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Dear Families,

We are continuing to closely monitor the coronavirus (now named COVID-19) situation in Southern California. We understand that with the strong media coverage, anxieties are heightened and you may have questions.

We want to assure you that every precaution is being taken to ensure the health and safety of you, our students and staff. As we continue to monitor the situation, we would like to provide current information about precautions and preparations we are taking as a school.

As always, the safety and wellness of our students and staff is a priority. We will be monitoring new developments and will continue to reevaluate our steps and actions. Thank you for your cooperation and support in helping us to maintain healthy and safe learning environments. Any official updates will be posted on our school website.

What Are We Doing Now?

We are closely monitoring the California Department of Health Care Services, the California Department of Public Health - as well as the California Department of Education (CDE) for ongoing information, guidance, and coordination. We will continue to follow their expert recommendations.

Testing: Any site where students gather in groups (testing sites) will be cleaned utilizing EPA-recommended cleaning solutions, methods, and devices. That list can be viewed here.

While public health officials say that there is no need to alter current routines, the school is prepared to offer alternatives to in-person HST meetings. If you are unable to attend your assigned testing location due to an illness, we will work with you to reschedule your test as soon as you are able.

What Can You Do?

Our team has received CDC recommended strategies for staying healthy during cold and flu season which are:

Please do not attend a testing location or field trip if you are sick. We will have zero tolerance for students or parents who do not follow this direction.
If employees or children have a fever, please stay home until you are fever-free for 24 hours without medication.
Handwashing remains our No. 1 defense against illness. Please wash hands often with soap and water. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.
Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces.
If children are not feeling well, or exhibiting signs of illness at an event or on a field trip, have them check in with an HST. We will notify parents immediately.
Communicate all health concerns with your physician.
The CDC does not recommend the use of face masks among healthy individuals, however, it is important that anyone wearing a mask be treated with respect and not fear. N95 respirator masks are not designed for and should not be worn by children.

For general questions about COVID-19 and precautions currently recommended by local counties, please visit the CDC website.

The Importance of State Testing

A school’s academic progress is reported on the California School’s Dashboard in the Academic Indicator which takes into account both the participation rate and performance on state assessments. Per federal law (Every Student Succeeds Act), public schools, including charter schools that administer state assessments to less than 95% of their students, will automatically receive the lowest possible score for each student needed to bring the participation rate to 95%.

The federal participation rate plays a critical role in our ability to renew our charter. With the recent passage of state law, Assembly Bill 1505, charter school renewal is now closely tied to the Academic Indicator on the Dashboard. Charter school authorizers must now forcibly rank charter schools into three tiers based on their Dashboard performance. Charter schools who rank in the lowest tier, based on Dashboard performance, will be denied renewal or granted only a two-year renewal.

Please help keep our wonderful school open by encouraging your child/teen to participate in and make an earnest effort to do well on the state assessments that will be administered this spring. If you are interested in helping keep our school open, you may also encourage your child/teen to prepare for the state assessment by helping to familiarize them with the testing format. Becoming familiar with the state assessment format ahead of time will allow your child/teen to focus on demonstrating what they know. This hyperlink provides you with access to useful resources: How to Take a Practice Test and Check-Out Designated Supports.

This is an evolving situation and we will update you regularly with important information and instructions. The safety and wellness of our students, staff, and families is our top priority. Unless otherwise informed, please plan for all regular school activities as scheduled.

Thank you for partnering with us.

Sincerely,

Krystin Demofonte
Principal

COVID-19 Updates

COVID-19 (Coronavirus) Resources

School Updates

COVID-19 (Coronavirus) Updates