Reopening of Schools TK -2

Our phones have been blowing up. Your SGTA teams have been working hard. Thank you for all the survey responses. Here is what we know and what has been happening:  This all weighs heavily on our minds. 

LA County hits threshold to let elementary schools reopenAs COVID-19 cases decline and hospitals improve capacity, Los Angeles County has hit a state milestone for allow...

• LACOE and LA County Health Dept said it is safe to open schools K -6 Read this: LA County hits threshold to let elementary schools reopen

• SGTA Exec board met with School Board President Rochelle Hass last week. She is concerned with the mental health of our students. 
• SGTA Exec Board also met with  SGUSD Administration yesterday. They have always put students/staff health and wellness first, but the recent news is a game changer. 
• Strong possibility this item will be on our school board agenda for discussion, possible school board action, on Tuesday February 23. (I'm not 100%, just have a strong feeling about this)
• The school board most likely will want to hear from our parents!! You can privately email your parents after work hours, text your PTA moms, etc., and ask them to reach out to school board members and voice their opinion, either side of the coin.  
• You can also ask them to attend/speak up at Tuesday's school board meeting. My hope is that the school board members hear from parents from parents from all 8 schools. Not just a small representation. 
• SGTA Negotiations team is still in discussion regarding our Return to Work Hybrid Memorandum of Understanding. It does not have to be voted on by the general membership, but does have to be approved by SGTA Exec Board and our Nego Team. This is a work in progress. 
• Dr. Perez said the district will be contacting parents and asking them if they want to change their original response to the survey that was sent out months ago, but she does not know if this info will be ready to share with the board on Tuesday night. We asked for a new survey to be sent out, there will not be a new survey to parents.
• Dr. Perez and our HS Prism team is working on a "hybrid video" to be send out to parents, the district does not have a date when it will be ready, honestly it didn't sound like they have even started. 
• Is it equitable to ask TK-2 teachers to return without vaccinations and not 3-12. No. Can we do anything about this? I don't think so but our Nego team is strongly aware of this issue and hear your concerns. They can ask for prep days for TK-2 teachers. I don't know about a stipend for those who return to work. So please be patient with our Nego team. 
• Is it equitable for a TK - 2 teacher to have to take an unpaid leave of absence while their 3-12 grade teacher continues to work from home? No. Can we do anything about this? We have asked Ross for an alternate work assignment but he really has no concrete answer for this situation. He is working on it. Our Nego team is aware of this issue as well. I am sorry these heavy decisions have been placed upon our TK-2 teachers. 
• Will this roll out to happen for grades 3-6 soon? Quite Possibly. They are calling it a "Staggared Reopeing."  
• Our district is partnered with City of Hope to offer vaccines. Hoping to prioritize TK -2 teachers/staff. No date when this will start. 
• The County is hoping to roll out vaccines for essential workers beginning March 1st
• The district has purchased air purifiers for all classrooms. Will show proof of maintenance, 
• District is working on sinage for entrance/exits, and isolation tents for those students who return and are sick and need to be quaranteend.
• District has purchased 1 portable teacher barrier for your classroom. and will supply PPE for classes.
• SBAC is still a go, Hybrid or not, unless we get a waiver from the State Board of Ed. 
• Ross Perry will be taking a leave soon. His replacement will be Brian Murray and Corey James from Azusa. If you have any concerns regarding leave of absences, I strongly suggest ALL TEACHERS reach out to him now before he goes on leave. 
• Brian Murray will be reaching out to SPED about Hybrid Model, sanitizing your work stations in between services, continued work from home, SPED CoHorts. etc... 
• Summer school will be offered at all sites. Stay tuned for more info.
• If you contact our school board or speak at the board meeting remember to offer solutions and suggestions that best meet the needs of our students. This topic needs to be framed surrounding students and instruction.

Hope to see all SGTA on the school board zoom next tuesday night. The TK-2 teachers need everyone's support!!!!  

Dena Dragoo
President, SGTA