T.-5 21-1890 Adoption by the Board of Education of Resolution No. 2122-0004 - Permitting Sojourner Truth Students to Transfer Back to Their In-Person Schools.
To hold the spot would mean the school could potentially miss out on funding if the spot can be filled but is held. A student shall not be able to hold two spots in the district . The district needs to allow all students available to attend an open slot to do so. This isn't wise.
My name is Sayuri Valenza and I am a special education teacher at Bret Harte Middle School. The rights of students and families have been taken away by the state. Their only option is to attend school in person during a pandemic or participate in the independent studies program. This is an especially egregious injustice to our special education students. There has been more than enough disruption to our students’ educations. The last thing they need is the insecurity of not knowing where they will end up when they return to in person learning. The least you can do as Board Members, is support this resolution by allowing students to return to their home schools. Thank you.
Families should not be punished for making the best possible decisions for their students under dire circumstances. Given COVID SIP orders, school closures and an abrupt shift to distance learning, students, families, teachers and other community members have experienced enough trauma as it is. Families MUST be allowed to opt back in to their pre-DL schools of choice. It's of utmost importance that students be permitted to return to communities they know, in order to readjust to in-person instruction, heal and have the optimal conditions to overcome the impacts of SIP and distance learning. I am in full support of this resolution.
Adding to this, regarding Short Term Independent study. This option is critical to prevent further learning loss, and loss of ADA. BUT, it needs to be clear that the current process is a huge load on teachers and clerical staff, who must create assignments and monitor the completion. Even in the best of times, requests are often declined. At present, sites absolutely do not have capacity to coordinate IS for the number of students who are requesting it. Some schools are saying no to requests. This creates huge equity issues. A solution would be to call on central academic departments to create a google classroom per grade level that students can access for short term IS. We need a clear plan around this asap, and clear support for short term IS from central office to take the load off school sites. Thank you.
I support Dir. Hutchinson's proposal to allow students to return to their school from Sojourner Truth. Having potentially vulnerable families who want DL for safety reasons to attend THREE different schools in less than two years (original - SJT - new) would be incredibly disruptive and further jeopardize the education of those students, both in the multiple changes in program, as well as school community relationships we all know are so critical to academic success, in a time when there has already been so much disruption. In addition, I urge you to find some way to create a dual immersion program within distance learning. There are families at ICS who are torn between wanting to stay safe in DL and enabling their children to be fully bilingual and bi-literate in English and Spanish as well as to have their home language be valued in school, and they should not have to make that choice.
Parents should not have the fear of endangering their child and be forced to leave their school community due to Covid. Family should be able to return to their school community. Do not punish them for choosing to keep their children safe with independent study. All students should be able to flow between independent study and in person attendance at their school. I support this proposal.
Pass T-5 to guarantee that students who opt for distance learning can return to their school when they return to in person instruction. I personally want the option to join the distance learning during cold and flu season and if there are any positive covid cases at the school. As a Peralta parent, with a school that's oversubscribed, I am risking my health and safety of my child to not lose my spot. The reason this is so important is because I also want my younger son to be at Peralta and for my older son to not have to remake friendships if he goes to another school in addition to the commute we would have. By not allowing us to keep our spot you are forcing parents to make unnecessary choices and put undue stress and risk into our lives. Please help give us safe options by passing this resolution.
As a parent of two kids at Cleveland, I've worked hard with others to build a supportive school community where all families feel belonging. I was heartbroken to hear that a beloved family of 3 kids in our community is making the tough choice to transfer to Sojourner Truth given concerns for their health. The only reason their mom had held off so long was because she didn't want to lose spaces for their kids in a school community that has provided love and support through difficult years. To deny students the opportunity to return to their home school is an unfair penalty against children and families who are especially vulnerable. LAUSD has such a policy to hold space for returning students. I understand the challenge of staffing quality DL, in-person school and balancing school enrollment. And I ask you to please be creative and consider how you might act now to keep school communities whole in the long run.
Pass this resolution with no amendments. We must maximize access to the best possible independent study/distance learning options for students and families needing now. Doing so will make social distancing for in-person learning more feasible. Denying students the right to return to their school deters families from taking the independent study option and is punitive and unacceptable.
Pass this resolution with no amendments. We must maximize access to the best possible independent study/distance learning options for students and families needing now. Doing so will make social distancing for in-person learning more feasible. Denying students the right to return to their school deters families from taking the independent study option and is punitive and unacceptable.
I support and encourage you to pass the resolution to ensure students can transfer from independent study back to their in-person school when it is safe to do so. Do not punish our children and families for protecting the health of high risk family members!
I am a parent of a student in 4th grade at Melrose Leadership Academy in District 5 and 6th Grade at Montera Middle School. I encourage you to pass this resolution as originally written by Director Hutchinson, without adding watered-down amendments, to provide free, on-site weekly COVID testing at every school site. OUSD has already received $300 million from the state of California in COVID relief funds and we should use that funding to ensure that all students and staff at every school site have access to free, weekly COVID testing.
I am a parent of a student in 3rd grade at Glenview Elementary. I encourage you to pass this resolution to ensure that students can transfer from independent study (Sojourner Truth School) back to their in-person school when it is safe to do so. We are currently in limbo, being listed as absent from our in-person school while on the waiting list for Sojourner Truth. We are anticipating the approval of an under-12 vaccine by December upon which we plan to return to in-person school. From an administrative point of view, making it easier for families to return to in-person this school year would be simpler for everyone. Where is the benefit of not allowing the return? And what harm is created in doing so?
Families should not be penalized for trying to keep their children safe. They must be able to return to the school their in-person school if they need to choose distance learning in the interim.
As the parent of a fourth grader at MLA, I feel as if I am being pushed into the most difficult situation of choosing between my son's health and his future school placement. I understand that the district's hands are tied about distance learning by the state (something the district should be pushing to change), but to not allow students to return to their regular school because they cannot attend in-person school due to a *global pandemic* makes no sense. This year has been poorly planned by individuals who, no fault of their own, didn't anticipate the delta variant surging the way it has. The district needs to reassess and change course, as needed. I strongly support this resolution.
I am a parent of a student in 4th grade at Melrose Leadership Academy in District 5. I encourage you to pass this resolution to ensure that students can transfer from independent study (Sojourner Truth School) back to their in-person school when it is safe to do so. Penalizing their placement at their preferred school because of a Covid diagnosis is cruel and heartless.
I am a parent of K and 4th-grade students at Melrose Leadership Academy in District 5. I encourage you to pass this resolution to ensure that students can transfer from independent study (Sojourner Truth School) back to their in-person school when it is safe to do so.
I am a parent of a student in 5th grade at Melrose Leadership Academy in District 5. I encourage you to pass this resolution to ensure that students can transfer from independent study (Sojourner Truth School) back to their in-person school when it is safe to do so. Thank you, Amaya Jennifer Lin
I do not support kids keeping their spot if they choose Distance Learning. We have many classes currently who don't even have teachers- we know that the district would not be able to adequately staff for both GREAT in person as well as GREAT DL if they allow kids to keep spots in two places. It's just not doable, despite once again Mike Hutchison not acknowledging the hurdles. What I do support is making Sojourner Truth the BEST DL school in the country. Make it top notch. If this means leveraging Oakland REACH to it's fullest- do it!!! In addition: for quarantined kids, or for families who want to keep their kids out for a few weeks due to Delta spike have teachers Zoom their live class out. This should not be a long term solution- and it would not be equitable for those at home- no doubt- but it would give the kids who are quarantined more than a packet of paper as well as an option for families who just want to stay out for a bit but keep their spot in their school
To hold the spot would mean the school could potentially miss out on funding if the spot can be filled but is held. A student shall not be able to hold two spots in the district . The district needs to allow all students available to attend an open slot to do so. This isn't wise.
My name is Sayuri Valenza and I am a special education teacher at Bret Harte Middle School. The rights of students and families have been taken away by the state. Their only option is to attend school in person during a pandemic or participate in the independent studies program. This is an especially egregious injustice to our special education students. There has been more than enough disruption to our students’ educations. The last thing they need is the insecurity of not knowing where they will end up when they return to in person learning. The least you can do as Board Members, is support this resolution by allowing students to return to their home schools. Thank you.
Families should not be punished for making the best possible decisions for their students under dire circumstances. Given COVID SIP orders, school closures and an abrupt shift to distance learning, students, families, teachers and other community members have experienced enough trauma as it is. Families MUST be allowed to opt back in to their pre-DL schools of choice. It's of utmost importance that students be permitted to return to communities they know, in order to readjust to in-person instruction, heal and have the optimal conditions to overcome the impacts of SIP and distance learning. I am in full support of this resolution.
Adding to this, regarding Short Term Independent study. This option is critical to prevent further learning loss, and loss of ADA. BUT, it needs to be clear that the current process is a huge load on teachers and clerical staff, who must create assignments and monitor the completion. Even in the best of times, requests are often declined. At present, sites absolutely do not have capacity to coordinate IS for the number of students who are requesting it. Some schools are saying no to requests. This creates huge equity issues. A solution would be to call on central academic departments to create a google classroom per grade level that students can access for short term IS. We need a clear plan around this asap, and clear support for short term IS from central office to take the load off school sites. Thank you.
I support Dir. Hutchinson's proposal to allow students to return to their school from Sojourner Truth. Having potentially vulnerable families who want DL for safety reasons to attend THREE different schools in less than two years (original - SJT - new) would be incredibly disruptive and further jeopardize the education of those students, both in the multiple changes in program, as well as school community relationships we all know are so critical to academic success, in a time when there has already been so much disruption. In addition, I urge you to find some way to create a dual immersion program within distance learning. There are families at ICS who are torn between wanting to stay safe in DL and enabling their children to be fully bilingual and bi-literate in English and Spanish as well as to have their home language be valued in school, and they should not have to make that choice.
Parents should not have the fear of endangering their child and be forced to leave their school community due to Covid. Family should be able to return to their school community. Do not punish them for choosing to keep their children safe with independent study. All students should be able to flow between independent study and in person attendance at their school. I support this proposal.
I strongly support this motion. Please vote in favor.
Pass T-5 to guarantee that students who opt for distance learning can return to their school when they return to in person instruction. I personally want the option to join the distance learning during cold and flu season and if there are any positive covid cases at the school. As a Peralta parent, with a school that's oversubscribed, I am risking my health and safety of my child to not lose my spot. The reason this is so important is because I also want my younger son to be at Peralta and for my older son to not have to remake friendships if he goes to another school in addition to the commute we would have. By not allowing us to keep our spot you are forcing parents to make unnecessary choices and put undue stress and risk into our lives. Please help give us safe options by passing this resolution.
As a parent of two kids at Cleveland, I've worked hard with others to build a supportive school community where all families feel belonging. I was heartbroken to hear that a beloved family of 3 kids in our community is making the tough choice to transfer to Sojourner Truth given concerns for their health. The only reason their mom had held off so long was because she didn't want to lose spaces for their kids in a school community that has provided love and support through difficult years. To deny students the opportunity to return to their home school is an unfair penalty against children and families who are especially vulnerable. LAUSD has such a policy to hold space for returning students. I understand the challenge of staffing quality DL, in-person school and balancing school enrollment. And I ask you to please be creative and consider how you might act now to keep school communities whole in the long run.
Pass this resolution with no amendments. We must maximize access to the best possible independent study/distance learning options for students and families needing now. Doing so will make social distancing for in-person learning more feasible. Denying students the right to return to their school deters families from taking the independent study option and is punitive and unacceptable.
Pass this resolution with no amendments. We must maximize access to the best possible independent study/distance learning options for students and families needing now. Doing so will make social distancing for in-person learning more feasible. Denying students the right to return to their school deters families from taking the independent study option and is punitive and unacceptable.
I support and encourage you to pass the resolution to ensure students can transfer from independent study back to their in-person school when it is safe to do so. Do not punish our children and families for protecting the health of high risk family members!
I am a parent of a student in 4th grade at Melrose Leadership Academy in District 5 and 6th Grade at Montera Middle School. I encourage you to pass this resolution as originally written by Director Hutchinson, without adding watered-down amendments, to provide free, on-site weekly COVID testing at every school site. OUSD has already received $300 million from the state of California in COVID relief funds and we should use that funding to ensure that all students and staff at every school site have access to free, weekly COVID testing.
I am a parent of a student in 3rd grade at Glenview Elementary. I encourage you to pass this resolution to ensure that students can transfer from independent study (Sojourner Truth School) back to their in-person school when it is safe to do so. We are currently in limbo, being listed as absent from our in-person school while on the waiting list for Sojourner Truth. We are anticipating the approval of an under-12 vaccine by December upon which we plan to return to in-person school. From an administrative point of view, making it easier for families to return to in-person this school year would be simpler for everyone. Where is the benefit of not allowing the return? And what harm is created in doing so?
Families should not be penalized for trying to keep their children safe. They must be able to return to the school their in-person school if they need to choose distance learning in the interim.
As the parent of a fourth grader at MLA, I feel as if I am being pushed into the most difficult situation of choosing between my son's health and his future school placement. I understand that the district's hands are tied about distance learning by the state (something the district should be pushing to change), but to not allow students to return to their regular school because they cannot attend in-person school due to a *global pandemic* makes no sense. This year has been poorly planned by individuals who, no fault of their own, didn't anticipate the delta variant surging the way it has. The district needs to reassess and change course, as needed. I strongly support this resolution.
I am a parent of a student in 4th grade at Melrose Leadership Academy in District 5. I encourage you to pass this resolution to ensure that students can transfer from independent study (Sojourner Truth School) back to their in-person school when it is safe to do so. Penalizing their placement at their preferred school because of a Covid diagnosis is cruel and heartless.
I am a parent of K and 4th-grade students at Melrose Leadership Academy in District 5. I encourage you to pass this resolution to ensure that students can transfer from independent study (Sojourner Truth School) back to their in-person school when it is safe to do so.
I am a parent of a student in 5th grade at Melrose Leadership Academy in District 5. I encourage you to pass this resolution to ensure that students can transfer from independent study (Sojourner Truth School) back to their in-person school when it is safe to do so. Thank you, Amaya Jennifer Lin
I do not support kids keeping their spot if they choose Distance Learning. We have many classes currently who don't even have teachers- we know that the district would not be able to adequately staff for both GREAT in person as well as GREAT DL if they allow kids to keep spots in two places. It's just not doable, despite once again Mike Hutchison not acknowledging the hurdles. What I do support is making Sojourner Truth the BEST DL school in the country. Make it top notch. If this means leveraging Oakland REACH to it's fullest- do it!!! In addition: for quarantined kids, or for families who want to keep their kids out for a few weeks due to Delta spike have teachers Zoom their live class out. This should not be a long term solution- and it would not be equitable for those at home- no doubt- but it would give the kids who are quarantined more than a packet of paper as well as an option for families who just want to stay out for a bit but keep their spot in their school