Superintendent's Newsletter

October 2020

You may also read the Superintendent's Newsletter on our homepage in the "Latest Headlines" section.

Welcoming Students Back to Campus

On September 28, our first group of students returned to campus. A huge thanks to our Special Day Class teachers and staff for their diligent work to maximize a safe return to in-person learning for our students. Despite the requirement to wear a face covering, wash hands regularly and maintain a safe distance from others, children are excited to see their friends, engage in learning in the classroom and connect with their teachers. Our operations have run pretty smoothly, but we are continuing to modify and refine some of our processes as we move ahead, including protocols for when the Air Quality Index is above 150.

On October 12, we will welcome the next group of students back to school: our TK through First Grade students. We are confident they will quickly adapt to the new learning environment and experience a wonderful year of learning in the classroom with their friends and teachers.

To prepare for students' return, our staff have all completed health and safety training. In addition, you may have received the Community Expectations for Healthy Schools via an email from me a couple of days ago. Please review these expectations so that we can keep our community safe and prevent the spread of illness.

In addition, please visit our Reopening and Coronavirus web pages for important information about returning to campus. The helpful "10 Things to Do" document in English, Spanish and Mandarin provides helpful tips to prepare your child for a safe and easy return to campus.

Hands-On STEM in Distance Learning

STEM education is a top priority in LASD, and we have created great opportunities for our elementary grade students in our Blended and Virtual School models to continue their STEM education in a distance learning environment. We thank our community for its generous donations to the Los Altos Education Foundation, which provides essential funding to support programs like STEM for all of our schools and students.

At each elementary grade level, teachers will provide students a series of design challenges throughout the year. In addition, we have developed more robust hands-on projects for each school and grade level. These projects are designed to reinforce the skills and concepts students are learning through their Comprehensive Learning Plans, incorporating core subject areas into engaging and creative projects. Students learn to take risks and experiment through these design challenges. Most of these projects can be completed using materials found at home, but our schools are also providing STEM Kits with the items needed for each experience.

LASD Virtual School Gives Back and Builds Community

In the spirit of building community and sharing a common goal, our LASD Virtual School is engaging students in a wonderful project to help those in need. Mrs. Martinez, one of our third grade teachers, is leading the school in a Virtual Food Drive to support Second Harvest as they assist families with food during this pandemic.

There are many families in the Silicon Valley that need help right now and as a community, we can help those in need through this project. Here is the link to donate to the Online Owls Virtual Food Drive.

The LASD Virtual School 3rd graders have been busy writing cards and letters to those receiving food boxes to share words of encouragement during this difficult and challenging time. We are so proud of the kindness and community support our students are expressing to our community members in need.

Junior High School and Online Learning

In this time of distance learning, social connections are more important than ever. What better way to build and maintain those connections than through a club activity that allows students to explore their interests and passions together online?

Students have formed virtual clubs at Blach and Egan, where they are engaging in great social activities to connect around common interests in a safe environment. Many of these clubs are student-initiated and staff or volunteer supervised. A special thanks to parent volunteers who have offered to facilitate these great learning and social experiences for our students. If you're interested in helping to facilitate a virtual club for our students, please email Principal Rocha or Principal Narula for more information.

Our students are continuing to generate ideas for new online clubs, so please stay tuned for even more opportunities!