Dear Assumption Community,
Today (July 17, 2020), as I shared yesterday, Gov. Newsom held a press conference to discuss the reopening of schools in California for the 2020-2021 school year. We learned that if local health jurisdictions are on the monitoring list within the last 14 days, schools in that area must conduct distance learning only, until their local health jurisdiction has been off the monitoring list for at least 14 days. Alameda County is currently on this watch list. Given this information, Assumption School must begin the new school year with Distance Learning.
This is not surprising (just a little disappointing) as our Site Planning Committee has been preparing three scenarios which include distance learning, in-person learning, and a hybrid model. We have reflected on our program from the Spring, identified areas of growth and areas of success, and prepared a distance learning program that will phase into the different scenarios as we look toward a return to in-person instruction in the future. While we felt last spring's efforts showed our resilience in times of challenge, we know our Fall distance learning protocol is an improvement as it takes into consideration student, parent, and faculty/staff social/emotional needs, distance learning practices backed by evidence, and our ability to support not just students but also parents and teachers.
I am energized by the energy of our faculty as they attended summer in-services to gather ideas for effective instruction from across the country. We also are encouraged by the dedication from our staff and student leadership to provide opportunities (optional) for student engagement throughout the week and day like digital recess, online electives, faith family activities, or cross-grade small learning groups. Our parent leadership has also prepared looking for safe alternatives to community building events like our annual auction or fall festival.
We will have more detailed information in the first week of August when we will send out information about our New Parent Orientation, Visiting Day, Back to School Night, New Student Welcome, and our Presentation of TK/Kindergarten to Our Parish, including how these might look in a pandemic. You chose Assumption School for its loving community, Christ-centered approach to a rigorous education, and commitment to our mission. This is the energy in which we plan our school year. I pray for all those affected by this pandemic and the rippling effects this pandemic has brought to our nation and the world. Please be safe, stay healthy, and join me in this prayer.
To help brighten your upcoming week, please enjoy our own Drama Club's virtual production of the Wizard of Oz, coming to Youtube next Friday. We will post the link next week! A preview is here.
Okay, folks. Signing off for the week but always thinking of our great Assumption School!
With love,
Lana Rocheford
Principal