Air Quality

Dear SCUSD families and staff,  Smoke from California wildfires ( CalFire map ) has moved into the Bay Area. This email reviews the district's air quality protocol.  Air Quality Protocol Overview We monitor the air quality daily using  Air Now . SCUSD issues districtwide messages when the current or forecasted air quality is an AQI of 151 or more, in the  "Unhealthy" (red) category or above , according to Air Now. The  Air Quality Guidelines for Schools from the CDE  provides guidance on actions to take for each of the air quality index categories. "Unhealthy" AQI  follows "Level 4." According to Air Now The air quality is currently in the "Unhealthy" (red) category (151-100 range). Actions We Are Taking All exterior doors and windows are closed All activities, including lunch, will be moved indoors as much as possible All outdoor athletic conditioning practices are suspended immediately Outdoor staff are given indoor work or frequent breaks The district reviews a daily Air Quality Index (AQI) forecast email. When the AQI is forecasted for or moves into 151 (red/unhealthy), we issue districtwide communications to all staff and families. You can find our protocols, monitoring dashboard, and resources for schools and the public here: www.santaclarausd.org/airquality . We are monitoring the hour-by-hour forecast throughout the day should the forecast change.  On our webpage, you can see the Air Quality Guidelines for Schools from the CDE . We are currently following guidelines for Level 4 for recess/lunch, P.E., sports, and events. Our staff continues to pay close attention to those we know who are sensitive to poor air quality such as students and staff with heart and lung conditions (e.g. asthma) to offer them rest or indoor options.  [Wednesday, Sep 20 at 10:08 AM] UPDATE The air quality has improved over the past two hours and is now at an AQI of 130 "Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups" (orange). SCUSD is now following the Air Quality Guidelines for Schools from the CDE for Level 3 (orange) for recess/lunch, P.E., sports, and events. We are paying close attention to those who are especially sensitive to poor air quality such as students and staff with heart and lung conditions (e.g. asthma) to offer them rest or indoor options. We are continuing to monitor the air quality throughout the day.

Wednesday, Sep 20 2023

District Update - September 18, 2023

DISTRICT UPDATE  SEPTEMBER 18, 2023 Dear SCUSD community,  I hope that your first month or so of school has been positive. There are so many exciting things underway in SCUSD. I am pleased that our new  Strategic Arts Plan was presented to the Board of Trustees last Thursday. This plan was developed by a team of over 40 individuals and charts an ambitious path forward for SCUSD to lead the way in arts education.   We know that arts are a core content area and are critical for students who are self-reflective, and creative, and can express their thoughts and feelings in a host of ways. We invite you to take a look at the new plan which will give you a glimpse into the future of arts learning in SCUSD!  STRATEGIC ARTS PLAN On a more somber and important topic, September is Suicide Prevention Month. We know the importance of prioritizing student mental health and being alert to signs when someone might need assistance or support. I’d like to share some information from our district’s Wellness Team that could make all the difference for those around us each day: Recognizing when people in our lives are struggling with emotional pain, and helping them feel comfortable to talk about it, can help prevent mental health crises, including suicide. Learning the warning signs, knowing how to start a conversation, and knowing where to get professional help can make a powerful, life-changing difference. #1 Know the signs: Suicidal thoughts and other symptoms can indicate that someone might be in danger and need help. Signs can vary by age, gender, sexuality, and cultural identity. These include drastic changes in behavior, persistent feelings of sadness or hopelessness, avoiding social interactions, and withdrawing from friends and family members, among others. #2 Find the words:  If you are worried about someone, it is important to have the courage to start the conversation, share what you notice, listen empathetically, and offer help.  #3 Reach out for help:  Keep a list of crises and local resources to refer to if needed. The national suicide and crisis lifeline phone number is 988, This is a free and confidential support line for people in distress, prevention, and crisis resources for you or your loved ones. This is the website: https://988lifeline.org/ . Our recent  SCUSD Board Resolution on this issue has some additional information and statistics. For example, did you know that LGBTQ+ youth are more than four times as likely to attempt suicide than their peers and the 2022 National Survey on LGBTQ Youth Mental Health found that 45% of LGBTQ+ youth seriously considered attempting suicide in the past year, including more than half of transgender and nonbinary youth? With LGBTQ+ History Month just ahead of us in October, I am proud of the progress we are making in SCUSD for our students and I thank our staff for the work they do daily to create safe, supportive, and affirming spaces for all children and youth, families, and staff. My challenge to us each this week is to lean in on kindness. One word or act of kindness or compassion can make the difference when someone is struggling. Imagine what we could do if we each commit to even a single act of kindness each and every day.  I wish you a wonderful week ahead! Dr. Gary Waddell Superintendent  PUBLIC HEALTH UPDATES Vaccinations As COVID-19, flu, and RSV (respiratory syncytial virus) rates begin to go up over the fall season, it's important to stay up to date with COVID-19, flu, and other vaccinations. Public health officials advise that the best time to get the annual flu vaccine is in September or October. Additionally, the updated COVID-19 vaccine for the XBB variant has been approved by the FDA and should be available this week. The COVID-19 vaccine will be updated once a year. Most healthcare providers and clinics offer the COVID and flu vaccines in the same sitting. Illnesses Let’s help keep each other safe and healthy this season. If you are not feeling well, please stay home and rest until symptoms are mild and improving. Additionally, if you are experiencing  COVID-like symptoms , it’s important to take a rapid antigen test. Students and staff who need access to rapid antigen test kits should contact their school office or supervisor. Students and staff who test negative should retest every two days while experiencing symptoms. Anyone with positive test results should submit positive test results here: Student COVID Case - Preschool & Elementary ( Español ) Student COVID Case - Middle & High ( Español ) Staff COVID Case COVID-19 General Update Guidance for Schools — The California Department of Public Health (CDPH) has released its “2023-2024 Communicable Diseases Guidance for Schools,” which now includes embedded guidance for COVID-19. This replaces any former, separate COVID guidance resources. There are no major changes since the guidance for schools and the general public was last updated in March 2023 as governments prepared for the end of the public health emergency related to COVID-19 in May 2023. Our teams are taking this opportunity to review SCUSD resources in an effort to ensure continued alignment with public health guidance and consistent practices across the district. Medi-Cal — With the end of the COVID-19 emergency, Medi-Cal clients are no longer automatically renewed. Keep yourself and your family covered. Log into your account to make sure Medi-Cal has your current address, email address, and phone number. Check your mail and complete your renewal form (if you get one). For more information, learn how to update your contact information, or to sign up for email and text message alerts, visit   KeepMediCalCoverage.org . COVID-19 Mitigation Strategies — As a reminder, SCUSD follows the public health department mitigation strategies recommended for schools, which include the following: Encourage students and staff to stay up to date on vaccinations, stay home and test when sick, and wear masks around others if they have symptoms, test positive, or were exposed to COVID-19. Encourage frequent handwashing and provide access to adequate hygiene supplies. Optimize indoor air quality and perform routine daily cleaning with additional sanitization when necessary. Involve the public health department in outbreak response and reporting. Facilitate access to testing by offering free rapid test kits to take home and referrals to other local resources, and access to masks by offering free masks for staff and students to use at school, and community to use at events.   SUPPORTS FOR SUICIDE PREVENTION AWARENESS MONTH Santa Clara Unified School District recognizes September as Suicide Prevention Awareness Month ( Resolution #23-48 ). This is a time to come together to shed light on a critical issue that affects countless lives. Each year, millions of people struggle with thoughts of suicide, and too many precious lives are lost — but together, we can make a difference. By raising awareness to destigmatize mental health, spreading kindness, and providing support, we can help those in need find hope and healing. As a reminder, all students have access to invaluable wellness resources at our school sites and through our community partners. WELLNESS RESOURCES NEW FACES AND NEW PLACES Please join us in welcoming Dr.  Jasmina Topalovic as the new vice principal at Cabrillo Middle School! Jasmina Topalovic comes to Santa Clara Unified from San Jose Unified School District where she has been a teacher and ELD coordinator for the past 15 years. Prior to working as a teacher and ELD coordinator, she was the assistant principal of assessment and student support. Jasmina received her bachelor’s degree in linguistics/Slavic languages from the University of Belgrade, and her teaching credential and master’s in education/administration and supervision from San Jose State University. Jasmina received her doctorate from the University of Illinois. Some of Jasmina’s prior responsibilities have included being in charge of safety and emergency procedures, scheduling, managing, and evaluating campus supervisors and school attendance clerks, reviewing and revising school attendance protocols for compliance with district regulations and state audits, and much more. Her vast experience will be invaluable in her new role. FARM TO TABLE AT POMEROY ELEMENTARY                                               At Pomeroy Elementary School, students of all ages take part in dynamic experiences that extend beyond the classroom. Whether students are planting in the school garden or cooking in the innovative Makerspace, hands-on learning is at the core of their education. Pomeroy’s Farm to Table program comes to life through gardening and cooking classes, where students can learn multiple subjects, including math, science, geography, and English.   “If a kid grows a vegetable, and then cooks that vegetable, they are so much more likely to eat that vegetable, and then to continue on for the rest of their life."  - Garden Coordinator and Teacher Audrey Hinton. For more information, check out the video above and take a look at the district website . IMPORTANT DATES Calling All Current 6th Graders  Interested in STEM The  49ers STEM Leadership Institute (SLI) provides multi-year, year-round academic support, STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) enrichment, skills training, and leadership opportunities to middle and high school students. The 49ers SLI program runs from 7th through 12th grade. Students admitted to the program attend Cabrillo Middle School and Santa Clara High School, where they take SLI-specific advanced math and science classes. Current 6th grade students are invited to RSVP here for an online information session on Thursday, October 12 from 6-7 p.m. to learn more about the SLI program. Read more on the district website . Reminder:  Secondary Math Pathway Input Sessions Join us at one of our family input sessions to learn about proposed changes to the  secondary math pathways . These sessions are designed to be two-way so that we can gather feedback and input from families. Visit the Secondary Math Pathways webpage for more information or join us at one of the in-person sessions below. Translation and childcare will be provided at each meeting. September 18, Cabrillo Middle School, 6:30-7:30 p.m. September 20, Huerta Middle School, 6:30-7:30 p.m. September 21, Callejon Middle School from 6:30-7:30 p.m. UPCOMING EVENTS Santa Clara Parade of Champions Join us at the 54th Santa Clara Parade of Champions on October 7! The festivities will kick off in downtown Santa Clara at 9 a.m. and continue through 5 p.m. Activities will include community village booths, food trucks, street dancing, and of course, the main attraction of the day — the parade. Support our schools as they join in the parade which starts at 10 a.m with the opening ceremonies and National Anthem and stick around after for live music and “Salsa on the Street.” Find out more about the event on the Santa Clara Parade of Champions website . Promoting Healthy Habits on Walk to School Day Join us on October 4 as we lace up our sneakers and celebrate Walk to School Day! This annual event is all about promoting healthy habits, reducing our carbon footprint, and fostering a sense of community. Whether you're a student, parent, caregiver, or teacher, it's the perfect opportunity to embrace the joy of walking and make a positive impact on our environment. Walk to School Day is a chance to create lasting memories, prioritize health and well-being, and show our commitment to making our communities cleaner and more vibrant.  BOARD BRIEFS In an effort to keep the community up-to-date and informed of actions by the Board of Trustees, we share Board Briefs. Please use the links below to view the current and all previous board agendas. Board Briefs from the September 14, 2023, Board Meeting Board Meeting Agendas and Minutes Agendas are posted 72 hours before a regular board meeting.

Tuesday, Sep 19 2023

Announcing September Menu Choices

ANNOUNCING SEPTEMBER MENU CHOICES Please see below a copy of this month's cafeteria menu to view and download. If you have any questions, please contact the Nutrition Services department at nutritionservices@scusd.net or call 408-423-2077. Download Cafeteria Menu

Friday, Sep 01 2023

Biometric Scanning Systems in Elementary School Cafe...

BIOMETRIC SCANNING SYSTEMS IN ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS Biometric scanning systems can reduce line wait times in the cafeteria line. The computer software develops a grid of intersection points from the swirls and arcs of the scanned finger, creates a template showing the finger’s unique points, and converts the template into a binary number that is encrypted and stored. This is the same technology used for a smartphone login.  The data collected will be maintained locally by SCUSD and  NONE of the information is sent out externally to the internet or to any other agency. Families have the option to opt out of using this system for their student(s), and you can find more information about that on our Nutrition Services website at www.scusdnutrition.net .   Opt-Out of Biometrics Form Please Note: No action is required if you want your student to participate. We know that anything related to biometrics prompts questions, so below is some more information.   If meals are free this year, why do SCUSD students have to check out of cafeteria lines?   SCUSD is participating in the Universal School Meals program this school year. That means all SCUSD students can eat breakfast and lunch free of charge at school, regardless of their household income.  Even though students don’t pay for meals, they need to stop at the register so SCUSD staff can verify that the items on their tray meet federal requirements for a balanced, nutritious meal. Every meal must be counted in order for SCUSD to receive state and federal funding.   Schools have limited time for breakfast and lunch and can’t flex too much without having to make school days longer. We are using technology to help us with speed, which is why we use biometric scanners.  Students can also type in their pin numbers on the pin pad. Nutrition Services staff will indicate in the system that the student has opted out, and the student will continue to key in their student ID number in lunch lines.   The scanners will NOT work for students who have been opted out.  Questions? Please call 408-423-2077  or email nutritionservices@scusd.net .

Friday, Sep 01 2023

Wellness Resources Available at School Sites

WELLNESS RESOURCES The mental health of our students continues to be a topic of utmost importance. Positive wellbeing promotes greater academic and social-emotional success. As we start the new school year, we want to remind you of the invaluable wellness resources available at our school sites and through our community partners to support your student’s academic engagement and wellness.   Each school site has a wellness coordinator  (a licensed mental health clinician) available to consult and coordinate services for your student. The wellness coordinator can connect your student with appropriate support. Contact your school office to be connected with your site wellness coordinator.    Secondary school counselors are a valuable resource to help students manage emotions and apply interpersonal skills. Contact your school office to be connected with your student’s assigned counselor. Care Solace offers free mental health care coordination services , 24 hours a day, and can connect your family with appropriate community-based providers. To access Care Solace’s multilingual helpline, call 888-515-0595 or visit www.caresolace.com/scusdfamilies .   Visit our  SCUSD Wellness webpage for more information on how to access mental health support.  SUPPORT To support student wellness, if your child needs a mental health day, please contact your school office. We believe that by working together, we can create a supportive environment where all of our children can thrive.

Wednesday, Aug 30 2023