<html><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8"></head><body style="word-wrap: break-word; -webkit-nbsp-mode: space; line-break: after-white-space;" class=""><div style="margin: 0px;" class=""><span style="font-size: 11px;" class=""><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0); font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;" class="">Please do not reply to this email. If you have questions, please contact Dr. Brent Stephens at </span><span style="white-space: pre-wrap; color: rgb(255, 0, 0); font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; vertical-align: baseline;" class=""><a href="mailto:superintendent@berkeley.net" target="_blank" class="">superintendent@berkeley.net</a>.</span></span></div><br class=""><div dir="ltr" class=""><span id="gmail-docs-internal-guid-28a47de8-7fff-4ca1-58a5-69a058a8d7af" class=""><font face="Arial" class=""><div style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" class=""><span style="font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;" class="">Dear Berkeley Community,</span></div><div style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" class=""><span style="font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;" class=""><br class=""></span></div><div style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" class=""><span style="font-style: italic; white-space: pre-wrap;" class=""><en español a continuación></span></div><div style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" class=""><span style="font-style: italic; white-space: pre-wrap;" class=""><br class=""></span></div><div style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" class=""><span style="font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;" class="">I’m writing to let you know that at the </span><a href="https://www.berkeleyschools.net/schoolboard/board-meeting-information/zoom-info/" style="text-decoration-line: none;" class=""><span style="font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; text-decoration-line: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;" class="">Wednesday, July 15 School Board meeting</span></a><span style="font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;" class=""> I will be making the recommendation that we begin our school year in Distance Learning. I do so knowing that what we all really want is to have our students back in school, together. As soon as it is possible to have students and staff safely return to school campuses, we will make that happen.</span></div><br class=""><div style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" class=""><span style="font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;" class="">As you may know, school districts across the State are making a similar decision to begin in Distance Learning, but as your Superintendent, this is a heartbreaking recommendation to make. I want so much more for our students than the slow, measured re-opening that I am describing below. I know that this will come as difficult news for many families and students, and particularly for parents and guardians of younger children, as distance learning places them in a very challenging predicament. We are making progress toward a phased reopening which could prioritize younger students and others who have specific needs for support, but as we take stock of our full situation - and take seriously the alarming rise in COVID-19 in our region - I know that this delay is the responsible thing to do. I still see that a return to on-campus learning is possible; I just don’t see that doing so on August 17th is feasible.</span></div><br class=""><div style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" class=""><span style="font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;" class="">We have been working hard all summer, preparing our facilities and programs to support best practices such as social distancing, handwashing, and smaller cohorts of students. At the same time, we have been monitoring local conditions with concern. Among our earliest criteria for opening campuses on August 17 is a decrease in hospitalizations over 14 days, whereas currently we are seeing a 14 day rise. Efficient testing and contact tracing are additional criteria, and while testing is becoming more widely available, delays in appointments and results pose a significant concern. </span></div><br class=""><div style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" class=""><span style="font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;" class="">We know it is possible that health officers may choose to permit schools to open even when there is community spread of coronavirus, but currently, the City of Berkeley has not amended its </span><a href="https://www.cityofberkeley.info/covid-19/" style="text-decoration-line: none;" class=""><span style="font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; text-decoration-line: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;" class="">Shelter-in-Place order</span></a><span style="font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;" class=""> to allow schools to open, and at this point we need to make a decision for the fall, and direct our energies toward a strengthened Distance Learning program that will best serve our students in August. </span></div><br class=""><div style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" class=""><span style="font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;" class="">Over the summer, my central office colleagues and I have been working intensively, and involving our principals and union partners and the Board as well, in trying to resolve a list of complicated challenges that would make it possible to reopen our schools. This has been an earnest and unrelenting effort. We are deeply motivated by the knowledge that on-campus learning is the preference of the majority of our school families. We were also keenly aware that we also need to dedicate time and focus to the important task of improving distance learning, as an option for many of our families, and as a strong default program, should local conditions or a school outbreak compel us to return to Distance Learning. As we worked toward an on-campus plan, we also knew that sometime in the month before school began, we would have to assess local conditions and decide whether we could implement all that was needed to reopen school campuses with confidence. </span></div><br class=""><div style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" class=""><span style="font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;" class="">The challenges to reopening schools have been considerable. We are already planning to spend millions of dollars to reopen schools, but there is still a long list of work that will require even more time and financial resources. We’re adapting our facilities with plexiglass, handwashing stations, and air filtration units; all of these supplies are in high demand and installation will be taking place in phases over the next weeks and months. Every square foot of our schools requires new procedures for social distancing and student cohorts. We have to adjust our lunch programs, and limit ridership on bus transportation. We’re designing new programs for child care, and setting up procedures for screening and quarantining. We are consulting with university research institutions as potential partners for ramping up testing. We are analyzing possible staffing shortages because some teachers and staff are at higher risk from COVID-19 and will need to work remotely. We must develop staff training on dozens of new procedures, and make changes to the work calendar and find the budget to provide the training. Pivotal to all these efforts, we must build the confidence of our staff and families that the district has done everything possible to reduce the risks from the coronavirus while providing on-campus learning opportunities. </span></div><br class=""><div style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" class=""><span style="font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;" class="">So, with just four weeks until school opens and after a great deal of work with district staff and union leadership on all these issues, and in consultation with School Board members, I have decided that I cannot recommend to the Board that we open our schools in August - even if the current Shelter-in-Place Order is amended in the next few weeks to permit schools to reopen. We need to return to campus when we are confident that local conditions have improved and our facilities, staffing, and procedures are truly ready.</span></div><br class=""><div style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" class=""><span style="font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;" class="">At the Board of Education meeting on July 15, I plan to make the following recommendations for the formal approval of the Board:</span></div><br class=""><ul style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px;" class=""><li dir="ltr" style="list-style-type: disc; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;" class=""><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 10pt;" class=""><span style="font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;" class="">BUSD will begin the year with an improved Distance Learning plan that will look very different from the program provided last spring. There will be structured daily and weekly schedules for students, required attendance, daily live instruction on Zoom, engaging remote learning content, assignments that are graded and reviewed by teachers, and consistent communication with families. </span></p></li><li dir="ltr" style="list-style-type: disc; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;" class=""><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 10pt;" class=""><span style="font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;" class="">Elementary and middle schools will stay in distance learning for the first eight weeks of instruction, until October 9th. By September 15, we should be able to reassess and announce our capacity and timeline for the next steps to transition to on-campus teaching - if it is possible to do so in compliance with health guidance. </span></p></li></ul><ul style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px;" class=""><li dir="ltr" style="list-style-type: disc; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;" class=""><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 10pt;" class=""><span style="font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;" class="">High school students will also stay in distance learning, most likely until the December break, supplemented by afterschool activities as described below. We will assess the feasibility of transitioning to campus learning sooner, at the quarter break, but recognize that the logistical issues for high school may compel us to wait until the semester break.</span></p></li></ul><ul style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px;" class=""><li dir="ltr" style="list-style-type: disc; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;" class=""><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 10pt;" class=""><span style="font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;" class="">We will begin a phased, prioritized reopening of key programs as soon as we can implement required risk reduction practices - as close to a August 17th start date as possible. These prioritized reopenings will focus on providing in-person learning and care for our youngest learners, and our most vulnerable learners, and provide social experiences and recreation for as many small cohorts of students as possible. These prioritized programs include:</span></p></li><ul style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px;" class=""><li dir="ltr" style="list-style-type: circle; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;" class=""><div style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" class=""><span style="font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;" class="">Early Childhood Education (preschool) programs at Franklin, Hopkins, and King CDC</span></div></li><li dir="ltr" style="list-style-type: circle; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;" class=""><div style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" class=""><span style="font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;" class="">Services for students with IEPs (for services that can’t be provided online)</span></div></li><li dir="ltr" style="list-style-type: circle; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;" class=""><div style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" class=""><span style="font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;" class="">Elementary after-school programs</span></div></li><li dir="ltr" style="list-style-type: circle; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;" class=""><div style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" class=""><span style="font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;" class="">Middle and high school after-school activities, including some sports practices, physical conditioning, clubs, science labs, advisories, and more</span></div></li><li dir="ltr" style="list-style-type: circle; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;" class=""><div style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" class=""><span style="font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;" class="">Elementary “Ed Camps” (a potential new school-day program that we are developing to support essential workers)</span></div></li><li dir="ltr" style="list-style-type: circle; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;" class=""><div style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" class=""><span style="font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;" class="">Student support and intervention programs</span></div></li></ul></ul><br class=""><div style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" class=""><span style="font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;" class="">We continue to be committed to providing accessible meal service, Chromebooks, and hotspots to families during this period. </span></div><br class=""><div style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" class=""><span style="font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;" class="">I look forward to sharing initial details of the plans for the fall Distance Learning program and these supplemental priority programs at the </span><a href="https://www.berkeleyschools.net/schoolboard/board-meeting-information/zoom-info/" style="text-decoration-line: none;" class=""><span style="font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; text-decoration-line: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;" class="">July 15 Board Meeting</span></a><span style="font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;" class="">, with further details, as they are developed and agreed upon, at the July 29 Board Meeting, which is when the Board will approve the distance learning models for the fall. We will post updates on our website at </span><a href="http://www.berkeleyschools.net" style="text-decoration-line: none;" class=""><span style="font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; text-decoration-line: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;" class="">www.berkeleyschools.net,</span></a><span style="font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;" class=""> and principals will also share updates with school communities as schedules are finalized. We also plan to hold Town Halls in late July and early August to provide additional information, engagement and support for a successful return to school. </span></div><br class=""><div style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" class=""><span style="font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;" class="">I continue to urge families to complete the</span><a href="https://docs.google.com/forms/u/1/d/1pNbGveyoEsvLoy-WbOFBWymXtMoGAEagyc3uSXC3KVw/viewform?edit_requested=true" style="text-decoration-line: none;" class=""><span style="font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; text-decoration-line: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;" class=""> Instructional Program Choice form</span></a><span style="font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;" class=""> that was sent out last week. This is for our general planning purposes. The selection is not binding, but helps us align our plans for staffing programs with family preferences in order to bring students and staff back on campus. When we are able to anticipate reopening school campuses more fully, we commit to re-surveying families and providing further program details before confirming program choices for students. </span></div><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" class=""><span style="font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;" class=""> </span></p><div style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" class=""><span style="font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;" class="">With my continued hopes for the safety and well-being of our families and staff, and gratitude for the thoughtful engagement of our community as we confront this pandemic together, </span></div><br class=""><div style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" class=""><span style="font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;" class="">Best -</span></div><div style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" class=""><span style="font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;" class="">Brent Stephens</span></div><div style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" class=""><span style="font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;" class="">Superintendent</span></div><div style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" class=""><span style="font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;" class="">Berkeley Unified School District</span></div><br class=""><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" class=""></p><hr class=""><div class=""><br class="webkit-block-placeholder"></div><br class=""><div style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" class=""><span style="font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;" class="">Recomendación del Superintendente para Comenzar el Año Escolar en Distance Learning (Aprendizaje a Distancia)</span></div><br class=""><div style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" class=""><span style="font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;" class="">Julio 13, 2020</span></div><br class=""><div style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" class=""><span style="font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;" class="">Estimada Comunidad en Berkeley:</span></div><br class=""><div style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" class=""><span style="font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;" class="">Les escribo para informarles que el miércoles, 15 de julio, </span><a href="https://www.berkeleyschools.net/schoolboard/board-meeting-information/zoom-info/" style="text-decoration-line: none;" class=""><span style="font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; text-decoration-line: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;" class="">en la reunión del School Board</span></a><span style="font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;" class=""> estaré haciendo la recomendación de que comencemos nuestro año escolar en Distance Learning. Hago esto sabiendo que lo que verdaderamente todos deseamos es el tener a nuestros estudiantes de regreso en la escuela, juntos. Tan pronto como sea posible el que los estudiantes y personal docente regresen a los planteles escolares, lograremos que eso suceda.</span></div><br class=""><div style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" class=""><span style="font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;" class="">Como ustedes probablemente sepan, los distritos escolares de todo el estado están tomando una decisión similar para comenzar Distance Learning, pero como su Superintendente, esta es para mi una recomendación desgarradora. Yo deseo mucho más para nuestros estudiantes en lugar de la reapertura lenta y con medida que describo a continuación. Sé que esta será una noticia difícil para muchas familias y estudiantes, y particularmente para los padres y tutores legales de los niños más pequeños, ya que el aprendizaje a distancia los coloca en una difícil situación muy desafiante. Estamos avanzando hacia una reapertura por etapas la cual podría dar prioridad a los estudiantes más jóvenes y a otras personas que tienen necesidades específicas de apoyo, pero a medida que hacemos un balance de nuestra situación completa - y tomamos seriamente el alarmante aumento del COVID-19 en nuestra región - Yo sé que este retraso es lo que se debe de hacer de forma responsable. Aún veo que es posible el regresar a abrir nuevamente el aprendizaje en el plantel escolar; simplemente no veo que hacerlo el 17 de agosto sea algo factible.</span></div><br class=""><div style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" class=""><span style="font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;" class="">Hemos estado trabajando arduamente todo el verano, preparando nuestras instalaciones y programas para respaldar los mejores métodos tales como social distancing (distanciamiento social), lavado de manos y “cohorts” (grupos) más pequeños de estudiantes. Al mismo tiempo, hemos estado monitoreando las condiciones locales con preocupación. Entre nuestros primeros criterios para abrir los planteles el 17 de agosto se encuentra una disminución en las hospitalizaciones durante un periodo de 14 días, mientras que actualmente estamos viendo un aumento en 14 días. Pruebas eficientes y el seguimiento de contactos son criterios adicionales, y aunque las pruebas están cada vez más disponibles, los retrasos en las citas y en los resultados plantean una preocupación importante. </span></div><br class=""><div style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" class=""><span style="font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;" class="">Sabemos que es posible que los funcionarios de salud decidan permitir que las escuelas abran incluso cuando existe una propagación comunitaria del coronavirus, pero actualmente, el Gobierno de la Ciudad de Berkeley no ha modificado su </span><a href="https://www.cityofberkeley.info/covid-19/" style="text-decoration-line: none;" class=""><span style="font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; text-decoration-line: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;" class="">Orden de Shelter-in-Place</span></a><span style="font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;" class=""> para permitir que las escuelas abran, y en este momento necesitamos tomar una decisión para el otoño, y dirigir nuestras energías hacia un programa de Distance Learning fortalecido que sirva mejor a nuestros estudiantes en agosto. </span></div><br class=""><div style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" class=""><span style="font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;" class="">Durante el verano, mis colegas de la oficina central y yo hemos estado trabajando intensamente, e involucrando a nuestros directores y socios sindicales así como también al Board, para tratar de resolver una lista de desafíos complicados que harían posible que abriéramos nuevamente nuestras escuelas. Este ha sido un esfuerzo serio e implacable. Estamos profundamente motivados por el conocimiento de que el aprendizaje en el plantel es la preferencia de la mayoría de nuestras familias escolares. También fuimos lo suficientemente conscientes de que necesitábamos dedicar tiempo y centrarnos en la importante tarea de mejorar el aprendizaje a distancia, como una opción para muchas de nuestras familias, como un fuerte programa predeterminado, en dado caso de que las condiciones locales o un brote escolar nos obligará a regresar al Distance Learning. A medida que trabajábamos en un plan para el plantel, también sabíamos que en algún momento del mes anterior al comienzo de las clases, tendríamos que evaluar las condiciones locales y decidir si podríamos implementar todo lo necesario para abrir nuevamente los planteles escolares con confianza. </span></div><br class=""><div style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" class=""><span style="font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;" class="">Los desafíos para abrir nuevamente las escuelas han sido considerables. Estamos planeando gastar millones de dólares para abrir nuevamente las escuelas, pero todavía hay una lista larga de trabajo que requerirá aún más tiempo y recursos financieros. Estamos adaptando nuestras instalaciones con plexiglass, estaciones para el lavado de manos y unidades de filtración de aire; todos estos suministros tienen una gran demanda y la instalación se llevará a cabo en fases durante las próximas semanas y meses. Cada pie cuadrado de nuestras escuelas requiere de nuevas medidas para el distanciamiento social y para los “cohorts” de estudiantes. Tenemos que ajustar nuestros programas de almuerzo, y limitar el transporte en autobús. Estamos diseñando nuevos programas para el cuidado infantil y estableciendo procedimientos para la detección y la cuarentena. Estamos consultando con instituciones universitarias de investigación como socios potenciales para aumentar las pruebas. Estamos analizando la posible escasez de personal debido a que algunos maestros y personal docente corren un mayor riesgo al COVID-19 y deberán trabajar de manera remota. Debemos desarrollar la capacitación del personal docente en docenas de nuevos procedimientos, hacer cambios en el calendario de trabajo y encontrar el presupuesto para proporcionar dicha capacitación. Como elemento fundamental para todos estos esfuerzos, debemos construir la confianza de nuestro personal y de las familias acerca de que el distrito ha hecho todo lo posible para reducir los riesgos del coronavirus al mismo tiempo que ofrece oportunidades de aprendizaje en el plantel. </span></div><br class=""><div style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" class=""><span style="font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;" class="">De manera que, con solo cuatro semanas antes de que comiencen las clases y después de un gran trabajo con el personal del distrito, el liderazgo sindical en todos estos asuntos y en consulta con los miembros del School Board, se ha decidido que no puedo recomendar al Board que se abran nuestras escuelas en agosto, incluso si la orden actual de Shelter-in-Place se modifica en las próximas semanas para permitir la reapertura de las escuelas. Necesitamos regresar al plantel cuando confiamos en que las condiciones locales han mejorado y nuestras instalaciones, personal y procedimientos estén realmente listos.</span></div><br class=""><div style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" class=""><a href="https://www.berkeleyschools.net/schoolboard/board-meeting-information/zoom-info/" style="text-decoration-line: none;" class=""><span style="font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; text-decoration-line: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;" class="">En la reunión del Board of Education el 15 de julio,</span></a><span style="font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;" class=""> planeo hacer las siguientes recomendaciones para la aprobación formal del Board:</span></div><br class=""><ul style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px;" class=""><li dir="ltr" style="list-style-type: disc; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;" class=""><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 10pt;" class=""><span style="font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;" class="">BUSD comenzará el año con un plan de Distance Learning mejorado, el cual será muy diferente al programa proporcionado durante la primavera próxima pasada. Habrá horarios estructurados diarios y semanales para los estudiantes, asistencia requerida, instrucción diaria en vivo a través de Zoom, contenido de aprendizaje remoto, asignaciones/trabajos que los maestros calificarán y revisarán, y comunicación consistente con las familias. </span></p></li><li dir="ltr" style="list-style-type: disc; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;" class=""><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 10pt;" class=""><span style="font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;" class="">Las escuelas primarias y secundarias permanecerán en distance learning durante las primeras ocho semanas de instrucción, hasta el 9 de octubre. Para el 15 de septiembre, debemos poder reevaluar y anunciar nuestra capacidad y plazo para los siguientes pasos hacia la transición a la enseñanza en el plantel, si es posible hacerlo de conformidad con la guía de salud. </span></p></li></ul><ul style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px;" class=""><li dir="ltr" style="list-style-type: disc; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;" class=""><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 10pt;" class=""><span style="font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;" class="">Los estudiantes de preparatoria también se mantendrán en distance learning, probablemente hasta el descanso de diciembre, complementado con actividades extracurriculares tal y como se describe a continuación. Evaluaremos la viabilidad de la transición al aprendizaje en el plantel antes, en el “quarter break”, pero reconocemos que los asuntos logísticos para la escuela preparatoria pueden obligarnos a esperar hasta el “semester break”.</span></p></li></ul><ul style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px;" class=""><li dir="ltr" style="list-style-type: disc; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;" class=""><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 10pt;" class=""><span style="font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;" class="">Comenzaremos una reapertura gradual y con prioridad para los programas clave tan pronto como podamos implementar los métodos de reducción de riesgos requeridos, lo más cerca posible a la fecha de inicio del 17 de agosto. Estas reaperturas con prioridades se enfocarán en proporcionar aprendizaje y cuidado en persona para nuestros alumnos más jóvenes y para nuestros alumnos más vulnerables, y proporcionarán experiencias sociales y recreación para la mayor cantidad posible de pequeños “cohorts”. Estos programas con prioridades incluyen:</span></p></li><ul style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px;" class=""><li dir="ltr" style="list-style-type: circle; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;" class=""><div style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" class=""><span style="font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;" class="">Programas Early Childhood Education (preschool) en Franklin, Hopkins, y King CDC</span></div></li><li dir="ltr" style="list-style-type: circle; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;" class=""><div style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" class=""><span style="font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;" class="">Servicios para los estudiantes con IEPs, para los servicios que no se pueden proporcionar en línea.</span></div></li><li dir="ltr" style="list-style-type: circle; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;" class=""><div style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" class=""><span style="font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;" class="">Programas para después de clases en la primaria.</span></div></li><li dir="ltr" style="list-style-type: circle; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;" class=""><div style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" class=""><span style="font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;" class="">Actividades después de clase para la secundaria y preparatoria, incluyendo algunas prácticas de deportes, acondicionamiento físico, clubes, laboratorios de ciencia, asesorías y más</span></div></li><li dir="ltr" style="list-style-type: circle; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;" class=""><div style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" class=""><span style="font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;" class="">“Ed Camps” en la primaria (un nuevo programa potencial “school -day” que estamos desarrollando para respaldar a los trabajadores esenciales)</span></div></li><li dir="ltr" style="list-style-type: circle; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;" class=""><div style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" class=""><span style="font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;" class="">Programas de respaldo para los estudiantes e intervención</span></div></li></ul></ul><br class=""><div style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" class=""><span style="font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;" class="">Continuamos comprometidos a ofrecer servicios de alimentos accesibles, Chromebooks y puntos de acceso para las familias durante este período. </span></div><br class=""><div style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" class=""><span style="font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;" class="">Espero poder compartir detalles iniciales acerca de los planes para el programa de Distance Learning para el otoño y estos programas suplementarios con prioridades en la reunión del Board del 15 de julio, con más detalles, a medida que se desarrollan y acuerdan, en nuestra reunión del Board del 29 de julio cuando aprobarán las programas de aprendizaje a distancia. Publicaremos las actualizaciones en nuestro sitio web en </span><a href="http://www.berkeleyschools.net" style="text-decoration-line: none;" class=""><span style="font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; text-decoration-line: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;" class="">www.berkeleyschools.net,</span></a><span style="font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;" class=""> y los directores también compartirán actualizaciones con las comunidades escolares a medida que se finalicen los horarios. También estamos planeando Town Halls a finales de julio y principios de agosto para ofrecer información adicional, involucramiento y respaldo para un exitoso regreso a clases. </span></div><br class=""><div style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" class=""><span style="font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;" class="">Sigo exhortando a las familias para que completen el</span><a href="https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1wv3GSJlfuIE5LNDfxiHv9-rrwEs5FJuSonOWW0g3r1o/edit" style="text-decoration-line: none;" class=""><span style="font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; text-decoration-line: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;" class=""> formulario Instructional Program Choice</span></a><span style="font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;" class=""> el cual fue enviado la semana próxima pasada. Esto es para nuestros propósitos de planificación general. La selección no es obligatoria, pero nos ayuda a alinear nuestros planes para asignar personal a los programas con las preferencias de la familia en orden de traer a los estudiantes y al personal docente nuevamente al plantel escolar. Cuando logremos anticipar la reapertura de los planteles escolares de una manera más completa, nos comprometemos a enviar nuevamente una encuesta a las familias y a proporcionar más detalles del programa antes de confirmar las opciones de programas para los estudiantes. </span></div><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" class=""><span style="font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;" class=""> </span></p><div style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" class=""><span style="font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;" class="">Con mis continuas esperanzas por la seguridad y el bienestar de nuestras familias y personal, y mi gratitud por el compromiso reflexivo de nuestra comunidad a medida que enfrentamos juntos esta pandemia. </span></div><br class=""><div style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" class=""><span style="font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;" class="">Lo Mejor para Ustedes -</span></div><br class=""><div style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" class=""><span style="font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;" class="">Brent Stephens</span></div><br class=""><div style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" class=""><span style="font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;" class="">Superintendente</span></div><div style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" class=""><span style="font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;" class="">Berkeley Unified School District</span></div><div style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" class=""><span style="font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;" class=""><br class=""></span></div><div style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" class=""><span style="font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;" class=""><div class="" style="font-family: Helvetica; white-space: normal;"><font color="#38761d" face="Arial" class="" style="font-size: 11px;">------------------------------<wbr class="">------</font></div><div class="" style="font-family: Helvetica; white-space: normal;"><div class="" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 20px; width: 520px; color: rgb(34, 34, 34);"><div id="m_3635470313997326425:1lq" class="" style="direction: ltr; margin: 8px 0px 0px; padding: 0px;"><div id="m_3635470313997326425:1lr" class="" style="overflow: hidden; font-stretch: normal; line-height: 1.5;"><div dir="ltr" class=""><div class="" style="margin: 0px; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; color: rgb(87, 124, 173);"><span class="" style="letter-spacing: 0px; font-size: 11px;"><font face="Arial" class="">Nicole Chee, Jenny Fosket, and Chaghig Walker are the parent-volunteer facilitators of the Etree; please direct any questions about the Etree to them at <a href="mailto:bhs-owner@lmi.net?subject=" target="_blank" class="" style="color: rgb(17, 85, 204);"><span class="" style="letter-spacing: 0px; color: rgb(71, 135, 255);">bhs-owner@lmi.net</span></a>.</font></span></div><div class="" style="margin: 0px; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; color: rgb(87, 124, 173); min-height: 14px;"><font face="Arial" class="" style="font-size: 11px;"><br class=""></font></div><div class="" style="margin: 0px; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; color: rgb(71, 135, 255);"><span class="" style="letter-spacing: 0px; color: rgb(87, 124, 173); font-size: 11px;"><font face="Arial" class="">BHS etree archives: <a href="http://lists.lmi.net/pipermail/bhs/" target="_blank" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=http://lists.lmi.net/pipermail/bhs/&source=gmail&ust=1587663094334000&usg=AFQjCNF6FX7-N4yYCEBEYjqGLiL1kY_h8g" class="" style="color: rgb(17, 85, 204);"><span class="" style="letter-spacing: 0px; color: rgb(71, 135, 255);">http://lists.lmi.<wbr class="">net/pipermail/bhs/</span></a></font></span></div><div class="" style="margin: 0px; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; color: rgb(71, 135, 255);"><span class="" style="letter-spacing: 0px; color: rgb(87, 124, 173); font-size: 11px;"><font face="Arial" class="">BHS website: <a href="http://bhs.berkeleyschools.net/" target="_blank" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=http://bhs.berkeleyschools.net/&source=gmail&ust=1587663094334000&usg=AFQjCNFXJKabKMAWB6Vkry5rHXGYnLgfkQ" class="" style="color: rgb(17, 85, 204);"><span class="" style="letter-spacing: 0px; color: rgb(71, 135, 255);">http://bhs.<wbr class="">berkeleyschools.net/</span></a></font></span></div><div class="" style="margin: 0px; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; color: rgb(71, 135, 255);"><span class="" style="letter-spacing: 0px; color: rgb(87, 124, 173); font-size: 11px;"><font face="Arial" class="">BUSD 2019-2020 Calendar: <a href="https://www.berkeleyschools.net/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/BerkeleyUSDCalendar-K12-2019-20-v6.pdf" target="_blank" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.berkeleyschools.net/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/BerkeleyUSDCalendar-K12-2019-20-v6.pdf&source=gmail&ust=1587663094334000&usg=AFQjCNFnZ6wlA0tof86SvChVVHeN58U6WA" class="" style="color: rgb(17, 85, 204);"><span class="" style="letter-spacing: 0px; color: rgb(71, 135, 255);">http://bit.ly/<wbr class="">BUSDCalendar1920</span></a></font></span></div><div class="" style="margin: 0px; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; color: rgb(87, 124, 173);"><span class="" style="letter-spacing: 0px; font-size: 11px;"><font face="Arial" class="">BUSD Non-Discrimination Statement / la Política de No Discriminación: <a href="http://bit.ly/BUSDNDPolicy" target="_blank" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=http://bit.ly/BUSDNDPolicy&source=gmail&ust=1587663094334000&usg=AFQjCNHW5rjBG-UGuh0BAUrTywNuMozbHw" class="" style="color: rgb(17, 85, 204);"><span class="" style="letter-spacing: 0px; color: rgb(71, 135, 255);">http://bit.ly/<wbr class="">BUSDNDPolicy</span></a></font></span></div><div class="" style="margin: 0px; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; color: rgb(87, 124, 173); min-height: 14px;"><font face="Arial" class="" style="font-size: 11px;"><br class=""></font></div><div class="" style="margin: 0px; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; color: rgb(87, 124, 173);"><span class="" style="letter-spacing: 0px; font-size: 11px;"><font face="Arial" class="">To post a message, send to:<a href="mailto:bhs@lmi.net?subject=" target="_blank" class="" style="color: rgb(17, 85, 204);"><span class="" style="letter-spacing: 0px; color: rgb(71, 135, 255);"> bhs@lmi.net</span></a>.</font></span></div><div class="" style="margin: 0px; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; color: rgb(87, 124, 173); min-height: 14px;"><font face="Arial" class="" style="font-size: 11px;"><br class=""></font></div><div class="" style="margin: 0px; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; color: rgb(87, 124, 173);"><font face="Arial" class="" style="font-size: 11px;"><span class="" style="letter-spacing: 0px;">To </span><span class="" style="text-decoration-line: underline; letter-spacing: 0px; color: rgb(255, 38, 0);">unsubscribe</span><span class="" style="letter-spacing: 0px;"> from the etree, send an email to <a href="mailto:bhs-request@lmi.net?subject=" target="_blank" class="" style="color: rgb(17, 85, 204);"><span class="" style="letter-spacing: 0px; color: rgb(71, 135, 255);">bhs-request@lmi.net</span></a> with one word only in the subject line: <b class="">unsubscribe</b>. The request must be sent from the email address that is subscribed to the list. If that does not work, visit the URL at the bottom of each message, or put your email address at the end of this URL: <a href="http://lists.lmi.net/mailman/options/bhs/" target="_blank" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=http://lists.lmi.net/mailman/options/bhs/&source=gmail&ust=1587663094334000&usg=AFQjCNGAdzxY3Aun7ik-cmh5TgS01zA5CA" class="" style="color: rgb(17, 85, 204);"><span class="" style="letter-spacing: 0px; color: rgb(71, 135, 255);">http://lists.lmi.net/<wbr class="">mailman/options/bhs/</span></a>, or contact the e-tree moderators at <a href="mailto:bhs-owner@lmi.net?subject=" target="_blank" class="" style="color: rgb(17, 85, 204);"><span class="" style="letter-spacing: 0px; color: rgb(71, 135, 255);">bhs-owner@lmi.net</span></a>.</span></font></div><div class="" style="margin: 0px; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; color: rgb(87, 124, 173); min-height: 14px;"><font face="Arial" class="" style="font-size: 11px;"><br class=""></font></div><div class="" style="margin: 0px; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; color: rgb(87, 124, 173);"><font face="Arial" class="" style="font-size: 11px;"><span class="" style="letter-spacing: 0px;">To </span><span class="" style="letter-spacing: 0px;">subscribe</span><span class="" style="letter-spacing: 0px;"> to the etree, send an email to <a href="mailto:bhs-request@lmi.net?subject=" target="_blank" class="" style="color: rgb(17, 85, 204);"><span class="" style="letter-spacing: 0px; color: rgb(71, 135, 255);">bhs-request@lmi.net</span></a> with one word only in the subject line: <b class="">subscribe</b></span></font></div></div></div></div></div></div></span></div></font></span></div></body></html>