29 minute read
Carpinteria schools set to reopen on Oct. 13
Beach neighborhood opposition
We have a home in the immediate vicinity of the proposed development for a large hotel to be built on the existing train station parking lot. This “railroad hotel” plan is intrusive. It will affect our quality of life. And it will affect our very safety. We already live in a no-way-out neighborhood. We live in a tsunami zone—the city has posted signs all around us. We face sea level rise. And yet three City Councilmen would consider exacerbating traffic and parking issues all around us—and for what? Or should I ask—for whom?
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Just shy of 1,000 people have already personally mailed the City Council, signed a petition, and posted on social media their abhorrence for this plan. Less than 50 people have spoken out in favor of this project. This project should either be rejected outright at the earliest possible opportunity, or be put on hold until the citizens can vote on a city initiative. In the meantime, hundreds of Carpinterians are feeling anxious, upset, unsettled and even angry as this proposal persists. The entire Downtown Beach Neighborhood is up in arms.
It is the responsibility of each member of the City Council to act in the best interests of the citizens of Carpinteria—to listen and to protect us. Al Clark and Fred Shaw get it.
Kevin Kruizenga Carpinteria
Nomura and Alarcon for City Council
I am a local deeply invested in the success of our town and that is why I endorse Wade Nomura and Natalia Alarcon for City Council.
Wade has been an integral part of the community for as long as I can remember, as a local business owner and volunteer, he understands what Carpinteria needs. Leading during Covid-19 is no easy feat. He ensured the community had access to the information to safely reopen as restrictions began to lift. You will see Wade walking into downtown almost daily, grabbing a bite at many local establishments and donating his time and talent to so many deserving organizations including the Boys & Girls Club, Girls Inc. and Rotary.
I had the pleasure of going through school with Natalia. She is kind, caring and will provide a voice that the council has lacked from in previous years. As the first Latina woman to run for City Council, she can provide a perspective to amplify voices in our community. She understands what makes up the fabric of our community.
They both share a passion for service and a drive to help Carpinteria recover and thrive post Covid. Please cast your vote for Wade and Natalia.
Jamie Collins Carpinteria
A voice for Nomura
Having lived in Carpinteria for almost 20 years, I have mostly been an avid observer of local politics but have never written a letter in support of any candidate. But with the candidacy of Wade Nomura in front of us, I whole-heartedly support his re-election. As a local business owner, I have had the opportunity to talk with Wade on several occasions and have always found him to be thoughtful, with an even, steady perspective. I have witnessed his handling of challenging situations as mayor and on the City Council, and without exception, I was left with the feeling that this is a man who can be trusted to do the right thing on behalf of our city. Please join me in seeing that Wade remains on City Council. And... as an aside, the fact that Wade is supportive of the local dog park initiative is a plus.
Kevin Twohy Carpinteria CVA for Alarcon
Carpinteria is a special place. Our City Council has worked tirelessly over many decades to keep it that way. It is critical that the City Council continue to succeed in this difficult work, even under the unprecedented confluence of circumstances that include a pandemic, protests related to social inequality, and deep political division nationwide, all on top of fires, droughts and sea level rise resulting from climate change.
Natalia Alarcon is a candidate for City Council whose qualifications and skills are a perfect match for the position. In our conversations with Natalia, Carpinteria Valley Association has become excited about what she will bring to our City Council.
She was raised in Carpinteria and understands what makes Carpinteria, well, Carpinteria. Her education (master’s degree in clinical psychology) and her professional experience as a nonprofit program manager and psychotherapist give her insight and empathy that will allow her to consider the very real effects of City Council actions.
Carpinteria Valley Association is proud to add our name to Natalia’s impressive list of endorsements that includes a long list of past and present local officials, as well as other local residents who recognize the value she will bring to the City Council.
Mike Wondolowski Association Smith for school board
We support Aaron Smith for CUSD School Board. We have known Aaron his entire life, as well as the three generations of Smith and Aresco families who live in Carpinteria. Aaron and his wife Sarah aren’t just involved with our schools and our community—they are committed. We trust Aaron to be smart, to be fair, to be open and collaborative, to be dedicated, and to do what’s right for the children and families of Carpinteria.
We encourage you to vote for Aaron Smith for CUSD School Board.
Lou and Susie Panizzon Retired Carpinteria Educators An experienced endorsement
I’m supporting Natalia Alarcon for City Council. I hope you’ll join me. I was privileged to have served 16 years on the council and am convinced by her background and credentials that Natalia would make an excellent addition to this important group of decision makers.
The City Council is a non-partisan body, working closely together on issues unique to Carpinteria. The most successful councils are made up of members who come with an open mind, an ability to compromise and deep knowledge of the community they serve. Natalia is such a person. She was raised here and is raising her family here. Her experience working with local nonprofits and in collaboration with local governmental agencies has prepared her well to take a place on our City Council and help guide our city into the future.
Please join me in electing Natalia Alarcon to the Carpinteria City Council on Nov. 3.
Donna Jordan Carpinteria Cook for school board
I am writing this as a letter of recommendation on behalf of Craig Cook for CUSD school board. I have had the fortune of working with Craig in both professional and personal affairs. I know Craig’s heart and his passion is applied to everything he involves himself in.
Craig not only desires excellence in the classroom as an educator and school board member, but will strive for a safe learning environment that is equitable to all students. He will promote education for all students to equip them to either enter higher education or be trained to perform capably in our local economy.
An inspiring and demanding teacher that makes a lasting change in the life of a student is a priceless asset. Craig will support and encourage our amazing teachers and promote conditions that allow them to do what they love best—teach and change the lives of their students.
I am grateful that Craig has stepped forward as a candidate. If elected, I believe he will be a true asset to the board and he will exemplify strong leadership for our community. I hope you will join me in voting for Craig Cook for CUSD School Board!
Hamilton Kiah Carpinteria For the record...
In the Oct.1 edition (CVN, Vol. 27, No. 2), the letter titled “Be kinder with words,” was incorrectly attributed to
Tristan Friedman of Ventura. David
Rosso of Carpinteria wrote the letter.
CVN LETTERS
–– Kevin Kruizenga POTUS lacks empathy
Responding to David Rosso’s letter from last week, the greatest divider this country has ever seen is the current president. Let’s keep that in mind. He has no shame and empathizes with not one human soul. A president’s words influence the world, so if we’re going to point out uncivil speech, let’s begin with the real instigator. You know we’re in trouble when white supremacists are no longer afraid to speak their minds, emboldened by the current commander-in-chief.
Santa Barbara
Mary Gassee Four more years
This is for those who may not know what our “outsider” president has accomplished, against total resistance. He has brought back home American manufacturing companies that had been given tax incentives to leave the U.S. He’s created opportunity zones, encouraging companies to open in underserved communities, employ and train.
Criminal justice reform and the First Step Act freed Alice Johnson, who had unjustly been given life in prison for a nonviolent first drug offense. She has been given a second chance, so have many others.
Nineteen years ago, the Veterans administration was a scandal. Three administrations talked about fixing it. Now our veterans give the VA a 91 percent approval rating. If that is uncaring give me more.
He just finished negotiating with Big Pharma. The U.S. now has “Favored Nation Status.” Your name-brand drug prices will come down. He just signed an executive order protecting those with pre-existing conditions. If that is heartless, give me more of it.
Historical Black Colleges—President Trump has funded them at the highest level ever for the next 10 years. If that is racist, give me more.
In 1995, congress passed the Jerusalem Embassy Act that “requires” our embassy to be located in Jerusalem. After 35 years, we kept our word. All experts still say it cannot be done. This year with the peace agreements signed between Israel and United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Israel and Bahrain, I see peace coming.
President Trump has been nominated for two Nobel Peace prizes. Why don’t you find out what they are for? And he does all of this for free. He gives his salary to charity or back to government. If this is a grifter, oh please send me more like him. I could go on, but I’m limited
Carolyn Edwards Carpinteria
to 300 words.
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Ask the Candidates
The Race for Carpinteria City Council
This year’s election cycle includes a hotly contested race for Carpinteria’s two open seats on City Council. Citizens of the World’s Safest Beach will have a chance to choose two councilmembers from a pool of three qualified candidates. Incumbent Mayor Wade Nomura competes for his third term, with eight years of Council service under his belt, and the desire to serve another four.
Candidate and Carpinteria-native Natalia Alarcon hopes her experience in community service and background as a bilingual Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist will help her win a seat on the Council to “amplify the voices of our underrepresented community members.” And, retired professor and media presenter Mark McIntire has thrown his hat in the ring with the slogan, “Make Carpinteria better than ever.”
This week, CVN continues its “Ask the Candidates” series, a four-part Q&A series aimed at helping readers make an informed decision on Election Day. To see all installments of Ask the Candidates, visit coastalview.com.
This week’s question: Carpinteria is well-known as a charming beach community, however, as the population rises and housing prices increase, the city faces questions regarding commercial and residential development. What is your position on the development of more residential units? Please specifically address affordable, low- and middle-income housing.
Wade Nomura
Affordable housing is not only essential for the vitality of our community, it is mandated by State RHNA (Regional Housing Needs Allocation). I have been active in protecting our housing market including:
Serving on the city’s Neighborhood Design Guidelines Committee (1998-2004); Passing the conversion of apartments to a new form of condominium instead of short-term rentals.
Protecting the community’s interests by signing/ sending a letter to the State Legislature ensuring mobile home rent stabilization. Participating in a review process for live/work developments at the Palm Lofts and Lavender Court which serve as a sound model for future planning. In these pandemic times, it becomes a great model for the future as working from home will become the normal for many more people.
I’ve spoken at national housing summits. I feel many affordable housing initiatives are missing the point, as they can limit the property appreciation opportunity. With subsidized government grants or corporations (employers) assisting with down-payments, paid back when units are sold, this inequity can be avoided.
Working on new guidelines for Accessory Dwelling Units. Previously, some successful agricultural growers purchased housing for staff. This is another area to be encouraged in order to retain the Carpinteria Valley workforce and economy.
As mayor, I re-established a coordinated design review process, including the ARB, Planning Commission and City Council, to comment on conceptual design projects prior to the official review process, to evaluate and recommend potential new developments for conformity, protecting Carpinteria’s small town charm.
Carpinteria has its challenges being only 2.5 square miles in size and as part of the planning committee, we have to focus on sensible growth; one that evaluates parking, traffic, schools, tourism, mansionization of the Beach Neighborhood, protecting our natural resources, installed on Via Real
impacts on our infrastructure and sea level rise, to come up with a long term plan for development.
Natalia Alarcon
In recent years, we have seen a trend in Carpinteria of families relocating elsewhere due to the rising cost of living. Our community is changing and I believe through creative strategies we can develop balanced solutions that will increase affordable housing options and minimize overcrowding. When discussing housing options, we need to look at two categories: Workforce housing, indicative of middle-income households who wouldn’t qualify for affordable housing based on their income; and Affordable housing options defined by low income households who wouldn’t otherwise be able to afford to live in the community.
Can Carpinteria develop new housing projects? The amount of unused land to develop is slim. So, what can Carpinteria do? I believe that by encouraging mixeduse projects in our downtown corridor we can create a balanced mix of office, commercial and residential uses. The close proximity to downtown and local schools would limit the amount of commuting in our community.
Additionally, Accessory Dwelling Units (ADU) would provide an increase in housing supply at no additional land costs. ADUs are viable options for many community residents such as; seniors, extended family members and college students. Our city currently offers Workforce Housing programs. I intend to explore how we might expand these programs to include a higher percentage of qualified candidates. The city can work with the county property to possibly develop and annex contiguous unincorporated land.
Creating housing solutions is essential. The city can partner with People’s Self-Help Housing and Habitat for Humanity to increase our housing stock. I want to increase the quality of life for many of our families living in overcrowded households. I want to create a community where our teachers live where they teach.
Mark McIntire
Competitive natural market forces themselves will determine the accommodation of increased populations, housing prices and commercial development. Hence, “Build a better mousetrap and the world will beat a path to your door” is the popular economic truism. The duty of City Council members is to ask the citizens first if they even want any further development with a specific program or proposal and not to plunge into the housing development market with taxpayer’s money.
The council has not always asked citizens-at-large by survey of the entire population when they plan to use public resources to satisfy the urges of private interests and myopic groups. Cutting edge technology, if implemented, would allow City Council to take surveys of public opinion on programs that will affect our community for decades to come.
This is another reason for a 5G technology upgrade for all Carpinterians regardless of identity by cultural divisions. Once elected, I will brush aside divisive calls to pit one cultural group ahead of another. This is another way my position on City Council will “make Carpinteria better than ever.”
Next week’s question:
In the next two years, City Council will be reviewing a proposal for development of an inn on Linden Avenue at the Amtrak Station parking lot. The city stands to raise significant revenues through the lease and bed tax collected from an inn, but some concerns have been raised about loss of open space, parking congestion and the role of city government in commercial enterprise. What actions and opinions do you intend to take regarding developing an inn in that location?
Official ballot box
Carpinteria candidates hold online Zoom forums
Local TV producer Larry Nimmer and the Alcazar Theatre will co-host this year’s Carpinteria Candidates Virtual Forums with the Carpinteria Schoolboard Forum on Thursday, Oct. 8, at 7 p.m., and the Carpinteria City Council Candidates Forum on Tuesday, Oct. 13 at 7 p.m. Both forums will be streamed live on the Alcazar’s Facebook page. They will also be available to view on Larry Nimmer’s YouTube Channel. Community members may submit questions ahead of time for each of the forums to larry@nimmer.net, and there will also be a link on the Alcazar Theatre Facebook page to submit questions live with an opportunity to join the Zoom session to question the candidates directly.
Nimmer will moderate the virtual forums. Candidates will participate via Zoom and will have a predetermined amount of time to answer each question. Candidates will also have an opportunity for a brief general discussion where they can question each other. For more information, contact Larry Nimmer at larry@nimmer.net, or call (805) 708-4753.
KARLSSON
Santa Barbara County has installed two secure ballot drop boxes in Carpinteria—one at City Hall, 5775 Carpinteria Ave., and one at Casa de Las Flores, 4090 Via Real. Additionally, from Oct. 31 to Nov. 3, in person voting will take place at Carpinteria Community Church, 1111 Vallecito Lane.
Two takes on a difficult time CAUSE and CUSD balance competing priorities
BY CHRISTIAN BEAMISH
After the article titled “Principal addresses reopening concerns and misinformation” (CVN, Vol. 27, No. 1) was published, Canalino Elementary School teacher Krista Munizich, Carpinteria High School teacher and Canalino parent Sarah Rochlitzer and CAUSE Union president, Carpinteria Middle School teacher and Canalino parent Jay Hotchner wanted to speak with CVN to present their dissatisfaction with Carpinteria Unified School District administrators over their handling of reopening plans.
“We had a successful initial conversation with the district, where, within two or three days of closing, we met at the district office (and) we hammered-out an agreement that looked and felt like we were going to be working collaboratively through the pandemic,” Hotchner said in a Zoom meeting with Munizich, Rochlitzer and Christian Beamish, CVN editor.
“…It became clear shortly after that agreement when it was time to begin talking about what next year would look like… the district went into a real ‘hide the ball’ mode in regard to what resources it had to devote to the effort…” Hotchner continued.
Beamish (the author of this piece) asked, “Did you bring up these concerns with the administration?”
“We communicated that in 18 different ways throughout the summer,” Hotchner replied, “verbally informally, verbally formally, statements to the school board, emails to the entire educational community, advisories sent out to the Coastal View…”
Rochlitzer added, “…all the decisions that were being made by the leadership team—which consisted of the administrators at the school and then some district administrators—was an extremely small group of people making all the important decisions for the district.” She continued, “And their communication, their outreach to the stakeholders, consisted of poorly constructed Google forms that you would have to—the percentage of people,
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the demographic that responds to those Google forms, is extremely limited.”
Rochlitzer asserted that “the lower socio-economic, Spanish-speaking families are not the demographic that responds to those digital surveys. And so, they’re getting this feedback from an extremely small group of people.”
Hotchner conceded, “…at the end of the day, (the district) leadership team needs to be the group that makes the decisions. The union has never contested who has the authority to make this decision.” His criticism is that the district “…had not done the difficult work of informing themselves broadly on either the experiences of staff, the experiences of parents, (or) the wisdom of health experts.”
Munizich said, “We continuously asked for a taskforce.” An email she sent to fellow CUSD staff members resulted in “almost 50 teachers or staff members immediately responding, asking ‘yes, we need a taskforce.’” Munizich added, “…there’s this mentality of ‘if we say it, then it’s true.’ And it keeps happening, and that’s why when your article came out last week, teachers were floored at Canalino.”
When asked about teacher sentiments regarding reopening, Hotchner said, “Our survey results told us that somewhere around 50 percent of the employees in the district are uncomfortable returning…” Although the district is following the protocols set forth by local and state public health agencies, Hotchner stated: “This falls under the old adage that most of us learned, often the hard way, before we became adults, that just because you can do something doesn’t mean that you should, OK? ...it wasn’t a green light for ‘once those numbers (of Covid-19 cases) get there, you can go back to school.’ It was ‘once those numbers get there, your local authorities can decide to send kids back to school.’”
At the Aug. 11 meeting of the CUSD school board, 40 members of the public voiced their opinions on school reopening, with 22 community members opposed, and 18 in favor of reopening in the hybrid model. The board voted 4 to 1, Rogelio Delgado dissenting, in favor or the hybrid reopening plan.
CVN sent an email to Canalino Elementary School Principal Jaime Persoon asking how she has communicated with parents and staff, and low-income, Spanish-speaking families in particular. She responded: “Canalino/Carpinteria Family School principal surveyed parents multiple times from April to July 2020. The comments submitted in those
Matt and Kiley share a rare love story. After meeting in 8th grade they began dating in high school and then married on October 14, 2000 at United Life Church in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. California was always a dream of theirs, so they made the move to Carpinteria in 2013. They have 2 wonderful daughters, Madison & Ashlee.
Cheers to 20 years. Bootsie and Kiley!
surveys were submitted in both English and Spanish. In addition, we held two parent Zoom forums to share concerns, ideas and suggestions. One meeting was held in English and the other in Spanish.
“Bilingual teacher and community leader Sonia Aguila volunteered to call Spanish speaking parents from multiple classrooms to get their feedback in the event they were unable to respond to surveys or join the Zoom meetings. Given that 95 percent of our student body intends to return to an in-person model, my sense is that parents are comfortable and supportive with the reopening plans in a hybrid model.
“In addition, I respond to dozens of emails and phone calls per day, and our fabulous bilingual office staff does the same. They also meet with Spanish speaking parents outside the front office, socially distanced, to support them with enrollment, Aeries access, supplies needs, or general questions and concerns. This is happening daily.”
To reiterate her efforts to include families and staff in the formation of reopening plans, Persoon provided CVN with 26 emails and notices she had sent since last spring. In one of the emails, Persoon stated, “I am not interested in talk television or social media discussions around the issue. These are the guiding principles: Students most benefit from being in school in person; Students who are socioeconomically disadvantaged (live in poverty) are disproportionately affected by not having any in-person instruction. In fact, for many of these students, not having in-person instruction is disastrous, in the short and long term. Not having in-person check-in with school staff in a small number of cases is dan-
Carpinteria Unified School District Superintendent Diana Rigby announced Wednesday, Oct. 7, that the California Public Health Department approved the CUSD elementary waiver application. “We are permitted to reopen Aliso, Summerland, Canalino and Carpinteria Family School in a hybrid model on Tuesday, October 13,” Rigby wrote.
“All schools will implement the safety protocols outlined in the Aug. 11 Board Adopted Reopening Plan which is posted on our website, cusd.net in English and Spanish for your review,” the superintendent added.
“The District Office, elementary principals, and elementary staff have been working tirelessly since last June to plan a safe reopening for our school community,” Rigby continued. “Both Principals Persoon and Fox have developed specific site protocols to implement the Board Adopted Reopening Plan. Please contact them if you have any questions/concerns.”
Reopening dates for Carpinteria Middle School and Carpinteria High School gerous in abuse and neglect situations.”
Regarding communication with staff, Persoon stated that she sent regular Sunday updates, and teachers/staff completed a number of surveys of their own: “Teachers/staff were updated much more than once weekly throughout this crisis, and gave their feedback; Teachers/ staff were invited to attend weekly voluntary school reopening committees at every site.” Persoon also said that “staff received all of the documents as soon as I had them. ...SBPHD guidelines, updates, the draft CUSD reopening plan for their feedback and input, the Canalino/CFS Hybrid Model Plan draft for feedback and input, etc.”
Persoon added, “The vast majority of parents intend to send their students back to school in a hybrid model. Currently, about 5 percent of our campus student population has opted for independent learning. We have been continuously evolving the independent study model based on those parents and their feedback.”
For families interested in remote learning—participation in which will not prevent students from returning to special programs like Dual Language Immersion once the pandemic has largely subsided—Persoon set up two informational Zoom meeting times, with Spanish translation available (call Canalino school for information), on Thursday, Oct. 8, at 2 p.m., and Monday, Oct. 12. at 5:30 p.m.
On Wednesday, Oct. 7, CUSD received notification from California Public Health Department that the district’s elementary waiver application has been approved. CUSD will reopen Aliso, Summerland, Canalino and Carpinteria Family School
CUSD receives waiver approval
in a hybrid model on Tuesday, Oct. 13.
will be discussed and approved at the Oct. 13 school board meeting. Small cohorts of CMS and CHS students will receive in person instruction beginning in October, and CHS Athletics began in-person conditioning this week.
Superintendent Rigby ended her announcement by writing, “We appreciate your partnership and support during these most challenging times, and please stay safe and healthy.”
Ask the Candidates
The Race for Carpinteria Unifi ed School District Board of Trustees (Week 2 of 3)
In this year’s election for Carpinteria Unifi ed School District Board of Trustees, incumbent Rogelio Delgado faces four challengers— Jaime Diamond, Aaron Smith, Jeff Weinbender and Craig Cook—in a race for two seats on the school board. In this week’s second installation of the three-part Q & A series, we learn what positions the candidates would take regarding education during the pandemic, including questions of equity and reopening schools for in-person learning.
This week’s question: The Covid-19 pandemic has presented signifi cant challenges to the Carpinteria Unifi ed School District School Board, many of which will continue to be debated and decided upon during the next term. Two of the biggest challenges have been 1) how to offer an equitable education across distance and hybrid learning models; and 2) when should schools reopen and how will student and staff safety be ensured. Please respond stating what you would advocate for on both points.
Rogelio Delgado
Our community is divided by the pandemic. Teachers and a great part of our community see distance education as the best solution. Teachers have adjusted students to Zoom education. Teachers worry about their own safety and their own kids and students when they return to school. They now have the experience and proper school supplies to continue successful distance teaching. When students return to every school site, the problem is that the teachers see no safety nor health and see the school district as unprepared. Again, CUSD and union leadership have to work together.
Carpinteria is also divided on hybrid learning models. Teachers and a great part of the community affi rm that CUSD is not ready and that it represents a safety and health hazard. There is a fear factor when elementary schools open as well as the other school sites. How can 148 employees provide safety for 900 children? Masks, social distance, breaks, lunch breaks, restrooms in use, making sure they wash their hands with soap and water for 20-30 seconds, disinfecting, cleaning desks, objects touched? Rules can be implemented and have better control of the pandemic if everyone cooperates 100 percent to make sure regulations are followed. The union and CUSD should work together.
There is no way of ensuring that students’ safety and health will be ensured when every school site reopens. Only some cases show that children cannot infect adults, but adults can infect children. Why are only kids in the third grade and above required to wear a mask? Why did a handshake among adults almost disappear? It is a precaution/fear. CUSD and union leadership have to be united to control the pandemic. Soon there will be 2,000 students in school sites and the district needs the necessary equipment and to enforce the rules in order to have safety and health for everyone.
Jaime Diamond
Our teachers and district have done an amazing job with remote learning. The students who did well before will most likely continue to do well. The ones who struggled will struggle even more without their normal school supports available. Many special education students are not getting services they need in this format. Although the district has given out laptops and hotspots, there are many students who still grapple with bad internet connections, no adult support or supervision at home (even kindergarteners).
We need to get our students back in class safely. I fully support the hybrid model. Those who need to or can choose to safely stay home have that choice, however we need more options for these students. Independent study via edmentum is not satisfactory. We need our kids to still be part of their class, which is why I submitted a concurrent classroom model proposal to the district last week, after
Jeff Weinbender
1) The issue of an equitable education is often magnifi ed in distance learning. When remote and hybrid are done well, all can be served. When not, the education gap widens. Successful remote learning requires intentional care to the individual student. There are some excellent software pieces that can aide a classroom teacher to bridge that gap and better meet the individual student, (like IXL). This does not supplant the teacher, rather the teacher uses these tools to meet and monitor each student’s needs, challenges and successes. 2) Student, family and community safety must always come fi rst. sharing with stakeholders at each K-5 school site.
Santa Barbara County is looking to reopen K-12 mid-October. Sixth through 12th grades will have the same A/B cohort model as elementary. I have heard parents say they would prefer if we wait until after winter break for continuity, even more have said their typically happy child is showing signs of depression and anxiety from isolation—suicide and self-harm are at an all-time high nation-wide. Our kids’ mental/emotional health have suff ered during these last six months and must be considered in this discussion. I have seen the PPE on-hand inventory list and it is robust. Staff training is happening at elementary, and I believe we need to give our kids more credit for their ability to adapt. We need a new parent survey 6-12, and need to go so far as to call each family who does not respond.
Our students do best in the classroom environment. More so than placing all of our focus on merely “when schools should reopen,” we should also be asking the question, “how schools should reopen.” Looking at practices in place throughout the country can give us some good guidance on what to do and what not to do. Clearly, as the infection and hospital rates drop, we will be able to bring our students back. A phased approach, focusing on students with the greatest needs and challenges fi rst, should be used in a situation where the virus is gradually decreasing.
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