Superintendent

April 28, 2021

In This Issue:

• LCAP Parent Survey
• Full Return To School in Fall
• Vaccinations For All Residents Available
• Distance Learning/Virtual Option for Fall
• Honoring Trustee Carol Elliott, May 6
• SCEF Gala a Success! Funding The Future
• Key Dates For Planning Next Year

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Dear SCSD Community,

Thank you for participating in our recent parent survey to support the development of our Local Control and Accountability Plan (LCAP) and Extended Learning Opportunity Plan. We had more than 50% participation this year and we appreciate your honest feedback. We are using this information, along with input from many different engagement meetings with parent groups, teachers, and classified staff to help us develop a three-year plan to support a full return to school, learning recovery and social/emotional/mental well-being of our students. We will continue to seek input for plans throughout May and ask the board to adopt a new LCAP in June.

Full Return To School for SCSD in 2021-2022

We want to reassure our San Carlos school community that we are planning a full return to in-person learning beginning August 18, 2021 for all students TK-8 grades. Students will be on campus during the regular instructional schedule from the 2019-2020 school year which includes the early dismissal on Wednesdays for staff professional learning time.  

We heard from families in our survey that they want to be assured we will continue to follow safety guidelines to keep students, staff and families safe. We will continue to follow the Four Pillars of safety outlined in the SMCOE Pandemic Recovery Framework update Friday, April 23, 2021. This update states we will need to continue masking, maintain stable groups, use 3’ physical distancing between students and 6’ between adults and students, avoid gatherings and mixing of groups, wash hands often, and provide regular staff COVID testing. 

We are purchasing individual desks for elementary schools to provide 3’ distancing between students which will be delivered by the end of this school year.  Principals are planning for staggered start/end times, recesses, and lunches. At this time, surveillance COVID testing for students is not required due to improved conditions in our region. However, we are strongly encouraging families to get regular testing, at least every two weeks, at Central Middle School with the Curative Mobile Testing Van Tuesday - Friday for our SCSD families convenience:

• Tuesdays, Wednesdays & Fridays 10:00 am-4:00 pm
• Thursdays 1:00-7:00 pm

Additional information about Community Based Testing sites in San Mateo County can be found here.

Vaccinations Are Open For All Residents

Now that vaccinations are open for all residents, schools are promoting vaccines for their older students. High school leaders believe that youth vaccinations will help make schools even safer this fall and are seeking avenues for expanding vaccinations to their students. With sports and warm weather activities ramping up and as schools and the economy open up further, it is becoming more important to get teens vaccinated.

Vaccination of youth is not only supported but recommended by doctors and health organizations. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) “urges all eligible adults and teens to receive the COVID-19 vaccine as soon as it is available to them. The AAP highlights the safety and effectiveness of the vaccine while pushing for clinical trials to include younger children as an urgent next step toward ending the spread of the virus.”

Currently, youth 16 and older may receive the Pfizer vaccine. The other vaccines are not yet approved for those under 18 years. However, Moderna is conducting studies of its vaccine and expects to have it available for older teens this summer, while Pfizer is aiming to vaccinate children as young as 12 this summer.

SMCOE is working with San Mateo County Health to explore options for expediting vaccinations for youth. In the meantime, there are a variety of options students can pursue to receive vaccinations. We urge students and parents to learn about these options to check these sites regularly as appointment opportunities grow. It is also important to note that minors need to have a parent/guardian present for the appointment. Here are some options to explore:

• Start with your healthcare provider. Kaiser, PAMF, and other providers will continue to receive vaccines and expand vaccinations to all those who are eligible. Pediatricians would love a visit from their teen patients!
• Some providers, including Stanford Health, are vaccinating people outside of their system. Stanford has a vaccination clinic in Redwood City. You can create an account here.
• Stanford Health also has two mass vaccination clinics - one in San Jose at 350 Tasman and another at the Alameda County Fairground. Additional clinics are expected soon.
• MyTurn, the State’s vaccination registration site, continues to post new appointments throughout each day.
• Check with your local pharmacy. Pharmacies often receive shipments directly from the federal government. Just remember to check the vaccine brand in advance; youth can only receive the Pfizer vaccine.
• Some local organizations, especially in communities with low vaccination rates, have set up vaccination clinics for their community members. Reach out to your city to explore whether there is a clinic near your home.

Vaccinations are another safety layer for schools, and we are intent on vaccinating our county’s eligible teens as quickly and efficiently as possible.

Distance Learning/Virtual Option for Fall 

Last week we surveyed our Connections Distance Learning families about their preference for continuing with a distance learning/virtual option for next school year. About 40 families expressed interest in continuing with a distance learning model. SB 98, the law that allows distance learning and provides guidance to districts, is expiring in June. There may be another bill considered to guide this program for next year. While we wait for the State to make a decision if they will support these options, we will continue to explore an Independent Study program option for these families. SCSD may provide this program or a regional Independent Study Program may be offered to support several of our neighboring districts. Our hope is that we maintain enrollment for all of our San Carlos families who would like to be part of SCSD. At this time, we encourage all families to remain enrolled in their home school for next year to ensure consistent communication. When we have more information we will communicate directly with the families that have expressed interest through the survey.

Honoring Trustee Carol Elliott 

Retiring SCSDTrustee, Carol Elliott will be honored during the May 6 Board Meeting beginning at 6:30 pm. Please join us in Spotlighting Trustee Elliott during her last SCSD board meeting after almost 10 years of service!

SCEF Gala

Many thanks to those who were able to join the virtual Starlight Gala Sunday evening. It was great fun, and an amazing window into how excited and generous the community of San Carlos is when it comes to its public schools!

There are still prizes to be won! The Online Silent Auction is a fantastic way to support our kids and win some great items. Check out the many teacher items, as well! The auction is open until 9:00 pm on April 30th. To see online auction items go to www.scefkids.org/events.

As always, thank you for your support of SCEF and commitment to our kids!

Upcoming Events

May 6 - Board Meeting and Teacher/Staff Appreciation Week

May 22 - Board Meeting

June 3 - Board Meeting including Retiree Celebration

June 10 - Board Meeting and Last Day of School

June 17 - Board Meeting

June 24 - Board Meeting

Key Calendar Dates For Planning Next Year 2021-2022

Thank you again for your continued support of our students, staff, and families as we wind down this school year and plan for a full return to school in August!

Sincerely,

Michelle Harmeier
Superintendent