Ruth Asawa SOTA + School Closure Updates

Dear Ruth Asawa SOTA Community, 

As you may already be aware, the San Francisco School Board has made the decision to close schools for two weeks in order to protect students, families, and staff from exposure to COVID-19. School closure will begin on Monday, 3/16 and current plans state we will reopen on Monday, 4/3.

We know this will cause significant disruption to our daily lives, and we are still working in partnership with our staff, students, families, and district resources to ensure that student learning and services are preserved to the greatest extent possible. 

We will continue to send updates and announcements as information is made available, but are writing to let you know some things that have been confirmed. 

  • ATTENDANCE: All attendance is excused. We are linking here a Parent Notification of Absence Form, available in English, Spanish and Chinese. This form can be used to excuse student absences from 3/2/20 through today (3/12) in lieu of sending a handwritten note. 

    • Please note: absences from Monday, March 16 - Monday, April 3 do NOT need an excusal note. 

  • LEARNING: All lesson materials for all Asawa SOTA classes, including Arts classes, will be posted online by Monday 3/16.  You should receive an email from your student’s teachers with details on how to access resources.  

    • Technology:  On Friday 3/13, we will create a list of students who will need a laptop over the next 3 weeks to complete instructional tasks.  Please add your name to the list here if you are in need of a device. We will require you to sign a Technology Contract. 

    • IEP/504 Accommodations:  At this time, school staff is working with the district Special Education office for guidance and resources that may support students with disabilities while learning from home.  If your child has a disability and may need accommodations, please email Ms. Benitez. If you are scheduled to participate in an IEP/504 meeting in the next 3 weeks, you will be contacted by your student’s case manager and offered virtual meeting options. 

    • Grades: At this time, we are waiting for additional guidance from SFUSD regarding how to assign grades.  Our strong recommendation is that all students keep up with assignments to the extent they are able, and we will follow-up with additional information as it is available. 

    • For City College of San Francisco updates, please visit their website.

    • Evening & Saturday School/Credit Recovery:  All evening & Saturday classes are cancelled.  SFUSD will continue to share updates via email, text, and phone.  Please reach out to your child’s counselor if you have additional questions. 

  • STATE TESTING: All state testing, the Smarter Balanced (SBAC) assessments and the Physical Fitness (PFT) exam windows will be extended and students will not be penalized for not taking the exam. We will send updated schedules once we are back in school. 

    • The Physical Fitness test window has been opened until the end of the school year. 

    • The Smarter Balanced exam window has been opened until the end of the school year.  Students who began the SBAC this week and planned to complete the test tomorrow will be given the opportunity to do so. 

  • COLLEGE BOARD TESTING:

    • SAT/ACT: All SAT/ACT testing schedules will be determined by the College Board.  We will keep you updated as we learn more. As of today, we know that the March 14th SAT test has been postponed.

      • Accommodated Testing: Any students who require accommodated testing at the school site will need to be rescheduled. Mr. Calimlim will reach out to impacted families with next steps. 

    • AP Testing: SFUSD is working with College Board to determine implications for AP testing, both including the dates for the test and the possibility that students may be less prepared due to reduced time in class.  We will keep you updated as we learn more. 

  • STUDENT & FAMILY SERVICES:

    • Nutrition Services: Student nutrition services has confirmed that they will continue to feed kids during school closures. We anticipate guidance from them in the coming hours and will keep you in the loop. It is highly likely that students will be able to access meal services at multiple SFUSD sites in order to reduce the need to travel. 

    • Mental Health & Wellness Services:  On Friday 3/13, Wellness staff will meet with students who may need to be connected to community mental health resources while away from school.  If you believe your child may need to access these resources, please email Wellness Coordinator Robert Francoeur. 

We encourage you to keep checking your email! We are thinking of our students, their families and our staff during this time and send healthy, healing thoughts to our entire community. Stay in touch with Caitlin if you have any concerns, or if you’d like to discuss this situation privately. 

Warmly,
Caitlin, Eva and Monette

Ruth Asawa SOTA PTSAComment