Distance Learning Update March 25, 2020

Hello West Side Families,

The West Side staff misses our students and families, and hope that you are healthy and happy. This communication is to update our families.

Sonoma County Office of Education (SCOE) on Wednesday recommended that Sonoma County school districts plan to continue distance learning through at least May 1. This guidance was based on consultation with the Sonoma County Health Officer and was also made in consultation with the county superintendents in Napa, Marin, and Solano counties. These counties will also be advising schools to plan for in-person classes to be canceled through May 1.

Previously, Sonoma County school districts had announced that they would suspend in-person classes at least through the end of the Sonoma County health officer’s shelter in place order, which was set for April 7. Then Gov. Newsom called for individuals to stay at home state-wide and prohibited mass gatherings of more than 10 people indefinitely.

Following this order, and in consultation with Sonoma County Health Officer Dr. Sundari Mase, schools are preparing for the possibility of conducting distance learning through May 1. SCOE and school district leaders will reconvene mid-April to reassess and determine a date to resume in-person classes.

Learning Packets: Thank you to West Side staff that delivered these to homes. As Miss Jessica, a West Side parent and art instructor extraordinaire shared, “A little fairy left our distance learning packet at our door today! I’m so grateful to whomever took the trouble to do that!!”

Thank you so much to the teachers who worked diligently to provide quality learning experiences for our students. Please reach out to teachers if you have any questions regarding learning materials.

Please contact the office if you did not receive yours.

Grab and Go Meals: These are provided daily from 9:30-10:30, and include breakfast and lunch. Please contact the office if you will be picking up.

Technology Survey: Thank you for completing these so quickly. The office contacted via phone and email if yours was not received. It is important that we have your information so we can plan for a technology rollout if needed.

West Side School News App-Sign Up for Updates

Many of our families have smart phones and the School News app is another feature for families to have access to information more readily. We will continue to text, call or send emails as well.

It’s free to download to your iOS or Android phone and quick to set up:

Go to the App Store or Google Play and search for “School News by Edlio” to install.
Open the app and search for the school; tap “Add School.” If you have kids in other Edlio-powered schools, add them to the app too.
Enable push notification by going to the Alerts tab and tapping “Enable Notifications.”

All of the news and events posted to our website are posted here for easy access. We’ll send push notifications out to keep you updated on urgent news.

Felta Education Foundation Message Regarding the Felta Fiesta: “We know that you may have questions regarding what you should do with your Raffle Packets. Due to Governor Newsom’s “Shelter in Place Order” we ask that you please hold onto all your payments and stubs until further notice. Unfortunately we cannot provide you with a specific date or of any future plans to return your packets as we are currently in a holding pattern until the order is lifted and we are permitted to meet and form a game plan for what will come next. Our hope is to move forward with the raffle as soon as possible and to reschedule the Fiesta. For now our focus needs to be on the health and well being of our loved ones.”

Yearbook: Calling all pictures! Our yearbook deadline is looming! Please upload by April 3, 2020. http//images.memoryebooks.com. User ID 414943716

Special Education: The special education staff is in the process of contacting families now that learning packets have been distributed.

April Field Trips: These have been canceled and any payments will be refunded to parents.

Medications: Please contact the office to arrange pick up of medication if your child has medication in the office and it is needed.

Office Hours: Our office is open 9-2 to conduct school business. Please call or email rather than coming to the office. At this time, the campus is closed and visitors should not be on campus except to pick up grab and go meals or student medication.

Next Steps: Teachers and Mrs. Menlove will reconvene at the beginning of next week to determine the next roll out of learning experience for our students.

Thank you again for all of your patience and support. We wish you health and happiness.

Sincerely,

Mrs. Menlove

West Side Superintendent-Principal