Dear Parents/Guardians,
Several days ago, the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) released updated guidelines for K-12 schools around the opening of the 2021-22 school year. There appears to be conflicting guidance causing confusion around masking requirements.
The latest guidance, released on July 12, stated that masks are optional outdoors for all in K-12 school settings. However, students in grades K-12 would be required to mask indoors, with exemptions per CDPH face mask guidance. However, on July 13, it was reported in the news that CDPH has changed its guidance and will allow school districts discretion on how to enforce mask rules. As you can imagine, it is difficult to plan with ever-changing guidelines, recommendations, and requirements. Given the ever-changing nature of this pandemic, we once again expect the roller coaster of changing health protocols, requirements, and recommendations.
Based on current conditions, if districts are allowed discretion over mask-wearing during the 2021-22 school year, AUSD will make masks optional for students. We, of course, will continually analyze conditions and respond accordingly and make changes to ensure that our students and staff are safe. Last year, our mitigation strategy, which did include mask-wearing, was very effective. We will continue virtually all of our safety protocols. This will include a requirement for temperature checks upon entering campus. Students will also continue to be assigned restrooms and hand-washing stations across campuses. Frequent hand hygiene practices will be encouraged. Continued sanitizing and electrostatic spraying will also remain in place. We will also continue to offer COVID testing options for students, staff, and parents.
Last, with the ongoing and important conversation happening in our country—and in our own community—around opening schools safely, I want to remind us all that we take the safety of our staff, students and families, seriously. We also take the input of the community we serve seriously.
Last year, early on in the pandemic we made a decision to open our schools because we believed it was our moral responsibility to provide in-person learning for our students when safe and possible. We took this responsibility seriously and were one of the first Districts to receive a waiver from the state and county to reopen, and were one of the first school districts in the county to actually reopen schools for in-person learning. We were also one of the first districts in the state to upgrade our ventilation systems, and we were also the first District in the state to fully vaccinate our staff, provide District-led learning Pods, and begin COVID testing for staff, students, and our community. We continue to believe that our students need to return to school and resume life in as regular a fashion as possible. We remain committed to opening our schools as safely as is possible given the ever-changing nature of this virus.
While we are keenly aware that things will continue to evolve and change, we wanted to make sure our community knew where the Board and I stood in terms of mask requirements for students. We will continue to provide updates as necessary.
Sincerely,
Dr. Rich Newman
Proudest Superintendent on Earth
Happy 4th of July!
We honor those who have made the ultimate sacrifice, those who continue to serve, and those who return to civilian life! Thank you! #MemorialDay
NO WAIT FOR VACCINATIONS: Sharp Health COVID Vaccination clinic is being held today, Thursday, May 27 at Joan MacQueen Middle School from 10:00 - 3:00. Parents must accompany any student who is 12-17 years old.
The Federal Communications Commission has launched a temporary program to help families and households struggling to afford Internet service during the COVID-19 pandemic. The Emergency Broadband Benefit provides a discount of up to $50 per month toward broadband service for eligible households and up to $75 per month for households on qualifying Tribal lands. Eligible households can also receive a one-time discount of up to $100 to purchase a laptop, desktop computer, or tablet from participating providers.
Eligible households can enroll through a participating broadband provider or directly with the Universal Service Administrative Company (USAC) using an online or mail in application. You can learn more about the benefit, including eligibility and enrollment information, by visiting www.fcc.gov/broadbandbenefit, or by calling 833-511-0311
REMINDER: Sharp Health will be holding a COVID Vaccination clinic Thursday, May 27 at Joan MacQueen Middle School from 10:00 AM - 3:00 PM. Parents must accompany any student who is 12-17 years old. The Pfizer vaccine will be administered. No appointment is necessary.
Sharp Health COVID Vaccination clinic will be held Thursday, May 27 at Joan MacQueen Middle School from 10:00 - 3:00. Parents must accompany any student who is 12-17 years old. Appts can be made @ https://myturn.ca.gov - access code is BNN3GOODO6. Walk-ins of all ages welcome!
Sharp Health will be holding a COVID Vaccination clinic this Thursday, May 27 at Joan MacQueen Middle School from 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM. Vaccinations are available for anyone 12 years and older. The Pfizer vaccine will be administered. No appointment is necessary.
CAL Fire will be administering drive through COVID testing today from 2:00 pm to 5:00 pm at the JMMS parking lot. No appointment necessary.
CAL Fire will be in the JMMS parking lot tomorrow, May 19th for COVID vaccines from 9:00 am to 1:30 pm and COVID testing 2:00 pm to 5:00 pm. Go to myturn.ca.gov. to schedule an appointment.
The AUSD staff were very fortunate to celebrate Staff Appreciation Week with a delicious lunch compliments of Claudia Sanchez and the Alpine Taco Shop staff. Thank you Claudia, your generosity optimizes community support and it is greatly appreciated.
Today we celebrate Star Wars Day across our District and enjoy a little bit of nostalgic fun. May the 4th be with you!
HUGE KUDOS to our staff for stepping up when it wasn't easy and showing up to put our students first! We appreciate ALL of our staff!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eZBfkgBhA0Q
Thank you Rep. Issa for visiting Alpine Union and recognizing our district for its reopening strategy and presenting us with a proclamation from Congress that April 30 is declared Alpine Union School District Day.
Our AUSD Preschool students welcomed some new additions to the classroom this week. Students watched as baby chicks hatched from incubated eggs. Check out these adorable pictures from Mrs. Nash's class.
AUSD Summer Learning Opportunities Coming Soon!
Good Evening Families,
I hope everyone that was able to attend the Waking up Courage assemblies enjoyed them. We appreciated all the positive feedback that was received. If you were not able to attend the assemblies, they introduced students to language and skills they can use to prevent and stop bullying. The Waking Up Courage Assembly is a powerful, student-centered experience that enlists, unites, and empowers students to take a stand and speak up when they see bullying and violence among their peers. We will have more opportunities to participate next year.
If you have not completed the online registration, please do so. We will begin organizing classes based on enrollment. We will be sharing more information soon on some fun Summer School opportunities.
Have a great week,
Yvette Maier
Important AUSD message.
Southern Indian Health Council (SIHC) is providing COVID vaccinations to anyone 16 years old and up. Call 619-445-1188 x400 to schedule an appt. at SIHC. COVID testing and vaccinations will also be held at JMMS on Wednesday, May 19. You can schedule an appt. at myturn.ca.gov.
Good Afternoon Families,
We are preparing classes for next year. Please fill out the following survey by April 16th.
https://forms.gle/ef5b3kLY36pW62mL9