Dear parents: School District’s letter as semester begins
Welcome to the 2022-23 school year! I hope this message finds you well-rested and recharged after our summer break. I would first like to welcome all employees and families who are new to our District. Our Human Resources department has been extremely busy over the summer recruiting and hiring many new teachers, administrators, and classified positions. I know you will join me in welcoming all those who are new to our community and school district.
This is go-time for us! I fully understand the challenges associated with classroom learning during the past three years (yes, it has been three years), and our primary focus as a school district this year will be on accelerating learning for each and every one of our students. We have lots of catching up to do, and principals, administrators, teachers, and classroom aides will all be part of this focus with intense intentionality.
Another area of focus for our schools this year is on communication – particularly two-way, home-to-school communication. Effective communication between schools and families is absolutely critical, as it informs and enhances learning in the classroom. Among other things this Fall we will be launching a new technology tool that will assist us in this effort. Parent Square is an amazing tool that allows us to pull several different communications tools and strategies into one single platform, where parents/caregivers know exactly where to go to find information and engage with their students. Be on the lookout for more information coming soon!
Also, look for more information from your school site in the coming days.
As always, I welcome your feedback. Please feel free to reach out to me directly or to any member of our administrative team if you have questions or concerns.
Respectfully,
Adrian E. Palazuelos, Ph.D.
Superintendent
Masks Remain Optional
As of March 2022, indoor masking continues to be optional. Based on information received from the California Department of Public Health, there is no distinction between vaccinated or unvaccinated individuals in the state masking policy. Furthermore, our local health jurisdiction, the County of Sonoma Department of Health Services, does not anticipate exercising any additional requirements beyond the State’s guidelines.
Our district team will continue to monitor communication from our state and local health professionals regarding the updated health guidance. SVUSD will continue to provide masks for anyone that would prefer to continue to wear a mask.
COVID-19 Testing
Over the Counter COVID-19 Antigen Rapid Test Kits for Return from Summer Recess
The Sonoma Valley Unified School District will be providing a COVID-19 test kit containing two COVID-19 tests to all district employees and students enrolled in district schools, preschools, and district students enrolled in non-public schools during the week of August 8, 2022. The test kits were provided by the State of California and were distributed to all Sonoma County school districts by the Sonoma County Office of Education. The Sonoma Valley Unified School District received its allocation of test kits on Friday, August 6, 2022.
A test kit is available from your child’s respective school sites (special arrangements will be made for the distribution of test kits for students enrolled in non-public schools). District staff and families will receive information from their child’s school regarding the process for picking up a test kit during the week of August 8, 2022. If for some reason you are unable to pick up a test kit during this week your child’s school will send a test kit home with your child on the first day of school.
We are encouraging district families to utilize one of the COVID-19 Antigen Rapid Tests to test their child at home before Monday, August 15, 2022. A negative test result does not need to be reported to the school. However, if your child tests positive for COVID-19 they should remain at home and you must contact your child’s school to inform them that your child is not attending. Families should keep the 2nd test in the home for future use such as in the event that a student develops symptoms.
The Sonoma Valley Unified School District will continue to make COVID-19 testing kits available at school sites for students and district staff.
K-12 School Antigen Testing Program
The Sonoma Valley Unified School District will offer the K-12 School Antigen Testing Program for district students and staff. Participation in this program requires registration with the COLOR system in order to be tested. Unlike at-home testing, the school antigen testing is performed on test cards on school grounds and results are available in 15 minutes. Select district staff at every campus will be able to administer the school antigen testing and families are required to register for their child to be tested. If you have a child at more than one school you will need to register them through the unique link for each of the schools.
SVUSD Board Resolution 22-32
California Law Regarding Safe Storage of Firearms
On June 21, 2022, the Sonoma Valley Unified School District approved Resolution 22-32 in support of the California Law Regarding Safe Storage of Firearms. A memorandum regarding California Law Regarding Safe Storage of Firearms and a copy of the board-approved resolution are included below.
