the state of California in advance of the holiday season. Please read it here. Let's find other ways and new traditions that are safe to let our friends and loved ones know how much we appreciate them this year.
The thing I will be most grateful for this Thanksgiving is for all of us to follow these protocols so that our students, families, staff, and community can be safe and healthy. Thank you everyone, and please be well!
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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Duarte Unified School District Election Results |
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Thank you to everyone who participated in the 2020 General Election by casting your vote. The official results for the area encompassing the Duarte Unified School District will be certified by the Los Angeles County Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk within 30 days. This period of time is known as the Official Election Canvass. It is the law in California to guarantee that every vote is counted and included in the official final election returns.
In the meantime, the Los Angeles County Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk will continue to provide the public with regular updates that can be viewed by clicking on the link below:
Accolades to all of the candidates and to the Duarte community for your participation in our democratic process. The campaigning is now done. While we await the final tabulation, let us all continue together to fulfill our vision, mission, and beliefs.
Our Vision
21st Century Schools Producing 21st Century Students
Our Mission:
To provide the knowledge, skills, and inspiration for each student to be successful in college, career, and life.
Our Beliefs:
- We believe we are a community of learners.
- We believe learning occurs in a culture of caring and respect.
- We believe all students are motivated to learn when they are engaged in meaningful work that connects to their lives.
- We believe expectations do influence performances and outcomes.
- We believe learning increases when there are high expectations for performance and conduct.
- We believe we have the responsibility to find solutions that enable all students to learn.
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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 on Tuesdays. To move forward, a county must meet the next tier’s criteria for two consecutive weeks. 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 program implementation 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 Grades TK-8 faciltated by Think Together as of November 9, 2020.
High School Sports Conditioning: Return to Play Plan in development with tentative start date as November 16, 2020.
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Return to Play Plan for DHS Athletes |
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We understand that our students, coaches, and community members want high school sports to return. As we begin to put a plan together to allow for conditioning and practice to begin, health and safety will remain our priority.
The Los Angeles County Public Health Department has provided guidance for the restart of youth sports programs, which includes high school sports. This allows for conditioning and skill building for fall sports to begin in the near future. An official start date has not yet been established, but will be publicized in the coming weeks.
The California Interscholastic Federation (CIF) created a modified season of sport schedule that changed the start and end dates of the sports seasons and combined all 3 seasons into just 2.
● Fall sports include; Football, Volleyball, Cross Country, and Cheer.
● Spring sports include; Soccer, Swimming, Tennis, Wrestling, Basketball, Golf, Baseball, Softball, Track, and Cheer.
Our return to play plan is contingent upon Los Angeles County Public Healh orders. Please keep in mind that our county health orders may be more restrictive than surrounding counties and that we will continue to prioritize the health and safety of our students, staff, and community when making decisions. We look forward to seeing our athletes and coaches participating in their sport and we want to thank you for your patience and understanding as we navigate through this process.
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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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Free Online Tutoring for DUSD Grades 6-12 |
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Support the Valley View Online Book Fair |
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Join us in sharing a love of reading with our students at the Valley View Scholastic Book Fair from 11/7/20 – 11/20/20. |
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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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Student Chromebook Repair/Replace Plan |
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Duarte Unified School District is offering a district self repair/replace plan to protect school-issued devices given to students. Duarte Unified will protect the device against an assortment of damages. This district self 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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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 Los Angeles County Department of Public Health reminds everyone 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 covering 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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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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