Dear BPUSD Community,
I hope this message finds you and your family safe and well. It has been an extraordinary sixteen months since COVID-19 forced the closure of school classrooms in March 2020. Since then, we have worked to provide a quality education for students in the safest way possible. The good news is that the State of California is reopening schools for in-person instruction in the Fall Term.
When the new school year starts on August 12, 2021, all schools will offer full-day, in-person instruction to all students, five days a week while maintaining the highest standard of safety according to the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health (DPH) guidelines. Students will also be able to participate in learning and enrichment activities during after-school programs.
We truly believe that our students learn better in person. As we plan for the return to a "regular" school day, we are also preparing to provide additional support for our students.
- Children will benefit from a robust social-emotional program and mental health services. Students with learning differences and disabilities will receive more direct support.
- Intervention Teachers on Special Assignment (ToSA) at each elementary and middle school and Curriculum, Technology, & Intervention Coaches (CTIC) at all of the schools will help students build a skills foundation and accelerate learning in literacy, math, and college-readiness.
- Cleaning and safety practices will continue to ensure safe learning environments.
- Preventive health protocols based on DPH guidelines will be in place, such as daily health screenings, mask-wearing, and frequent handwashing. Principals will notify parents of the most current DPH guidelines prior to the start of the school year.
We know that every family situation is unique and some students may need to continue with at-home learning through Digital Learning and Beyond (DLAB), BPUSD's online independent study program. Families will be to "OPT-IN" to the DLAB program BY August 6, 2021, for their student(s) to participate during the 2021-2022 school year. To help families decide on which option is best for them, please refer to the DLAB FAQ Sheet for more information DLAB FAQ and complete a Google Form to express interest in the program https://forms.gle/45naQRbGqpqbZ9B68
NOTE: Students returning for full-time in-person instruction do not need to take any action and should follow their school's instructions for meetings and procedures related to their return to school on August 12, 2021. For any specific questions regarding your students, please reach out to the school principal.
We are excited as we open our school doors beginning on August 12, 2021. Thank you for your continued support and partnership in our schools.
Sincerely,
Froilan N. Mendoza, Ed.D.
Superintendent of Schools