Message from Superintendent Amerson |
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Greetings DUSD Families, Staff and Community,
From the ads on TV, flurry of social media posts, and our overflowing mailboxes, it’s clear we have entered election season. It is important to be informed about what is on the ballot in the upcoming election and to know the ways you can vote to make sure you‘re able to safely exercise your right. For those registered to vote within the attendance area of our school district, you will also have on your ballot Measure S. Find facts regarding Measure S within our newsletter below.
I recommend you have a plan on how you’ll be voting whether by mail, using a drop-off box, or safely in person, and whether early or on Election Day. If you’re not already, also be sure to register to vote now. Learn how here.
I also hope you will lend your voice to our Distance Learning Thoughtexchange. Tomorrow is the last day the exchange will be open. Please provide your feedback so that we can make any needed adjustments. Find further information and the links to enter the exchanges that apply to you below.
A reminder that our staff will be engaged in Professional Development tomorrow. I continue to be impressed with the tremendous job you all have done during distance learning since the beginning of the year, and this will provide time for our team to connect and collaborate to share best practices. As it will be a non-pupil day, this also presents a chance for our students to rest up, and we will all resume school together on Tuesday, October 6. Be well everyone, and have a great week!
Best,
Gordon
Gordon Amerson, Ed.D.
Superintendent of Schools
Duarte Unified School District
#ProudSuperintendent
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Join our Distance Learning Thoughtexchange
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During the Re-Visioning Roadmap process our district used to plan for the 2020-21 school year, stakeholder engagement and survey responses helped to establish our guiding priorities with the understanding that on-going adjustments would be necessary.
Due to the challenges of COVID-19, we started the school year using a full Distance Learning model. At this time, we want to re-engage with our parents/guardians, students, and teachers/staff to assess your satisfaction with Distance Learning so far and gain your feedback so that we can make improvements if needed.
To gather your insights, we're using an online tool called Thoughtexchange.
Click on the links below that apply to you to participate. You may join more than one exchange:
You'll be asked to respond to one open-ended question, consider and assign stars to some of the ideas shared by others (20 to 30 is ideal), and learn what's important to the group.
Your thoughts and stars are confidential. You can come back as often as you'd like to participate and, in fact, we ask that you do come back to star some of the new ideas shared since you first participated. The ratings will help us understand the most important areas to focus on to improve Distance Learning.
Participation will be open until Monday, October 5, 2020.
Thank you in advance for your help and input!
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Upcoming District Events and Reminders |
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Hispanic/Latino Heritage Month |
From September 15-October 15 we celebrate the achievements of Hispanics and Latinos past and present everywhere! During this month and throughout the year, let us pay tribute to the history, heritage, and culture of Hispanic and Latino Americans whose contributions are to be honored.
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Professional Development Day |
Our staff will be participating in a Professional Development Day on October 5, 2020. Our team will be connecting to share best practices and insights. Online classes will not be in session for students on this day. School will resume for both staff and students on Tuesday, October 6, 2020. |
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Measure S - Voter Information and Facts |
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Measure S is a school bond measure on the ballot in the upcoming general election seeking voter authorization for $79 million in local funding to repair and upgrade DUSD school facilities.
Duarte Unified School District public schools are the foundation of a healthy, thriving community. We focus every day on helping our students thrive. However, our classrooms are aging and were built before the “digital age.” Although well maintained, these schools require significant repairs and upgrades after decades of constant use.
Meanwhile, today’s teaching and learning standards have changed, requiring more and different instructional spaces, and all our schools need ongoing safety and security upgrades. Additionally, the ongoing impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic are creating additional challenges for school districts trying to meet current health and safety standards.
Over the past years, Duarte Unified School District has received feedback from the community, parents, and teachers on our Local Control Accountability Plan (LCAP), Competitive Advantage Plan (CAP), and Facilities Master Plan. Measure S is the result of these community conversations and provides a prudent, responsible plan to address our most critical facilities needs. NO other funding currently exists to repair and upgrade these facilities.
Measure S will:
Repair deteriorated roofs, plumbing, electrical, and HVAC systems
Improve school safety – cameras, door locks, fire alarms, and communication systems
Modernize science, engineering, and math classrooms and labs
Expand technology - for both classrooms and safe, healthy online/distance learning
Prepare schools, including nursing facilities for rapid-response in disasters/emergencies
Expand vocational and career technical education (CTE) classrooms for expanded job-training
Taxpayer Protections:
- ALL Measure S funds STAY LOCAL for Duarte USD public schools ONLY.
- By law, the State CANNOT take Measure S funding away.
- Measure S is for classroom and school facilities repairs, improvement, and equipment upgrades ONLY.
- NO funds are allowed for administrators' salaries, benefits, or pensions.
- Independent Citizens' Oversight and mandatory financial audits ensure funds are spent properly.
Measure S protects property values. Good schools protect property values and contribute to a quality community.
For more information, visit duarteusd.org, email communications@duarteusd.org or call (626) 786-1494.
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Duarte High School is a Voting Center |
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Attention Duarte Community! The Duarte High School Gym will be a voting center for early voting starting on October 30 through Election Day, November 3. Duarte High School is located at 1565 East Central Avenue, Duarte, Ca, 91010. Any registered voter can cast their ballot here. In addition, mail-in/absentee ballots can be dropped off here. See dates and times below:
EARLY VOTING: October 30, 2020 - November 2, 2020 (9:00 a.m. - 8:00 p.m.)
ELECTION DAY: November 3, 2020 (6:00 a.m. - 9:00 p.m.)
If you have questions, contact jkenney@durteusd.org. All COVID-19 safety protocols will be adhered to.
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Sign-Up for the DHS Early College Program |
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If you are interested in having your child take free college courses in a supportive cohort system while a high school student, please contact Duarte High School to learn more about our one-of-a-kind Early College Program in partnership with Citrus Community College.
There are many advantages of participating in this program such as thousands of dollars in future cost savings and the advantage of graduating high school with a year or two of college credits already completed. Our Early College program focuses on completing general education college requirements so there is no need to have a specific major in mind (IGETC, or the intersegmental general education transfer curriculum).
These college courses are offered during zero and first period allowing the students to then complete Duarte High School classes the rest of the school day. We also offer "a la cart" courses after school where students do not need to join a cohort, but simply have the opportunity to complete a few college courses. Currently, we are offering Administrative Justice classes and American Sign Language.
Registration begins the week of October 5, for courses that begin 2nd semester, so please don’t delay! Contact Mr. Norm Anderson, DHS counselor, to see if your child is eligible and to learn more about this great opportunity.
Norman Anderson
Phone- 626-599-5722
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Duarte High School Band Produces Alma Mater |
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Under the direction of our new Band Director, Mr. Maurice Limon, this amazing recording of the Duarte High School Alma Mater by our Falcon Band was created remotely from each student's home. What you see here is a combined effort. You hear the band members recording themselves individually on SoundTrap. Then those that were willing, recorded video of themselves playing. We compiled it together with some creative editing and here you are! The product of many weeks of working together to solve problems. |
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Congratulations to Ms. Tseng |
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Congratulations again to our Duarte High School and Duarte Unified School District Teacher of the Year, Angela Tseng, on her honor and for being recognized during the Los Angeles County Office of Education Teacher of the Year event held on October 1, 2020. We appreciate your dedication to our students and your contributions to our learning community! |
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We are Proud of these Falcons who have P.R.I.D.E |
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Girls Empowerment Conference |
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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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DUSD Meals FREE but We Need Your Applications |
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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 until December 31, 2020. 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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We Need Your Free/Reduced Meal Applications |
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Even though we are able to provide FREE curb side meals through December 31, 2020, we ask that all families who qualify for Free/Reduced meals still submit an application. This helps 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 an application must be filled out in person or online.
Online Free & Reduced meal applications have been available at www.schoolcafe.com as of August 3, 2020. 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. Please allow up to 10 days for applications to be processed.
The last day for the 30 day carry over of your meal status from last year’s application will be September 25, 2020.
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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Andres Duarte Arts Academy |
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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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As of today, there are no evacuation warnings for Duarte Mesa or nearby areas, however conditions can change and we encourage everyone to remain informed. Find updates posted by the Angeles National Forest and City of Duarte at the links below. Thank you to all of the firefighters and support crews who are working hard to keep our communities safe! |
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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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Complete the Census by October 5, 2020 |
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We remind our community that now more than ever, an accurate and complete 2020 Census count is vital to Duarte’s future. Census data is used to determine funding for programs and projects ranging from early childhood education to senior nutrition. Additionally, Los Angeles County health leaders urge residents to complete the 2020 Census, highlighting the COVID-19 crisis as an example of how important federal funding is to maintaining a strong local health care system. |
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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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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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