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DAILY UPDATE #171 -- 12/04/2020
- NEW ITEMS
- Q and A (Friday, December 4, 2020)
Q: The district released their most recent initiative on November 13th - new teacher evaluation system (E3). On November 19th we were told to attend mandatory trainings during the week after we return from break. I'm curious to learn how we will implement an evaluation system during a school year where we are not allowed to determine a certificated employee is ineffective. Yes, I understand there is more to providing feedback to teachers than finding them ineffective. I scanned the Principal's page and was able to determine the announcement of this initiative was less than 24 hours after the announcement of the Phase 1 Expansion initiative (the district created two Principal updates in one day). 12 days prior to this date (October 28th) the district launched the restorative policies discipline initiative. Prior to this was the grading policy initiative, Black Youth initiative, and a host of online learning-related initiatives. Each of these initiatives are important. Can we ask for a moratorium on new initiatives? I am assuming the response from central office regarding E3 might be "We are sorry you are feeling overwhelmed with the volume of information we are distributing via the Principal's Update page. We are only responding to your request to be kept up to date with the work taking place." But have we considered we may be reaching the threshold of how many new initiatives site leaders can manage at once?
A: (Answer provided by the District) Please contact your Area Superintendent to address your concerns. (Addition by AASD – Thank you for sharing these valid concerns. As we enter 2021, AASD will be having workload conversations with the District.)
Q: Will principals receive direction soon on how to best organize and implement the AM and PM student cohort sessions for Phase 2?
Q: I am concerned that we have not received any details for phase 2 and we only have a few weeks left before winter break. Will more information come soon? I have parents emailing me asking about phase 2 and requesting morning sessions. I’m not sure how to accommodate all parent requests if we need to split classes into an AM and PM session. If we need to plan this over winter break, will we be compensated?
Q: Is Phase Two really happening for January 4? Doesn’t seem like it could happen due to bargaining, purple tier, staff on site for planning, etc. When is the district going to tell parents? Not fair that parents think January 4 is really happening.
A: (Answer provided by the District) Please see the update sent on December 1st stating that health conditions will be reassessed on January 13th and an update will be provided at that time. At this time, Phase 1 will continue to be expanded for appointment based learning. Parents received an e-mail with this information also.
Q: I’m reporting to the work site and I’m still confused about where I can get a COVID test.
A: (Answer provided by AASD) Information received from the District is that the Ballard Center COVID testing site is being closed by the San Diego County Office of Education (SDCOE). SDUSD asked that it remain open, however the SDCOE made the decision to close it due to lack of business. The SDCOE has sites open in other areas including El Cajon and Del Mar. SDUSD employees are NOT required to use a SDCOE testing site and may use any of the County of San Diego sites at no cost. To locate a testing site closer to work or home, simply dial 2-1-1 or go to the website https://211sandiego.org/covid19/covid-19-testing/ for testing locations. There are many locations throughout San Diego County including one at the bottom of Linda Vista Road that is not far from Ballard Center. All SDUSD employees who are reporting to a physical work site are encouraged to take advantage of COVID testing every two weeks. This is not mandated at this time, but highly encouraged.
Q: District Website. The ongoing issues with the new website are ridiculous and frustrating. Earlier it was stated that 30% of schools had issues with the old platform so now 100% of us have to go along with the new main site. Links are broken, we are being sent to incorrect web pages. How in the world are we supposed to be in compliance when we can't find anything? Can't find 20-21 DAC, 20-21 DELAC, Research and Evaluation, and on and on and on. Can't open up forms because I get error message. It has been over a month. What kind of company did the district hire that can't figure out how to make this transition? I’m very frustrated.
A: (Answer provided by the District) We're working to reduce the number of broken links, but the only way to make sure we've got them all is to receive reports from users. Please email Communications@sandi.net as you come across these issues.
Q: I have read that PPO will determine if you need to have a stand alone purifier in the classroom if air conditioning is installed and PPO would determine if the purifier needs to run. However that is not what I have been told after discussing with Phil B of PPO. How do we know if we need the air purifiers and if to run them?
A: (Answer provided by the District) Please see the Ventilation guidance and screencast on the Nov 19 Principals Update.
Q: E3: Evaluation process -- Is my understanding correct in that either an E3 evaluation or an Alternative 5-year evaluation are now mandatory again for teachers for the 20-21 school year?
A: (Answer provided by the District) Please read agreement as the language may assist - Short response include 1. Educators on special eval will use Article 14 language. Educators on Cycle may choose E3 or they will complete the Alternative process guided by the CBA Article 14.7. The E3 process as an administrator supporting educators is mandatory. Educators who were previously on a 5 years agreement are expected to meet with their administrator and decide whether to do E3 or Alternative.
Q: As a principal, I have just seen the agreement with the CSEA units that still needs to be ratified. My question is about screen time for Paraeducators. I see that they are to work their regular hours. Is there any limit on screen/instruction time online?
A: (Answer provided by the District) The (CSEA) agreement doesn't change the way in which we have been working with our Paraeducators since the start of the school year; there is no change to the time the Paraeducators are assigned to work with students.
Q: This new LCFF required task of following up with our families over the phone is too much. Most of us don’t have Google voice phones to conduct these calls. I’m not using personal phones to do this and I can’t ask that of my staff. The workload is too much and there is no way to complete this in a week. I understand the need to get these completed and I’m thankful that there are new ways to be able to complete this task. We’ve been working so hard to get these turned in and completed especially but the phone banking with personal phones isn’t going to work either. What can be done?
A: (Answer provided by the District) The state has added the option this year to call families. Please look for additional information and clarification in the Principal Update to support our efforts.
Q: With the governor's new stay-at-home orders, does it affect Phase 1 or staff reporting to the sites?
A: (Answer provided by the District) No. Phase 1 continues as is, with all health and safety measures in place.
Q: During Thanksgiving break a parent emailed a teacher at our site to advise that she and her husband had tested positive for Covid, and that their child was being tested. Mom and child had recently been to our campus for Phase 1, and understandably, the teacher was quite concerned. I had asked for our staff (and myself) to take a pause from email during the break, but thank goodness we broke our own rules, so that we could act on this situation. My request/solution is if during this pandemic, the district can set-up a Nursing Hotline for families and staff to be able to call and get accurate information, especially during the evenings, weekends, and breaks. This would save a great deal of calling, texting, waiting and worrying, until someone can be reached to give information to staff and families. Thank you for your consideration.
A: (Answer provided by the District) Please continue to reach out to your site nurse as questions and specific situations occur. Additionally, there is a district email (sdusdnursing@sandi.net) that has been established to provide a system for staff and community members to share information, ask questions, and receive resources. This email is monitored throughout the day, including weekends and breaks.
- SCHOOL SITE EMPLOYEE SURVEY
- Yesterday, all school site employees were emailed a survey to determine their needs.
- Per the District, as Phase 2 has been postponed, the survey is being requested in order to determine and be responsive to the needs of school site employees.
- From AASD – Any AASD member completing the survey who is requesting an accommodation or has a special circumstance is encouraged to consult with AASD Executive Director, Donis Coronel, PRIOR to completing the survey. All others who are NOT requesting accommodation are encouraged to complete the survey by the deadline.
- DISTRICT COMMUNICATIONS
The following communication was sent to principals on December 3:
- WEEKLY ENGAGEMENT LOG
- In addition to daily attendance reporting, the State also requires a weekly engagement log that indicates the type of learning each student participated in for that week.
- Our IT department has been able to create logs using daily attendance and application login times. The one component that we have not been able to recreate is the daily log of assignments. This is the only part of the state mandated attendance-taking procedures that will require educators to complete and certify a Weekly Engagement Log report.
- Starting on Dec. 7th, a new page within PowerTeacher will generate the Weekly Engagement Log. Educators will need to submit a report for each week of the school year starting from Sept. 8th. Please read the following letter for specific details related to this process: Weekly Engagement Log.
- This information will be shared with Educators tomorrow in the Educators Update.
- ALTERNATE ELPAC - Important Update
- The CDE has suspended the field test for the Alternate ELPAC testing at this time. Sites must administer paper and pencil ELLA as in previous years. More information will be provided at a later date.
- Dates for the Alternate ELLA include February 1, 2021- May 30, 2021.
- If you have any questions, contact Erika Simmons esimmons@sandi.net.
- POWERSCHOOL IEP TRANSLATED DOCUMENTS
- Translated Documents are now available for the IEP Meeting Notice and Assessment Plan.
- Use this Job Aid to activate and work with Translated Documents.
- LEADERSHIP LAB #2 CALL FOR PRESENTERS - Reminder
- We are looking forward to our next Leadership Lab (#2) which is scheduled for January 12th.
- The focus of this Leadership Lab is actualizing the Call to Action for Black Youth.
- We are looking for site leaders to share their experiences with leading in any area of the Call to Action to present in a breakout session.
- If you would like to share how you have been leading this work so far in one of the site collective action areas, please complete the following Google Form by this Friday, December 4th:
- We appreciate your consideration in sharing your experiences as we continue to learn with and from one another as we create an anti-racist and anti-biased educational system where our students thrive.
- VEBA RESOURCE CENTER - DECEMBER CALENDAR
- GUIDANCE FROM THE ASSOCIATION OF CALIFORNIA SCHOOL ADMINISTRATORS (ACSA) REGARDING THE NEW REGIONAL MODEL FOR STAY-AT-HOME ORDERS IN CALIFORNIA
Yesterday, Gov. Gavin Newsom announced a new regional model for stay-at-home orders in California. The framework is based on intensive care unit capacity in the state.
The governor’s administration has told us this announcement does not change the current guidance for schools. Schools that are currently open for in-person learning may remain open. Schools can also bring students back on campus for instruction using the elementary school waiver process and cohorting guidance. They are still required to follow safety guidance issued by the California Department of Public Health.
The administration, the State Board of Education and other state entities have released resources, FAQs and more on the new guidance. See below:
- Following the governor’s Thursday announcement, ACSA presented a special edition of the Legislative Lunch Break. During the show, ACSA Executive Director Wes Smith and our broadcast team discussed the regional stay-at-home order, the impact on California public schools and new information related to the announcement. View the broadcast here.
Subscribe to ACSA on YouTube so you’ll never miss our analyses of these announcements and more.
ACSA will continue to keep you up to date on the latest news impacting students, schools and educators in California.
- OTHER NEWS
Five Things We’ve Learned About Virtual School In 2020 (NPR, December 4)
https://www.npr.org/2020/12/04/938050723/5-things-weve-learned-about-virtual-school-in-2020
- SPECIAL GRATITUDE
If an AASD member has a department or individual that deserves special recognition during this time of crisis, please use the link below for reporting issues/questions/concerns/gratitude to show your gratitude for the department or individual. AASD will publish that special thanks in our next Daily Update.
The following was received from an AASD Member in Good Standing “Thank you to Brian Kenworthy, Operations Specialist, the voice on the other end of Hotline that we can call when we need assistance with a COVID related matter. Brian has a calming demeanor and gets back to us promptly with answers. Thank you so much, Brian, for being there for us. And thank you, AASD, for negotiating this hotline.”
- REMINDERS
- AASD/DISTRICT "HOTLINE" INFORMATION
The hotline established with the District is available to AASD unit members and other management who are charged with enforcing the health and safety policies and procedures. Call the hotline when you need immediate assistance when conflicts arise, clarification is needed, or decisions must be made regarding health and safety matters.
This hotline is for ALL AASD represented members, both classified and certificated. The hotline phone number is (619) 981-0760. The hotline is available on all District workdays, Monday through Friday, from 7:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. In the rare event that a message must be left, all calls will be returned promptly, within the same day.
- AASD OFFICE CLOSURE
AASD will be sending out a Daily Update, Monday-Friday, throughout the return to instruction/school reopening period. The Weekly Update will continue as usual on Thursdays with the typical news and information for AASD members. The AASD Office continues to remain closed. AASD staff are working remotely and can be reached via the contact information at the end of this Update.
AASD has created a Google Form for AASD Members to report issues, questions or concerns regarding work-related issues, COVID-19, return to instruction and school reopening. AASD will provide answers to issues, questions or concerns submitted as answers become available. You may also share your gratitude for another AASD member, district personnel, etc., via the same link.
The link to share issues/questions/concerns/gratitude is:
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeVSsqBQSHboCdgqbnpaucUY--DHKjosG8MAmRuCxawzB4blg/viewform?usp=sf_link
Please do not share this link outside of AASD membership (classified and certificated management/supervisors). The link will be active until this crisis is over.
NOTE: All previous AASD Daily Updates and Weekly Updates are located on the AASD Website www.aasdcs.org if you need to refer back to them for information.
- DISTRICT WEBSITE
For your convenience, the District has created a list of Frequently Asked Questions. To access that list, click the link https://sites.google.com/sandi.net/covid19/staff-info
- AASD CONTACT INFORMATION
Executive Director, Donis Coronel -- donis@aasdcs.org 619-813-8792
Office Manager, Linda Crout-Hamel -- linda@aasdcs.org 619-861-2701
Office Clerk, Jim Costello -- jim@aasdcs.org
Please keep informed via the District’s website www.sandi.net, Daily Updates from AASD and via the AASD Website www.aasdcs.org.
- CONTACTS
AASD Board of Directors - http://aasdcs.org/board-of-directors/
AASD Office Staff - http://aasdcs.org/staff/
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