Coleman Elementary School

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March 30, 2020

Dear SRCS Community:

The purpose of the communication is to update you on our distance learning plans for the coming weeks as well as to provide some other updates on key activities happening in the district. The COVID-19 situation changes daily as we respond to changing circumstances.  We are working to be proactive and methodical in implementing online learning. 

If you have questions during this time, it is best to first contact your teacher, then your principal, and then me. My email is jhogeboom@srcs.org, and I will try to get back to you within 24 hours.

Celebrations

In the last two weeks, we have been working to provide our community with a number of resources to meet the educational needs of our students. You will read about these in more detail below along with next steps: 

• Online Classrooms: Every teacher has an online classroom up and running for remote learning opportunities (Grades TK-8 in Google Classroom, Grades 9-12 in Canvas).

• TK-5 Packets for Learning: Every TK-5 student has received 1 two-week learning packet (on 3/13) and a second two-week learning packet is accessible online and being distributed at Pickleweed Community Center Tuesday,  March 31 from 10am-2:30pm.

• Chromebook Deployment: By Tuesday, March 31 we will have distributed Chromebooks to middle and high school students who need devices to support online learning. We will distribute Chromebooks  to elementary students on Thursday, April 2nd and Friday, April 3rd (See schedule below). 

Communication

Every morning at 11:00, I join other Marin County Superintendents, County Superintendent, Mary Jane Burke, and Marin Department of Health and Human Services staff to receive the latest news and information as well as to share ideas and address challenges. I also meet virtually with SRCS’ district leaders every day, and with our school principals at least twice a week to ensure we are moving forward as quickly and efficiently as possible. 

Tomorrow, Tuesday, March 31st, we will send out a survey to students, parents and teachers to obtain feedback on how we are managing this crisis: what we are doing well, what challenges do you have, and what suggestions and questions do you have?

On Thursday, April 2nd, from 5:00 - 6:00pm, I invite you to join me at a Facebook Live School House meeting. I’ll give a short update and will answer your questions and take comments. We will be sending weekly communications to parents every Friday, and more frequently if important new information arises.  

Teachers Stepping Up

There is a learning curve for our teachers to become adept and proficient at distance and online learning. There are excellent on-line resources, quality technical coaching from other teachers and coaches, and new group staff development - all ways our teachers are getting ready. 

Many of our teachers have their own young children at home and are balancing the need to supervise their kids with creating lessons and connecting with their students. Fortunately, we do not know of any teachers that have tested positive for the COVID-19 so far. 

We are negotiating Memorandums of Understanding (MOU’s) with our Elementary and Secondary teachers’ unions to guide expectations during this time to balance consistency with flexibility and ensure quality learning takes place for all of our students. School employees are identified as Disaster Service Workers and can be called in by the Office of Emergency Services if necessary.

Distance Learning Plans/Spring Break

Below are the learning plans for each level (elementary, middle and high school) for the next two school weeks from March 30 through April 17, with spring break in between. This is the beginning of week 3 of school closures, and there are about 10 weeks of instruction remaining in the school year. While we have been directed to be closed through May 1, we are prepared for the possibility that school closures could continue into June and possibly through the remainder of the school year. 

The week of April 6-10 is spring break. This time has been negotiated with unions throughout the county and cannot be changed. Teachers and staff will be off during this time except for some district administrators, essential food service employees and maintenance personnel.

ELEMENTARY SCHOOL DISTANCE LEARNING PLANS

This week: March 30 - April 3

All teachers have set up their classrooms on Google Classroom and teachers are available to communicate with students every day to answer questions and provide additional support for students as they work on weekly and daily learning assignments. Teachers will post their schedules on Google Classroom. Most teachers are also connecting to their students via Google Classroom with their entire class on-line.  

• SRCS has new TK-5 packets (for the period of March 30 to April 17) available online here. 

• Hardcopy TK-5 packets are also available for pick-up on TUESDAY March 31 at Pickleweed Community Center: 50 Canal St, San Rafael. Timing is by grade-level. If you have more than one child in different grade levels, please choose a time that is best for you:

  • 10:00AM to 11:30AM: Grades TK-1st 

  • 11:30AM to 1:00PM: Grades 2nd and 3rd

  • 1:00PM to 2:30PM: Grades 4th & 5th

• We will distribute Chromebooks to elementary students who do not have access to a computer at home on Thursday, April 2nd and Friday, April 3rd. Your principal will communicate with you on specific timing and location for your school.  

Spring Break: April 6-10

No required school work! Find enrichment activities available on our Remote Learning website. 

April 13 - 17

Teachers will post new assignments to their Google Classroom and have office hours on a daily basis during which they will have Google Hangout Meets, answer emails, and more. Your teacher/s will determine and communicate their schedule to you and your student. 

MIDDLE SCHOOL DISTANCE LEARNING PLANS

Chromebooks were distributed at Davidson Middle School on Monday and will be distributed at Venetia Valley K-8 School on Tuesday, with Bahia Vista serving as a back-up distribution point. 

As of Wednesday, April 1, we expect the vast majority of students to have devices and access to the internet. Therefore, on April 1st, work assignments will be required and not optional. If students have not made contact yet with each of their teachers, they should do so immediately. Teachers will be connecting with students through office hours and also on-line through Google Classroom and Canvas, Google Meet or live feedback on assignments through comments. All teachers have set up their classrooms on Google Classroom (GC) and have assigned work and on-line resources for students. The following schedules have been developed for Davidson and Venetia Valley so that in the afternoon if teachers choose to meet on-line with their classes we won’t have scheduling conflicts. Please note that not all teachers will meet with students during all of these periods, and may do so in different formats. Beginning April 13, my expectation is that teachers will meet with students at least once a week during these time slots. To find out when teachers will be meeting, please go to your teachers’ Google Classroom home page.

Davidson Middle School Distance Learning Schedule 

Venetia Valley Middle School Distance Learning Schedule 

HIGH SCHOOL DISTANCE LEARNING PLANS

All teachers have set up their classes on Canvas, and students who are able should have accessed and logged into Canvas to connect with their teachers and begun to work on assignments. Up until March 27, assignments have been optional and for enrichment purposes. Now that the vast majority of students have devices and internet access, starting today, March 30, weekly assignments will be posted by every teacher and will be assessed by the teacher. Students are expected to complete all assignments. If students have not made contact yet with each of their teachers, they should do so immediately.  Teachers will be connecting with students through office hours and also on-line through Google Classroom and Canvas, Google Meet or live feedback on assignments through comments. Your teacher will post his/her lesson instructions, schedule, and how to reach them on their Canvas homepage.  

The following schedules have been developed for San Rafael High, Terra Linda High and Madrone so that in the afternoon if teachers choose to meet on-line with their classes we won’t have scheduling conflicts.  Please note that not all teachers will meet with students during all of these periods, and may do so in different formats.  Beginning April 13, my expectation is that teachers will meet with students at least once a week during these time slots. To find out when teachers will be meeting, please go to your teachers’ Canvas  home page.

High School Distance Learning Schedule (SR, TL, Madrone)

Again, for safety reasons we request that you do not allow your student to congregate on school campuses unless they are there for a specific reason (e.g., to pick-up a meal or a chromebook). In other communications, we have stressed the importance of abiding by physical distancing protocols. Remember to wash hands frequently, stay at home, keep six feet apart from others when out in public, and let your doctor know if you have a cough and/or fever. Together we can keep people healthy, and help our healthcare workers manage the spread of the coronavirus. Thank you for your patience and understanding. We are doing everything we can for your student!

We look forward to seeing you on our Facebook Live Town Hall this Thursday, April 2nd from 5:00PM - 6:00PM. Click here. (Link: https://www.facebook.com/SanRafaelCitySchools/live/)

#SRCSWeAreOne! #SRCSTodosSomosUno!

Sincerely,
 

Jim Hogeboom, SRCS Superintendent

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Dear SRCS Community:

Today’s updates follow:

SCHOOL CLOSURE

• In collaboration with seven Bay Area county health officials and county superintendents, Marin County has made a unified, regional decision to extend school closures and student dismissals from regular school attendance through May 1, 2020 to slow the spread of novel coronavirus (COVID-19) to the maximum extent. The safety and wellness of students, school personnel, and the community are our highest priority. 

HIGH SCHOOL CHROMEBOOK DEPLOYMENT

• This Thursday, March 26, TERRA LINDA HIGH SCHOOL students without access to a computer at home can come to Terra Linda or Bahia Vista to check-out a Chromebook. Please arrive at the time specified on the SRCS Chromebook Deployment Flyer.
• This Friday, March 27th, SAN RAFAEL HIGH SCHOOL students without access to a computer at home can come to San Rafael High School or Bahia Vista to check-out a Chromebook. Please arrive at the time specified on the SRCS Chromebook Deployment Flyer.
• Please refer to the SRCS Chromebook Deployment Flyer for the time your student should arrive based on his/her last name and the requirements to check out a Chromebook. If possible, please fill out this permission slip which will be required from all students checking out a Chromebook. We will also have hard copies available on site. 

MIDDLE SCHOOL CHROMEBOOK DEPLOYMENT

• This Monday, March 30th, DAVIDSON MIDDLE SCHOOL STUDENTS who do not have access to a computer at home can come to Davidson or Bahia Vista to check-out a Chromebook. 
• This Tuesday, March 31st, VENETIA VALLEY STUDENTS who do not have access to a computer at home can come to Venetia Valley or Bahia Vista to check-out a Chromebook. 
• Please refer to the SRCS Chromebook Deployment Flyer for the time your student should arrive based on his/her last name and the requirements to check out a Chromebook. If possible, please fill out this permission slip which will be required from all students checking out a Chromebook. We will also have hard copies available on site. 

ELEMENTARY 

• SRCS will be releasing new TK-5 packets (for the period of 3/30-4/17) at the beginning of next week. Stay tuned for how we will distribute the packets this coming Friday.

REMOTE LEARNING

• Students should check their Google Classroom and/or Canvas Classroom and srcs.org email daily for instruction from their teacher/s.
• Just a reminder to check-out our SRCS Remote Learning website that continues to be updated with new resources.

DONATION DRIVE FOR HEALTHCARE WORKERS

• Our SF and Marin County hospitals need masks, gloves, goggles, and face shields. If you have any (unused) supplies from your emergency and wildfire kits or from business stockpiles, please consider donating them! The collection of items is this Friday and Saturday from 10am-3pm at Bon Air, Greenbrae. Thank you!

SPRING BREAK (April 6-April 10) 

• Please note that SRCS Spring Break is scheduled from 4/6-4/10.  During this time, no new assignments will be posted on Google Classroom or Canvas.  We would encourage you to take this week to reduce screen time for students as we know Remote Learning has led to a steep increase. Use this time to be in nature (while practicing physical distancing), write a letter to a friend, journal, play family games, and read, read, read.  If students choose to do so, they could also make up missed work from previous weeks on Google Classroom or Canvas.  If you are looking for additional learning resources during this Spring Break we would encourage you to view our SRCS Remote Learning website.

#SRCSWeAreOne #SRCSTodosSomosUno

Sincerely, 

Jim

Jim Hogeboom
Superintendent 

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March 20, 2020

Dear SRCS Community:

We hope you are staying safe and healthy. The purpose of this letter is to inform you of a few items we are working on at SRCS. 

FOOD SERVICES

• Today, we served 557 lunches and breakfasts. Thank you to SRCS’ Alan Downing and his team for the incredible and resourceful work they are doing! 
• We also had our first COVID-19 Food Bank pantry at Bahia Vista. The turnout was much higher than anticipated so we wanted to make you aware that tomorrow Saturday 3/21, there is a food pantry that the Canal Welcome Center is hosting at 24 Belvedere St. San Rafael from 9:00 am ‐ 10:30 am. 
• For a list of SF/Marin Food Bank pantries in the San Rafael community, please visit SF/Marin Food Bank Food Locator (link: https://foodlocator.sfmfoodbank.org/). 
• We are working with the SF/Marin Food Bank to increase the amount of days to serve food pantries to our community. We will have more information early next week on the schedule. 

PLEASE NOTE: It is critical for ALL of our health that we maintain the physical distancing required by our public health officers. Thank you! 

CHROMEBOOK DEPLOYMENT

• As you know, San Rafael City Schools is focused on equity. We are excited for the launch of Remote Learning and want to ensure all students have access to the tools they need to be successful.
• Over the next couple of weeks, we will begin deploying Chromebooks to 6th-12th grade students who do not have access to a device at home. The schedule with permissions slips are here (we will have hard copies of the permission slip available).

SRCS STORY TIME! 

Our SRCS Story Time is a time to virtually read with one of our teachers, principals and other members of our staff! Keep an eye out for this on our Twitter, Facebook, and SRCS Remote Learning website. 

We miss seeing you and your child in person, and we hope you are staying healthy and rested.  

#SRCSWeAreOne #SRCSTodosSomosUno

Sincerely, 

Jim

Jim Hogeboom
Superintendent