I hope you are safe and well, and checking in with family and friends. That's important. Hour by hour, minute by minute, our thoughts and actions are consumed by COVID-19. Worry, stress and anxiety are understandable. Please know we are here for you
. Don't hesitate to reach out. We're family
, committed to ensuring the health and safety of everyone in our community.
I can't say enough about your patience and understanding as we work through the many complex issues related to school closures and COVID-19. Just last week, Miranda Chamberlain, a dedicated and compassionate Twin Rivers Unified teacher, responded to a coronavirus update to staff.
She's concerned about student learning during this unprecedented global public health crisis. It's unnerving when the Governor orders 40 million California residents to stay at home until further notice.
"I know you all are working hard to come up with the best solutions for our kids," Miranda wrote. "It's not an easy task."
No, it isn't. To be honest, it's been a rough couple of weeks. COVID-
19 has thrust us into unknown territory as we work to ensure a safe and supportive educational environment for our students-one that's not in a traditional classroom setting with all the 21st century educational tools within easy reach for all.
We will move to remote work for our students this week. We will be launching a new website Wednesday, March 25, to support our families and students with home learning. I'm not sure who coined the phrase go slow to move fast, but it sure makes a lot of sense in our current environment. As we strive to provide every child with a robust learning experience under these extraordinary circumstances, all of us must think through thoroughly our everyday actions and decisions. We must remain future focused in this new reality of social distancing and stay-at-home orders.
To our students, you are the heartbeat of Twin Rivers Unified and we have not lost sight of why we are here. Our promise to you hasn't changed. We recognize your limitless potential and promise to continue to deliver you a high-quality education to fulfill all your hopes and aspirations. When the dust settles--we're not sure when that will be--hopefully, we can all celebrate your accomplishments together.
Here's some important information you need to know today:
Instructional Services
We're close to launching our Distance Learning plan. We have a strong
School Leadership team focused on addressing the content and technology complexities of providing continued learning options while students are at home.
The first phase provides resources and guidance for voluntary enrichment materials from now until Spring Break while we work to provide students the technology supports they need. The second phase involves a structured, teacher-directed plan for Distance Learning that will provide continuity of instruction for students, anticipating that our school closure may go beyond the Spring Break.
We will continue to monitor this situation and will make the best decisions possible for the health and safety of students, staff and the community. Distance Learning will begin after Spring Break.
Students with Special Needs
Our Special Education team is working diligently to navigate the complexities of providing a Free and Appropriate Public Education to all of our students. Case managers are contacting their families to re-establish connections virtually with our students. They are working closely with Instructional Services to ensure accommodations for students are considered in the Distance Learning plan. Special Education will be working to train case managers and related service providers on tele-therapy and virtual IEP's prior to Spring Break in the event school closures go beyond Spring Break.
Information and Educational Technology Services
If you need Internet access at home so your student can access online schoolwork, IT needs to know. Please visit our
Coronavirus webpage
to take a technology needs assessment survey. It's available in
English
,
Spanish
and
Hmong
.
Nutrition Services
Beginning Tuesday, March 24, we are adding six more sites to distribute free meals to our students. The amazing Nutrition Services team has prepared and served 23,350 meals since March 17 (lunch and the next day's breakfast). Click
HERE
for a list of all the sites.
Student Services
We have a new Student Services Support Line for Families -- 1.916.566.7801 weekdays from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. School nurses, counselors, child welfare staff and foster care liaisons are available to answer your questions.
Several of you have asked about student testing. There will be NO mandated standardized tests this spring due to the coronavirus pandemic. For our AP students, the
College Board
is developing a new 45-minute exam AP students can take at home. It's free and we should hear about this by April 3.
Be sure to visit our District webpage at www.twinriversusd.org for information and updates through the weeks ahead.
Take care and stay safe!
Sincerely,
