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<p class="gmail-p1" style="margin:0px;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;font-stretch:normal;font-size:12px;line-height:normal;font-family:Arial;color:rgb(251,2,7)">Please do not reply to this message. If you have any questions, please contact the BUSD Superintendent's Office at <a href="mailto:superintendent@berkeley.net"><span class="gmail-s1" style="color:rgb(138,19,40)">superintendent@berkeley.net</span></a><span class="gmail-s2" style="font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;font-stretch:normal;font-size:10px;line-height:normal;color:rgb(138,19,40)">.</span> <span class="gmail-Apple-converted-space"> </span></p>
<p class="gmail-p2" style="margin:0px;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;font-stretch:normal;font-size:10px;line-height:normal;font-family:Arial;color:rgb(26,26,26);min-height:11px"><br></p>
<p class="gmail-p3" style="margin:0px;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;font-stretch:normal;font-size:10px;line-height:normal;font-family:Arial;color:rgb(26,26,26);min-height:11px"><br></p>
<p class="gmail-p4" style="margin:0px;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;font-stretch:normal;font-size:15px;line-height:normal;font-family:Arial;color:rgb(0,0,0)">Dear BUSD Community,</p>
<p class="gmail-p5" style="margin:0px;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;font-stretch:normal;font-size:15px;line-height:normal;font-family:Arial;color:rgb(26,26,26);min-height:17px"><br></p>
<p class="gmail-p4" style="margin:0px;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;font-stretch:normal;font-size:15px;line-height:normal;font-family:Arial;color:rgb(0,0,0)">We are very pleased to announce that the District and the Berkeley Federation of Teachers (BFT) this evening reached a tentative agreement that, once ratified, establishes a timeline for the reopening of all our schools, PK-12, into a hybrid model of instruction. This agreement was the result of many hours of work by teams from the District and BFT, and draws from the input of hundreds of educators as well as the passionate voices of students and families in the BUSD community.</p>
<p class="gmail-p5" style="margin:0px;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;font-stretch:normal;font-size:15px;line-height:normal;font-family:Arial;color:rgb(26,26,26);min-height:17px"><br></p>
<p class="gmail-p4" style="margin:0px;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;font-stretch:normal;font-size:15px;line-height:normal;font-family:Arial;color:rgb(0,0,0)">At the center of this agreement is a commitment to reopen our schools for in-person learning by ensuring that our teachers and staff have been vaccinated against COVID-19. The CDC has recommended, though not required, vaccines for educators, and we recognize the value of vaccines as a strong, additional layer of protection for our staff.  Vaccinations will lead to a more confident reopening, and allow us to focus now on the final details of a hybrid learning schedule for our students.</p>
<p class="gmail-p5" style="margin:0px;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;font-stretch:normal;font-size:15px;line-height:normal;font-family:Arial;color:rgb(26,26,26);min-height:17px"><br></p>
<p class="gmail-p4" style="margin:0px;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;font-stretch:normal;font-size:15px;line-height:normal;font-family:Arial;color:rgb(0,0,0)">In addition to vaccines, this agreement covers other important safety practices such as COVID-19 testing. The new agreement stands alongside other previous agreements we have reached about a safe reopening for students and staff, including comprehensive COVID safety protocols, and an agreement to support teachers who wish to work with students in person until we open into a hybrid model.  </p>
<p class="gmail-p5" style="margin:0px;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;font-stretch:normal;font-size:15px;line-height:normal;font-family:Arial;color:rgb(26,26,26);min-height:17px"><br></p>
<p class="gmail-p4" style="margin:0px;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;font-stretch:normal;font-size:15px;line-height:normal;font-family:Arial;color:rgb(0,0,0)">This agreement applies to all levels, from preschool to high school. It establishes the following timeline for students to return to campus in a hybrid model, pending the timing of vaccine completion: </p>
<p class="gmail-p5" style="margin:0px;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;font-stretch:normal;font-size:15px;line-height:normal;font-family:Arial;color:rgb(26,26,26);min-height:17px"><br></p>
<table cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="gmail-t1" style="border-collapse:collapse">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td valign="top" class="gmail-td1" style="width:213.7px;height:19.6px;border-style:solid;border-width:1px;border-color:rgb(0,0,0);padding:6.7px">
<p class="gmail-p6" style="margin:0px 0px 0px 24px;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;font-stretch:normal;font-size:14.7px;line-height:normal;font-family:Avenir;color:rgb(0,0,0)"><span class="gmail-s3">Monday, March 29:</span></p>
</td>
<td valign="top" class="gmail-td2" style="width:381.6px;height:19.6px;border-style:solid;border-width:1px;border-color:rgb(0,0,0);padding:6.7px">
<p class="gmail-p6" style="margin:0px 0px 0px 24px;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;font-stretch:normal;font-size:14.7px;line-height:normal;font-family:Avenir;color:rgb(0,0,0)"><span class="gmail-s3">Preschool, Transitional Kindergarten, and K-2</span></p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top" class="gmail-td3" style="width:213.7px;height:20.6px;background-color:rgb(242,242,242);border-style:solid;border-width:1px;border-color:rgb(0,0,0);padding:6.7px">
<p class="gmail-p6" style="margin:0px 0px 0px 24px;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;font-stretch:normal;font-size:14.7px;line-height:normal;font-family:Avenir;color:rgb(0,0,0)"><span class="gmail-s3" style="background-color:rgb(255,255,255)">April 5-9:</span></p>
</td>
<td valign="top" class="gmail-td4" style="width:381.6px;height:20.6px;background-color:rgb(242,242,242);border-style:solid;border-width:1px;border-color:rgb(0,0,0);padding:6.7px">
<p class="gmail-p6" style="margin:0px 0px 0px 24px;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;font-stretch:normal;font-size:14.7px;line-height:normal;font-family:Avenir;color:rgb(0,0,0)"><span class="gmail-s3" style="background-color:rgb(255,255,255)">Spring Recess</span></p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top" class="gmail-td5" style="width:213.7px;height:59.6px;border-style:solid;border-width:1px;border-color:rgb(0,0,0);padding:6.7px">
<p class="gmail-p6" style="margin:0px 0px 0px 24px;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;font-stretch:normal;font-size:14.7px;line-height:normal;font-family:Avenir;color:rgb(0,0,0)"><span class="gmail-s3">Monday, April 12:</span></p>
</td>
<td valign="top" class="gmail-td6" style="width:381.6px;height:59.6px;border-style:solid;border-width:1px;border-color:rgb(0,0,0);padding:6.7px">
<p class="gmail-p6" style="margin:0px 0px 0px 24px;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;font-stretch:normal;font-size:14.7px;line-height:normal;font-family:Avenir;color:rgb(0,0,0)"><span class="gmail-s3">Grades 3-5; Grades 6-8; U9 Program at Berkeley High; Berkeley Technology Academy/Berkeley Independent Study</span></p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top" class="gmail-td7" style="width:213.7px;height:19.6px;background-color:rgb(242,242,242);border-style:solid;border-width:1px;border-color:rgb(0,0,0);padding:6.7px">
<p class="gmail-p6" style="margin:0px 0px 0px 24px;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;font-stretch:normal;font-size:14.7px;line-height:normal;font-family:Avenir;color:rgb(0,0,0)"><span class="gmail-s3" style="background-color:rgb(255,255,255)">Monday, April 19:</span></p>
</td>
<td valign="top" class="gmail-td8" style="width:381.6px;height:19.6px;background-color:rgb(242,242,242);border-style:solid;border-width:1px;border-color:rgb(0,0,0);padding:6.7px">
<p class="gmail-p7" style="margin:0px;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;font-stretch:normal;font-size:14.7px;line-height:normal;font-family:Avenir;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:rgb(255,255,255)">Grades 10-12</p>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<p class="gmail-p5" style="margin:0px;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;font-stretch:normal;font-size:15px;line-height:normal;font-family:Arial;color:rgb(26,26,26);min-height:17px"><br></p>
<p class="gmail-p4" style="margin:0px;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;font-stretch:normal;font-size:15px;line-height:normal;font-family:Arial;color:rgb(0,0,0)">For now, the Berkeley Adult School will remain closed to in-person instruction.</p>
<p class="gmail-p5" style="margin:0px;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;font-stretch:normal;font-size:15px;line-height:normal;font-family:Arial;color:rgb(26,26,26);min-height:17px"><br></p>
<p class="gmail-p4" style="margin:0px;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;font-stretch:normal;font-size:15px;line-height:normal;font-family:Arial;color:rgb(0,0,0)">If the City’s vaccination schedule is delayed by a week, this timeline will be pushed back by a week. On the other hand, these dates for reopening will be moved up by one week if the City is able to provide all BUSD staff with the Pfizer vaccine, which requires a shorter interval between inoculations. We have a commitment from the City to fully vaccinate staff, and we will update the community with timing as information becomes available.  We are grateful to Mayor Arreguín, City Manager Williams-Ridley, and City staff for their work to secure vaccinations specifically for our educators. </p>
<p class="gmail-p5" style="margin:0px;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;font-stretch:normal;font-size:15px;line-height:normal;font-family:Arial;color:rgb(26,26,26);min-height:17px"><br></p>
<p class="gmail-p4" style="margin:0px;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;font-stretch:normal;font-size:15px;line-height:normal;font-family:Arial;color:rgb(0,0,0)">The agreement reached today also permits the District to proceed with its phased reopening plan five days after the community transmission rate in the County enters the state’s Orange tier, even if vaccinations have not yet been completed.</p>
<p class="gmail-p5" style="margin:0px;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;font-stretch:normal;font-size:15px;line-height:normal;font-family:Arial;color:rgb(26,26,26);min-height:17px"><br></p>
<p class="gmail-p4" style="margin:0px;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;font-stretch:normal;font-size:15px;line-height:normal;font-family:Arial;color:rgb(0,0,0)">We know that families are anxious to hear the details of the hybrid model - whether or not your family will choose to return to in-person learning - and we will have more information very soon.  We also acknowledge that a hybrid model is not ideal for anyone right now, and that there is no substitute for full-time, five days a week instruction. However, state and local public health guidance continues to oblige districts to employ social distancing as one of many risk mitigation strategies, which reduces our ability to have all students on campus at once.</p>
<p class="gmail-p5" style="margin:0px;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;font-stretch:normal;font-size:15px;line-height:normal;font-family:Arial;color:rgb(26,26,26);min-height:17px"><br></p>
<p class="gmail-p4" style="margin:0px;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;font-stretch:normal;font-size:15px;line-height:normal;font-family:Arial;color:rgb(0,0,0)">In the meantime, while vaccinations are being completed, we anticipate that some teachers at all levels will voluntarily return to campus to offer a limited number of in-person, small group activities for students who have needed the most support during distance learning. Families will be contacted if their students are eligible for these groups.</p>
<p class="gmail-p5" style="margin:0px;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;font-stretch:normal;font-size:15px;line-height:normal;font-family:Arial;color:rgb(26,26,26);min-height:17px"><br></p>
<p class="gmail-p4" style="margin:0px;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;font-stretch:normal;font-size:15px;line-height:normal;font-family:Arial;color:rgb(0,0,0)">There are many people to thank for their tireless efforts to secure these agreements. For now, it will suffice to express our great appreciation to our wonderful community of parents, caregivers, educators, and City partners.  Most of all, we thank our students, who have borne the brunt of this terrible pandemic and whose resilience and perseverance inspires us all.</p>
<p class="gmail-p5" style="margin:0px;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;font-stretch:normal;font-size:15px;line-height:normal;font-family:Arial;color:rgb(26,26,26);min-height:17px"><br></p>
<p class="gmail-p4" style="margin:0px;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;font-stretch:normal;font-size:15px;line-height:normal;font-family:Arial;color:rgb(0,0,0)">Sincerely,</p>
<p class="gmail-p5" style="margin:0px;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;font-stretch:normal;font-size:15px;line-height:normal;font-family:Arial;color:rgb(26,26,26);min-height:17px"><br></p>
<p class="gmail-p4" style="margin:0px;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;font-stretch:normal;font-size:15px;line-height:normal;font-family:Arial;color:rgb(0,0,0)">Brent Stephens, Superintendent</p>
<p class="gmail-p4" style="margin:0px;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;font-stretch:normal;font-size:15px;line-height:normal;font-family:Arial;color:rgb(0,0,0)">Matt Meyer, President, Berkeley Federation of Teachers</p>
<p class="gmail-p4" style="margin:0px;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;font-stretch:normal;font-size:15px;line-height:normal;font-family:Arial;color:rgb(0,0,0)">Ty Alper, President, Board of Education</p>
<p class="gmail-p8" style="margin:0px;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;font-stretch:normal;font-size:15px;line-height:normal;font-family:Arial;color:rgb(98,98,98);min-height:17px"><br></p>
<p class="gmail-p9" style="margin:0px;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;font-stretch:normal;font-size:15px;line-height:normal;font-family:Arial;color:rgb(0,0,0);min-height:17px"><br></p>
<p class="gmail-p10" style="margin:0px;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;font-stretch:normal;font-size:12px;line-height:normal;font-family:Arial;color:rgb(24,25,27)"><b>_____________________________</b></p>
<p class="gmail-p11" style="margin:0px;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;font-stretch:normal;font-size:12px;line-height:normal;font-family:Arial;color:rgb(70,103,157)">Nicole Chee, Jenny Fosket, Chaghig Walker, and Charlotte Le Liboux 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"><span class="gmail-s4" style="color:rgb(12,97,171)">bhs-owner@lmi.net</span></a>.</p>
<p class="gmail-p12" style="margin:0px;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;font-stretch:normal;font-size:12px;line-height:normal;font-family:Arial;color:rgb(62,0,63)"> </p>
<p class="gmail-p13" style="margin:0px;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;font-stretch:normal;font-size:12px;line-height:normal;font-family:Arial;color:rgb(12,97,171)"><span class="gmail-s5" style="color:rgb(70,103,157)">BHS Etree archives: <a href="http://lists.lmi.net/pipermail/bhs/"><span class="gmail-s4" style="color:rgb(12,97,171)">http://lists.lmi.net/pipermail/bhs/</span></a></span></p>
<p class="gmail-p13" style="margin:0px;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;font-stretch:normal;font-size:12px;line-height:normal;font-family:Arial;color:rgb(12,97,171)"><span class="gmail-s5" style="color:rgb(70,103,157)">BHS website: <a href="http://bhs.berkeleyschools.net/"><span class="gmail-s4" style="color:rgb(12,97,171)">http://bhs.berkeleyschools.net/</span></a></span></p>
<p class="gmail-p11" style="margin:0px;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;font-stretch:normal;font-size:12px;line-height:normal;font-family:Arial;color:rgb(70,103,157)">BUSD 2020-2021 Calendar:<span class="gmail-s6" style="color:rgb(15,121,165)"> <a href="https://www.berkeleyschools.net/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/2020-21-BUSDCalendar_5.15.19.pdf"><span class="gmail-s4" style="color:rgb(12,97,171)">2020-2021 Calendar</span></a></span></p>
<p class="gmail-p11" style="margin:0px;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;font-stretch:normal;font-size:12px;line-height:normal;font-family:Arial;color:rgb(70,103,157)">BUSD Non-Discrimination Statement / la Política de No Discriminación: <a href="http://bit.ly/BUSDNDPolicy"><span class="gmail-s4" style="color:rgb(12,97,171)">http://bit.ly/BUSDNDPolicy</span></a></p>
<p class="gmail-p12" style="margin:0px;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;font-stretch:normal;font-size:12px;line-height:normal;font-family:Arial;color:rgb(62,0,63)"> </p>
<p class="gmail-p11" style="margin:0px;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;font-stretch:normal;font-size:12px;line-height:normal;font-family:Arial;color:rgb(70,103,157)">To post a message, send to: <a href="mailto:bhs@lmi.net"><span class="gmail-s4" style="color:rgb(12,97,171)">bhs@lmi.net</span></a>.</p>
<p class="gmail-p12" style="margin:0px;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;font-stretch:normal;font-size:12px;line-height:normal;font-family:Arial;color:rgb(62,0,63)"> </p>
<p class="gmail-p11" style="margin:0px;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;font-stretch:normal;font-size:12px;line-height:normal;font-family:Arial;color:rgb(70,103,157)">To <span class="gmail-s7" style="text-decoration-line:underline;color:rgb(251,0,7)">unsubscribe</span> from the Etree, send an email to <a href="mailto:bhs-request@lmi.net"><span class="gmail-s4" style="color:rgb(12,97,171)">bhs-request@lmi.net</span></a> with one word only in the subject line: unsubscribe.  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/"><span class="gmail-s4" style="color:rgb(12,97,171)">http://lists.lmi.net/mailman/options/bhs/</span></a>, or contact the Etree moderators at <a href="mailto:bhs-owner@lmi.net"><span class="gmail-s4" style="color:rgb(12,97,171)">bhs-owner@lmi.net.</span></a></p>
<p class="gmail-p12" style="margin:0px;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;font-stretch:normal;font-size:12px;line-height:normal;font-family:Arial;color:rgb(62,0,63)"> </p>
<p class="gmail-p14" style="margin:0px;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;font-stretch:normal;font-size:12px;line-height:normal;font-family:Arial;color:rgb(70,103,157)">To <span class="gmail-s8" style="text-decoration-line:underline">subscribe</span> to the Etree, send an email to <a href="mailto:bhs-request@lmi.net"><span class="gmail-s4" style="color:rgb(12,97,171)">bhs-request@lmi.net</span></a> with one word only in the subject line: subscribe</p></div>