A message from the Twin Rivers Unified School District superintendent, Dr. Steve Martinez, was sent out yesterday. In the letter, Dr. Martinez discusses the process for reopening schools for on-campus learning, and asks parents and employees for feedback on the process. See below:
Sept. 29, 2020
To Staff and the Twin Rivers School Community,
Sacramento County Public Health today announced important information that could possibly affect when we can open our schools for in-person teaching and learning.
Public health officials say COVID-19 cases have dropped sufficiently over the past few weeks. As a result, the county has moved into what’s called the “Red Tier” under California’s Blueprint for a Safer Economy. In order for schools to consider reopening to include a level of in-classroom instruction, the county must remain in the “Red Tier” for two weeks.
We welcome this news, as it is our desire to include in-class teaching and learning (hybrid model), to the degree possible, with enhanced safety and cleaning protocols and procedures. We must also keep in mind that the situation is still fluid and we must be
prepared for remaining virtual or going to some level of in-person instruction.
The reopening of schools continues to require significant planning and preparation, as we develop and implement a comprehensive plan that prioritizes safety with an effective instructional model.
Following months of hard work and discussion, our TR plan is designed to limit COVID-19 exposures between all individuals to the greatest extent possible while providing the best possible learning environment for all students. We will continue to work with our
labor partners as we work towards a safe return to in-person schooling.
We have all experienced a new way of life with COVID 19. We have been told to stay in our homes as much as possible, to wear a face mask in public and to physically distance ourselves from loved ones, friends and coworkers. With today’s news, we want you to
be prepared for our “new normal”—changes that you and your child will experience when they physically return to our schools.
Safety, as always, is of the utmost importance. To ensure that our classrooms are ready for a hybrid model—which combines face-to-face instruction with online learning—we have partnered with an external group to help us prepare for what’s ahead. Their work
is comprehensive, examining everything from airflow, traffic flow, and adequate distancing to ensure we are compliant with all state, local and federal guidelines. In addition, we are taking the following precautions:
- Required face coverings
- Daily health checks
- Physical distancing in and outside of classrooms
- Limiting the number of students in a classroom
- Increased sanitizing and disinfecting of high touch areas
- Hand washing stations
- Limited visitation to our campuses
In addition, we are planning for the impact the reopening may have on staffing, specifically for our classrooms. If you are a certificated employee, please assist with this by completing the following survey.
Although we anticipate and are planning for a return to in-person instruction, we know some parents may wish to keep their children in distance learning for the entire school year. If you would like to keep your child or children in distance learning, please fill out a form for each child you would like to keep in a distance learning option by clicking on the following links:
Thank you in advance for taking the time to give us your feedback. It will help us to better to serve you.
We encourage staff and families to frequently visit our District website and follow our social media pages for up-to-date and accurate information about next steps. As we move forward, please know that our priority is to keep everyone safe.
With deep respect,
Steve Martinez, Ed.D.
Superintendent, Twin Rivers Unified