Dear MDUSD Community,
Spring Break has arrived, and in this unprecedented time, we are proud to have seen phenomenal growth and expansion in our distance learning initiatives, proud to have seen several thousand Chromebook devices distributed to our families, and proud to have seen strong coordination in our Food and Nutrition Department, with over 12,000 meals served to our community each week. These actions are supportive of the expectations provided to the District by the Governor, State Superintendent of Public Instruction, and in collaboration with the California Department of Education.
As of last night, April 1, 2020, the California Department of Education provided specific guidance to California school districts with respect to the potential for an extension to our school closure, grading requirements, graduation requirements, and communication between the state and our college and UC systems.
The District will be closely examining these guidance materials, and striving to ensure that our extended distance learning models are in alignment with this guidance, our Board policies, and coordinated with our educators.
The public can use this link to find the information provided by the California Department of Education, State Board of Education, and other state educational leaders released a coordinated guidance regarding, “College Admissions, Grading, and Graduation Requirements,” in consideration of the school closures across the state for this 2019-20 school year.
The next regularly scheduled meeting of the MDUSD Governing Board is scheduled on Monday, April 13, 2020, and we anticipate several items that will speak specifically to our District’s grading parameters during this time, information about graduation parameters, and additional information to support the further expansion of our distance learning programs. Upon review of the data provided by our state educational leaders who have expressed an understanding for districts deciding to move toward pass/fail grading standards, and universities have expressed an understanding that student transcripts may have alternative grade point average calculations. These decisions are meant to hold students harmless of any negative effects due to the coronavirus.
The bottom line is that our instruction at all levels will prioritize growth and equity, we will strive to ensure that all of our students have access to what they need to learn, that students will be held harmless from any impacts of school closures, and that we continue support our students and families during this difficult time.
Here are the considerations and general timelines for some of the decisions we are making:
Teaching and Learning Continues Through this Extension of No On-Site Delivery of Education for the remainder of this school year:
As many people are aware, our California Governor, Gavin Newsome, and State Superintendent of Schools, Tony Thurmond, have both spoken about the real potential of keeping our schools closed to on-site instruction for the remainder of the school year. While there has not been any specific Executive Order, or Declaration calling for this action, at the current moment, the Contra Costa Health Services (our Public Health Authority) has maintained their Shelter in Place Order that lasts through May 3.
We anticipated that the Public Health Services Department would be extending their current order today, however, they cancelled their planned press briefings. It is the District’s understanding that the Contra Costa Public Health Services are likely to extend their order early next week. Accordingly, while our distance learning programs will continue formally on Monday, April 13, 2020 through the remainder of the school year, we do not anticipate students returning to our school campuses for the remainder of the school year due to the need for safety as related to the coronavirus.
Our educational services team will be continuing to work on building our distance learning programs, our Food and Nutrition Department will work to maintain “grab and go” meal service to students, and we will also be working to ensure that our students who receive special education services are being supported per state and federal regulations during this critical time.
Again, in alignment with the public pronouncements by our governance leadership at the state level that school districts should expect to remain closed to on-site services for the remainder of the school year, the formal decision to maintain or extend the closure of our brick and motor campuses has still been left to each local district for a formal decision. Our decision has been made with collaboration between the Contra Costa County Office of Education, and many districts throughout the county, who are struggling to find a way forward with the information we have received.
If perhaps we are provided additional information that speaks to the safety of resuming our ability to welcome students back to school sooner we surely work to have that scenario play out as fast as possible. However, given the pragmatic need to understand the serious of the circumstance, we believe it is in the best interest of all involved for us to pursue rigorous expansion of our distance learning programs.
Going forward, Mount Diablo Unified School District will continue to align with information from our Public Health Office in coordination with the Contra Costa County Office of Education about the impacts to summer school programs, and any on-site programs at our campuses.
Changes in Grading Requirements and Graduation Requirements
Right now, we are reviewing current graduation requirements and we expect to determine if we have any need to adjust and publish alternative graduation requirements for the 2019-20 school year. We expect to provide clarity on this issue during the Governing Board Meeting of April 13, 2020.
Right now, we believe that the process that will keep as many students from harm with regards to implications from grading issues would be to transition to a Pass/No Pass or Credit/No Credit grading system, and we are arranging a presentation to our stakeholders and Board of Education about what this will mean for all of us. Again, we anticipate being able to provide clarity during the Governing Board Meeting of April 13, 2020
Going forward, our decision making process on these issues must absolutely involve our union leadership and our Board of Education, taking careful consideration of all effects and implications of those decisions. We will continue to work diligently to ensure that we make decisions in the best interest of our students and staff.
Some have asked about commencement ceremonies, and the possibility of providing closure to our students should we not be able to hold these events as they are currently scheduled, and this is a valid question. While none of us can predict with certainty the future, we will be working on developing options that could be considered once we begin to see the shelter-in place and stay-at-home orders lifted. We concur that it would be a positive act to provide some form of closure, especially for our graduating seniors to this school year.
This information represents only some of the decisions being made and the work that is involved to ensure our district maintains stability and a continuity of services.
As always, with any changes or new information, we will provide updates promptly by email, phone, social media, and on our district website.
As we enter Spring Break, I would encourage you stay safe as individuals, as families, and as communities. While we do not have any expectations of formal education continuing during spring break, or distance learning starting again until April 13, 2020, I know that many educators will still be connecting, engaging, and supporting students through this next week, and I thank them again for all of their efforts. In all sincerity, I also thank you our parents and family members who have been called into service in so many ways to support your children and the children of our communities.
I truly hope that each family is able to carve out some time this week to find some happiness, joy, and appreciation for the things that hold the most meaning for you and yours, and that you are able to breathe, and find trust and some solace in the information we are providing. Our primary mission is for each of our students to find their success during these difficult times.
Superintendent Dr. Rob Martinez
11 comments
Where’s my Chromebook and free lunch? $20 says 100% of those kids getting free lunch while their parents are home own smartphones.
That’s just rude!! It’s crucial that schools and families work together during this time of necessary ‘distance learning’. It’s rough for everyone, you need a lesson in empathy.
You’re rude! You need a lesson in minding your own business.
This is great but what about the kids with special needs and have IEP’s in place? We haven’t been given any assistance and what good is the Chromebook if the student can’t read? I’m spending $240 out of pocket for tutoring having lost a job to make sure he’s somewhat on track. Something is wrong with our system!
Couldn’t agree more. My sister hasn’t heard a thing from my nephew’s teacher (not at MDUSD). I’m helping as much as I can, but most of his materials are in the SPED classroom, including his personal stuff. They had no idea at the time the kids weren’t going back to school.
This is affecting everyone, not just special needs. What do you want? A teacher to come to your house? This isn’t the time for that. Parents will need to help their children. We are all in this.
I work at a private special ed school contracted with the district, and please believe me when I say we are just as distressed about the consequences this long-term shelter in place will have on our students’ progress (or lack thereof). Unlike general-ed students, it is true that many of them are incapable of participating in distance learning. We do our best by regularly checking in with parents via email and providing work packets. I am truly sorry about your situation. We are forced to play it by ear week to week as we wait for further instructions “from above”.
Heard from my college roommate yesterday, sharing info about a college scholarship she set up years ago at the university where her father taught and where we met. I was thinking about how sad some high school seniors are about possibly missing their graduation ceremonies. Mine was over 50 years ago in the Midwest and I don’t remember it, though I am still in touch with most of my classmates. My college roommate shared that she missed “walking” for high school because her family had already left to visit her father’s family in France. She has a PhD. now and NEVER attended her own graduation ceremonies. I did not attend my college graduation either. While at 18 these things seem really important, know that those four years are a path to the rest of your life. Do the work to learn, cherish the memories of friends and faculty, and know that life will get better.
Chromebooks have been given out at MDUSD schools to any student whose parents request them.Elisa, I agree with you,! It is a challenge to meed individual goals for each student using electronic learning devices.. An IEP means Individualized Learning Learning Program which is designed for each student with learning challenges. And, how can we use ZOOM now that there are FBI warnings regarding using it?
I saw the FBI warning, wondered What Now? My hat’s off to all you Special Ed people.
I read this statement: “We anticipated that the Public Health Services Department would be extending their current order today, however, they cancelled their planned press briefings. It is the District’s understanding that the Contra Costa Public Health Services are likely to extend their order early next week. ” Does that mean he’s been told the SIP will extend past the May 3rd date?
Comments are closed.