October 13, 2017

October 13, 2017

Wow it has been a week! So RELIEVED that our school and so many other homes have been saved. I truly believe that they were saved because of the support we received from SO many different states, FEMA, military, and MUCH more. I know many of us know families who have lost their homes and our hearts go out to them at this time. If any of you would like to get together tonight to debrief, have a drink, and maybe play some cards, are welcome to go to Sarah Daly's home.  They've had people there each of the last few nights and it's been really nice to see faces of friends and share experiences.  I'm a fan of community and so is she! 

5:00 -1759 Nantucket Court, Fairfield

Please let Sarah Daly know if you plan to come by.  

FAQ for Return to School on 10/16/17

Is there a message you want administration/site secretaries to provide to parents and community about air quality?

The school campus and classrooms are safe.  We will continue to monitor air quality in the region and respond accordingly.

Message from Kris:
Dear All Staff,

At this point, we anticipate resuming classes and all student activities on Monday, October 16.  Currently, all previous evacuation advisories, orders and road closures remain in effect.  At this morning's Emergency Operation Center briefing, however, we learned, that if all goes well, the evacuations will be lifted for our attendance area prior to Monday.  Please keep in mind that this can change.  

The good news is that the additional personnel support provided to fight the fire has resulted in some containment, as well as an increase in the ability to prevent the fire from spreading. (Bulldozing, fire retardant, air support, and back fires)  Much of the smoke can be attributed to the controlled back fires.  I cannot express enough my appreciation for the various county and city agencies and those who joined us from other state that have worked tirelessly around the clock to keep our county safe.

We will be sending out an all call to parents and staff in both English and Spanish later this afternoon and again on Sunday regarding the status of school on Monday.

This morning, I was able to get a Highway Patrol escort out to Suisun Valley.  Mike and Ken from maintenance joined me.  They checked out the classrooms, and things seem pretty good.  We will continue to monitor the air quality.  Currently, the air quality is a bit worse in the Cordelia area.

I do want to thank our administrators who have also been working tirelessly throughout the week to react, strategize, and plan during this crisis.  I also want to Nancy Dunn who joined us the last two days for meetings.  We have all learned a great deal.

Our goal is to resume all classes and student activities on Monday.  Staff members who are concerned about air quality may consider bringing a face mask to work.  We anticipate that the air conditioners which pull air from outside may be off on Monday.  Some staff members are bringing fans from home to help with air circulation.  Our maintenance team has some fans, but they will be responding to larger areas such as multi-purpose rooms or cafeterias that need additional air flow.  Again, all of this is based on Monday's outside air quality.

I have been in communication with superintendents from around the area.  Napa Valley Unified will be closed on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday next week.  They are in a very different situation that we are.  They had schools that lost power, internet and phone systems down, students and staff members who lost homes, and fires raging on both sides of them.  All Solano County schools anticipate being open on Monday.  Solano Community College is scheduled to resume classes on Monday.  Vallejo Unified has a previously scheduled staff development day so students will not be present on Monday.

Unless something changes, this will be my last ALL STAFF update until Sunday evening.  Sorry folks, no Friday letter this week!  :-)

#BeSafe #BeKind #BeAware

What is communicated to teachers and staff?
We will meet as a staff in the staff room at 8:00am (15 minutes) on Monday. I will have a poster for each staff/class/students to write thank you notes to our first responders. They are our HEROES!! Your room will smell a little smoky- the whole area smells smoky. If it is unbearable let me know. Please administer the writing prompt sometime this week. As long as it is finished by Friday. Picture day has been rescheduled. Please send progress reports home this week. Please be kind to each other- it has been a very stressful week!!

Will there be after school activities for students when we reopen?

Yes, all activities will resume as normal. The Health Department has issued guidelines to include with information to parents. Web page shows air quality: This information is linked here.

Will there be district sponsored Professional Development during the school day next week?

No.  We think teachers and students will want to be together next week.

Will there be after school activities, including Professional Development, for staff when we reopen?

Yes. There will be after school activities for staff. Activities from last week are being rescheduled.

If I am a staff member who’s been significantly impacted by the fire, what do I need to do?

Request a substitute in Absence Management (AESOP), as normal. If you plan on using Personal Necessity for more than two consecutive days, you need to submit a leave request. If you are sick for more than five consecutive days, you will need to submit a medical leave request to Human Resources. A medical leave request will require a doctor's note. If you have questions or concerns, contact Jennifer Taylor at jennifert@fsusd.org or (707) 399-5083.

Am I being docked for my absences on Tuesday, October 10 - Friday, October 13?

We are working on an agreement with all our employee units regarding Tuesday absences. F-SUTA has agreed in concept with the district regarding this matter. Wednesday - Friday are excused absences with no need to report to Absence Management (AESOP).

Can students wear face masks?

Yes, as long as the mask is a medical or dust mask. Halloween masks are not appropriate. 

How do sites access mental health support if that is needed next week for staff or students?

1. We will have Garret Miner on site on Monday.
2. Students and/or staff will be able to self-refer or be referred to the school psychologist or mental health clinician, as per standard procedure.
3. Site Administrators and /or mental health staff will provide Employee Assistance Program information to staff seeking continuing support. I will have flyers at our 8:00am meeting on Monday.
   

The MAP testing window was to close this week.  Has the window been extended?

Yes, the testing window now closes Friday, October 20th

When will the GATE testing window close?

The GATE testing window  now closes on Friday, October 20th

Will we need to add days to our instructional calendar to “make up” for the days that schools were closed?

The District will be applying for a waiver with the California Department of Education.  If approved, we will not need to “make up” for the days the schools were closed.  We will provide updates as we receive them.

How will the days missed affect the budget?

The District will be applying for a waiver with the California Department of Education.  If approved, the number of missed days are not included in the attendance reporting calculation for apportionment.

Will staff be allowed to access school this afternoon or over the weekend if they wish?

No.  Staff is NOT be able to access the school site, unless the site administrator opens the school during a designated time. I will be on site on SUNDAY from 9:00am- 1:00pm. STAFF WILL NOT BE ABLE TO BE ON SITE WITHOUT ME.

Will Harvest Festival still take place on Friday?

YES!! It will be a nice way for the entire community to come together and be thankful, but it is very short notice. We will see what we can pull off in one week. If we ALL work as a team I think we can do it!!

I TRULY LOVE OUR COMMUNITY AND OUR SCHOOL!! I look forward to seeing everyone Monday!!

Jas