EYE ON DP (Cont. from page 3) Trustees Area 5—which covers Aliso Viejo and Laguna Niguel—discussed various issues during a virtual forum conducted by the Oak Grove Elementary Parent Teacher Association on Wednesday, Sept. 30. The seat will be decided in the November general election. The three candidates are incumbent Krista Castellanos and challengers Jasmine Funes and Paul Hebbard. Castellanos is a transitional kindergarten teacher in Santa Ana Unified School District and has children in CUSD. Funes works in mental health with families and is an adjunct professor. Hebbard is a certified public accountant whose wife is a teacher. Candidates were asked what the biggest issues in the district are. Hebbard said school reopenings, which began this week, are first and foremost, along with expected upcoming revenue shortfalls related to the COVID-19 pandemic. Hebbard suggested funding issues could be mitigated with salary cuts. “In my opinion, this should have been done by Labor Day,” Hebbard said of campus reopenings. “We should have had schools open long ago.” Funes said ensuring positive mental health for children is crucial, as is safely navigating the health crisis. “The COVID piece, we’re already opening. We’re following the reopening plan. Everything takes time,” Funes said. “Looking at how the plan is working (is important). I’ve heard so far from you all (that) it’s been positive thus far, although we’ve heard some teacher feedback about how they didn’t feel included in this process. Engaging them is a very important piece of what we need to do currently.” Castellanos said student learning loss during the pandemic is a concern. “We need to work together,” Castellanos said. “It is very important to include all stakeholders. We have our teachers as stakeholders. We have you as parents. We have our entire community that needs to be involved in this process.” —Collin Breaux
Orange County to Stay in Red Tier as Daily Cases Rise Slightly THE LATEST: Orange County will remain in the red “substantial” tier on California’s color-coded COVID-19 monitoring system for at least a few more weeks, as the latest data released by the state’s health office on Tuesday, Sept. 29, showed a slight uptick in new daily cases. For about the past two weeks, the county’s metrics on new daily cases and test positivity rate met the qualifications to enter the orange “moderate” tier—the third-highest of four state risk levels—allowing certain economic sectors to expand services. But Tuesday’s data put the county’s daily case rate at 4.4 per 100,000, up from the 3.6 cases the week prior. To qualify Dana Point Times October 2-8, 2020
for the orange tier, a county must have between 1 to 3.9 new COVID-19 cases per 100,000 and a test positivity rate between 2% and 4.9%. Last Tuesday, Sept. 22, the county had 3.6 new COVID-19 cases per 100,000, with a 3.1% positivity rate, marking the first time the county had met the orange-risk level in both metrics. However, the county’s daily case rate rose to 4.4 on Tuesday, while the test positivity rate remained at 3.1 %, resetting the two-week clock before the county can move to orange. The state mandates that counties must remain in a tier for a least 21 days. To move to a lower tier, the county must meet both of that specific tier’s metrics for two consecutive weeks. If the county has met those metrics for 14 consecutive days when the 21-day waiting period has passed, it can move down to the next tier. However, if there is a spike and the county’s numbers increase to purple-tier levels for 14 consecutive days, Orange County could be moved back to the widespread tier—the highest-risk level. —Shawn Raymundo and Zach Cavanagh
Palisades Elementary Reports COVID-19 Case Before Students Return to Campus THE LATEST: At least one person who tested positive for COVID-19 was at the Palisades Elementary School campus from Sept. 18-22, Principal Lisa Baggio said in a letter to school families. No students were on campus then, and the case was considered a “low risk exposure.” “Staff have taken the necessary steps to properly sanitize and clean the campus in preparation for staff and students to return,” Baggio said. Students began returning to campuses this week in Capistrano Unified School District (CUSD). CUSD has implemented a phased return to campus for various grade levels, with students returning to preschool through fifth grade starting on Sept. 29 through Oct. 5. Higher grade levels will return in the coming weeks. CUSD has health protocols in place if a student or staff member has symptoms or tests positive for COVID-19. A person showing symptoms—such as fever, cough or loss of taste or smell—will be sent home and advised to get tested, though the classroom and school will remain open. As for a confirmed case, the school community and local health department will be notified. That person will be excluded from school for 10 days from the onset of symptoms or test date, and exposed contacts will have to quarantine for 14 days after the infected person was at school. Classrooms and other relevant spaces will be disinfected. The school will remain open.—CB
NEWS BITES COMPILED BY STAFF
R.H. Dana Students Receive Donated Technology Backpacks Cox Communications and Orange County United Way teamed up to deliver 25 technology backpacks to RH Dana Elementary School students Kristen Nelson, RH Dana principal, welcomed visitors from both United Way and Cox Communications on Thursday, Sept. 24, as the backpacks were delivered. “We so appreciate partnerships with both of these organizations. What a great way to be greeted during your first week of in-person learning but to get a new backpack with donated technology and supplies,” Nelson said. As school resumes in person, Nelson says these backpacks provide a safe way for students to get their technology and supplies to and from school. Backpacks include items such as wireless mouse and headphones, Chromebook protective cases, school supplies, and handwritten notes of encouragement from Cox Communications employees. In addition, several hundred personal face masks were also provided for the soon-to-be returning students. “We greatly enjoy being able to help students with their learning and forming a partnership with both Cox Communications and RH Dana Elementary School,” said Sue Parks, CEO of Orange County United Way. “This is just the beginning of a wonderful partnership and making things better for this school and these students and families.” The Orange County United Way is also sponsoring a financial literacy program at RH Dana, which will begin in January. Parents will have the chance to be provided with personal coaching on a step-by-step financial plan to achieve personal goals and long-term financial stability, including job development, debt and credit management, and savings planning. Participants will also be able to
Twenty-five R.H. Dana Elementary School students received technology backpacks thanks to a partnership with Cox Communications and Orange County United Way. Photo: Courtesy of Principal Kristen Nelson
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Community Meetings TUESDAY, OCTOBER 6
DANA POINT CITY COUNCIL 6 p.m. The Dana Point City Council will hold a regularly scheduled meeting in council chambers at 33282 Golden Lantern, Suite 210, Dana Point.
connect to other United Way partner services, including free tax preparation, housing, health care, and transportation.
Still Life Ceramics Opens First Orange County PopUp Location at DP Harbor Dana Point Harbor has announced the opening of Still Life Ceramics pop-up shop. Located next to iHeartYoga, the ceramics studio and pop-up shop features handmade ceramics from local artists and hosts classes and workshops open to beginner and professional potters alike. A Los Angeles-based brand, Still Life Ceramics at Dana Point Harbor marks the first location in Orange County. The new studio officially opened on September 23 for pottery classes and shopping. A variety of classes will be available WednesdaySaturday at 4 p.m. and 5:30 p.m. for beginners, experienced potters, and kids, including the popular “Rosé & Clay” class in which participants are invited to enjoy a free glass of rosé at The Harbor Grill Restaurant following the class. Classes and retail shopping will operate at a limited capacity in alignment with current safety protocols, and masks will be required. “We are looking forward to sharing our passion with Dana Point locals and visitors,” said Still Life Ceramics co-founders Mel Keedle and Ana Henton. “Still Life Ceramics offers a variety of classes for all skill levels, including online and in-person classes, so there’s something for everyone.” Classes can be booked online, and are expected to sell out. Retail shopping hours will be available before and after each class. Directional signage has been placed throughout the Harbor to promote physical distancing, hand sanitizer stations have been installed, and cleaning and sanitation have increased in all common areas and restrooms throughout the Harbor. For more information about Dana Point Harbor, visit DanaPointHarbor.com or connect on Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter.
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