The Alameda Unified School District’s last day of instruction for the 2019-20 year was May 29 last week. That’s hardly AUSD’s last work day, however. As I wrote in my last column, the district’s Board of Education voted to shorten the school year so that staff can collaborate on and prepare to provide extended and more rigorous remote instruction next year. We have a very full and rich “Learning Conference” happening this week and next, which will include time to explore and discuss remote learning strategies and pedagogies. I’d like to use this week’s column space to talk about the other work that we’re also doing to prepare for next year.
We know a number of families have questions about next year’s schedule. At this point, the calendar for 2020-21 has not yet been finalized. Over the next month, however, district management will work with our labor partners on the dates for the start of school, end of school and breaks. We hope to have a final calendar by early July to share with families, employees and community partners.
Meanwhile, the Redesign Task Force has been hard at work brainstorming school day schedules for elementary, middle and high school students. The current thinking is that there will be two options next year: a fully remote option and an option that is either partly or fully in-person at the school sites. What we can offer will depend on health officials’ guidelines, facility space, the district budget and our ability to sanitize, but we have a survey out to all families and employees now to gauge preferences and need for next year. You can learn more about the task force on our “Planning for 2020-21” webpage (www.alamedaunified.org/redesignplan).
AUSD staff will present a draft recommendation for next year’s instructional model at the June 9 Board of Education meeting. You will be able to find the agenda and Zoom details for that meeting on the Board of Education “Agenda and Minutes” page (www.alameda.k12.ca.us/agendasminutes). We are hoping for final approval at the June 23 board meeting.
In the meantime, this summer, we want to make sure you know about the services and support we will continue to make available for our community. We will continue to serve meals at Wood Middle School and Alameda Point Collaborative on Tuesdays and Fridays, 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. We will also serve meals at Earhart Elementary School at least through June 30 (we’re still waiting for final approval from the state Education Department on extending this).
Our school-based health centers will also continue to offer physical and mental health support to students this summer. And our contract with Care Solace — a free online resource with live 24-7 staffing that can assist individuals in finding local mental health-related programs and counseling services — remains in effect. You can find details about these and other mental health supports on our COVID-19 “Mental Health Resources” page (www.alamedaunified.org/covidmentalhealth).
Finally, in response to the widespread civil unrest we have seen in the last week, Superintendent Pasquale Scuderi and Board President Mialisa Bonta issued a joint statement earlier this week acknowledging the grief and trauma being expressed at this time across our country and pledging their continued support to all families and all students. That message is available on our home page (www.alamedaunified.org).
Susan Davis is the Alameda Unified School District’s senior manager for community affairs. Reach her at 510-337-7175 or sdavis@alameda.k12.ca.us.
