Upcoming Board of Education Meeting: Tuesday, June 8...

School Board Meeting: Tuesday, 06/08 The regularly scheduled meeting of the Board of Education on Tuesday, June 8 at 6 p.m. will be held via Zoom and broadcast live at www.lbusd.org/liveboardmeeting . The full agenda has been posted here. VIEWING THE MEETING AND PUBLIC COMMENT VIA ZOOM: To view the meeting:   www.lbusd.org/liveboardmeeting   and click on the appropriate link for closed or open session. PUBLIC COMMENT Public Comment is accepted in writing prior to the meeting, or by phone or webinar during the meeting. Live public comments will be accepted during the designated public comment periods of the meeting. The time for live comments will be limited, so prepare your remarks accordingly. W RITTEN COMMENTS Written public comments may be submitted electronically no later than Tuesday, June 8, 2021, by 12:00 p.m. via the following link: June 8, 2021 Public Comment Request Form . Written comments will be shared with the entire Board, but will not be read aloud during the meeting. CALLING BY PHONE: Members of the public may call in using the Zoom meeting phone number: (669) 900-6833. COMMENTING BY PHONE: If you would like to make a comment and you are viewing the meeting via Zoom webinar, raise your hand during the public comment period, and unmute your microphone once recognized to do so. CLOSED SESSION PUBLIC COMMENT VIA PHONE AT 5:30PM: Members of the public may call in using the Zoom meeting phone number: (669) 900-6833; Webinar ID is: 948 4456 8557. Press *9 on your phone if you would like to comment during the designated comment period. Once recognized to make your comment, press *6 to un-mute your phone. When you hear "your phone is un-muted," please proceed with your comment. OPEN SESSION PUBLIC COMMENT VIA PHONE AT 6:00PM:  Members of the public may call in using the Zoom meeting phone number: (669) 900-6833; Webinar ID is: 968 2511 7077. Press *9 on your phone if you would like to comment during the designated comment period. Once recognized to make your comment, press *6 to un-mute your phone. When you hear "your phone is un-muted," please proceed with your comment. COMMENTING VIA ZOOM: If you would like to make a comment and you are viewing the meeting via Zoom webinar, raise your hand during the public comment period, and unmute your microphone once recognized to do so. Speakers will be called upon at the appropriate time during the meeting: a. Topics on the agenda may be addressed during the Board’s consideration of the item. b. Topics not on the agenda that are within the Board’s subject matter jurisdiction may be addressed during the public comment, non-agenda items section. Speaking time will be limited to three (3) minutes per speaker, twenty (20) minutes per topic. With Board consent, the Board President may modify the time allowed for public presentation.

Friday, Jun 04 2021

Upcoming Board of Education Meeting: Thursday, May 2...

School Board Meeting: Thursday, 05/27 The regularly scheduled meeting of the Board of Education on Thursday, May 27 at 6 p.m. will be held via Zoom and broadcast live at www.lbusd.org/liveboardmeeting . The full agenda has been posted here. VIEWING THE MEETING AND PUBLIC COMMENT VIA ZOOM: To view the meeting:   www.lbusd.org/liveboardmeeting  and click on the appropriate link for closed or open session. PUBLIC COMMENT Public Comment is accepted in writing prior to the meeting, or by phone or webinar during the meeting. Live public comments will be accepted during the designated public comment periods of the meeting. The time for live comments will be limited, so prepare your remarks accordingly. W RITTEN COMMENTS Written public comments may be submitted electronically no later than Thursday, May 27, 2021 by 12:00 p.m. via the following link: May 27 , 2021 Public Comment Request Form .   Written comments will be shared with the entire Board, but will not be read aloud during the meeting. CALLING BY PHONE: Members of the public may call in using the Zoom meeting phone number: (669) 900-6833. COMMENTING BY PHONE: If you would like to make a comment and you are viewing the meeting via Zoom webinar, raise your hand during the public comment period, and unmute your microphone once recognized to do so. CLOSED SESSION PUBLIC COMMENT VIA PHONE AT 5:30PM: Members of the public may call in using the Zoom meeting phone number: (669) 900-6833; Webinar ID is: 961 7762 0156. Press *9 on your phone if you would like to comment during the designated comment period. Once recognized to make your comment, press *6 to un-mute your phone. When you hear "your phone is un-muted," please proceed with your comment. OPEN SESSION PUBLIC COMMENT VIA PHONE AT 6:00PM:  Members of the public may call in using the Zoom meeting phone number: (669) 900-6833; Webinar ID is: 958 1946 7504. Press *9 on your phone if you would like to comment during the designated comment period. Once recognized to make your comment, press *6 to un-mute your phone. When you hear "your phone is un-muted," please proceed with your comment. COMMENTING VIA ZOOM: If you would like to make a comment and you are viewing the meeting via Zoom webinar, raise your hand during the public comment period, and unmute your microphone once recognized to do so. Speakers will be called upon at the appropriate time during the meeting: a. Topics on the agenda may be addressed during the Board’s consideration of the item. b. Topics not on the agenda that are within the Board’s subject matter jurisdiction may be addressed during the public comment, non-agenda items section. Speaking time will be limited to three (3) minutes per speaker, twenty (20) minutes per topic. With Board consent, the Board President may modify the time allowed for public presentation.

Tuesday, May 25 2021

LEAD Summer Enrichment

Dear Laguna Beach Unified Families, We are so excited to offer the LEAD Summer Enrichment Program to our amazing LBUSD students this summer, in addition to our traditional intervention summer school. From writing to yoga to robotics to math (and more), students currently in kindergarten to 11th grade are invited our Learn, Enrich, Advance, and Discover workshops rich in content and practice. These opportunities will support students to have successful entry into the 2021-2022 school year and offer fun exploratory and enrichment activities. Who:         All LBUSD students What:         Summer Enrichment workshops When:       Week 1: August 2-6, Week 2: August 9-13 Where:      Top of the World Elementary, El Morro Elementary, Thurston Middle School, Laguna Beach High School Details: These enrichment and readiness classes are offered at no cost to families. Students will be able to sign up for one class per weekly session. (Select courses will span both weeks)  Most courses will be in-person with a few virtual options available.   There will be no transportation provided by the district as session start and end times vary and programs are hosted at all four school sites. Three Steps to Registration: Review attached LEAD Summer 2021 Enrichment & Readiness Program Booklet  Link into your child’s registration link based on their current grade level now through the registration deadline of  June 10, 2021 . Enrollment is first-come-first served based on maximum enrollment and a wait-list will be maintained. Enrollment will be confirmed via email on or before July 2, 2021.  If you have any questions related to program registration or course offerings, please contact Parta Perkins, LEAD 2021 Program Coordinator at pperkins@lbusd.org .

Tuesday, May 11 2021

Upcoming Board of Education Meeting: Thursday, April...

School Board Meeting: Thursday, 04/22 The regularly scheduled meeting of the Board of Education on Thursday, April 22 at 6 p.m. will be held via Zoom and broadcast live at www.lbusd.org/liveboardmeeting .   The full agenda has been posted here. VIEWING THE MEETING AND PUBLIC COMMENT VIA ZOOM: To view the meeting:   www.lbusd.org/liveboardmeeting  and click on the appropriate link for closed or open session. PUBLIC COMMENT Public Comment is accepted in writing prior to the meeting, or by phone or webinar during the meeting. Live public comments will be accepted during the designated public comment periods of the meeting. The time for live comments will be limited, so prepare your remarks accordingly. Written Comments Written public comments may be submitted electronically no later than Thursday, April 22, 2021 by 12:00 p.m. via the following link: April 22, 2021 Public Comment Request Form .  Written comments will be shared with the entire Board, but will not be read aloud during the meeting. Calling in by phone: Members of the public may call in using the Zoom meeting phone number: (669) 900-6833. Commenting via Zoom: If you would like to make a comment and you are viewing the meeting via Zoom webinar, raise your hand during the public comment period, and unmute your microphone once recognized to do so. CLOSED SESSION PUBLIC COMMENT VIA PHONE at 5:00PM: Members of the public may call in using the Zoom meeting phone number: (669) 900-6833; Webinar ID is: 926 0319 9306. Press *9 on your phone if you would like to comment during the designated comment period. Once recognized to make your comment, press *6 to un-mute your phone. When you hear "your phone is un-muted," please proceed with your comment. OPEN SESSION PUBLIC COMMENT VIA PHONE AT 6:00PM:  Members of the public may call in using the Zoom meeting phone number: (669) 900-6833; Webinar ID is: 923 1642 6566. Press *9 on your phone if you would like to comment during the designated comment period. Once recognized to make your comment, press *6 to un-mute your phone. When you hear "your phone is un-muted," please proceed with your comment.

Tuesday, Apr 20 2021

Upcoming Board of Education Meeting: Thursday, April...

School Board Meeting: Thursday, 04/22 The regularly scheduled meeting of the Board of Education on Thursday, April 22 at 6 p.m. will be held via Zoom and broadcast live at www.lbusd.org/liveboardmeeting .   The full agenda has been posted here. VIEWING THE MEETING AND PUBLIC COMMENT VIA ZOOM: To view the meeting:   www.lbusd.org/liveboardmeeting  and click on the appropriate link for closed or open session. PUBLIC COMMENT Public Comment is accepted in writing prior to the meeting, or by phone or webinar during the meeting. Live public comments will be accepted during the designated public comment periods of the meeting. The time for live comments will be limited, so prepare your remarks accordingly. Written Comments Written public comments may be submitted electronically no later than Thursday, April 22, 2021 by 12:00 p.m. via the following link: April 22, 2021 Public Comment Request Form .  Written comments will be shared with the entire Board, but will not be read aloud during the meeting. Calling in by phone: Members of the public may call in using the Zoom meeting phone number: (669) 900-6833. Commenting via Zoom: If you would like to make a comment and you are viewing the meeting via Zoom webinar, raise your hand during the public comment period, and unmute your microphone once recognized to do so. CLOSED SESSION PUBLIC COMMENT VIA PHONE at 5:00PM: Members of the public may call in using the Zoom meeting phone number: (669) 900-6833; Webinar ID is: 926 0319 9306. Press *9 on your phone if you would like to comment during the designated comment period. Once recognized to make your comment, press *6 to un-mute your phone. When you hear "your phone is un-muted," please proceed with your comment. OPEN SESSION PUBLIC COMMENT VIA PHONE AT 6:00PM:  Members of the public may call in using the Zoom meeting phone number: (669) 900-6833; Webinar ID is: 923 1642 6566. Press *9 on your phone if you would like to comment during the designated comment period. Once recognized to make your comment, press *6 to un-mute your phone. When you hear "your phone is un-muted," please proceed with your comment.

Monday, Apr 19 2021

Return to Secondary Full Time In-Person Learning Update

April 13, 2021 Return to Secondary Full Time In-Person Learning Dear LBUSD Community, I hope you all had a restful spring break and are looking forward to the last 8 weeks of school ahead.   I wanted to send a quick reminder that starting Monday, April 19, students in grades 6 to 12 in the current trimester hybrid program will attend school in either: Full-time in-person, five days per week program, or  100% distance learning, five days per week program We believe that providing our current 6th through 12th-grade trimester hybrid students an opportunity to choose an enhanced in-person model will positively benefit student learning, enhance social opportunities, and be accomplished safely in compliance with state and local healthcare guidelines.    We are proud to share that we have made adjustments to our sites' physical room layouts to accommodate 3-feet of student-to-student spacing and adding additional air filtration systems beyond those already in place to enhance airflow and filtration further. I want to express my appreciation to all of our teachers, staff, and administrators who show their dedication, resilience, and commitment to all students as we shift to a revised instructional model for students in the TMS and LBHS trimester hybrid model. There have been many changes and challenges throughout 2020-2021, and our staff continues to persevere to ensure our students remain safe, engaged, and connected. It truly takes an entire team to ensure that staff and students have a safe learning environment. We are committed to our mission. Each student will gain the knowledge, experience, world perspectives, and skills needed to become a lifelong learner and producer in a competitive and interconnected world. Thank you for your ongoing partnership and support as we continuously strive to do what is best for our students. Please keep in mind that there may be increased traffic so please plan accordingly. Should you have any questions regarding this transition, please contact your child's school.  Sincerely, Jason Viloria, Ed.D. Superintendent   Additional COVID-19 Safety Information Our sites and District will continue to implement our layered mitigation strategies to reduce the risk and spread of COVID-19 infection, including:  Required face coverings for students and staff at all times. Observing physical distancing of 3-feet between students and maintained at 6-feet between adults or students and adults. When eating, students will be spaced 6-feet apart. We have installed ventilation/air filtration with HVAC filtration and additional air purification systems in all classrooms We continue to promote hand hygiene with the installation of additional hand-washing stations on campuses. We continue to implement symptom tracking and perform close contact exposure screenings following CDHP guidance. We have developed stable groupings to the greatest extent possible to reduce the possibility of exposure. We request that parents screen students before school entry and require our staff to do so as well. LBUSD continues to offer voluntary student and staff COVID-19 testing.

Tuesday, Apr 13 2021

Urgent Update Regarding In-Person Instruction Change...

Dear LBUSD Community, We continue to closely monitor COVID-19 county risk metrics and the data in Orange County continues to improve. In response to updated scientific evidence for COVID-19 risk in schools, the federal and state requirements for student-to-student physical distancing was changed from 6-feet to 3-feet (see  CDPH Update 3/20/21 ). We have analyzed all of our classroom spacing capacity to determine the safe student and staff classroom loading and have explored adapting our schedules in the current year and for planning purposes for the 2021-22 school year.   As shared previously, we are committed to returning all students TK-12 to in-person, full-time, five-day per week instruction in the 2021-22 school year.  Students in TK to 5th Grade: Hybrid In-Person We analyzed the potential for an increased number of in-person instruction days at TK-5 from the current four-day per week model. If we were to make any changes to the currently implemented schedule, the full TK-5 instructional model would need to be adjusted, resulting in an unacceptably high number of students needing a teacher change. We believe that maintaining the current schedule is in our students’ best interest to maintain continuity of classroom instruction, instructional quality, and predictable routines. We will continue to implement the existing hybrid in-person instruction model four days per week for students in TK to 5th grade through the close of the regular 2020-21 school year.  Students in 6th Grade to 12th Grade: Trimester Hybrid Program Selection, Full-Time In-Person or 100% Distance Learning Based on our review of classrooms at TMS and LBHS, we are excited to announce an important program selection change affecting  ALL trimester hybrid students due to increased classroom capacity and the reduction in student-to-student spacing to 3-feet.  Starting Monday, April 19th , students in grades 6 to 12 in the current trimester hybrid program will attend school in either: Full-time in-person, five days per week program, or  100% distance learning, five days per week program  The TMS and LBHS principals will be sharing more detailed information today in ParentSquare about program selection, schedule of classes, and important logistics to help you make an informed program selection decision.  We ask that all parents of students in the trimester hybrid program at TMS and LBHS complete the program selection request for In-Person or Distance Learning on or before Friday, April 2, 2021. The selected programs will remain in effect from Monday, April 19, 2021 to June 10, 2021.  We believe that providing our current 6th through 12th grade trimester hybrid students an opportunity to choose an enhanced in-person model will positively benefit student learning, enhance social opportunities, and can be accomplished safely in compliance with state and local healthcare guidelines. For students selecting the 100% distance learning model, in addition to the synchronous virtual instruction following the student’s regular schedule, teachers will schedule an additional 40-minutes, four-days per week of small group instructional support.  We selected April 19th as our five-day per week start date for several reasons. First, we want to provide an opportunity for all trimester/hybrid students, in either the current in-person or distance learning models, to have an opportunity to make a program selection decision this week. Additionally, given that next week is spring break, we want to provide all students and staff interested in completing an additional round COVID-19 testing after spring break an opportunity to do so to help reduce exposure risk. Lastly, we are finalizing adjustments to our sites’ physical room layouts to accommodate 3-feet of student-to-student spacing and adding additional air filtration systems, beyond those already in place, to further enhance airflow and filtration. Graduation and Promotion Celebrations With the end of the year fast approaching, we are beginning preliminary planning for in-person promotion and graduation ceremonies.  It is our intent to have outdoor ceremonies for 5th and 8th grade promotions and high school graduation. More specific details will be forthcoming from your school principal as we review the CDPH guidelines. Additional COVID-19 Safety Information Our site and district will continue to implement our layered mitigation strategies to reduce the risk and spread of COVID-19 infection, including:  Face coverings for students and staff at all times Physical distancing of 3-feet between students and maintained at 6-feet between adults or students and adults; when eating, students will be spaced 6-feet between other students Adequate ventilation/air filtration with HVAC filtration and additional air purification systems installed in classrooms  Promote hand hygiene with regular hand washing and additional hand-washing stations on campus  Symptom and close contact exposure screening, with exclusion from school for staff or students with symptoms or with confirmed close contact to a positive COVID-19 case Stable groupings to the greatest extent practicable Screening of all students and staff prior to school entry Ongoing voluntary student and staff COVID-19 testing I want to express my appreciation to all of our teachers, staff, and administrators who continue to show their dedication, resilience, and commitment to all students as we shift to a revised instructional model for students in the TMS and LBHS trimester hybrid model. There have been many changes and challenges throughout 2020-2021 and our staff continues to persevere to ensure our students remain safe, engaged, and connected. Thank you for your on-going partnership and support as we continuously strive to do what is best for our students.  Sincerely, Jason Viloria, Ed.D. Superintendent  

Monday, Mar 29 2021

Reopening Update- Wednesday March 17

March 14, 2021 Dear LBUSD Community,  We are so pleased to share that Orange County has officially moved into the red tier COVID-19 risk status, enabling our secondary schools to reopen to in-person instruction as projected and planned on Wednesday, March 17, 2021 .  We received the unexpected information late Friday night that a new state-developed metric from March 8 focused on vaccination thresholds was met and accelerated our shift into the red tier. This is outstanding news as we are fully protected from any further delays in reopening. Given the late notice of this official change to the red tier, from the normal Tuesday tier status designation change, we have determined that it is best to continue with our established plan for secondary reopening to have students return for in-person instruction on Wednesday, March 17th.  We truly appreciate your patience as we navigate these ongoing changes to the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) framework and metrics.  We look forward to welcoming those students who wish to return to on-campus learning on Wednesday and encourage you to review the videos and information shared by our principals this week to ensure you and your student are aware of the logistics and safety protocols.  Enjoy your evening, Jason Viloria, Ed.D. Superintendent

Monday, Mar 15 2021

COVID-19 status update: March 11

                                                                                 March 11, 2021 Dear LBUSD community: I want to share timely and important information about secondary schools reopening, and additional priorities for our summer learning programs and opening all schools in the 2021-22 school year. We continue to be strongly encouraged by the progress Orange County has made to lower key COVID-19 risk metrics. Based on the projected county COVID-19 risk level next week,  we continue to be on track for secondary schools to open to in-person hybrid instruction on Wednesday, March 17.  On Tuesday, March 9, the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) announced that Orange County met one of the two-consecutive weeks required to move to a lower tier risk level in accordance with the  CDPH Blueprint for a Safer Economy . As long as the three key metrics remain within the same or lower range through Monday, Orange County will officially move from the purple to the red tier on Wednesday, March 17.  If you have a child planning to return to in-person instruction at TMS or LBHS, please watch the student orientation videos for  TMS and  LBHS . These videos outline the guidelines that will be in place for a safe return to campus. Additionally, please review the  TMS Parent Information Webinar or LBHS Return to School Webinar Recording (cut and paste this passcode: N*Chdj9i) for more information on reopening logistics.  With our excitement and focus on successful secondary schools reopening to in-person hybrid instruction next week, we are also coordinating and planning for summer school intervention, and the 2021-22 school year. I want our families to know that I am committed to offering in-person summer school programs and returning to full time in-person learning five days a week in the fall of the 2021-22 school year, with layered mitigation strategies in place to keep students and staff members safe. While the official CDPH guidance for the 2021-22 school year has not been published, all of our planning will be focused on creating safe, welcoming, and engaging learning environments for students and staff. I will continue to keep you updated as we learn more from CDPH as the COVID-19 pandemic evolves. I recognize that this has been a long and arduous journey to reopening our secondary schools to in-person instruction and I’m grateful for your patience and perseverance through this challenging time. Sincerely, Jason Viloria, Ed.D. Superintendent of Schools

Thursday, Mar 11 2021

COVID-19 status update: March 4 (corrected)

                                                                                                                                                                           March 4, 2021 Dear LBUSD community: I would like to take this opportunity to provide you with an important update regarding LBUSD’s projected date to resume secondary in-person learning. My team and I have been fiercely advocating for clear answers from state and local health officials (I have reached out to the California Department of Public Health, Orange County Department of Education, and OC Health Care Agency) on our plans for reopening secondary schools. We share student, parent, and staff frustrations around the seemingly endless set-backs from our shared goal of getting all students who wish to return to in-person instruction back on school campuses as soon as possible and in a safe manner. Also, I recognize that there was confusion regarding the previous CDPH requirement that schools wait 5 days once a county  entered the red tier before reopening and as stated in last week's update, that requirement is no longer in effect and we are permitted to reopen the day after we enter the red tier. This means that under the previous guidance we would have not been eligible to reopen until March 22nd. Thankfully that has been changed. Our message today is one of hope and optimism that we continue to be on track for a projected March 17 opening of secondary schools for in-person instruction.  On Tuesday, March 2 , the State of California reported the following Orange County COVID-19 metrics:                                                Although the Daily Case Rate indicator remains in the most restrictive risk level Purple Tier, there is an accelerated path to lowering the county risk level status that we project keeps us on track for a March 17, 2021 secondary reopening.  Under the   Blueprint for a Safer Economy: Equity Focus , a county can accelerate the advance to the next less restrictive tier when the positivity and health equity percentages are two (2) tiers below the current assignment for a period of 14 consecutive days. If these metrics are maintained or continue to improve over the next 14 days, we believe the State will officially designate the county into the less-restrictive Red Tier county risk level. This will permit LBUSD to resume in-person learning at secondary schools. The likelihood is high that Orange County will meet the red-tier criterion for case rate next Tuesday, because the rate is based on a seven-day lag, seven-day average and our case rates have been well below that threshold throughout the past week.   Assuming the COVID-19 metrics maintain or continue to improve, we anticipate that Orange County will officially be designated into Tier 2/Red on Tuesday, March 16. Therefore, we continue to project that LBUSD’s first day of in-person learning at LBHS and TMS will be on Wednesday, March 17 as announced previously. We will continue to keep you updated as data evolves.  We will continue to provide all families any updates surrounding our projected return to campus, as well as further details relating to in-person learning, COVID-19 testing opportunities, campus safety measures, and more. We want to thank you in advance for your patience and support in navigating this transition, we are excited to see their students in person again. Sincerely, Jason Viloria, Ed.D. Superintendent of Schools

Thursday, Mar 04 2021