• UPDATE TO THE CVUSD COMMUNITY REGARDING IN-PERSON BLENDED LEARNING INSTRUCTION
    OCTOBER 2, 2020

    Dear CVUSD Parents and Guardians:

    I hope you and your families are well during these times. After more than a month on the Distance Learning program, I know many of you are wondering when our schools will be open again for in-person Blended Learning instruction. Last night, I provided our Board of Education my recommendations regarding the options available for our school district. I would like to share them with you again today, and if you would like to view last night’s Board meeting you can do so here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vH0VZzYwlyA

    In August, California Governor Newsom modified the parameters that each county would need to reach for schools to be able to open for in-person learning. The new “Blueprint for a Safer Economy” uses a color-coded system in evaluating COVID-19 cases and trends for each county. Purple, or Tier 1, indicates that the virus is widespread in the county — with more than seven cases per 100,000 residents or more than 8% of tests results reported positive over seven days. Red (Tier 2) indicates “substantial” spread of the virus, while orange (Tier 3) indicates “moderate” spread and yellow (Tier 4) indicates “minimal” spread of the virus in the county. Every week, counties are assigned to a color tier based on the previous week’s data.

    Currently, San Bernardino County is in the Purple Tier. Counties that move from Purple Tier to Red Tier may open for in-person instruction after they have remained in the Red Tier for 14 days.

    IN-PERSON BLENDED LEARNING TRANSITION

    Although being in the Red Tier would allow CVUSD to return to school on a Blended Learning model, there are many factors that our school district is considering before switching to the Blended Learning model. First and foremost in our consideration is the health and well-being of our students and staff. Because the County of San Bernardino is the largest County in the nation, spread out far and wide, it is possible that the average of San Bernardino County does not reflect what is happening in our immediate community. As such, my recommendation to the Board of Education is that at a minimum, San Bernardino County must be in the Red Tier for two consecutive weeks in addition to all the cities that CVUSD serves must be in the Red Tier for two consecutive weeks, before our schools transition to in-person Blended Learning. This will ensure that the virus is not widespread in our communities when we return to school. Also, returning to school when our cities are in Red Tier will give us more of a realistic chance at keeping schools open because the virus will be more under control. It would be unfortunate to disrupt our student’s Distance Learning routine for Blended Learning, only to disrupt it again should a school have to close because of a COVID-19 outbreak.

    ELEMENTARY SCHOOL WAIVERS

    Under state guidelines, a school district may apply for waivers to reopen elementary schools for in-person learning. My recommendation to the Board of Education is that our District does not apply for a waiver unless all the cities we serve are in the Red Tier for two consecutive weeks. As I stated, this will ensure that the virus is not widespread in our communities when we return to school. Also, returning to school when our cities are in Red Tier will give us more of a realistic chance at keeping schools open because the virus will be more under control.

    SPECIAL EDUCATION

    Under state guidelines, students with disabilities may return to the classroom in small groups even though the County is in Purple Tier. My recommendation to the Board of Education is that our District does not bring back any students until all the cities we serve are in the Red Tier for two consecutive weeks. As I stated, this will ensure that the virus is not widespread in our communities when we return to school. Also, returning to school when our cities are in Red Tier will give us more of a realistic chance at keeping schools open because the virus will be more under control.

    SPORTS AND ATHLETICS

    Under state guidelines, sports and athletic conditioning may resume outdoors with safety precautions, even though the County is in Purple Tier. My recommendation to the Board of Education is that our District does not allow sports and athletic conditioning until all the cities we serve are in the Red Tier for two consecutive weeks. As I stated, this will ensure that the virus is not widespread in our communities when we resume athletic conditioning. Also, returning to athletic activities when our cities are in Red Tier will give us more of a realistic chance at keeping schools open because the virus will be more under control.

    At last night’s Board meeting, Board Member Andrew Cruz requested that a Board action be placed on the October 15, 2020 regular Board meeting agenda. The Board of Education will vote to approve or not approve applying for Elementary School waivers, bringing students with disabilities back for in-person learning, and allowing conditioning for sports/activities.

    Thank you for your patience and partnership as we navigate the reopening of our schools while also putting the safety and wellbeing of our students and staff at the forefront. Our District has already put in place many safety measures so that we are prepared for students, teachers, and staff to return to campuses when the time is right. We continue to evaluate COVID-19 trends in San Bernardino County. Please make sure to tune in to the October 15, 2020 regular Board meeting where the Board of Education will make important decisions. The meeting will be broadcast live on YouTube here: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCWKinB4PTb_uskobmwBF8pw/videos We will keep you posted with any developments, or you can visit our District website at https://www.chino.k12.ca.us for regular updates.

    Sincerely,

    Norm Enfield, Ed.D.
    Superintendent