June 16th Update

June 16, 2020

Dear Families:

What a great day of parades at the preschool and elementary schools!  The bright sunshine helped us all to remember that there are brighter days ahead.  I extend a heartfelt thanks to the parents and students who came out for all 6 events (parades from PreK-12) and to the many staff who came to wave, applaud, ring cowbells, play tubas, and smile big (under the masks!).   We are all richer for the experience!

While we await guidance shortly from the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, we’ll clarify some of what the media reported last week.  The reported cap of 10 children in a room was based on the summer special education guidance, not a document regarding the fall as reported by the press.  We plan to share the official document with you as soon as it is available to the public.  Our Task Force work then focuses on implementation and any decisions left in local control.    If it is of interest to you, California released their guidebook which you can read here:  https://drive.google.com/file/d/1x3pMDdDBNS8btuMCFoTOqvfVAdH2faRb/view?usp=sharing

At the end of the year, I like to reflect on the 2018-2023 Strategic Plan goals we set for the year as to the appropriateness of the priorities and if they still hold since the plan is for five years.  You might be interested to do the same.  The plan is posted here and anchors all of our work:  https://docs.google.com/document/d/1ckpy2kKUposyMuH4hfBJD3EeK8IgMkHh2uQzk-SUPcU/edit?usp=sharing  In fact, the objectives in the plan seem more timely and appropriate than ever.

Thank you to the Concord Education Fund who presented a check for $81,000 tonight to the Joint School Committees.  This will fund teacher-generated projects as well as building-based work.  We will be sure to provide a complete list.  We are so grateful for CEF’s support!

Best,

Laurie