LASD Board Highlights
March 7, 2022 Meeting Summary
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Board Meeting Video
COVID Safe Schools Update
With overall case rates plummeting in Santa Clara County and in our local community, the Santa Clara County Public Health Department has updated its guidelines for K-12 schools. As of March 14, per CDPH and SCCPHD guidelines, masking indoors in schools will be strongly recommended, but no longer required.
The Los Altos School District Board of Trustees discussed this change and agreed to follow state and local guidelines, shifting to a policy of strongly recommending masks indoors at our school sites.
To continue to be vigilant, LASD is continuing its weekly pooled testing program. All students and staff are welcome to participate in this program, and in fact, an average of 90% of students across our school sites have volunteered for the program.
The daily symptom tracker, regular hand hygiene and updated ventilation systems will also continue to be in place to help prevent the spread of illness.
For more information, please check out item H.3. on our agenda online.
Wellness Committee Update
This year, the focus of the LASD Wellness Committee is determining a Comprehensive Sexuality Educational curriculum to align with California's Healthy Youth Act (CHYA). The Committee is reviewing and evaluating two curricula and will select one to pilot in several middle grade classrooms this spring. The Wellness Committee is reviewing two curricula, both approved by the Adolescent Sexual Health Work Group (ASHWG) as compliant to CHYA. Both are being used by neighboring districts in the Bay Area.
The Wellness Committee is currently reviewing side by side lessons and parent feedback from a virtual parent information session on March 14 and will be selecting a curriculum to pilot in April. A series of grade-level parent meetings will also be held in April, and the pilot program is slated to begin in late April or early May.
For more information, please check out item H.4. on our agenda online.
Universal Transitional Kindergarten and Extended Learning Opportunities
The State of California is moving towards a fully Universal Transitional Kindergarten model to provide a solid educational foundation for our youngest learners. Research shows that beyond academics, the most critical components for educational success include early education, mental health support, meeting the needs of socio-economically disadvantaged students, and providing for children's physical well-being.
In line with the new California Universal TK program, LASD will be expanding its TK program and providing new after school and summer learning opportunities. Next year, students whose birthdays are between September 2, 2022 and February 2, 2023 qualify for TK. By the 2025-2026 school year, LASD's TK program will enroll students who are 4 years old by September 2, 2025.
In the upcoming school year, LASD will also expand after school learning opportunities to at least 50% of its "unduplicated pupils," or students who are low income, English Language Learners, or homeless or foster youth. To implement this program, LASD will provide a survey to all incoming TK students. The following school year, this program will expand to TK-6th grade students. The program will provide a full 9 hour educational day for students and will be offered on a free or sliding fee scale to ensure all can attend.
More information on this program will continue to be discussed at upcoming Board meetings. For more information on this topic, please review item H.5. on our agenda online.
Audited Financial Report
Each year, auditors review the LASD revenues, expenses and overall budget to ensure sound management of the district's finances. The Board reviewed the Auditor's Report, which reflected a clean bill of health on the district's financial practices. For more information, please review item H.6. on our agenda online.
Next Meeting of the Board of Trustees
The next meeting of the Los Altos School District Board of Trustees will take place on Monday, March 21 at 7:00pm via Zoom. To attend the meeting please visit our Board web page and register for the meeting using the provided link. The link will be posted on Thursday at 5:00pm the week prior to each meeting.
If you would like to stay updated regarding upcoming Board meetings, please email mbirnie@lasdschools.org, providing your name, email address and a request to be added to the email list for Brown Act updates, including upcoming meetings and agendas.
Los Altos School District
Website: www.lasdschools.org
Location: 201 Covington Road
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LASDK8/
