COVID-19 Updates and Resources

August 7, 2020

As we approach the beginning of the upcoming school year, we are working to finalize curriculum, programs, and schedules and get this information to our families as soon as possible. In this communication, we are thrilled to share an update on our distance learning curriculum.

Distance learning curriculum

Wiseburn has selected two learning management programs that provide additional resources in the distance learning model. These programs enrich teacher’s custom lesson plans while keeping all of your student’s lessons, assignments, and messages in one place.

Our TK-5th graders will use SchoolsPLP, and our 6-8th graders will use Arizona State University (ASU) Digital Middle School (M.S.) Experience. To learn more about these platforms, please visit our new Distance Learning Curriculum page on the Wiseburn website.

Upcoming communications

More information about student schedules, attendance expectations, social and emotional health, and childcare is forthcoming from Wiseburn. Families will be notified as policies are finalized via this district email list.

Our next communication, which you will receive by August 17 or earlier, will provide updates on childcare, meaning our preschool and extended day care programs. If you have urgent questions in the meantime, please send them to communication@wiseburn.org so we can address them in future communications.

Please also follow Wiseburn USD on Instagram and Facebook to be sure you don’t miss these updates.

With thanks,

Wiseburn USD

July 23, 2020

Dear Wiseburn Families and Friends,

Last week, Governor Gavin Newsom announced his plan for the upcoming school year. The plan centers on ensuring rigorous instruction for students even when schools are physically closed, and states that health data will determine when a school can be physically open and when it must close.

Whether a school can physically open depends on the status of Los Angeles County’s level of COVID-19 infections as well as the preparedness of our county’s health care system. Any county that does not meet the state’s benchmarks is put on the County Monitoring List.

Schools located in counties that are on the Monitoring List must not physically open for in-person instruction until their county has come off the Monitoring List for 14 consecutive days. Schools in counties that have not been on the Monitoring List for the prior 14 days may begin in-person instruction, following public health guidelines.

Los Angeles County is currently on the County Monitoring List. For more details, you can read Newsom’s letter here.

Wiseburn’s reopening plan

In line with Newsom’s plan, Wiseburn USD will reopen September 1 virtually with distance learning in place for our K-8 schools. As I shared in my last communication, Da Vinci Schools will start the upcoming year on August 17 with all-remote learning.

Early indications after talking to local and state medical experts suggest that some form of in-person schooling will likely not occur until the end of the 1st Semester (January 22, 2021). We understand the planning and coordination this will require for our families, thus we wanted to provide these preliminary projections. We will continue to monitor all the data surrounding the spread of the virus to make the most informed and timely decisions possible.  

Our goal remains to bring students back to campuses as soon as it is safe to do so. We have a framework with a flexible, five-stage reopening plan that we can invoke as the COVID-19 outlook improves.

The five phases sit in between the two ends of the instruction model spectrum, from total virtual learning to total in-person learning. Starting with phase one and through phase five, we will employ a hybrid learning model of instruction, which blends virtual and in-person learning. Each stage will gradually bring students to campus either in larger groups or for longer periods of time and provides flexibility to move between the stages as needed.

We have updated our website’s COVID-19 updates and resources page with more information on our reopening plan, including what the stages of the hybrid model will look like. Find more details on the reopening plan here.

For families who do not feel comfortable with their students physically returning to campus at any point, they can opt for a full distance learning model of instruction delivered by Wiseburn teachers. Families will be prompted by Wiseburn to make this decision closer to the start of the first phase of hybrid learning in order to make the most informed decision as possible. Our teachers and staff are currently exploring programs that will allow for a seamless transition between hybrid and distance learning to further accommodate students and to complement distance learning instruction.

Exploring childcare options

As mentioned in our previous message, Wiseburn is exploring creative options to support families with daycare when and however possible. For those who have already registered for our Preschool and Extended Day Program, we are currently working to build programs that minimize risk to our students and families while still allowing us to operate within the state and local health orders. We are in direct contact with other districts to coordinate program options that keep our communities safe and allow us to support families with this critical need.

We will know whether we can operate these programs at Wiseburn by August 17, at which point we will notify our families via email. However, if we are able to receive more information on the feasibility of safely operating childcare before August 17, we will communicate those updates sooner. Though this is still in flux with the rapidly changing COVID-19 situation, we wanted to share the latest information we have on our childcare options since we know our families need this information.

Stay safe and keep connected

As always, you can see the latest recommendations on keeping yourself and your loved ones safe through the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health’s COVID-19 portal. When possible: stay home, avoid gatherings, maintain at least six feet of distance with people outside of your household, and wear a cloth face covering at all times when you are out and around other people.

We will continue to be in touch regularly with more information as we approach the beginning of the school year. If you have urgent questions in the meantime, please send them to communication@wiseburn.org so we can address them in future communications.

Please also follow Wiseburn USD on Instagram and Facebook to be sure you don’t miss these updates.

Thank you to each of you for your patience and support,

Blake Silvers, Ed.D., Superintendent

23 de julio de 2020

Queridas familias y amigos de Wiseburn,

La semana pasada, el gobernador Gavin Newsom anunció su plan para el próximo año escolar. El plan se centra en garantizar una instrucción rigurosa para los estudiantes incluso cuando las escuelas estén físicamente cerradas, y establece que los datos de salud determinarán cuándo una escuela puede estar físicamente abierta y cuándo debe cerrarse.

El que una escuela pueda abrir físicamente depende del nivel de las infecciones COVID-19 del condado de Los Ángeles, así como también de la preparación del sistema de atención médica de nuestro condado. Cualquier condado que no cumpla con los puntos de referencia del estado se coloca en la Lista de Monitoreo del Condado.

Las escuelas ubicadas en condados que están en la Lista de Monitoreo no deben abrir físicamente para la instrucción en persona hasta que su condado haya salido de la Lista de Monitoreo por 14 días consecutivos. Las escuelas en condados que no han estado en la Lista de Monitoreo durante los 14 días anteriores pueden comenzar la instrucción en persona, siguiendo las pautas de salud pública.

El Condado de Los Ángeles está actualmente en la Lista de Monitoreo del Condado. Para más detalles, puede leer la carta de Newsom aquí.

Plan de reapertura de Wiseburn

De acuerdo con el plan de Newsom, Wiseburn USD reabrirá el día 1º de septiembre virtualmente con el aprendizaje a distancia en marcha para nuestras escuelas K-8. Como compartí en mi última comunicación, las escuelas Da Vinci comenzarán el próximo año escolar el día 17 de agosto con el aprendizaje totalmente remoto.

Las primeras indicaciones después de hablar con expertos médicos locales y estatales sugieren que algún tipo de escolarización en persona probablemente no ocurrirá hasta el final del 1er Semestre (22 de enero del 2021). Entendemos la planificación y coordinación que esto requerirá para nuestras familias, por lo que queríamos proporcionar estas proyecciones preliminares. Continuaremos monitoreando todos los datos que rodean la propagación del virus para tomar las decisiones más informadas y oportunas posibles.

Nuestro objetivo sigue siendo traer a los estudiantes de regreso a los campus tan pronto como sea seguro. Tenemos un esquema con un plan de reapertura flexible de cinco etapas al que podemos recurrir a medida que mejore el panorama COVID-19.

Las cinco fases están situadas entre los dos extremos de la gama del modelo de instrucción, desde el aprendizaje virtual total hasta el aprendizaje total en persona. Comenzando con la fase uno y hasta la fase cinco, emplearemos un modelo de aprendizaje híbrido de instrucción, que combina el aprendizaje virtual y en persona. Cada etapa llevará a los estudiantes gradualmente al campus, ya sea en grupos más grandes o durante períodos de más largos de tiempo y proporciona flexibilidad para moverse entre las etapas según sea necesario.

Hemos actualizado las últimas noticias de COVID-19 y la página de recursos en nuestros sitios web con más información sobre nuestro plan de reapertura, incluyendo cómo serán las etapas del modelo híbrido. Encuentre más detalles sobre el plan de reapertura aquí.

Para las familias que no se sienten cómodas con que sus estudiantes regresan físicamente al campus en algún punto, pueden optar por un modelo de instrucción de aprendizaje a distancia completo el cuál será impartido por los maestros de Wiseburn. El distrito de Wiseburn incitará a las familias a tomar esta decisión cuando se acerque el inicio de la primera fase del aprendizaje híbrido con el fin de tomar la decisión más informada posible. Nuestros maestros y personal están explorando actualmente programas que permitirán una transición sin inconvenientes entre el aprendizaje híbrido y a distancia para adaptar aún más a los estudiantes y complementar la enseñanza de aprendizaje a distancia.

Explorando opciones de cuidado infantil

Como se mencionó en nuestro mensaje anterior, Wiseburn está explorando opciones creativas para apoyar a las familias con la guardería cuando y como sea posible. Para aquellos que ya se han registrado para nuestro Programa de Preescolar y Día Extendido, estamos actualmente trabajando para construir programas que minimicen el riesgo para nuestros estudiantes y familias, pero al mismo tiempo permitiéndonos operar dentro de las órdenes de salud estatales y locales. Estamos en contacto directo con otros distritos para coordinar opciones de programas que mantienen a nuestras comunidades seguras y nos permiten apoyar a las familias con esta necesidad crucial.

Sabremos si es que podemos operar estos programas en Wiseburn a más tardar el día 17 de agosto, y entonces notificaremos a nuestras familias por correo electrónico. Sin embargo, si recibimos más información sobre la posibilidad de operar de forma segura el cuidado de niños antes del 17 de agosto, se los comunicaremos antes. Aunque esto todavía está cambiando constantemente con la situación COVID-19 que evoluciona rápidamente, queríamos compartir la información más reciente que tenemos sobre nuestras opciones de cuidado infantil, ya que sabemos que nuestras familias necesitan esta información.

Manténgase a salvo y manténgase conectado

Como siempre, usted puede ver las últimas recomendaciones de cómo mantenerse a sí mismo y a sus seres queridos a salvo a través del portal COVID-19 del Departamento de Salud Pública del Condado de Los Ángeles. Cuando sea posible: quédese en casa, evite las reuniones, mantenga al menos seis pies de distancia con personas fuera de su hogar y use un cubre boca de tela en todo momento cuando se encuentre fuera y alrededor de otras personas.

Seguiremos en contacto regularmente con más información a medida que nos acercamos al comienzo del año escolar. Mientras tanto si tiene preguntas urgentes, por favor envíelas a communication@wiseburn.org para que podamos dirigirnos a ellas en futuras comunicaciones.

Por favor, también siga a Wiseburn USD en Instagram y Facebook para asegurarse de no perderse de estas comunicaciones cruciales.

Gracias a cada uno de ustedes por su paciencia y apoyo,

Blake Silvers, Ed.D., Superintendente

July 15, 2020

Dear Wiseburn Families and Friends,

In recent weeks, coronavirus cases and hospitalizations in California — and Los Angeles in particular — have surged, straining hospitals. COVID-19 hospitalizations rose by 44 percent and ICU admissions increased by 34 percent throughout the state in the last two weeks. Just yesterday, California hit a record high of 11,142 recorded cases in a single day.

This alarming trend and guidance from public health experts prompted this week's announcements by Los Angeles USD, San Diego USD, Santa Monica-Malibu USD, and Long Beach USD that the school districts intend to reopen with distance learning at the beginning of each districts' upcoming 2020-21 academic year.

Wiseburn USD planning for opening possibilities

With the recent surge in the spread of COVID-19, it is a real possibility that Wiseburn USD will also reopen September 1 virtually with distance learning in place for our K-8 schools. Da Vinci Schools will start the upcoming year on August 17 with all-remote learning.

More information about the reopening of Wiseburn on September 1 will be communicated to families by July 24.

It is our goal to bring students back to campuses as soon as it is safe to do so. We know it is critical for our students' learning — as well as our family's needs — to get our students back on campus as the situation permits. We also recognize the district's moral obligation and role in minimizing the risk of virus transmission, given the severity of the virus' health implications for our families and community at large.

Wiseburn USD has been planning accordingly, developing stages of reopening that we will be able to implement with flexibility. Though we may begin the school year on September 1 with distance learning, as the situation evolves, so will our instruction methods. In the interim, Wiseburn is also exploring creative options to support families with daycare when and however possible and will update families with this information in an upcoming communication.

Reinvigorating online distance learning

Our core mission revolves around in-person learning and distance learning, defined as instruction that occurs virtually.

We have researched a number of programs and vendors and have narrowed down options that would complement our TK-8 distance learning instruction. Our teaching staff are assessing the options and providing further input on the value of the programs for our students' learning.

Phased physical reopening through a hybrid model

According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, distance learning is the lowest risk option for schools to combat the spread of the coronavirus and save lives. However, Wiseburn has been preparing for additional instructional models based on the threat level of COVID-19.

As the COVID-19 outlook improves and we are directed by local health authorities, we are planning for a stage in which we employ a hybrid model of instruction, defined as instruction that blends inperson with at-home curriculum.

Wiseburn has already begun preparations for a hybrid model of instruction. Because of the Wiseburn Reopening Advisory Partnership (WRAP), we have a five-stage model for reopening that was also informed by the Los Angeles County Office of Education Taskforce on Reopening Schools that I served on earlier this year.

We will be sharing more information about the five-stage hybrid model of instruction in our next communication by July 24.

Stay safe and keep connected

For the latest recommendations on keeping yourself and your loved ones safe, you can turn to the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health's COVID-19 portal. When possible: stay home, avoid gatherings, maintain at least six feet of distance with people outside of your household, and wear a cloth face covering at all times when you are out and around other people.

We will be in touch regularly with more information as we approach the beginning of the school year. If you have urgent questions in the meantime, please send them to communication@wiseburn.org so we can address them in future communications.

Please also follow Wiseburn USD on Instagram and Facebook to be sure you don't miss these critical communications.

Wishing you all safety and good health,

Blake Silvers, Ed.D., Superintendent

15 de julio de 2020

Estimados Familiares y Amigos de Wiseburn,

En las últimas semanas, los casos de coronavirus y las hospitalizaciones en California — y en particular en Los Ángeles — han aumentado, saturando hospitales. Las hospitalizaciones debido a COVID-19 aumentaron en un 44 por ciento y las admisiones a cuidados intensivos aumentaron en un 34 por ciento en todo el estado en las últimas dos semanas.

Ésta alarmante tendencia provocó el anuncio de ayer por parte del Distrito Escolar Unificado de Los Ángeles, San Diego, Santa Monica, y Long Beach de que los distritos escolares no reabrirán físicamente al comienzo del próximo año académico 2020-21.

Planificación de Wiseburn USD sobre las posibilidades de apertura para el 1º de septiembre

Con el reciente aumento en la propagación de COVID-19, es una posibilidad que Wiseburn USD también reabra virtualmente con el aprendizaje a distancia en marcha para nuestros grados K-8. Para nuestras Escuelas Da Vinci, que reabrirán el 17 de agosto, comenzarán en una manera virtual.

Mas información acerca de la apertura de Wiseburn para el 1º de septiembre comunicamos cerca del 24 de Julio.

Nuestro objetivo es traer a los estudiantes físicamente de regreso a las escuelas tan pronto como sea seguro hacerlo. Sabemos que es fundamental para el aprendizaje de nuestros estudiantes — así como para las necesidades de nuestras familias — el que ellos vuelvan a la escuela según la situación lo permita. También damos cuenta de que es la obligación moral del distrito a reducir al mínimo el riesgo del contagio del virus para la seguridad de la comunidad entera.

Wiseburn USD ha estado planeando de acuerdo a ello, desarrollando etapas de reapertura que podremos implementar con flexibilidad. Aunque podemos comenzar el año escolar el 1º de septiembre con el aprendizaje a distancia, a medida que la situación evolucione, también lo harán nuestros métodos de instrucción. También, exploramos opciones creativas a apoyar a nuestras familias con el cuidado de los niños si es posible hacerlo. Vamos a comunicar en mas detalle en la próxima comunicación.

Revitalizar el aprendizaje a distancia en línea

El centro de nuestra misión gira en torno al aprendizaje en persona y con la participación de maestros y compañeros. Si bien nada puede reemplazar esto, estamos explorando maneras de aumentar nuestro programa del aprendizaje social/emocional para asegurarse el bienestar de nuestros estudiantes.

Hemos investigado una serie de programas y proveedores y hemos reducido las opciones que complementarían nuestra instrucción de aprendizaje a distancia TK-8. Nuestro personal instructivo está evaluando las opciones y proporcionando más información sobre el valor educativo de los programas para el aprendizaje de nuestros estudiantes.

Reapertura física por fases por medio de un modelo híbrido

El aprendizaje a distancia sigue siendo la opción más segura para combatir la propagación del virus y salvar vidas. Sin embargo, Wiseburn se ha estado preparando para modelos de instrucción adicionales basados en el nivel de amenaza de COVID-19.

A medida que las perspectivas COVID-19 mejoren y según nos dirijan las autoridades sanitarias locales, estamos planeando una etapa en la que empleemos un modelo híbrido de instrucción. Estamos definiendo a un modelo híbrido de aprendizaje como instrucción que combina el currículo en persona con el currículo en el hogar.

Wiseburn ya ha comenzado los preparativos para un modelo híbrido de instrucción y tiene un marco desarrollado con la guía del comité de reapertura Wiseburn (conocido en inglés como Wiseburn Reopening Advisory Partnership o WRAP) y los hallazgos del grupo de trabajo de la Oficina de Educación del Condado de Los Ángeles (LACOE, por sus siglas en inglés) sobre la reapertura de escuelas, en el cual presté mis servicios a principios de este año.

Se proveerá más información en un futuro cercano sobre las fases de nuestro modelo híbrido de aprendizaje cerca del 24 del Julio.

Manténgase a salvo y manténgase conectado

Para obtener las últimas recomendaciones sobre cómo mantenerse a salvo a sí mismo y a sus seres queridos, puede dirigirse al portal COVID-19 del Departamento de Salud Pública del Condado de Los Ángeles. Cuando sea posible: quédese en casa, evite las reuniones, mantenga al menos seis pies de distancia con personas fuera de tu hogar y use un cubrebocas en todo momento cuando esté fuera y alrededor de otras personas.

Nos pondremos en contacto regularmente con más información a medida que nos acercamos al comienzo del año escolar. Mientras tanto, si tiene preguntas urgentes, por favor envíelas a communication@wiseburn.org.

Por favor, también siga a Wiseburn USD en Instagram y Facebook para asegurarse de que no se pierda de estas comunicaciones fundamentales.

Deseándoles seguridad y buena salud,

Blake Silvers, Ed.D., Superintendente

June 15, 2020

Dear Wiseburn Families and Friends,

Last week, we officially ended our unusual academic year with a virtual goodbye. I speak for the District when I say that we are beyond proud of all of our students for reaching the finish line of a year marked with unforeseen obstacles.

Congratulations to all of our students and families, and a special congratulations for our 5th and 8th graders who have been promoted to middle and high school via virtual ceremonies at Juan de Anza Elementary, 138th Street School (formerly Peter H. Burnett Elementary School, see below), and R.H. Dana Middle School. We celebrate each of our students in these milestones, and though we will miss those students continuing their academic journeys into high school, we cannot wait to see them excel in all of their future endeavors.

As we head into summer, the District continues to plan for the upcoming academic year. We will reopen on September 1, and as we prepare for that reopening, I'll be communicating about what to expect, directly with our families and community, through these messages and via Instagram and our new Facebook page. Because we are working to address and be proactive on several pressing areas simultaneously, I have separated this update into sections.

On the District's Finances

• In our last update on the budget, I noted Governor Newsom's budget proposal contained a deficit that could lead to up to $3 million dollars in decreased education funding for Wiseburn. Today, the Legislature is voting on their own suggested budget, which the governor then has until the end of the month to sign. We still do not know what the final budget will look like or if any federal funding will come.
• As the District and school board plan for the budget decisions ahead, we are also considering the expenses that may be necessary for the potential physical reopening, such as the purchase of personal protective equipment and enhanced cleaning protocols to limit the spread of COVID-19.
• We are operating with the expectation that we will see significantly reduced funding and examining all options accordingly. We are doing everything we can to prepare for a challenging funding scenario, but we are hopeful for some positive outcomes. We will continue to update our community as the District navigates this financial situation.

On Reopening

• Our final full gathering of the Wiseburn Reopening Advisory Partnership (WRAP) took place today. We will meet with teachers and staff on the WRAP team on Thursday to discuss, in further detail, some logistics regarding scheduling.
• This committee of over 60 members included parents, teachers, support staff, board members, and members from our administrative team who came together to inform the District's reopening.
• Since June 1, this committee has worked to provide much needed input for a reopening framework based on surveys filled in by parents, students, and staff, and based on the findings of the Los Angeles County Office of Education Taskforce on Reopening Schools that I served on earlier this year. Using this input, we will be creating schedules that we will release next month.
• Per our original 2020-21 academic calendar, we will be reopening the District on September 1. We anticipate campuses will be physically open but on a reduced schedule and scale, with precautions in place to prioritize our community's safety and health.

On Diversity and Inclusion

• On Friday, June 5th, I joined a peaceful protest in our community, where I met Levi, a student who attends what is formerly known as Peter H. Burnett Elementary School. He expressed that the namesake was not reflective of the inclusive community that makes up the school and urged us to take action. Many others wrote to the school board in agreement.
• As I shared in a message on June 11, the school board promptly took it to a vote, and unanimously and enthusiastically agreed to remove the namesake. We will be convening a committee to support us in establishing a new name for the school and aim to have a name by the reopening of school on September 1.
• In the interim, the elementary school will be known as 138th Street School.
• Should you have any immediate input and/or information regarding the name change that you would like to share with the District, you can email us at communication@wiseburn.org, but we will also be releasing more specific information in the very near future.
• Aside from this step, we are also engaging as a community in anti-racist conversations. Our CARE Team hosted a parent workshop on June 4th that over 130 families, teachers, staff, administrators, and community members attended virtually. Those who weren't able to attend can still access the recorded workshop and the powerpoint slides (which have additional, clickable links to further resources).
• As a follow up to the workshop, the CARE Team is hosting a community circle as an opportunity to process feelings and discuss needs as a group this Thursday, June 18 at 1 p.m. Details on RSVPing to attend the event will be made available today via the CARE Team Instagram at @wusdcareteam.
• The CARE Team also encourages families to access additional race and civil justice resources here, plus the CARE Team's counseling resource folder for parents here.

I'll be in touch with further updates throughout the summer and especially as we get closer to reopening. But for now, I sincerely hope that each of our families have the time and space to create meaningful summer memories. If the past few months have demonstrated anything, it is that this community always finds a way.

Have a safe and healthy summer,

Blake Silvers, Ed.D., Superintendent

15 de junio de 2020

Estimados Familiares y Amigos de Wiseburn,

La semana pasada, oficialmente terminamos nuestro inusual año académico con un adiós virtual. Hablo en nombre del Distrito cuando digo que estamos más que orgullosos de todos nuestros estudiantes por alcanzar la meta de un año marcado con obstáculos imprevistos.

Felicidades a todos nuestros estudiantes y familias, y una felicitación especial para nuestros estudiantes de 5º y 8º grado por su promoción a la escuela secundaria y preparatoria por medio de ceremonias virtuales en la Escuela Primaria Juan de Anza, 138th Street School (conocida anteriormente como Escuela Primaria Peter H. Burnett, para más detalles lea abajo), y R.H. Dana Middle School. Celebramos a cada uno de nuestros estudiantes en dichos acontecimientos, y aunque echaremos de menos a esos estudiantes que continúan su recorrido académico hacia escuela preparatoria, tenemos muchas ganas de verlos sobresalir en todos sus esfuerzos futuros.

A medida que nos dirigimos al verano, el Distrito continúa haciendo planes para el próximo año académico. Reabriremos el día 1 de septiembre, y mientras nos preparamos para esa reapertura, les estaré comunicando directamente a nuestras familias y comunidad lo que pueden esperar por medio de estos mensajes, a través de Instagram y a través de nuestra nueva página de Facebook. Puesto que estamos trabajando para abordar y ser proactivos en varias áreas apremiantes simultáneamente, he separado esta actualización en varias secciones.

En cuanto a las finanzas del Distrito

• En nuestra última actualización acerca del presupuesto, noté que la propuesta presupuestaria del gobernador Newsom contenía un déficit que podría conducir a una disminución de fondos para la educación de hasta $3 millones para Wiseburn. El día de hoy, la Legislatura está votando su propio presupuesto sugerido, que el gobernador tiene hasta finales de mes para firmar. Por lo cual, todavía no sabemos cómo será el presupuesto final o si vendrá algún financiamiento federal.
• Como parte del plan del Distrito y del consejo escolar acerca de las decisiones presupuestarias que se aproximan, se están también considerando aquellos gastos que pueden ser necesarios para la posible reapertura física, como la compra de equipos de protección personal y protocolos de limpieza mejorados para limitar la propagación de COVID-19.
• Estamos operando con la expectativa de que veremos una financiación significativamente reducida y examinando todas las opciones en consecuencia. Estamos haciendo todo lo posible para prepararnos para un escenario de financiación desafiante, pero tenemos la esperanza de obtener algunos resultados positivos. Continuaremos manteniendo al tanto a nuestra comunidad a medida que el Distrito navegue por esta situación financiera.

En cuanto a la reapertura

• Nuestra reunión final del comité Wiseburn Reopening Advisory Partnership (WRAP) es hoy.
• Este comité de más de 60 miembros incluyó a padres, maestros, personal de apoyo, miembros de la junta directiva y miembros de nuestro equipo administrativo se unieron para documentar la reapertura del Distrito.
• Desde el día 1 de junio, este comité ha trabajado para proporcionar la aportación muy necesaria para un marco de reapertura basado en encuestas realizadas por padres, estudiantes y personal, y basado en los hallazgos del grupo operativo de la Oficina de Educación del Condado de Los Ángeles sobre la Reapertura de Escuelas, en el cual presté mi servicio hace algunos meses. Usando esta información, vamos a crear horarios que publicaremos en las próximas semanas.
• De acuerdo a nuestro calendario académico original 2020-21, volveremos a abrir el Distrito el día 1 de septiembre. Anticipamos que las escuelas estarán físicamente abiertas pero en un horario y escala reducidos, con precauciones para priorizar la seguridad y la salud de nuestra comunidad.

En cuanto a la diversidad y la inclusión

• El viernes 5 de junio, me uní a una protesta pacífica en nuestra comunidad, donde conocí a Levi, un estudiante que asiste a la que antes se conocía como la Escuela Primaria Peter H. Burnett. El expresó que el homónimo no reflejaba la comunidad inclusiva que compone la escuela, y nos pidió con insistencia tomar medidas. Muchos otros escribieron al consejo escolar en acuerdo.
• Como compartí en un mensaje el 11 de junio, el consejo escolar lo llevó rápidamente a votación, y acordó por unanimidad eliminar cuyo nombre. Convocaremos un comité de apoyo para el establecimiento de un nuevo nombre para la escuela, y nuestro objetivo es tener un nombre ya para la reapertura de la escuela el día 1 de septiembre.
• Provisionalmente, la escuela primaria se conocerá como 138th Street School.
• Si tiene alguna aportación inmediata sobre el cambio de nombre que desea compartir con el Distrito, puede enviarnos un correo electrónico a communication@wiseburn.org, pero también publicaremos información más específica en un futuro muy cercano.
• Además de este avance, también estamos participando como comunidad en conversaciones antirracistas. Nuestro equipo de CARE organizó un taller para padres el 4 de junio en el que más de 130 familias, maestros, personal, administradores y miembros de la comunidad asistieron virtualmente. Para aquellos que no pudieron asistir, todavía pueden acceder al taller grabado y a la presentación Powerpoint (los cuales cuales contienen enlaces adicionales que se conducen a más recursos).
• Como seguimiento a dicho taller, el equipo de CARE está organizando un círculo comunitario como una oportunidad para procesar sentimientos y discutir las necesidades en grupo este jueves 18 de junio a la 1 p.m. Más información para reservar su asistencia al evento estará disponible hoy a través del Equipo CARE Instagram en @wusdcareteam.
• El equipo CARE también alienta a las familias a acceder a recursos adicionales de raza y justicia civil aquí, además de la carpeta de recursos de consejería del equipo CARE para los padres aquí.

Estaré en contacto con más actualizaciones durante todo el verano y especialmente a medida que nos acercamos a la reapertura. Pero por ahora, espero sinceramente que cada una de nuestras familias tenga el tiempo y el espacio para crear recuerdos significativos de verano. Si los últimos meses han demostrado algo, es que esta comunidad siempre encuentra la manera.

Que tenga un verano seguro y saludable,

Blake Silvers, Ed.D., Superintendente

May 26, 2020

Dear Wiseburn Families and Friends,

A promising report released this week shows that the transmission rate of COVID-19 in Los Angeles County is the lowest it's been yet — hopeful news for us all, and a reminder that, eventually, we will return to a sense of normalcy.

There are still many unknowns about the new normal that awaits us, but we remain committed to the health and safety of our students, staff, and community, first and foremost. We continue to plan for the reopening of Wiseburn and want to regularly update you as that time draws nearer. Though every day brings new information to light, here is what we know for certain at this time:

• Our counselors and mental health providers continue their support of students and parents on an ongoing basis. Our entire team continues to find innovative ways to connect, including virtual recesses, information sessions, and read-alouds. Find links to some resources from our counseling team here.
• We are mapping out Wiseburn's path forward for the 2020-21 school year. As one of 24 superintendents on the Los Angeles County Office of Education Taskforce on Reopening Schools, I've been closely involved with the development of a framework for reopening schools across the county. Using the framework to inform and guide us, we are now following a similar process at the local level and gathering varied stakeholder feedback for Wiseburn. Starting June 1st, I will be convening a new committee, the Wiseburn Reopening Advisory Partnership (WRAP), which will consider the Wiseburn community's needs as we plan our unique pathway forward to recovery from the COVID19 pandemic. We will continue to update you on our progress.
• We want your thoughts to inform our reopening plan. A district-wide survey, emailed to you last week, will provide families with the opportunity to consider options for the upcoming school year, while providing us with helpful feedback to inform the Wiseburn Reopening Advisory Partnership's planning. Thank you to the more than 600 respondents for taking the time to share, but we also know that Survey Monkey was down for part of the weekend. If you received an error message and/or have not yet responded to the survey, we would greatly appreciate your feedback.
  https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/WUSDParentSurvey2020
• As part of our path forward, we are working tirelessly to plan for potential changes in the budget. Governor Newsom's recent budget proposal contains a deficit in education funding across the state and slashes our local funding by 10 percent. For the Wiseburn Unified School District, this equates to over $2 million dollars in decreased funding and could reach closer to $3 million as more information emerges. While we remain hopeful that federal funding may help make up some of the deficit, we are working proactively to plan for what is ahead with the information we have. The state budget will be officially confirmed in mid-June, at which point we will communicate with you as information becomes available.

Through all of this, we are especially thankful for our dedicated teachers, support staff, Hunger Heroes who continue to provide meals to our district, and our Board of Trustees who have each been highly engaged, flexible, and dedicated throughout our response to the pandemic over the past few months. I also want to thank you, our Wiseburn families, for supporting our students while navigating this sudden and unprecedented global crisis.

We can all likely agree that these are some of the toughest days of our lives. I am thankful, then, to be surrounded by this community to see it through, until we can be together once again.

Be well,

Blake Silvers, Ed.D., Superintendent of Schools

March 23, 2020

Dear Wiseburn Families and Friends,

With week one of distance/at home learning completed, I want to thank our entire community for the flexibility displayed during this challenging time. I understand that this situation has impacted our families in varied ways and has been a complete change to our lifestyles. I do want to thank and recognize the many people who have reached out to me personally, and to other members of the Wiseburn staff, to share positive thoughts and well wishes. Also, I am thankful to the entire District team of educators and support staff who have used varied ways to provide instruction for our students.

Our top priority right now is to ensure the health and well-being of our students, staff, and the greater Los Angeles community. As we continue to monitor the COVID-19 virus there have been many updates over the last week that continue to add more layers to this dynamic situation. The most emergent of these updates include the Governor’s “Stay At Home” order and the recommendation from public health officials to limit all gatherings.

School Closure Update
On Friday afternoon, the Los Angeles County of Education (LACOE) extended the recommendation for school closures to May 5th, 2020. Therefore, I have informed our staff that we will follow LACOE’s recommendation and are going to tentatively set our return date for Tuesday, May 5th. The reality, however, is that the school closure may be extended even further as new information is gathered and processed. While I understand that this further complicates families’ schedules and student learning, we make this decision with a commitment to do the very best we can during the dismissal period. Also, I understand that there are many questions that surface regarding teaching and learning, school functions, and how the District will manage such a lengthy closure. At this point, we do not have all the answers, but we will spend a considerable amount of time over the next couple of weeks exploring different options.

Student Meal Service
Students are still be able to pick up a lunch, at no cost, at Dana Middle School (5504 W. 135th St.) between the hours of 11:30-1:15, Monday-Friday. Please be aware that this service will not be available during our scheduled Spring Break (April 6, 2020 – April 13, 2020).

WUSD Family Communication
To best communicate with our families and to answer important questions, please take some time to fill out the following survey. The survey will allow our families to ask questions about a myriad of issues related to COVID-19 and the resulting school closure. From the survey results we will create a COVID-19 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) on our website to address as many questions as possible and will continue to clarify and add more as the situation evolves.

Da Vinci Schools Update
Our partners at DaVinci Schools will be sending out a separate message. We have been working with the DV Schools team collaboratively throughout this entire situation.

Please know that I am sending positive thoughts to all in the Wiseburn community. I have an abundance of hope that we will see our students back in the classrooms as soon as possible.

May you stay healthy and safe!
 

Sincerely,

Blake Silvers, Ed.D.
Superintendent

23 de marzo del 2020

Estimadas familias y amigos de Wiseburn,

Al concluir con la primera semana de aprendizaje a la distancia/en casa, quiero agradecer a toda nuestra comunidad por la muestra de flexibilidad durante este momento de desafío. Entiendo que esta situación ha impactado a nuestras familias de diversas maneras y ha sido un cambio completo en nuestros estilos de vida. Quiero agradecer y reconocer a muchas personas que me han llamado personalmente, y a otros miembros del personal de Wiseburn, por compartir sus pensamientos positivos y por sus buenos deseos. También, estoy agradecido con todo el equipo de educadores y personal de apoyo del Distrito quienes han utilizado diversas formas de proporcionar instrucción para nuestros alumnos.

Nuestra prioridad principal en este momento es garantizar la salud y el bienestar de nuestros estudiantes, personal y de la gran comunidad de Los Ángeles. A medida que continuamos monitoreando el virus COVID-19, ha habido una gran cantidad de noticias durante la última semana que continúan agregando más capas a esta situación dinámica. Entre las más emergentes de estas noticias, incluye la orden del Gobernador de “Quedarse en casa” y la recomendación de los funcionarios de limitar todas las reuniones.

Novedades acerca del cierre de la escuela
El viernes por la tarde, el Condado de Educación de los Ángeles (LACOE) extendió la recomendación del cierre de escuelas hasta el 5 de mayo del 2020. Por lo tanto, he informado a nuestro personal que seguiremos la recomendación de LACOE y vamos a establecer tentativamente nuestra fecha de regreso para el martes 5 de mayo. La realidad, sin embargo, es que el cierre de la escuela puede ser extendido aún más a medida que se recopila y procesa información nueva. Mientras entiendo que esto complica aún más los horarios de las familias y el aprendizaje de los estudiantes, tomamos esta decisión con un compromiso de hacer lo mejor que podamos durante el periodo de cierre. También entiendo que hay muchas preguntas que surgen con respecto a la enseñanza y el aprendizaje, funciones escolares y de cómo el distrito administrará un cierre tan largo. En este momento, no tenemos todas las respuestas, pero pasaremos una cantidad considerable de tiempo durante las próximas semanas explorando opciones diferentes.

Servicio de comida para estudiantes
Los estudiantes aún pueden recoger un almuerzo, sin costo, en la Escuela Secundaria Dana (5504 W. 135th St.) entre las 11:30am y la 1:15pm, de lunes a viernes. Por favor tenga en cuenta que este servicio no estará disponible durante el periodo de vacaciones de primavera (6 de abril del 2020 al 13 de abril del 2020).

Communication familiar de WUSD
Para comunicarnos mejor con nuestras familias y responder mejor a sus preguntas importantes, por favor tómese un tiempo para completar la siguiente encuesta. Esta encuesta permitirá a nuestras familias hacer preguntas sobre un sinnúmero de temas relacionados con COVID-19 y el cierre de la escuela resultante. A partir de los resultados de la encuesta, crearemos una publicación “COVID-19 Preguntas Frecuentes” en nuestro sitio web para abordar tantas preguntas como sea posible y continuaremos aclarando y agregando más a medida que la situación evolucione.

Novedades acerca de las escuelas Da Vinci
Nuestro personal asociado de las Escuelas Da Vinci enviaran un mensaje por separado. Tenga la certeza que hemos estado trabajando en colaboración con el equipo de las Escuelas Da Vinci durante toda esta situación.

Por favor sepan que les envio pensamientos positivos a todos en la comunidad de Wiseburn. Tengo mucha esperanza de que veremos a nuestros estudiantes de regreso en las aulas lo más pronto posible.

¡Que se mantengan sanos y seguros!
 

Blake Silvers, Ed.D.
Superintendente

Dear Wiseburn Families and Friends,

The last several days have been strange for all of us in Wiseburn and other school districts across the country. In an unprecedented manner, we have closed our schools, sent our students and staff to work from home, and continue to shut down everything but the essential functions of the school district. Information is constantly changing, and our teaching and support staff have been tirelessly working to ensure that our students have access to learning during our school closure. We understand that our families are all trying to figure out logistics related to childcare, access to technology, and arranging time for students to complete work (to name a few). Below please find updates reflective of ongoing efforts to provide support to families and students in the Wiseburn Unified School District.

Student Home Learning Support

Please know that our teachers will be checking in with their classes regularly and will be available via email and/or by any other means they share with their specific classes. Some of our teachers have delved into the video conferencing space with the use of Zoom, Google Hangouts, or Canvas Conferencing. I ask that parents only allow students to access live sessions with parents/guardian supervision. If an adult cannot be present during a live conference, students should not participate in the live session, but rather, should find an alternate way to access the material. We greatly need parent/guardian support to ensure our students are navigating cyberspace in a safe and productive manner. Thank you for your support in this area.

Available Student Supports

Charter Communications, Spectrum's parent company, announced Friday that beginning March 16, it will make its services available for free for 60 days to households with K-12 and/or college students who don't already have internet through the company. To enroll in the program, call 1- 844-488-8395. Installation fees will be waived for new student households offering free wireless access to families in need.

Also, Dana Middle School continues to be the emergency hub for the District at this time. It is at Dana that our District will be hosting our school lunch program. We will continue to be open between the hours of 11:30 a.m. – 1:15 p.m. Monday – Friday to serve lunches to students who are interested and/or in need of this service. Instead of students entering the campus, we will serve food from the kitchen door between the gymnasium and the multipurpose room. Staff will post signs for our students to follow to the appropriate location. Wiseburn is also offering to loan Chromebooks to our students as needed. Chromebooks will be distributed at the Dana Middle School Library from 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 noon tomorrow. After tomorrow, we ask that you reach out to the individual site secretaries and/or administrators via email for information on how to access technology.

School Site and District Closures

Aside from the ongoing lunch program at Dana Middle School and the technology loan check out, starting tomorrow I am directing all our school sites to close and lock their doors for an unknown period of time as we continue to monitor the COVID-19 pandemic. Starting tomorrow our schools' websites will provide information as who to contact should you have a school matter that needs to be addressed. Our District Office will also be closed to the public beginning tomorrow, March 18, 2020 for normal business. Should you need to contact any of our departments, you can do so by contacting our District Office general line at 310-725-2101 x 0 for the Receptionist, Breana Contreras, who will be able to assist our families and community members in connecting with the appropriate department. She can also be reached at bcontreras@wiseburn.org.

During this time, both District and school site office staff will be working remotely during regular business hours (8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.). We are asking our families to utilize email as the first option for communication for any of our employees as this will be the most efficient way to gather information. Feel free to request a phone call via email and the appropriate staff member will follow up accordingly. One of our top priorities continues to be the health and welfare of our entire Wiseburn community and, currently, we believe these steps are necessary to protect our staff members and their families.

Moving Forward

We will continue to update our websites and provide updates via email as we gather information regarding COVID-19 and our school closure. As we anticipate any changes, we will let you know as soon as possible. Please be patient with us during this time of transition as we plan for, prepare, and deliver most of our information via electronic means.

Stay tuned for more updates to come soon.

I wish each of our families good health!
 

Sincerely,

Blake Silvers, Superintendent

March 13, 2020

Dear Wiseburn Staff and Parents,

As we continue to monitor the emerging COVID-19 pandemic, WUSD and Da Vinci Schools are taking proactive measures to support the health, not only of our immediate community, but for that of the Greater Los Angeles area. After careful deliberation and in close contact with local officials, beginning Monday, March 16, 2020 through Friday, April 3, 2020, all Wiseburn school sites, including preschool and the CDC and EDP childcare programs, will be closed for normal operations. Wiseburn schools will remain closed from April 6-13, 2020 for Spring Break. If the scenario changes and we are available to bring students back earlier we will contact our families as soon as possible. Additional guidance about reopening will be provided prior to April 10, 2020. We hope to support students through a distance learning model through online, packet-based instruction, and other means of home study. By the end of the day today, the site principals and/or teachers will provide more detailed information as to how our families can obtain any work materials students will need during the dismissal period.

Right now, we know nearly all districts in LA County have closed or are preparing to close. It is important to note that currently, there are no confirmed cases of any individuals with COVID-19 in WUSD. Still, it has been determined by district administration that we will dismiss students in the hope that these extreme efforts at social distancing will support the containment efforts for COVID-19.

We are asking our parents/guardians to monitor email and school and district websites for updates on home study options for students and for any updates related to student dismissal and return to school. We will continue to share information via email and other means as well. During this time, we will operate our lunch program, which will be centralized at Dana Middle School (5504 W. 135th St.). Our Food Services staff will prepare and distribute "grab and go" style lunches for those students who wish to utilize the lunch program from 11:30-1:15 p.m. Monday through Friday with cost based on student’s free/reduced/paid status.

We understand that this has a tremendous impact on our families but know that this decision was not taken lightly. While school is dismissed, we hope that you will continue your child’s education as guided by our Wiseburn teachers for continuity of learning.

Thank you for your support and understanding.

Best,

Blake Silvers, Superintendent

March 4, 2020

Dear Wiseburn Families,

As a result of today’s call for a State of Emergency by Los Angeles County Officials, the Wiseburn Unified School District will continue to work with the Los Angeles County Office of Education (LACOE) and Los Angeles Department of Public Health (DPH) to monitor the spread of the novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) and take proper precautions. We are following their guidelines to help ensure the health and safety of all of our students and staff.

The Coronavirus (COVID-19) situation is rapidly evolving and expanding globally. Although there is currently no imminent threat of school closures in LA County, we will work with local districts to create uniform procedures in the unlikely event that we need to consider school closures. As of today’s notification, we still do not have known cases of community transmission, so we encourage our families to continue to send healthy students to school.

In the event of community transmission, public health interventions will vary depending on local conditions. In the event the DPH calls for a suspension of classes, we will follow their guidelines and protocols for this type of public health emergency. The District is in the planning stage of developing a school closure protocol, including how instruction would be provided in the event of a school closure.

You may refer to the County of Los Angeles public health to learn more here. Attached is a short, yet clear, informational flyer from DPH on the Coronavirus. Additionally, our school website includes information on the Coronavirus for staff and parents. We need to engage in simple, yet effective, measures for combating the spread of the Coronavirus as we do for any cold or flu virus.

• Wash your hands frequently with soap and water
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth
• Cover your coughs and sneezes with a tissue or your sleeve
• Avoid contact with sick people
• Stay home if you are sick
• Limit physical contact to avoid the transmission of germs (i.e.) handshakes, hugs, high fives

We will continue to share updates with you as information is made available to the district. Our diligent custodial staff continues to follow appropriate cleaning protocols.

Sincerely,