DAILY UPDATE #255 -- 4/30/2021
 

  • NEW ITEMS
     
  • PLEASE NOTE:  BEGINNING NEXT WEEK (WEEK OF MAY 3), THE DAILY UPDATE WILL BE PRODUCED ON TUESDAY’S AND THURSDAY’S ONLY
    For the past almost 14 months, the Daily Update has been a valuable daily communication to our members.  At this time, we feel that five days a week is no longer necessary and so we will now produce the Daily Update on Tuesday and Thursday only.  We will continue to produce the Daily Update two days a week until it is no longer needed.  If we must communicate an urgent matter to the membership on a Monday, Wednesday or Friday, we will send a Special Update.  Thank you.
     
  • CERTIFICATED AASD WORKLOAD WORK GROUP MET ON APRIL 29
    The AASD/District Certificated Workload Work Group met yesterday.  Thank you to all certificated management members who completed the survey last week regarding workload concerns.  A copy of the survey is below for your information.  The Workload Work Group discussed the concerns of our members and the district team has reviewed the survey and is looking for possible solutions.  The important thing is that our voices were heard and the district executive leaders, under the direction of Chief of Staff Sofia Roditti, took our concerns seriously and were there to problem solve. 
     
    One of the concerns many shared was around the lack of visiting teachers and the shortage of classified paraeducator, clerical and custodial substitutes.  In a principals update this week, Acacia Thede share information about HR’s efforts to increase the visiting teacher shortage including increasing the daily rate of pay and other HR strategies.  Our colleagues in other administrator unions throughout California are reporting the same issues with a shortage of visiting teachers and other substitutes.  It’s very frustrating on the part of our AASD members and the district leaders.
     
    Certificated Workload Concerns April 2021

     
  • Q and A  (Friday, April 30, 2021)
    Q:  Staffing Lack of support from HR/Sped Program Managers to fill unexpected long-term vacancy: Ed specialist filed for LOA for the remainder of the year, and HR's support was to send me a list of 256 names of "available" visiting teachers. Why is it the site's responsibility to fill a vacancy due to leave of absence? Especially for a position that needs special credentials for IEP case management, we need more support from the Special Ed team (in the middle Phase One expansion...)
    A:  (Answer provided by the District)  The District continues to problem solve concerns related to leaves of absences for Education Specialists.
    For this school year, the District and SDEA have reached a caseload grievance settlement for Education Specialists Mild/ Moderate and Moderate Severe teachers. Grievance Settlement Caseload 2021- FINAL 4.27.2021.pdf     https://drive.google.com/file/d/1-NXYE-V60fb7EvXfgQQsJ-6rI1jJvPcN/view?usp=sharing
    This settlement agreement provides a monetary stipend which would allow Ed Specialists to cover in the absence of a teacher.
     
    Q:  I recently learned the district communicates news and information to my parents on a variety of topics on a regular basis. Within the last couple of months a parent has forwarded me four or five emails on a variety of subjects including Phase 2 Expansion, Phase 2, math curriculum, and restorative discipline practices. Does our district have a depository or archive of the communications they are sending our families?
    A:  (Answer provided by the District)  Please see the following link for communications from the district to staff, families, and the media.     https://sites.google.com/sandi.net/covid19/news/communication-library.
    Additional parent communication resources were also shared in the 4/23/21 Principal Update.     https://docs.google.com/document/d/1k-9Nv-56MhoK8_e-eM9SPwd0-VdJbzA3N1ZU-x0fGDA/edit#
     
    Q:  Can credentialed central office staff fill some of the unfilled sub vacancies? Perhaps HR can email the vacancies to credentialed central office staff at least once a week.
    A:  (Answer provided by the District)  The District will engage SDEA in a dialogue which would allow central office staff to support at schools.
     
    Q:  Can school sites get a status update on solutions that the district is looking into to help schools with multiple teacher vacancies? This has been going on since teachers have been out due to ADA or teachers being out sick. Principals are having to cover classes all day, sometimes every day, adding to our workload and sites are the ones having to call people on the sub list who are all declining.
    A:  (Answer provided by the District)  Please see the April 28, 2021 Principal Update     https://docs.google.com/document/d/1k-9Nv-56MhoK8_e-eM9SPwd0-VdJbzA3N1ZU-x0fGDA/edit#, under the "HR Update" section.

     
  • DISTRICT COMMUNICATION
     
    The following communication was sent to principals today:
     
  • MAY IS API CULTURAL HERITAGE MONTH 
    • Click here for resources for Asian Pacific Islander Cultural Heritage Month.
       
  • YEAR AT A GLANCE
    • With Monday starting a new month, here is the Year-at-a-Glance calendar previously shared. 
       
  • VACCINE STATUS AND PRIVACY CLARITY
    • Vaccines for staff are optional; only appropriate staff may ask a staff member their vaccine status i.e., health office staff or administrator while helping around contact tracing with a positive student or staff member.
    • It is not appropriate for any other staff members to ask about vaccine status.
       
  • STAFF AND STUDENT HEALTH ISSUES
    • Any known health problems should be held in strict confidences for staff and students. 
    • Health Issues for Students: Health issues are flagged in PowerSchool, there will be a medical caduceus or symbol next to the students name if applicable.
      • Hovering over the symbol will give information or inform you to contact the health office.
    • Staff is encouraged to fill out an emergency information card to be held safely for reference should an emergency occur.
    • The health office and health department  do send notifications on positive Covid tests without naming the individuals who tested positive. 
      • Please hold this information in confidence unless discussing with health staff regarding contact tracing. 
    • If you have any questions, please contact Susan Barndollar, sbarndollar@sandi.net.
       
  • IT DEVICE EXCHANGES
  • We continue to provide support for exchanging damaged/nonfunctioning devices. We have a few reminders for you:
    • Please continue to send damaged/non-functioning devices back to the district using this form. 
    • If you send in computers, this does not automatically trigger a replenishment to your site.
    • You may request additional devices using this form, but keep in mind that your numbers in Destiny must constitute this need. 
    • For example, if you send in 20 computers but Destiny says you still have a sufficient amount for  checkout, your request may be denied. 
    • For questions/concerns please contact Tim Betteridge (tbetteridge@sandi.net) or Julie Garcia (jgarcia@sandi.net).
       
  • END OF YEAR EVENT/ACTIVITY CHECKLIST
    • For each event, please review, complete and submit this checklist to the Area Superintendent. Checking the box to the left of each section indicates that the school has developed plans that address each of the elements described in the section. All boxes must be checked before the event can move forward.
       
  • EXTRA GROCERY FOOD DISTRIBUTION FOR 5/3-5/7
    • Extra grocery items will be available (while supplies last) at our 19 curbside meal locations on a rotating basis. Grocery giveaway days range from Food Bank Food Drives, USDA meal boxes, and fresh produce bags.
    • Please share this information with your school families: Grocery Item Schedule for Week of 5/3-5/7.
       
  • SUMMER PROGRAMS
  • 2021 Summer Extended Learning Opportunities
    • The Extended Learning Opportunities (ELO) Department is planning to offer PrimeTime Summer Programs and Fee-Based Licensed Childcare Programs:
      • The PrimeTime Summer Programs will be offered at eligible elementary and middle schools hosting the Summer Experience.  All other elementary schools may coordinate a Fee-Based Licensed Child Care Program with their current organization (Character Builders, Klassic Kids, SAY and Champions).
      • You will receive an email from ELO with a PrimeTime Summer Program Overview and the Fee-Based Licensed Child Care Program information by Monday, May 3, 2021.  Please contact Christiane Trout-McPhee at cmcphee@sandi.net for questions. 
    • CLICK HERE to view a full facility list with PrimeTime and Licensed Childcare locations as well as options for VAPA and CCTE camps.
       
  • SUMMER EXPERIENCE ENROLLMENT
    • The PRIORITY ENROLLMENT deadline has been extended to Friday, May 7th.
      • Please communicate to families that May 7th is the last day to secure Priority Enrollment
        • All students should be tagged in PowerSchool for their selected summer site
        • Secondary Counselors should be tagging the courses that students need for credit recovery. This will ensure we have the appropriate number of credentialed teachers.
        • If sites need an extension for Priority Enrollment completion due to low family responses, please contact Jen Roberson for additional support/assistance.
      • Open Enrollment will be handled centrally through the Level Up SD website. If families are reaching out to your site to inquire about open enrollment, please feel free to share the following message:
        • I appreciate you reaching out and expressing interest in signing your student up for summer enrichment. Open enrollment will begin mid-May. Please refer to www.levelupsandiego.org for the open enrollment process. More information will be sent out soon. Thank you.
           
    • English Learner Options for Summer High School Courses
      • In addition to the onsite Summer Experience program that will enable English Learner students to engage with their English only peers as well as recover credits needed for graduation requirements, ELD 1, 2 and ELD 3, 4 will also be added to the onsite summer course list for English Learner students who need to remediate those courses:
        • For any EL student needing ELD 1, 2 or ELD 3, 4, secondary counselors should indicate the need for the course in the summer description box when tagging a student in PowerSchool. 
      • For questions regarding English Learner placement, please contact Melody Margetta, mmargetta@sandi.net.

         
  • REMINDERS
     
  • HOTLINE FOR AASD MEMBERS – A VALUABLE TOOL
    The hotline AASD negotiated with the District is available to all AASD unit members (classified and certificated) who are charged with enforcing the health and safety policies and procedures at the school site.  Call the hotline when you need immediate assistance when conflicts arise, clarification is needed, or decisions must be made regarding health and safety matters.  Once we have staff and students back on campus, issues may arise where site AASD members don’t have direction or an answer.  Call the hotline for help!  Put the hotline number in your cell phone so you have it when needed.

    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.  The hotline is answered by our AASD member, Brian Kenworthy, Operations Specialist who has access to materials and district leadership as necessary.
     
  • 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.
     
  • AASD OFFICE CLOSURE 
    AASD will be sending out a Daily Update, Tuesdays and Thursdays, 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.