Superintendent's Newsletter

As we head into 2021, the year is filled with many challenges and so much promise for a brighter future. We continue to grapple with the COVID-19 pandemic and its impact on so much of our daily lives, but there is hope for the future as the vaccine is available to more people each day. Although I am realistic in the knowledge that the pandemic will be with us for many more months, I am optimistic about a return to normalcy for our students, teachers, staff and administrators in the not too distant future.

One sign of hope is the state's recent announcement of the lifting of the Regional Stay at Home order. Santa Clara County county is now back in the Purple Tier, or the state's most restrictive tier regarding COVID-19 restrictions.

Although it is good news the more restrictive Regional Order is no longer in place, we must remember the strict public health orders that still remain:

• The mandatory travel quarantine remains in place, requiring a 10-day quarantine upon return to Santa Clara County for non-essential travel more than 150 miles away from Santa Clara County.
  
• Outdoor gatherings of no more than three households are now allowed. Please remember to wear a facial covering at all times.
  
• Indoor gatherings with individuals outside of your household remain prohibited.
  

For more information and details on updated public health orders, visit this Santa Clara County webpage.

Our diligence in adhering to all state and local public health orders is essential to keeping our community healthy and our schools open. We urge all members of our community to strictly adhere to our Community Commitments to Healthy Schools, which the Board of Trustees recently updated with new information from our state and local public health officials. Please review and carefully follow all of the Commitments, whether or not your child is enrolled in our Blended or Virtual School program.

Please wear a facial covering when outside of the home, wash your hands regularly, avoid all non-essential travel and do not send your child to school if they feel sick. Our shared sense of commitment to one another’s safety, health and well-being is one of the reasons why our schools are wonderful places to teach and learn.

Are you a 5th or 6th grade parent already thinking about your student’s junior high education? You’re invited to join principals, teachers and students for Los Altos School District’s virtual Information Night for Egan and Blach junior high schools!

What: Virtual Junior High Parent Information Night

Learn about our excellent core academic programs, robust elective offerings, amazing teachers and student-centered approach to instruction.

Who: Parents of incoming 5th and 6th grade students

Where: Via Zoom

When: Wednesday, February 10, 2021 at 6:00 PM

Register for the Blach Parent Info Night Here: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_7IXsSvjHTlO_6zh2nj82Vw

Register for the Egan Parent Info Night Here: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_iY4ABEDqTvuntLvwqmEOtg

Please share this invitation with your 5th and 6th grade family friends, even if they are currently not attending our LASD schools.

LASD formed an Equity Task Force to provide feedback about the implementation of its Equity Policy, which states its intent to: "eradicate institutional bias of any kind, including implicit or unintentional biases and prejudices that affect student achievement, and to eliminate disparities in educational outcomes for students from historically underserved and underrepresented populations.”

The Equity Task Force includes a diverse group of teachers and parents who are providing commentary, critical feedback, and recommendations regarding the ongoing implementation of the LASD equity policy as it pertains to the 9 areas of focus in the Equity Policy.

The first area of focus for the Task Force is Curriculum and Instruction to help the district ensure it adopts age appropriate curriculum and instructional materials that teach equity, diversity, inclusion, anti-bias, and about the injustices people of color still face to this day.

Have You Ever Thought About Becoming a Substitute Teacher?

Do you wonder if teaching is a profession you would enjoy?
Do you want a meaningful part-time job with a flexible schedule?
Do you want to build your connection to our Los Altos School District community?

If so, the Los Altos School District is seeking people who are interested in substitute teaching. During hybrid in-person learning, we have positions available for classroom teaching. We will provide safety training and PPE.

Requirements:

• Bachelor’s Degree

• CBEST Exam Click here for CBEST information

• Substitute Teacher Permit Click here for Substitute Teacher Permit information

For questions or to apply, please contact Marlene Revelo at mrevelo@lasdschools.org

Even during this challenging time, we are grateful for community support for our neighborhood schools through donations to the Los Altos Educational Foundation. As fundraising is significantly behind this year, these generous donations move LAEF closer toward meeting its goal. To protect critical programs and staff at every school, our students need your help as well.

The Honor Roll of Realty 2021 program closed with the second-highest revenue and number of local realtors donating to LAEF in the program's 26 years. This program benefits both LAEF and the MVLA High School Foundation. You may have seen the LAEF ad in the Town Crier this week highlighting the generosity of these donors.

Barre3 Los Altos held a successful all-donation workout class on January 10 to benefit LAEF to support teachers in our schools.

Please join our community and consider a contribution of any amount today by donating on the LAEF website.

Website: losaltosschools.org
Location: 201 Covington Road, Los Altos, CA, USA