FEATURE
vcreporter.com
Logging on to learn The school year starts as it ended, but districts are better prepared for Fall 2020
by David Michael Courtland, Emily Dodi, Nancy D. Lackey Shaffer and Kimberly Rivers
B
ack in March, the coronavirus pandemic created a seismic shift in nearly every aspect of life. And just as businesses struggled with closures and, later, the numerous and ever-changing protocols around reopening, local schools scrambled to implement a remote learning model to give students some semblance of an education after a sudden mid-year shutdown. It was a game effort under extraordinary, unprecedented circumstances . . . and a bit of a bumpy ride, with issues related to Internet access and reliability, confusing learning platforms and less-than-full participation. While there was some speculation that schools might reopen for onsite instruction in Fall 2020, the summer surge in coronavirus infections and hospitalizations across the state led experts to predict that closures would continue through the rest of the year. The Ventura County Office of Education (VCOE) was prepared for that eventuality — even prior to July 17, when Gov. Gavin Newsom announced that California counties on the state’s monitoring list would not be allowed to offer in-person classes. “Keeping campuses closed is not a decision that any of us take lightly,” said Stan Mantooth, Ventura County Superintendent of Schools, in a July 16 press release. “We want nothing more than to bring all students back to class where their educational, social and developmental needs can be best met. However, we cannot in good conscience reopen all of our campuses at a time when the coronavirus is surging in our state and our region.” We take a look at how school districts in Ventura County are handling distance learning this time around, and what improvements they’ve made for the new school year.
Conejo Valley Unified School District
conejousd.org/Reopen-Redesign “There is nothing we want more than to restore these physical communities of learning for our students. However, as parents, educators, community members and leaders, we know every decision we make includes risks and rewards,” said Dr. Mark W. McLaughlin, superintendent of Conejo Valley Unified School District, in a written statement to families in July. “We recognize that there are countless benefits to students participating in on-campus learning. With the ongoing rise of COVID-19 cases, the health and safety of our students, staff, families and the broader Conejo community remains paramount. This health, safety and overall well-being of our community is something we cannot and will not take a gamble on.” McLaughlin said remote learning would “continue until it is safe to transition into any on-campus instruction.” That transition will include a “blended” approach offering both at-home and on-campus learning. CVUSD’s first day of school is Wednesday, Aug. 19. — Kimberly Rivers
Fillmore Unified School District
www.fillmoreusd.org The Governing Board of the Fillmore Unified School District issued a statement on Aug. 5 that all district schools will begin the school year on August 20 using distance learning. In a July 16 letter to Fillmore USD families, Superintendent Adrian Palazuelos, Ph.D. detailed several commitments that the district is making to distance learning. They include providing devices and access to the Internet to every student. There will be daily live interaction with credentialed staff and peers for the “purpose of instruction, progress monitoring and maintaining school connectedness.” Instructional content will be aligned to grade level standards. Academic and other support will be provided to students who are performing at below grade level as well as to students with exceptional needs or who require support in other areas. Free meals or reduced cost meals will be available for pickup. — Emily Dodi
Moorpark Unified School District
www.mrpk.org Moorpark Unified’s school year starts on Aug. 24, and will be a departure from what was originally put together over the summer. A July 8 video posted on the district’s website outlined a detailed fall reopening plan, developed with input from staff, nurses, teachers, counselors and parents, with a blended learning model as a critical piece. Blended learning is one of three options parents may choose for their children’s education, with 100 percent distance learning and homeschooling also available. Under the district’s blended learning model, students would engage in both in-class instruction and independent and/or remote learning. Students were to be divided into smaller cohorts, each of which would be on campus (and wearing masks) on alternate days to facilitate physical distancing. Detailed hygiene and cleaning protocols were developed, and the district purchased 45 hand washing stations and 21 hand sanitizing stations to distribute across its schools. As of July 17, with Ventura County on the state’s COVID-19 August 13, 2020 —
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