March 17, 2020
Dear South Pasadena Community:
First and foremost, we hope all of you are healthy and well. The safety of our entire community is, and always will be, our most important priority. Additionally, thank you for your patience, support, and positivity over the past few weeks. Our district and schools are amazing places to teach, learn, work, and thrive. In challenging times, these qualities become even more evident.
Please be advised that our teachers are currently preparing a new Independent Study Distance Learning Program (ISDLP). In the event that school closures are extended beyond our scheduled return of April 6, this new ISDLP will begin to be implemented. Federal and state regulations regarding Independent Study and Special Education Services restricted districts from legally providing instructional programs such as this earlier. The Governor’s recent emergency legislation has provided school districts greater flexibility to offer and to implement these types of programs in our current circumstances. Please keep in mind, however, that everything we are planning is subject to change depending on directives we receive from the California Department of Education.
The new ISDLP will require access to technology and internet access. SPUSD staff is working on plans for deployment for students in need. More information will be provided to students prior to April 6. Additional information about Special Education supports and services will be forthcoming as well.
The following are some suggestions that may be helpful over the next few weeks:
- Take time to review and discuss expectations with your child during this time of school closure.
- Review the posted Elementary Supplementary Educational Resources and/or the Secondary Supplementary Educational Resources
- Create routines and set up a schedule for creativity, reading, and physical activity.
- Please review this Parent Guide that discusses how to have conversations with children about COVID-19.
- Consider creating a family media agreement at home in regards to use of technology, your expectations as a family, and access to screen time during school closures. Let’s continue to be an inclusive and caring community of digital learners.
The South Pasadena Unified team of educators are all committed to serving our students’ learning throughout this unique time. We ask that you wait to send your teachers questions about the ISDLP until we share additional details about how the plan will be implemented. Once again, we want teachers fully focused on developing these plans over the next several days.
Take care, and stay healthy.
Geoff Yantz, Ed.D.
Superintendent