Dear Allen Elementary Families,
I hope you continue to be well. Our entire team is working diligently to make connections with our students and preparing for Distance Learning to begin on Monday, April 13, 2020. We have encountered a number of questions and are doing our best to address them in a timely manner. Below, please find some Frequently Asked Questions.
Question: When will the school office reopen? When will the district office reopen?
A: Chula Vista Elementary School District (CVESD) facilities and campuses will remain closed for the remainder of the school year unless health officials determine it is safe to reopen. The State Superintendent of Public Instruction and the Governor have each recommended closing school facilities for the remainder of the school year out of concerns and needs for ongoing social distancing.
At the moment, there is no scheduled date to reopen schools. Please visit www.cvesd.org for the most up-to-date information regarding the closure during the COVID-19 Please note that all staff have been asked to work from home and that the school office remains closed. Emailing your child’s teacher or using Class Dojo to message them is the best way to communicate with the school.
Question: When will my child receive a device (such as an iPad or laptop)?
A: There is no date of when or if students will be distributed devices. Other districts have moved ahead with this initiative. The district has opted to gather more data about current technology supports in the home. This data collection includes access to devices and broadband speed before determining if a roll-out of devices is the best option or solution for our students to access Distance Learning.
Connectivity at home is as important as the device(s) in the home. There is a huge difference between issuing a laptop, and then being able to use it at home. Creating an equitable learning environment is critical for our students to learn. If we do issue devices, or printed packets for that matter, it will likely occur after the next two weeks. Currently, public health officials say sheltering in place is critical to stem a predicted surge in coronavirus cases.
Please see the link below for more information about this topic from our Superintendent.
Superintendent Message Click Here
Question: If my child does not have access to a device, how can they participate in Distance Learning?
A: Distance learning means that learning opportunities are provided to students while the teacher and the student are in different locations (i.e., outside the traditional classroom environment). Distance learning may include student-instructor interaction through the use of a computer and/or telecommunications technology to deliver instruction and check-in time. This may include a phone call, email, video, or audio instruction in which the primary mode of communication between the student and instructor is on-line interaction, instructional television, video, or other instruction that relies on printed materials (“packets”).
Our teachers are doing their best to be creative and come up with ideas beyond relying on technology to participate in Distance Learning. Please make sure to communicate your current situation with your teachers, so that they can better understand and support your child during this new learning time.
Question: Is the District developing a plan to increase broadband access for our learning community?
A: CVESD is working in partnership with the City of Chula Vista and the Classroom of the Future Foundation for possible broadband expansion, such as incorporating hotspots in our neediest neighborhoods. There are a number of service providers. Click here for a list of providers. For example, effective Monday, March 16, Cox Communications began providing:
- Limited-time, first two months free of Connect2Compete service, $9.95/month thereafter. Cox also has increased Connect2Compete speeds to 50 mbps.
- Until May 15, 2020, Cox is providing phone and remote desktop support through Cox Complete Care at no charge to provide peace of mind and ease for technology needs
- Resources for discounted, refurbished equipment through its association with PCs for People. See Cox Communication’s website for more information.
- A Learn from Home toolkit for schools, including instructions on how to fast-track eligible students without internet access:
The Chula Vista Elementary School District continue to advocate for plan upgrades (increased bandwidth) to support the needs of students at home during this unprecedented crisis.
Question: Is there a place where I can purchase an affordable device?
A: Yes. https://www.cox.com/residential/internet/connect2compete/low-cost-computer.html
Question: My child left his/ her glasses at school. May I get them?
A: Yes. Please email john.greenwell@cvesd.org for more information. Note that I too am working remotely; so, I will do my best to respond in a timely manner.
Question: My child has medication at school. Do I need to pick it up?
A: No. You can leave the medication at school until the school’s office reopens. Again, for the health and safety of our entire school community, we are asking all to follow the directives of County and State Health Officials and continue to shelter-in-place.
Question: My child has medication at school, and I need access to my child’s prescription. May I get that medication?
A: Yes. Please contact our Attendance Health Specialist, Joyce Baptista at joyce.baptista@cvesd.org, for more information. Please note that Ms. Baptista is also working remotely, so she will do her best to respond in a timely manner.
Question: Will the PTC and SSC meetings still continue during the school closure?
A: Yes, these meetings will occur online and be accessible to the public via an email link. Please contact our school secretary, Michelle Reza at michelle.reza@cvesd.org, for more information. Please note that Ms. Reza is also working remotely, so she will do her best to respond in a timely manner.
April Meetings
PTC Meeting – Monday, April 13 at 6 pm (location online; email for link)
SSC Meeting – Wednesday, April 22 at 3:30 pm (location online; email for link)
Added PTC Meeting – Monday, April 27 at 6 pm (location online; email for link)
May Meetings
PTC Meeting – Monday, May 11 at 6 pm (location online; email for link)
SSC Meeting – Wednesday, May 13 at 3:30 pm (location online; email for link)
For additional Q & A please make sure to check out this link: HERE
Our entire Allen Elementary School team misses each of you and hopes that you and your family are staying healthy and positive!
Warm regards,
Mr. John Greenwell, M.S.Ed.
Principal
DLP FAQ to Parents 12 April 2020 pdf version
Ella B. Allen Elementary School 