Superintendent's Newsletter

February 2021

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

Celebrating Black History Month

February is Black History Month, when we celebrate the contributions and sacrifices of Black Americans in our nation's history. This is another opportunity to reflect on how our history has shaped the progress we've made, as well as the persistent injustices Black Americans continue to experience today. Former President Barack Obama described Black History Month as "...a reminder of where we as a country have been so that we know where we need to go."

The Mountain View-Los Altos PTA hosted an engaging event with Nicole Lee, who discussed her book "Raising Antiracist Kids: The Power of Intentional Conversations About Race." If you missed it, the video of the event is here.

To explore Black History with your children through books, film and family activities, check out the Parent Resource Guide from Inclusive Life--Black History Month 2021, which are excellent resources curated by Ms. Lee.

Reminder: March 8 "Program Switch" Deadline for TK-6th Grade

The final program switch deadline for the 2020-21 school year for elementary grades is on Monday, March 8.

What does this deadline mean for elementary school families?

If you do not intend to change your child’s program (Virtual School or Blended), you do not need to do anything.
If you would like to change your child’s program (Virtual School to Blended or Blended to Virtual School), please email your school secretary by March 8 informing us of the change in program preference for your child. Your child's start date in the new program for a start will be March 29.
We will not be able to make any changes to your child’s program for this school year after March 8.

Mental Health Resources in LASD

Recently, LASD conducted a mental health survey of parents and staff. The survey showed over 65% of families are aware of mental health resources available through our schools.

LASD wants to ensure all families understand how to access mental health services in our schools, especially during this extraordinarily stressful time as we continue to endure the COVID-19 pandemic.

Tier 1 Resources: These mental health opportunities are research-based core instruction for all students in LASD through programs like Project Cornerstone, Responsive Classroom and Second Step. Our teachers are trained in these approaches and implement them in the classroom to help create inclusive, welcoming and caring student communities.

Tier 2 Resources: When teachers, principals or families identify a student requiring additional mental health support, school psychologists are available at all of our school sites to provide counseling to help children navigate these challenges. Additionally, LASD partners with Community Health Awareness Council to provide mental health services for our students. If you believe your child could benefit from the help of a counselor, please notify your school psychologist, who will be glad to assist.

Tier 3 Resources: Some students may require more intensive mental health support. LASD has specialized programs at Santa Rita and Egan, as well as a dedicated mental health therapist at both junior high schools. Students requiring this support are generally referred by their principal or teacher for these services.

Staff Training and Support: Due to the extraordinary challenges of the pandemic, LASD believes mental health support is more important than ever. All of our teaching staff received training this year in Social Emotional Learning (SEL) to ensure a strong SEL focus in the classroom and Virtual School. All district staff was trained in suicide warning signs. Additionally, we are focused on staff mental health, providing therapy for those who need it and morale-building activities for all staff.

If you are concerned about your child's mental health, please reach out to your principal for assistance.

When Will Students Attend In-Person 5 Days Per Week?

Many families have asked me this question in recent months. LASD is committed to bringing students back to campus 5 days per week for full in-person learning days as soon as it is safe and allowable. Specifically, LASD must abide by all state and local public health guidelines for in-person learning. Currently, public health regulations require 6-foot distancing on our school sites. For this reason, classrooms cannot accommodate all students at one time, which is why we currently can only accommodate a 2-day-per-week hybrid approach for in-person learning.

As the rate of vaccination increases and cases decline, we are hopeful state and local officials will reconsider the 6-foot distancing rule and its impact on in-person learning. We will continue to keep our community updated regarding any changes in public health regulations.

Congratulations to Lead District Nurse, Monica Sidher!

I am pleased to announce our Lead District Nurse, Monica Sidher, recently received the prestigious Excellence in School Nurse Administration Award from the California School Nurses Organization. The California School Nurses Organization is recognized and respected as the voice and standard for the practice of school nursing and the essential, collaborative role of the profession in achieving positive student outcomes.

As we have navigated the pandemic, school closures and safe school reopening, Mrs. Sidher has been an essential and lead member of the LASD team. Her work to train teachers and staff in health and safety protocols, as well as help implement the essential operations of our Reopening Plan has been critical to providing an excellent education for our students and to provide a safe working environment for our staff. We are thrilled she has been recognized for her excellence in nursing and enormously grateful she is part of our team.

Please join us in congratulating Mrs. Sidher on this very well-deserved award!

Teacher Vaccination Update

We are very pleased to remind our families and staff that educators can begin receiving their vaccine for COVID-19 as soon as February 28. While our staff is encouraged to make a vaccine appointment outside of school hours, due to enormous demand, some staff may need to take time off to ensure a timely vaccine. In addition, we know the vaccine can cause some side effects requiring time to rest at home. For our Blended Learning students, this could mean an extra day of asynchronous learning or a substitute teacher in the classroom. Virtual School students may also have a short-term substitute teacher for this reason. We ask our families for flexibility and understanding as we accomplish this incredible milestone in the pandemic.

Board Study Session: Monday, March 1

On Monday, March 1 at 7:00pm, the Board of Trustees will explore data regarding student progress this year in order to plan for summer school as well as the next school year. LASD is prepared to bring students back to campus for 5 full days of in-person learning once it is safe and allowable per state and local public health guidelines. However, we must also prepare and plan for the possibility of a virtual component next year if it will be required by public health officials. The Board will also discuss LASD's Summer Academy to bolster achievement for those students requiring additional academic support.

You will be able to register to attend the Zoom Study Session on Thursday, February 25 on our School Board website to register to attend the meeting.

Would You Like to Be a Substitute Teacher?

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: