ALVORD UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT

Dear Members of the Alvord Community,

Thank you, students, staff, and parents for contributing to a successful launch of the 2021-22 school year, and a successful first full week of school too! In my visits around the district’s schools I observed mostly happy kids. Of course, there was the usual start-of-school jitters and nervousness, heightened this year with COVID concerns, but our school teams were well prepared and organized and equal to the challenge of pandemic schooling. Thank you parents for your patience as we kicked-off the school year in-person for the first time since 2019.

Creating a positive school climate and safe learning and social spaces for our children was priority number one given this unprecedented start of the school year and the impact the pandemic has had on many of our children’s emotional well-being. In the classroom, our teachers provided inspired activities to transition students back to school as we settle in and work together to make this school year a huge success.

I also want to thank everyone for strictly adhering to our safety protocols. I observed all of our students and staff wearing their masks indoors during my multiple school visits. Mostly everyone wore them outside too, except when eating. Masking remains a highly effective strategy to stop person-to-person transmission of disease. In combination with hygiene etiquette and practice, sanitization, and air scrubbers that remove contaminants as the air within classrooms and office spaces is circulated through our HVAC system, we are successfully managing in-person schooling, despite increases locally in the new case rate, the 7-day average, and the hospitalization rate in Riverside.

Our safety measures on campus are most effective when parents keep children with symptoms home and get them tested before sending them back to school. All students have access to Chromebooks and the internet and can work asynchronously from home while recovering.

The COVID-19 diagnostic test rate has also increased in Riverside County. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) updated its testing recommendations this past week to now include people who are fully vaccinated against the coronavirus. The CDC now advises that vaccinated people be tested for the virus if they come into contact with someone with Covid-19, even if they have no symptoms. Previously, fully vaccinated people did not need to be tested after exposure to the virus unless they were experiencing symptoms.

We will adjust our protocols accordingly.

When students are identified to have had “close contact” exposure to COVID-19 while at school and while wearing a mask, they will have to follow “Modified Quarantine” protocol, as recommended by the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) and local public health officials, in order to continue attending school in-person during the 10-day Modified Quarantine period.

To continue to attend school in-person during the modified quarantine period, a student must (1) Be asymptomatic; (2) Continue to appropriately mask, as required; (3) Undergo at least twice weekly testing during the 10-day quarantine; and (4) Refrain from all extracurricular activities at school, including sports, and activities within the community setting. Testing should occur on Day 1, Day 4, Day 7, and Day 10, from the date of exposure. Find no-cost local testing sites around Riverside below in the News section or talk to your school about our free home-testing kits.

Following our protocol will help protect the health and safety of all students and staff, while allowing students to continue attending in-person instruction. Parents will be provided with a Notice and Declaration as confirmation that they understand that their child has had close contact exposure to COVID-19 while at school and agree to comply with a 10-day Modified Quarantine protocol in order to continue attending in-person instruction on campus.

More news on the COVID frontline. This past Wednesday, California became the first state in the nation to require all teachers and other school staff to be fully vaccinated for Covid-19 or be tested weekly. Alvord already moved in that direction prior to the State’s mandate. We provide weekly testing kits to all of our unvaccinated employees and for vaccinated employees too, if they choose to test regularly.

Thank you in advance for your patience and support as we adapt to ever-changing conditions and modify accordingly. And thank you for giving yourself and us grace as we all navigate these choppy and unpredictable waters. Together, we can stop the spread of COVID and keep our schools open while keeping everyone inside them safe.

While we are still accepting applicants for our extended learning program after school, McAuliffe, Terrace, Valley View, Arizona, Loma Vista and Villegas are at capacity. Students applying for those schools will be placed on a Wait List. Learn more about our after school program below in the News section.

All 10th and 11th grade students are strongly encouraged to take the PSAT exam. Students can earn a merit scholarship. We offer the exam at no cost. Students need to register for the PSAT prior to September 10, 2021 using the registration link here. Learn more about the PSAT in the News section below or by meeting with your high school counselor.

On behalf of the Board of Education and our entire team, thank you again for your partnership and support during these challenging times.

Stay positive. Stay safe. Test weekly.

Sincerely,

Allan Mucerino

The PSAT score is used by the National Merit Scholar committee to determine scholarship rewards of up to $2500. There are three types of Merit scholarships awards that can be awarded based on the PSAT score:

• National Merit® $2500 Scholarships
  Every Finalist competes for these single-payment scholarships, which are awarded on a state-representational basis. Winners are selected by a committee of college admission officers and high school counselors without consideration of family financial circumstances, college choice, or major and career plans.
  
  
• Corporate-sponsored Merit Scholarship awards
  Corporate sponsors designate their awards for children of their employees or members, for residents of a community where a company has operations, or for Finalists with career plans the sponsor wishes to encourage. These scholarships may either be renewable for four years of undergraduate study or one-time awards.
  
  

• College-sponsored Merit Scholarship awards
  Officials of each sponsor college select winners of their awards from Finalists who have been accepted for admission and have informed NMSC by the published deadlines that the sponsor college or university is their first choice. These awards are renewable for up to four years of undergraduate study. The published deadlines for reporting a sponsor college as first choice can be viewed on page 4 of the Requirements and Instructions for Semifinalists in the 2021 National Merit® Scholarship Program. (Adobe Acrobat Reader is required.)
  
  

For more detailed information regarding the National Merit Scholarship program please visit their website (https://www.nationalmerit.org/s/1758/interior.aspx?sid=1758&gid=2&pgid=424).

To Register for the PSAT at AUSD please complete the google form (link below) no later than September 10, 2021. Please remember that once you complete the form you are registered for the exam. We will not be able to accept late registrations.

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSct73ff1Do5AD7qm6TJl-ufDtomKirEvjhKBXhiGxeOefwxwA/viewform

Thank you and please do not hesitate to contact your counselor if you have any questions regarding the PSAT or the National Merit Scholarship program.

Our home-based program utilizes Edgenuity™ and Accelerate™ to deliver curriculum and instruction. Both programs are computer-based, user-friendly learning management systems that structure and monitor learning. While students are assigned to a certificated Alvord Unified School District teacher, the teacher simply monitors attendance and progress. The teacher does not directly teach the curriculum. The Edgenuity courses provide direct-instruction videos featuring expert, on-screen teachers. The Accelerate courses provide direct-instruction audio featuring expert, on-screen teachers. Both computer-based programs also provides rigorous assignments, performance tasks, and assessments to engage students and ensure subject-area mastery.

Visit the Edgenuity Video Library here for a series of videos on the advantages of Edgenuity. For the K-5 Accelerate program, visit their website here for additional information. Following are key elements of the program. Contact your principal for additional details:

• Students learn from home and do not attend school in-person;
  
• Students continue to be active members of the student body at their home school.
  
• Students utilize an age-appropriate computer-based leaning program that uses a combination of animations, video-led direct instruction, relevant websites, and activities to support the curriculum;
• Modification and accommodations will be made for English learners, students in foster care or other high-needs groups;
• Students are provided with a Chromebook and an Internet connection, if needed;
• Students in grades' 6-12 use Edgenuity;
• Students in grades' K-5 use Accelerate;
• Students in grades' 3-12 with specialized academic needs use Odysseyware;
• Students in the district's moderate to severe program utilize our alternative curriculum, News‑2‑You (N2Y);
• A parent or guardian is responsible for student progress;
• Parent is responsible for ensuring student engages in learning platform for designated time per day;
  
• Students are assigned to an Alvord teacher, however;
• The Alvord teacher does not teach the curriculum;
• The Alvord teacher utilizes the Google classroom to meet with students at the conclusion of each school day for an "office hour" to record daily attendance and to ensure progress is being made;
• The Alvord teacher supports the student and parent;
• Instructional minutes are the same as they are for in-person instruction:
  • Kindergarten: 200 minutes;
  • Grades 1-3: 280 minutes;
  • Grades 4-8: 300 minutes;
  • Grades 9-12: 360 minutes;
• Meals are made available for pick-up for students in the home-based program;

• Students may transition back into in-person instruction within five days of declaring they no longer choose to participate in the home-based program;
• For high school students, access to all courses offered for graduation and approved by the University of California or the California State University are made available.

Our home-based program meets the requirements of Senate Bill 130, which was recently enacted to ensure students have an alternative to in-person instruction.

Watch a video explanation of the program in English here and in Spanish here.

When we return for the 2021-22 school year on August 6, 2021, our two after-school programs, HALF-Time (K-5) and PRIME-Time (6-8), will be available M-F from school dismissal until 6:00 PM. The program provide FREE academic support, homework assistance and enrichment activities like art, crafts, music, sports and STEM (Science Technology, Engineering, and Math) along with a nutritious meal. Please register your Kindergarten through 8th grade students soon as space is limited. Sign up here in English and here in Spanish.

CVS Pharmacy

CVS @ 6215 Riverside Avenue, Riverside, CA 92506

CVS @ 6840 Lincoln Avenue, Riverside, CA 92506

CVS @ 491 E Alessandro Blvd, Riverside, CA 92508

Mobile Van Schedule

Wednesdays @ Bordwell Park, 2008 Martin Luther King Blvd.

Thursdays @ Bryant Park, 7950 Philbin Ave.

Fridays, @ Casa Blanca Library, 2985 Madison Avenue

Saturdays @ Fairmount Park, 2601 Fairmount Blvd.

Sundays, Arlington Heights Sports Park, 9401 Cleveland Avenue

Drive-Thru Locations

La Sierra Park Drive-Thru Location
Make an appointment @ 5215 La Sierra Avenue

7 days a week (except holidays)

Open daily (except holidays)
11 a.m. – 6:30 p.m. (closed 3 – 4 p.m.)

UCR Lot 26 Drive-Thru
Make an appointment @ 3443 Canyon Crest Dr.

Riverside, CA 92507

Open daily (except holidays)
8 a.m. – 4 p.m. (closed noon – 1 p.m.)

Kiosk Location

Make an appointment @ 3900 Main Street
Open daily (except holidays)
8 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. (closed 12:00 p.m. – 12:30 p.m.)

For locations sponsored by RIverside County, visit their COVID-testing location finder here.

The Riverside County Department of Education (RCOE) also provides many services for school-age children and their families. Click on the image below or here to visit the RCOE Parent Portal. To browse by topic, click on the links below for detailed information.

Child Care for Essential Workers

Child Care Assistance and Resources

Child Care Finder

Head Start

Migrant Head Start

State Preschool

Teen Parent Program

Infant/Toddler Special Education Programs

Email: 2Superintendent@alvordschools.org
Website: https://www.alvordschools.org
Location: 9 Kpc Parkway, Corona, CA 92879, USA
Phone: 951) 509-5000
Facebook: facebook.com/alvordunified
Twitter: @AlvordUnified