Claremont Unified School District

April 1, 2020

Dear Parents, Guardians, and Students,

Today, following Governor Gavin Newsom's press release, the Los Angeles County Superintendent of Schools Debra Duardo announced she has extended her recommendation to close all schools in Los Angeles County for the remainder of the 2019-2020 school year to limit the community spread of COVID-19. CUSD will follow this recommendation; therefore, as of this time, students and staff will not return to school this year but will continue to engage in distance learning for the remainder of the academic year. While this news is discouraging to most of us, I find comfort in knowing that our staff is working diligently to adapt and respond to meet the diverse needs of their students. Our teachers continue to develop high quality instruction that builds on the outstanding work that has been taking place in our classrooms throughout the entire year.  

During Governor Newsom’s press conference earlier today he said, “Schools are closed, but classes are in.” The Governor is strongly encouraging all students to do their very best to complete the work that has been and will continue to be assigned throughout the remainder of the school year. It is critical that students continue to engage with their teachers and complete their work in preparation for the 2020-2021 school year. As a reminder, if your child does not have access to a device or the internet, please contact your principal immediately.

I would like to let all of our students know how much we miss you. I can confidently say that this current situation is not what any of us would choose. Your teachers and the rest of the CUSD staff went into education for the opportunity to help shape and mold the lives of our future leaders. To the class of 2020, we know how difficult this is on each and every one of you. Let me encourage you and assure you that you will get through this and that CUSD is here to help support you in any way possible. I came across an open letter to high school seniors written by the Louisiana State Teacher of the Year, Chris Dier. Mr. Dier was a senior in high school living in Louisiana when Hurricane Katrina devastated his community. His message is one of encouragement and support; I would encourage every senior to take a moment to read his uplifting message by clicking on the following link:

https://deutsch29.wordpress.com/2020/03/15/la-teacher-of-the-year-an-open-letter-to-high-school-seniors-during-coronavirus-crisis/

We understand how challenging these decisions are for our families and we appreciate your patience and support. On behalf of the Board of Education, I would like to once again express how grateful we are for all that our parents, guardians, and students continue to do on a daily basis to support safety and the continuity of education.

Sincerely,

James Elsasser, Ed.D.

Superintendent of Schools

Additional resources and reminders:

Supporting Your Children At Home

The following link provides tips for keeping children healthy while school is out:

https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/daily-life-coping/children.html?deliveryName=USCDC_2067-DM23953

Census Reminder

Just a reminder that April 1 is Census Day. This is key reference date for the 2020 Census—not a deadline. This day is used to determine who is counted and where in the 2020 Census. When you respond, you'll tell the Census Bureau where you live as of April 1, 2020, and include everyone who usually lives and sleeps in your home. You can respond before or after that date. We encourage you to respond as soon as you can. As a reminder, the census will determine congressional representation, inform hundreds of billions in federal funding every year, including education, and provide data that will impact communities for the next decade.

----------------------------------------------------------------

A 1 de abril de 2020

Estimados Padres, Tutores, y Alumnos:

Hoy, después del comunicado de prensa del gobernador Gavin Newsom, la Superintendente de Escuelas del Condado de Los Ángeles, Debra Duardo, anunció que ha extendido su recomendación de cerrar todas las escuelas del condado de Los Ángeles por el resto del año escolar 2019-2020 para limitar la difusión comunitaria de COVID-19. El CUSD seguirá esta recomendación y por lo tanto, a partir de este momento, los alumnos y el personal no regresarán a la escuela este año escolar, sino que continuarán participando en el aprendizaje a distancia durante el resto del año académico. Si bien esta noticia es desalentadora para la mayoría de nosotros, encuentro consuelo al saber que nuestro personal está fervientemente trabajando para adaptarse y responder a las diversas necesidades de los alumnos. Nuestros maestros continúan desarrollando una instrucción de alta calidad que se basa en el trabajo sobresaliente que se ha estado llevando a cabo en nuestras aulas durante todo el año.

Durante su conferencia de prensa del día de hoy, el gobernador Newsom dijo: "Las escuelas están cerradas, pero las clases continúan". El Gobernador está alentando firmemente a todos los estudiantes a hacer todo lo posible para completar el trabajo que ha sido y seguirá siendo asignado durante el resto del año escolar. En preparación para el año escolar 2020-2021, es fundamental que los estudiantes continúen interactuando con sus maestros y que completen su trabajo. Como recordatorio, si su hijo/a no tiene acceso a un dispositivo o a Internet, póngase en contacto de inmediato con su director.

Me gustaría darles a saber a nuestros alumnos lo mucho que los extrañamos. Puedo decir con confianza que la situación actual no es una que cualquiera de nosotros elegiría. Sus maestros y el resto del personal del CUSD se unieron al sistema educativo por la oportunidad de ayudar a formar y moldear las vidas de nuestros futuros líderes. A la Clase de 2020, sabemos lo difícil que es para todos y cada uno de ustedes. Permítanme darles ánimo y asegurarles que lograrán superar esto y que CUSD está aquí para ayudarles a apoyarlos de cualquier forma posible. Me encontré con una carta abierta a los alumnos de último año de preparatoria escrita por el Maestro del Año del estado de Luisiana, Chris Dier. El Sr. Dier era un estudiante en su último año de preparatoria viviendo en Luisiana cuando el huracán Katrina devastó su comunidad. Su mensaje es uno de aliento y apoyo e invito a todos los alumnos en su último año de preparatoria a tomarse un momento para leer su mensaje que es edificante. Presione la tecla CTRL mientras hace clic para enlazar: Carta Abierta del Maestro Dier.

Entendemos lo difíciles que estas decisiones son para nuestras familias y apreciamos su paciencia y apoyo. En nombre de la Junta de Educación, quisiera expresar una vez más lo agradecidos que estamos por todo lo que nuestros padres de familia, tutores y estudiantes siguen haciendo a diario para apoyar la seguridad y la continuidad de la educación.

Atentamente,

James Elsasser, Ed.D., Superintendente de Escuelas

Recursos adicionales y recordatorios:

Apoyando a Sus Hijos en Casa

El siguiente enlace provee consejos para mantener a sus hijos sanos durante la suspensión de clases: Centros Para el Control y la Prevención de Enfermedades (CDC)

Recordatorio Censo 2020

Sólo un recordatorio de que el 1 de abril es el Día del Censo. Esta es la fecha de referencia clave para el Censo de 2020, pero no es la última fecha para completar el censo. Este día se utiliza para saber quién debe contar y dónde deben contar. Cuando respondas, le dirás a la Oficina del Censo dónde vives a partir del 1 de abril de 2020, e incluirás a todos los que normalmente viven y duermen en tu casa. Puedes responder antes o después de esa fecha. Los animamos a responder tan pronto como puedan. Como recordatorio, el Censo de 2020 determinará la representación de su estado en el Congreso, informará de qué manera serán distribuidos cientos de miles de millones de dólares en fondos federales cada año, y ofrecerá datos que impactarán a las comunidades durante la próxima década.

3-20-2020

In light of current events and public health concerns, an application packet may be requested, and returned by email, to ebarriga@cusd.claremont.edu.

The Claremont Unified School District is accepting applications from residents within the school district boundaries who are interested in serving as a provisional appointee on the Board of Education. The vacant position has been created as a result of Dr. Beth Bingham’s resignation.  The appointed person will serve the remainder of Dr. Bingham’s unexpired term through November 2020. 

In light of current events and public health concerns, the following has been revised to allow for the request and submission of applications via email:

Anyone interested in obtaining a Candidate Application Packet may send an email request to the Superintendent’s Office at: ebarriga@cusd.claremont.edu.

Please return the completed application on or before April 3, 2020, at 3:00 p.m. by email to: ebarriga@cusd.claremont.edu

The application becomes a public record and must be made available for public inspection upon request in compliance with the Public Records Act (Govt. Code 6250 et seq.)

Eligibility:

Who is eligible to serve on a school board? 

In California, you may be elected or appointed to a governing board of a school district if you are: 18 years of age or older; a citizen of the state; a resident of the school district; a registered voter; and not disqualified by the constitution or laws of the state from holding a civil office.

An employee of a school district may not be sworn into office as an elected or appointed member of that school district’s governing board unless and until he or she resigns as an employee. If the employee does not resign, the employment automatically terminates upon being sworn into office.

Application Review / Notification

On April 6, 2020, after review of applications to ensure eligibility for Board membership, the Superintendent's Office will post on the District’s website a list of individuals who have submitted a completed application and meet the qualifications for provisional appointment on the Board of Education. The qualified candidates will also be directly notified and invited to the interviews.

Interviews

Interviews of qualified candidates will be held in Open Session during a Special Meeting at the District Office on April 7, 2020, at 4:00 p.m.

If selected as the Provisional Appointee, Tuberculosis testing (TB) as well as a background check, including fingerprints, with the Department of Justice and FBI, will be conducted prior to taking the Oath of Office. It is expected that the successful candidate will take the seat at the Board of Education meeting on April 16, 2020.

For further information, please contact the Superintendent’s Office at (909) 398-0691 or Superintendent@cusd.claremont.edu.

Released: 3/6/2020

Revised: 3/20/2020

Revised: 3/27/20