SPUSD Reopening Updates | February 26, 2021

SPUSD is one of about a dozen public school districts in Los Angeles County to open its schools for in-person learning for elementary

FILE PHOTO: Eric Fabbro | SouthPasadenan.com News | SPUSD Board of Education; Superintendent Geoff Yantz and Boardmember Michele Kipke

Dear SPUSD Families, Faculty, Staff, and Administrators,

Over the past week, we have safely welcomed our preschool through second grade hybrid students back to campus. We continue to focus on safety and strict adherence to the protocols based on the public health guidelines. I feel so encouraged by everyone’s efforts to ensure the safety of students and staff who are learning and working on campus.

Reopening Updates

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By now, those of you with students in grades three, four, and five have received more details from your principals and teachers about your return on March 11 (grade three) and March 15 (grades four and five). We’re looking forward to welcoming the rest of our elementary students and staff to campus soon.

On Tuesday, February 23, the State announced that the new adjusted case rate for Los Angeles County is 12.3. When the county moves to Red Tier status, secondary schools may reopen according to the current State guidelines. In July 2020, the SPUSD Board approved an in-person, hybrid learning instructional model for secondary students. Administrators and teachers are reviewing and revising this model as needed to meet the current pandemic conditions and the LACDPH guidelines. We continue to actively plan and prepare for a possible return to in-person instruction for grades six through twelve and will share additional information as soon as it becomes available.

Reopening Fact Sheet

Are you looking for more details about what SPUSD has done throughout the reopening process? Click here for an overview of various topics with bullet points describing the latest information about the District’s planning and preparation. This fact sheet is also posted in the School Reopening section of the SPUSD website.

Employee Vaccinations

Thanks to our partnership with Keck Medicine of USC, all SPUSD employees have the opportunity to be vaccinated on March 5 and 6. Keck Medicine of USC will administer second doses to employees three weeks later.

Travel Reminder

Public Health requires residents and non-residents who travel into Los Angeles County from outside of California to self-quarantine for 10 days after you arrive and you must limit your interactions to people in your household/people with whom you live. I urge us all to abide by the health orders and safety practices so that our in-person instruction will continue to expand and will be as safe as possible for our students and our staff.

Community Interactions

We all know that there is tension around the issue of students returning to in-person learning. These feelings are not uncommon and are being expressed in many communities and school districts. In South Pasadena, it is imperative that we demonstrate respect and civility in our interactions with each other regardless of personal or professional circumstances or opinions.

Some of the statements made in public comments, in email messages, and in social media posts are disheartening, disrespectful, and counterproductive. If instead, we commit to respectfully and professionally addressing these interactions and remain informed, it is more likely that we will gain insight, understanding, and compassion. We may never fully agree with one another on certain issues, but respectful interactions are an important component as we work toward solutions.

SPUSD is one of about a dozen public school districts in Los Angeles County to open its schools for in-person learning for elementary students. We have taken gradual, thoughtful steps and are well-prepared. We are thankful for the sacrifices families have made during distance learning and for the extraordinary work by our teachers and support staff. Everyone is committed to a safe return to physical classrooms. I look forward to engaging in additional discussions, returning more students safely to the schools, adjusting to day-to-day changes in guidance and regulations, and facing new challenges.

Regards,

Geoff Yantz, Ed.D.
Superintendent