Campuses Remain Closed This School Year, Student Academic Progress to Continue Via Distance Learning

As our scheduled Spring Break comes to an end, I want to inform you that Chula Vista Elementary School District (CVESD) facilities and campuses will remain closed for the rest of the school year, unless health officials determine that it is safe to reopen. The State Superintendent of Public Instruction and the Governor have each recommended closing school facilities for the duration of the academic year. Although short of a directive, I concur with their respective recommendations, which reflect the concern and need for ongoing social distancing. This means that classes will not resume for CVESD students on April 6 in the traditional sense. Instead, our District will embark on a Distance Learning initiative. The first week back from Spring Break will be reserved for teacher planning, preparation, and professional development. Distance learning will commence, to the extent possible, on April 13.

Our instructional team has worked diligently with our teacher leaders and peers from across San Diego County to rapidly develop plans to support students’ academic progress while at home. I ask for your patience and flexibility as we all adapt to new ways of teaching and learning outside of the traditional classroom setting. Our goal now is to ensure a continuity of education to the greatest extent possible, given current conditions.

I know this is a difficult period for many. Please be reassured that the safety of students and staff remains our highest priority. It is important to continue to comply with the Governor’s “Shelter in Place” directive. Our duty as a school district during this period is to carry out the following essential services:

• Meal preparation and distribution to students. 
• Keeping the continuity of learning moving forward. 

Our journey will not always be smooth or easy. I look forward to the day when we can meet again in person. Until then, please stay healthy and well. Go through our newsletter in ?detail, and ?keep informed about our plans for Distance Learning.

Sincerely, 
Francisco Escobedo, Ed.D. 
Superintendent

Distance Learning Plan Set to Launch  

With extended school closures looming across the country and locally, parents are naturally wondering how their school-age children will progress academically while at home for the weeks or months ahead? While classes in our District will not resume on April 6 in the traditional sense, we are embarking on a Distance Learning Plan. The first week back from Spring Break (April 6-10) will be reserved for teacher planning, preparation, and professional development. Distance learning will commence, to the extent possible, on April 13. Click on the link below for more details.

Meal Distribution to Resume on Tues., April 7  

The District will resume meal distribution at nine school sites for much of the week following Spring Break: Tues., April 7 - Friday, April 10. Meal bags will contain breakfast and lunch servings. District and school staff will start distributing the meal bags at 10 a.m., and will stop once all bags are distributed on a first come, first served basis. Meals are intended for our neediest children between the ages of 1 to 18. The nine schools to serve as distribution sites are: Feaster Charter, Harborside, Hilltop Drive, Juarez-Lincoln, Loma Verde, Montgomery, Otay, Rice, and Vista Square. These schools have a student population where 50 percent or more are on the free/reduced priced meal program. Click on the Learn More link below for additional details.

Establishing Special Education Routines
While at a Distance

The Special Education Department is working closely with the San Diego County Office of Education and the local SELPA office reviewing each resource available to carefully see how it can support special education students. We understand the importance of specialized academic instruction for each child and the related services to support their learning. That said, we are working on distance learning plans for students with teachers and service providers. The focus this first week is on establishing routines and schedules, students understanding why there are not in school, and resources that promote social emotional learning, and behavior supports. Please refer to the general education weekly resources but use the resources on the Weekly SPED Distance Learning Link to support the unique needs of your child. As we gather more resources and review them, we will pass them along to you each week. Additionally, on March 21, the federal Office for Special Education and Rehabilitative Services disseminated a supplemental fact sheet entitled ?Addressing the Risk of COVID-19 in Preschool, Elementary and Secondary Schools While Serving Children with Disabilities. We miss our students and families. Please stay healthy and safe!

Arts Put the Fun into Home Entertainment

The Visual and Performing Arts teachers are working hard to provide content and resources for parents to continue their arts programs at home during distance learning. VAPA Teachers are continuing to collaborate and work with our arts partners to provide our students with the highest quality arts education remotely. Each week we will provide links to free resources that families can access at home. For now, please check out two of our music teachers, Mrs. Pridmore and Mr. Keehmer in the videos below, as they lead two fun music lessons for students at home! Make sure to follow us on Twitter @VAPA_CVESD for more links and access to free arts content!