DAILY UPDATE #209 -- 2/16/2021
 

  • NEW ITEMS
     
  • DISTRICT COMMUNICATIONS
    The following communication was sent to principals on February 11:
     
  • REOPENING UPDATE
    • As many of you know our District has remained steadfast in our stance to reopening schools when it Is safe to do so based on the science. 
    • The District team in collaboration with SDEA will be sharing a joint statement regarding our framework for a safe reopening, which includes vaccine access, on-site mitigations such as PPE, and declining case rates.  
    • Please see the link to the joint announcement. 
       
  • IMPLEMENTING PHASE ONE UPDATE
    • Please see the updated Landing Page that includes the 2/10 recorded session, FAQ and communication for families.
       
  • PRINCIPAL INSTITUTE #3 - FEBRUARY 17, 2021 8:00 AM - 12:00 PM 
    • Please click on the following link with the agenda, registration link, and information about inviting your VP(s) and the 3 site teachers you have selected.
       
  • CLEANING AND DISINFECTING UPDATE
    • New medical research has warned against the overuse of disinfectants in combating the Coronavirus. Additionally, disinfecting surfaces has shown to have limited to no impact on COVID-19 transmission. 
    • For those reasons, the state has directed districts to reduce the amount of surface disinfection now being performed. 
    • Dr. Taras, our district physician, has reviewed the new guidance and agrees with the latest recommendations from the California Department of Public Health.
      • Daily cleaning (with soap and water or a cleaner, not a disinfectant) of high touch surfaces and shared items is recommended while disinfecting is reserved only for areas when a COVID positive case spent a “large proportion” of their time in the area.
      • Outdoor playground equipment and surfaces only require normal maintenance, not disinfecting.   
      • Detailed information is being relayed to your custodial staff by PPO.
      • The full guidance is provided here and is also located on the Landing Page. 
         
  •  CONFIGURING CLASSROOMS WITH DESKTOP BARRIERS  UPDATE
    • The California Department of Public Health recently provided new guidance related to classroom configuration.  The highlights are: 
      •  The guidance requires consideration of utilizing all outdoor and (other) indoor spaces before reducing the space between student desks to less than 6 feet.
      • The guidance revises the minimum allowable distance between student desks.   When desktop barriers are in place the district’s previous guidance called for a minimum distance between students of 1 meter (39 inches), the new guidance now requires a minimum of 4 feet (48 inches).
      • The guidance provides more information on accommodations for students when exempted from wearing face coverings.  Desktop barriers are an additional mitigation measure when a student is unmasked or sub-optimally masked (such as wearing a face shield with a drape).  Please see other guidance on mask accommodation and consult with Special Education and Nursing and Wellness before proceeding.
      • Desktop barriers may be used, but are not required, when desks are 6 feet or more apart to provide an added level of protection, as determined by the site.  
      • Maintain 6 feet between the teacher’s desk and the nearest student desk, and maintain a minimum of 6 feet from the teaching area (front of the classroom, standing in front of smart board, etc.) to the nearest student desk.  
    • The full guidance is provided here and is also located on the Landing Page. 
       
  • SDSU ASPIRING ADMINISTRATORS 
  • POWERSCHOOL IEP INFORMATION ACCESS TO JOB AIDS AND TIPS
  • GRAB N’ GO MEALS AND EXTRA GROCERY FOOD ITEMS FOR 2/15-2/19
    • The USDA boxes of dairy, protein and shelf-stable items are back in limited quantities!
    • Extra grocery items are available (while supplies last) at select schools on a rotating basis. Check the schedule for grocery distributions for next week - Grocery Item Schedule for Week of 2/15-2/19
    • Many sites with regular grocery item pick-up days have been rescheduled due to Presidents’ Weekend, so be sure to take a look at the schedule and share the info with your school families! 
       
  • OTHER NEWS
    What Cindy Marten’s Rise Tells Us About the State of Education Politics (VOSD, February 16)
    https://www.voiceofsandiego.org/topics/education/what-cindy-martens-rise-tells-us-about-the-state-of-education-politics/?utm_source=Voice+of+San+Diego+Master+List&utm_campaign=a594c1dade-Morning_Report&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_c2357fd0a3-a594c1dade-84039685&goal=0_c2357fd0a3-a594c1dade-84039685
     
    Miguel Cardona Confirmed as Secretary of Education (EdWeek, February 11)
    https://www.edweek.org/policy-politics/miguel-cardona-takes-key-step-forward-in-drama-free-senate-committee-vote/2021/02
     
    The CDC Has New Guidelines.  Here’s What You Need to Know  (NY Times, February 12)
    https://www.nytimes.com/2021/02/12/us/cdc-school-guidelines-faq.html

     
  • 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
Copyright © 2021 Administrators Association of San Diego City Schools, All rights reserved.