Uggg. The budget situation due to the drop in state funding is severe. They are looking at early retirements and layoff of support staff and maybe even furloughs. That's going to be tough given the distancing requirements to have less staff on campuses (it's going to have to be 1/2 students there 1/2 away I'm guessing). Even if the non-contact sports survive, they may be cut by budget, as possibly choir, dance and band. Sounds like it's both a COVID and a budget thing. They are arguing now over whether the boosters might step forward to cover the short fall of the non-contact activities, but it sounds like their are concerns about transportation costs and parents having as much spare money around after all this.
It's a public school district to the north of LA. One of the well off ones (though the funding in the well off districts will be more severely cut than the poorer ones due to the new equity formulas).
Below, I outline the adaptable plan that will enable PYLUSD to respond to health scenarios without compromising the education of our students. Please be mindful that there are three months before school is scheduled to reopen in September. So much can change in that time and we are hopeful the changes will only improve our opportunities to return to school as normal. Public health recommendations are being incrementally relaxed. We continue to monitor Orange County restrictions as these vary from county to county. The District’s academic model for Fall 2020 outlined below utilizes the lessons learned and structures now in place for remote learning or blended learning models should they ever be necessary again for daily instruction, as well as our plan to return to school as normal. Adaptable Plan Because there is no way to precisely predict how the COVID-19 pandemic will impact each member of the community, our return plan can accommodate the needs of individual students and scale the need for remote learning up or down as necessary. Below are the three phases the Governor has identified and how they may impact our ability to return to work and learn at each phase. If we are in Phase 3: Students are back to school in a traditional manner with wellness practices firmly reinforced. School opens September 1, 2020 in a traditional fashion with all safety precautions addressed. The following safeguards will be in place: • Return to in-class instruction with all students • Special Education supports return according to IEPs • Classroom seating returns to individual student desks (no flexible seating) • Lunch and break/recess return to normal with staggered schedules as needed to encourage appropriate spacing • Outdoor play equipment cleaned each evening along with all classrooms • Co-curricular activities return as appropriate • Elimination of field trips/extended field trips for the first semester and possibly entire year as warranted (until California moves to phase 4) • Hand washing/sanitizing required after breaks, before lunch, and when returning to class • Symptom checking at home before school each day by parents/guardians • Students/staff encouraged to remain home if sick Although we are planning for school to open as usual, we are also preparing for any unexpected changes such as a return to phase 1 or 2. If we are in Phase 2 the need for a more restrictive environment is possible. Although we hope this will not be necessary, we are preparing for scenarios where students attend school utilizing a 50% attendance model with Blended In-person and Remote Learning in place due to social distancing requirements. (We are also preparing for a 33% attendance model which will be shared if needed.) • Students assigned to a teacher(s) as normal • Classes divided into Cohort A or B • Cohorts attend in-class and at home on alternating days • Cohorts not in the class participate online using a learning management system inclusive of live and recorded lessons to keep instruction moving forward • Break/Recess and lunch staggered to allow students to eat safely outdoors or in small groups with appropriate social distancing • Outdoor play equipment cleaned each evening along with all classrooms Page 2 of 4 If we were to return to Phase 1: Online learning only, shelter in place requirements reinstated. • Full online learning curriculum would be implemented at all grade levels • Schools would remain closed and all one-on-one/small group instruction would be done virtually • Grading would continue and student attendance would be monitored However, there will be families that are not comfortable returning to school during any of the above listed phases. For these families, the following options will be available all year: • PK-12 Homeschooling Through Parkview School: Homeschool opportunity where parents serve as the instructor with support from a PYLUSD teacher who sets up learning schedules with virtual and in-school opportunities provided weekly or monthly • 7-12 Independent Study: Independent study opportunity providing the flexibility of instruction guided by PYLUSD teachers and supported with daily, weekly, or monthly check-ins virtually or in-person • K-12 PYLUSD Online Learning Academy: Online learning opportunity with virtual or in-class weekly meetings with credentialed teachers Shared Responsibility We are all in this together, and our commitment to each other as members of the PYLUSD community has never been more important. Students, parents, teachers, and staff will explore the best way for us to work together safely. Before returning to school in the fall, all parents will be required to sign a “Commitment to Shared Responsibility.” This agreement will outline the required health and safety protocols and behavioral expectations for all including a corresponding waiver. • Health Screening and Monitoring: Prior to arriving at school, all students, volunteers, teachers, and staff will be required to take their own temperature each day. The expectation is that anyone who is sick will remain home for their protection and the well being of others. Preserving PYLUSD Values Amid Change Our most immediate concern is for the health and safety of our students, teachers, staff, and community, which informs all of these changes. However, we are also cognizant of preserving those elements of a PYLUSD education that are distinct and exceptional. With this plan, we are building a safe environment to do what we do best: work and learn together, on our school campuses, or through hybrid, homeschool, and independent study programs. Page 3 of 4 Keeping You Informed and Involved We ask all parents to complete the survey linked here to provide input regarding the various options described above that will help us anticipate staffing needs for each scenario and adjustments as necessary. A separate survey regarding childcare and the pilot summer camp program we hope to open in July was sent out earlier this week. Thank you ahead of time for taking this survey and the childcare survey to help guide our staffing decisions. We will continue to share new information as we get closer to the fall. Our strength and resilience today is a testament to the shared commitment teachers, staff, students, parents, and our community have demonstrated over the past few months. I know we all look forward to having a healthy and much deserved summer and returning in the fall to teaching and learning as we are accustomed. Respectfully, Dr. Candy Plahy Deputy Superintendent Placentia-Yorba Linda Unified School District ***** For updated information regarding coronavirus (COVID-19), visit
