School Reopening Plan

Return to Learn

The health and safety of our students, staff and families is of utmost importance. School at Mountain View Whisman this year looks much different due to health and safety measures required by COVID-19. Our district reopening plan focuses on both academic instruction to enhance student learning, as well as the ability to keep students and staff safe while learning.

MVWSD’s guidelines are based on recommendations from the California Department of Education, Santa Clara County Public Health, and the Centers for Disease Control, the Santa Clara County Office of Education and the Sacramento County Office of Education.

To see our weekly progress on our COVID-19 District Reopening Checklist, please click here

Click here to see our In-Person Learning Readiness Dashboard

To submit a question about our COVID-19 response, please click here

Link to MVWSD case numbers: COVID-19 Dashboard

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Yellow Tier (May 19, 2021) Update
Yellow Tier (May 19, 2021) Update (Spanish)

Reopening Update (updated Feb. 5, 2021)
Reopening Update- Spanish

Learning Options (updated Feb. 5, 2021)
Learning Options- Spanish

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Return to Learn: MVWSD’s school reopening plan (English)

Return to Learn: MVWSD's school reopening plan (Spanish)

MVWSD safety plan (Feb. 22, 2021)

Elementary Rhythm and Moves Fitness Classes Plan

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Return to Learn section links below

Health and Safety, What Families Can Expect, How MVWSD is Protecting Staff Members (Spanish)

Reopening Checklist (see our progress in the link above)

COVID Case Protocol, Illness Response, When to Close a Class/School/District
(Spanish )

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For information on academics and school reopening logistics, click here: mvwsd.org/AcademicsDuringCOVID

Click below for Reopening and COVID communications

School reopening schedule

ver abajo para el español

March 5, 2021

Dear Parents,

Our County is in the Red Tier of the Blueprint for a Safer Economy, which means that beginning March 18 we will open our schools in phases for in-person learning for students whose families have selected “Option B/Blended” in the learning options survey.

After our Board of Trustees meeting last night, we have more details to share. Here are the highlights.

Who is returning and when
Students whose families have selected “Option B/Blended”
* Group 1 - PreK, TK, K, 1st, 2nd, 6th, SAI/SDC will start on March 18
* Group 2 - 3rd, 4th, 5th, 7th will start on March 29
* Group 3- 8th Grade will start on April 5

The District initially planned for two weeks between phases but student return has been accelerated. Our focus continues to be on getting students back on campus safely, and supporting a smooth transition with routines. With this new timeline, all students who select Option B can be back on campus earlier with 2+ months on campus before the end of the school year. Additionally, tested grades have time to adjust before taking the CAASPP Assessment.

What will return to campus look like?
Depending on parents’ preferences that were submitted in the learning options survey and schools’ scheduling constraints, each student will be assigned to one of four groups. Each group has its assigned attendance days. “Roomies” come to campus either 2 or 4 days a week; “Zoomies” are 100% distance learning.

hybrid schedule

Please click to view this schedule in detail:
Reopening Calendar *New

What’s next

Principals are now creating school schedules using the learning options survey data, status of essential workers, and teachers’ data. As you can imagine, this is a huge task. We ask for your patience as we complete this time-intensive work.

Every effort will be made to keep students in the same cohorts with the same teachers. However, due to staffing, this will not be possible in all cases. In order to schedule students appropriately and accurately, placements are final. It is not likely that students’ placements will be changed due to staffing limitations and County requirements for stable cohorts.

How can parents get more information?

* Today, March 5, please join us for our Community Check-In with Dr. Ayindé Rudolph at 3:30 p.m. Bring your questions. Spanish interpretation will be provided.

* On Monday, March 8, all schools’ reopening plans will be posted on schools’ websites. These documents will have school specifics.

* On March 15, at 3 PM, schools will send student placement letters to parents. These letters will contain return logistics and information specific to your students’ group.

* Schools are holding “orientation” meetings for parents before reopening. Please watch your school newsletter for dates and links.

To learn more ...

Please review updated resources on mvwsd.org/AcademicsDuringCOVID including:

Answers to Frequently Asked Questions (*New - updated March 5, 2021), specifically:
* Childcare information
* No student COVID testing required

Please take care

Our ability to keep our schools open is based on COVID-19 cases trending downward. Please remain vigilant about staying masked, maintaining at least 6-foot distance from others and washing hands.  Thank you for taking care of yourself and others.

Respectfully,

Ayindé Rudolph, Ed.D.
Superintendent

Horario de reapertura de la escuela

5 de marzo, 2021

Estimados padres:

Nuestro condado es el Nivel Rojo del Plan para una Economía Más Segura, lo que significa que a partir del 18 de marzo abriremos nuestras escuelas en fases para el aprendizaje en persona para los estudiantes cuyas familias hayan seleccionado la “Opción B/Combinada” en la encuesta de opciones de aprendizaje.

Después de nuestra reunión del Consejo Directivo de anoche, tenemos más detalles para compartir. Estos son los aspectos más destacados.

Quién regresa y cuándo
Estudiantes cuyas familias han seleccionado "Opción B/Combinada"
* Grupo 1 - Preescolar (PreK), TK, K, 1ro, 2do, 6to, SAI/SDC (Instrucción Académica Especializada/Educación Especial) comenzará el 18 de marzo
* Grupo 2 - 3ro, 4to, 5to, 7mo comenzará el 29 de marzo
* Grupo 3 - 8vo grado comenzará el 5 de abril

El distrito inicialmente planeó dos semanas entre fases, pero el regreso de los estudiantes se ha acelerado. Nuestro enfoque continúa siendo lograr que los estudiantes regresen al campus de manera segura y apoyar una transición sin problemas y con rutinas. Con esta nueva línea de tiempo, todos los estudiantes que seleccionen la Opción B pueden regresar al campus antes con más de 2 meses en el campus antes de finalizar el año escolar. Además, hay tiempo para ajustar las calificaciones de las evaluaciones antes de tomar la evaluación CAASPP.

¿Cómo será el regreso al campus?
Dependiendo de las preferencias de los padres enviadas en la encuesta de opciones de aprendizaje y las limitaciones de programación de las escuelas, cada estudiante será asignado a uno de los cuatro grupos. Cada grupo tiene sus días de asistencia asignados. Los “Roomies” vienen al campus 2 o 4 días a la semana; Los “Zoomies” son 100% de aprendizaje a distancia.

hybrid schedule

Haga clic para ver este horario en detalle:
Calendario de reapertura (español) * Nuevo

Qué sigue

Los directores ahora están creando horarios escolares utilizando los datos de la encuesta de opciones de aprendizaje, el estatus de los trabajadores esenciales y los datos de los maestros. Como se pueden imaginar, esta es una tarea enorme. Le pedimos paciencia mientras completamos este trabajo que requiere mucho tiempo.

Se hará todo lo posible para mantener a los estudiantes en las mismas cohortes con los mismos maestros. Sin embargo, debido a la cantidad de personal, esto no será posible en todos los casos. Para programar a los estudiantes de manera adecuada y precisa, las colocaciones son definitivas. No es probable que las ubicaciones de los estudiantes cambien debido a las limitaciones de personal y los requisitos del Condado para las cohortes estables.

¿Cómo pueden obtener más información los padres?

* Hoy, 5 de marzo, únase a nosotros para nuestro registro comunitario con el Dr. Ayindé Rudolph a las 3:30 p.m. Traiga sus preguntas. Se proporcionará interpretación al español. Haga clic aquí para registrarse: http://mvw.sd/mOoiT

* El lunes 8 de marzo, todos los planes de reapertura de las escuelas se publicarán en los sitios web de las escuelas. Estos documentos tendrán detalles específicos de la escuela.

* El 15 de marzo a las 3 de la tarde, las escuelas enviarán cartas de ubicación de estudiantes a los padres. Estas cartas contendrán información y logística de regreso específicas para el grupo de su estudiante.

* Las escuelas están llevando a cabo reuniones de "orientación" para los padres antes de reabrir. Por favor, mire el boletín de su escuela para conocer las fechas y los enlaces.

Para aprender más ...

Revise los recursos actualizados en mvwsd.org/AcademicsDuringCOVID, que incluyen:
* Respuestas a las preguntas frecuentes (* Nuevo - actualizado el 5 de marzo de 2021), específicamente:
* Información de cuidado de niños
* No se requieren pruebas de COVID para estudiantes

Por favor cuídese

Nuestra capacidad para mantener nuestras escuelas abiertas se basa en la tendencia a la baja de los casos de COVID-19. Esté atento a usar máscara, mantener al menos 6 pies de distancia de los demás y lavarse las manos. Gracias por cuidarse a sí mismo y a los demás.

Respetuosamente, Ed.D.

Ayindé Rudolph
Superintendente

Para español, mira abajo

March 3, 2021

Dear Parents,

The County of Santa Clara Health Officer announced yesterday that our county has met the requirements to move into the Red Tier of the Blueprint for a Safer Economy, effective Wednesday, March 3.

As a result, in two weeks’ time, we will open our schools in phases for in-person learning for students whose families have selected “Option B/Blended” in the learning options survey.

The first group of students will come to campus on Thursday, March 18. Schools will let parents know of their students’ placements at 3 p.m. on March 15.

We are in the process of scheduling students and refining our plans. We will update you on phases, grade levels and start dates for each phase when those are finalized.

Resources on mvwsd.org/AcademicsDuringCOVID include:

Option B/In-Person Learning Expectations for Students (Elementary - English)

Option B/In-Person Learning Expectations for Students (Middle School - English)

Answers to Frequently Asked Questions (updated Feb 26, 2021)

Although more activities are allowed under the Red Tier, SCC Public Health urges everyone to:

Stay outdoors
Stay masked
Maintain at least 6-foot distance from others
Avoid crowds
Get vaccinated when it is your turn
Consider quarantining for 10 days after travelling more than 150 miles (strongly recommended, but not required.)

Thank you for your support of our schools. School reopening has been a long time in coming; almost exactly to the one-year anniversary. We look forward to having our students and staff members back on campus.

Respectfully,

Ayindé Rudolph, Ed.D.

Superintendent

Marzo 3, 2021

Estimados Padres:

El Oficial de Salud del Condado de Santa Clara anunció ayer que nuestro condado ha cumplido con los requisitos para pasar al Nivel Rojo del Plan para una Economía Más Segura, a partir del miércoles 3 de marzo.

Como resultado, dentro de dos semanas, abriremos nuestras escuelas en fases para el aprendizaje en persona para los estudiantes cuyas familias hayan seleccionado "Opción B/Combinado" en la encuesta de opciones de aprendizaje.

El primer grupo de estudiantes vendrá al campus el jueves 18 de marzo. Las escuelas les informarán a los padres de la colocación de sus estudiantes a las 3 p.m. el 15 de marzo.

Estamos en el proceso de programar a los estudiantes y refinar nuestros planes. Cuando se finalicen los actualizaremos sobre las fases, los grados y las fechas de inicio de cada fase.

Los recursos en mvwsd.org/AcademicsDuringCOVID (Académicos Durante COVID) incluyen:

Opción B / Expectativas para estudiantes de aprendizaje en persona (primaria - español)

Opción B / Expectativas para estudiantes de aprendizaje en persona (escuela intermedia - español)

Respuestas a Preguntas frecuentes (actualizado el 26 de febrero, 2021)

Aunque se permiten más actividades bajo el Nivel Rojo, la Salud Pública de SCC les insiste a todos a:

Permanecer al aire libre
Mantenerse con máscara
Mantener, al menos, 6 pies de distancia de los demás
Evitar las multitudes
Vacunarse cuando sea su turno
Considerar ponerse en cuarentena durante 10 días después de viajar más de 150 millas (fuertemente recomendado, pero no obligatorio).

Gracias por su apoyo a nuestras escuelas. La reapertura de la escuela ha tardado en llegar; más exacto, llegando casi al primer aniversario. A la espera de tener a nuestros estudiantes y miembros del personal de regreso en el campus.

Respetuosamente,

Ayindé Rudolph, Ed.D.

Superintendente

Dear Parents,

I want to update you about where we are with reopening our schools for in-person learning.

As you can imagine, there are many factors that weigh on this decision; most importantly, the health of students, staff and families. We watch the COVID-19 data in our county closely. I am still a little concerned with the number of cases. I also am anxious for our staff members to receive COVID vaccinations as soon as possible.

However, I am very confident in the amount and quality of work done on our schools’ reopening plans and safety protocols. Recent research has confirmed that in-school COVID transmission rates are low. I also think we are at the point of the school year in which we need to set a target date for reopening, while realizing that it could change if COVID cases spike.

For these reasons, I will be recommending that we reopen schools for in-person learning 14 days after Santa Clara County passes into the Red Tier. This gives us time to reschedule students, complete the items on our checklist, and to give our staff members two weeks’ notice. Of course, we don’t have the specific date Santa Clara County will pass into the Red Tier, but we are preparing as if it’s soon. Our county’s Adjusted Case Rate is currently at 21.5. The county will move into the Red Tier when that number reaches 7.

Here’s what’s coming and how you can help.

In the next two weeks, you will get another survey by email to collect updated information on your preferences for your students’ learning options for the rest of the school year. You will still have the option to keep your children at home, or you may tell us you’d like them to return to campus. Please answer the survey with as much certainty as possible.
This plan hinges on COVID cases continuing to drop. Please remain vigilant about wearing masks, avoiding gatherings and curtailing travel.
If you are inclined, please encourage our state leaders to speed efforts for vaccination of teachers and staff members. Vaccinations will go a long way in ensuring staff members’ safety and increasing our ability to keep schools open.

Thank you for all you have done this year, and continue to do, to support our students and schools.

Respectfully,

Ayindé Rudolph, Ed.D.

Superintendent

Older materials: MVWSD's COVID-19 Planning and Resources

Sept 18 Letter from Dr. Rudolph English (English and Spanish)

Schools Reopening Update

Dear Parents,

As you know, I have pledged my commitment to all of our staff, students and families that our district won't reopen for in-person learning until we can do it safely. Our commitment to our families and students is that all students will have the instruction and services that they need, delivered in a safe manner during pandemic times.

Over the past seven months, we all have been constantly thinking about how to safely reopen. My administrative team and I, our Board of Trustees, teachers and staff members have spent a lot of time reviewing data, making plans, and thinking through many different scenarios.

Yesterday, I presented several distance-learning metrics that we are monitoring. Data shows that we still have challenges to address. We know that we need to work on reliable internet access for all students, middle school student engagement in some groups, and instructional support for special education and at-risk students. Our booming free meal pickup data tells us that the pandemic has been very, very difficult for a lot of families to make ends meet. We know that many families are struggling, both emotionally and financially. Distance learning has not been easy.

In addition to reviewing data, I have talked with many people. I have heard our teachers say they are worried about not being physically present in classrooms with their students. They are worried about their own health, and potentially exposing those they care for to COVID-19. I talk to my brother-in-law, both sisters and niece who are all teachers in Ohio. Everyone has talked about being anxious about not knowing whether school will open sooner or later and how different it might be. The greatest unspoken fear for us all is what if someone gets gravely ill with COVID-19 on our watch?

The more we talk about reopening coming soon without a specific target date, the more stress we add to everyone’s lives. We have been so preoccupied with when we are reopening and who is coming back that is impeding our ability to focus on the remaining challenges.

For these reasons, it was my recommendation to the Board of Trustees at last night's meeting that we revisit in January a specific date for reopening for in-person learning at the end of the 2nd trimester. (Meeting video here. Reopening starts at timestamp 4:52)

The bottom line is that I do not believe our community is in the best position now to reopen our schools. We will use this time to continue to refine distance learning, work to support students, and plan for our in-person reopening. It is my hope that the information about the timing will allow families to plan for the coming weeks with some kind of certainty, possibly reducing anxiety.

Thank you for talking with us over the last few months, and for continuing the conversation in the coming weeks at community check-ins and at the next Board meeting on Oct. 22. I am grateful for your support of our children and our schools.

Respectfully,

Dr. Ayinde Rudolph
Superintendent

Oct. 1, 2020 - Return to Learn Progress Update

Getting to Reopen presentation Sept 17, 2020

Presentation, July 23, 2020:
School Reopening Planning: Understanding Stages 3 and 4 "Learning Options"

July 23, 2020 Board of Trustees meeting video link here

Click here for the reopening plan presented to the Board of Trustees on July 2, 2020

Click here for video recording and reopening plan preview from the June 19, 2020 Community Check In with the Superintendent.

Planning for school reopening

summer learning thumbnail

From Dr Ayindé Rudolph, Superintendent

Dear Parents,

Yesterday the California Department of Education (CDE) released its COVID-19 planning guidelines for reopening school districts in the fall.

As you know, we began our reopening planning process in April. We have been tracking and ordering supplies, refining distance learning instruction, and revisiting policies and procedures. I have talked with many of you at check-in and committee meetings. We recently completed a week’s worth of focus groups with parents, staff and students. This was a time for us to hear specifics about our own community’s expectations and concerns around reopening school amidst COVID-19. We will incorporate this feedback, as well as state and county guidelines in the MVWSD reopening plan.

While there is much more work to be done, I feel good about where we are in our preparation process. Our reopening plan will continue to be updated as state and county guidance adapts to the changing landscape of COVID-19.

We anticipate the first phase of our reopening plan will be complete on July 2 when we present it to our Board of Trustees. Here are recommendations from leading health and educational agencies, including the CDE and the CDC, that will very likely be part of our plan.

Due to social distancing, fewer students will be on campus at any one time. It is likely our students will do blended learning, meaning they will report to campus for certain designated days, and then learn remotely on the other school days.
Students and staff members will be screened daily for fever/symptoms of COVID-19.
Students and staff members will wear masks, with some exceptions.
Students and staff members will be washing or sanitizing hands as they enter campus and regularly throughout the day.
There will be very limited access to campus for parents and volunteers.
Classrooms and shared spaces will be disinfected regularly.
Class sizes will be smaller with a minimum of 6-foot social distancing between individual student seats.
Recess and lunch times will be staggered to limit interactions between students.

We will continue to keep you updated as the planning unfolds. Thank you for your support as we plan for a safe and productive return to school on Aug. 17 for our students and staff members.

Video presentation: Reopening for the 2020-21 school year

In this video, Dr. Rudolph presents the planning process for how MVWSD is preparing to reopen. There are many unknowns about the future, but we are working to be flexible and adaptable for the benefit of our students, whatever the status of COVID-19 may be.

These plans will cover 14 dimensions: Governance, Health and Wellness, Equity, Curriculum, Human Capital, Nutrition, Facilities, Operations, Instruction, Resurgence, Enrollment, Communication, Technology, Finance. We'll define operations under each stage of reopening: Schools closed, Targeted opening, Open with Restrictions, Full opening using guidance from Santa Clara County Public Health and the Santa Clara County Office of Education. We will continue to update you as planning progresses.

To view the presentation, click here