Torrance Unified School DistrictReopening of Schools Task Force

Board UpdateJune 29, 2020

Draft - 6/29/20

Click to edit Master title stylePlanning Overview

Vision

Guiding Principles

● Maintaining continuity of instruction● Keeping students and staff safe and healthy● Ensuring access and equity for all students● Communicating with stakeholders, such as staff,

families, bargaining units and community partners● Ensuring flexibility to meet the needs and advocate

for all students, while maintaining fiscal solvency

To work collaboratively to safely reopen schools maximizing learning and emotional well being of our students and employees.

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Task Force Organizational Chart

Operations: Nutrition

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● USDA Waivers Extended for 2020/21

● Provides flexibility for various instructional models

● Dining areas● POS stations

Operations: Cleaning

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● 44 Electrostatic sprayers received

● EPA approved disinfectants in stock

● Modified custodial schedules

● Cleaning protocols

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● Plexiglass barriers ● Signage● Classroom prep● Isolation areas● Prep work spaces● Engineering

controls

Operations: Facilities

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● Hot spots and ISP’s● Distance Learning AUP’s● Master Schedules● Measure T upgrades● Efficient bus routes

Operations: IT and Transportation

Updates● Collaboration with other Committees on overlap of

preparation needed for return to school sites and departments

● Employee survey on return to work completed

● Review of state codes and laws as it relates to employee health and safety

●

Human Resources, Health and Safety

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Next Steps● Continue to follow guidelines and orders from LA County

Department of Public Health

● Work with all employees to ensure safety measures and protocols are in place

● Address questions or concerns related to return to work individually with all employees

Human Resources, Health and Safety

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Actions/Recommendations

● Disseminated letter summarizing blended and distance learning models, infographic, set of FAQs, and second survey for parents

● Created lists of resources for parents in areas: academic support, essential services, childcare/ activities, and social-emotional

● Began discussion with community partners, identified district positions, prioritized student groups, completed survey of elementary sites of spaces for childcare/supervision

Family and Community Engagement

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Next Steps

● Update and disseminate information about plans to reopen schools to all stakeholders as guidance/regulations change and decisions are made

● Schedule and promote presentation about available resources for parents; assist other committees in presentations and/or trainings

● Continue to work with community partners and elementary administrators to prepare spaces and schedule for childcare and/or supervision

Family and Community Engagement

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Social Emotional Support Systems Behavior Supports● Matrix for behavior expectations● Community building (i.e. friendship circles, clubs &

restorative practices)

Family Engagement & Support● Connect with school & community resources● Building Bridges, PTA & Parent support groups

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School-Based Mental Health Systems● Emphasize Social-emotional learning & wellness

○ (i.e. - Second Step, Mindfulness, etc.)● Access to counseling services in all platforms

○ Utilize mental health screening

Staff & Student Recognitions & Staff Supports● “Welcome Back” events; maintain traditions● Staff wellness survey; EAP resources● Morale building; Trauma-informed practice

Social Emotional Support Systems

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Athletics● Pre-conditioning/TUSD Summer Athletic planning● CIF decision on Fall sports (July 20)

Performing Arts & Extracurricular● HS Band programs planning for summer virtual instruction● Dept. of Public Health guidance on live music

Athletics, Performing Arts and Extracurricular

● 180 school days (this did not change)● Flexibility in instructional minutes● Requirements for distance learning ● State emphasis to encourage students

to return to school

Instruction CommitteeRecent Budget Trailer Bill Information

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State of California Stages of Reopening

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● How Can We Prepare to Return to School in August:○ Ready for all four stages of reopening?○ Adhering to County and State Health

Department orders? ■ Maintaining social distancing in

classrooms

Instruction Committee

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Stage 1 Stage 2 Stage 3 Stage 4

Distance Learning Blended Learning Model

Expanding School Opportunities

Traditional

Students engaged in virtual learning. Teachers providing synchronous and

asynchronous instruction.

Students split into Cohort A & B. Each cohort separately attends school at alternating times.

Select school events may be

permitted.

All students attend school and receive

instruction in person on a daily

basis.

Most Restrictive Least Restrictive

School Reopening Roadmap Stages

Decision dependent upon LACDPH directives

● Distance Learning Model

● Blended Learning Model

Instruction Committee

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Note: There currently is not an option for a full-time, five day a week return to school model because we cannot physically distance our students within a classroom per LA County Department of Public Health orders.

Instruction Committee

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● Learn from home five days a week● Taught by credentialed TUSD teachers with daily

synchronous instruction● TK-5 and 6-12 Virtual Schools - Not a pre-packaged

curriculum! All classes are being created using the TUSD curriculum and supplemental instructional materials and taught by TUSD teachers

● For our elementary school families: Parents will have the opportunity to participate in weekly sessions from District Lead Teachers

.

Instruction Committee-Distance Learning Model

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● Students learn at school for part of the week and learn at home for part of the week

● Students broken up into two cohorts ● Students assigned teacher(s) as in the past● Students will use Google Classroom or

eTUSD when learning at home

Instruction Committee-Blended Learning Model

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Secondary- AM/PM Model Analysis

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Pros● Every student comes

to campus every day

● Provides accountability since the students are on campus every day

● Daily contact with staff and peers reduces sense of isolation.

Cons● Not conducive to a 6 period day - teachers and

students impacted in planning and scheduling

● Expected imbalance of requests for AM vs PM schedules.

● 100% of students on campus each day: Increased risk of exposure, difficult to clean between AM/PM

● Anticipated lower attendance. Easier to miss “only 3 classes.”

● Athletics classes occurring twice per day. Walk-on coaches must attend twice per day and in middle of day

● 8th graders taking high school classes may miss more instruction at middle schools

Secondary Alternate Days (A/B) Model Analysis

Draft - 6/29/20

Pros● Has the routine and feel of a normal

school day. ● Only 50% of students on campus

each day● Better anticipated attendance than

in an AM/PM half day model● Older students are more capable of

asynchronous work on off days● Athletics at end of school day.● Part time teachers teach at same

time each day.

Cons

● Students not getting support on their stay at home day

● Students on campus part of each week

● Difficult to support struggling students when they are not on campus every day.

Elementary AM/PM Model Analysis

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Pros● Daily attendance is best for

instructional and socio-emotional needs of students

● Teachers can build strong rapport and relationships daily with students

● Consistency of instruction

● Students will not have full days away from school and classroom.

● Students have smaller, daily asynchronous work, to complete.

Cons

● 100% of students on campus daily. Increased risk of exposure, difficult to clean between AM/PM

● PM students might be less responsive. Equity issue.

● Different schedule than 6-12

Elementary Alternate Days (A/B) Model Analysis

Draft - 6/29/20

Pros● Longer day allows a variety of

instruction, deeper content, incorporation of thematic standard strands, small group instruction, tiered support and enrichment

● 50% of students on campus each day. Less exposure, more effective cleaning

● Dismissal more manageable with 50% of students

Cons● Student at home for full days at a time without

teacher contact or support

● Lack of continuity in instruction

● Younger students may struggle with asynchronous learning

● Essential, difficult content for students, especially math and reading, require daily instruction and support.

● All Day asynchronous will be more difficult for parents to assist students.

● Multiple days between instruction = more reteaching and less access to complete content

Instruction Committee-Blended Learning Model

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The secondary school instructional committee and sub-committees prefer the A/B model

The elementary school instructional committee and subcommittees prefer the AM/PM model:

Thank you!