Dear Bennett Valley Families and Staff,
We just received the press release below from the Sonoma County Office of Education indicating that the schools of Sonoma County and adjacent counties are now we are expecting to remain on remote instruction through May 1 to help stop the spread of Covid 19. While I know this news is distressing, your school district is here for you!
Our staff is busily working to ensure that students are supported and have access to high quality learning opportunities. Many thanks to Tina Barrett and Josh Wilson for their distribution of computer devices today to families who needed them. I believe we have now distributed all of our devices we have that could be set up as loaners.
Some parents have asked what to do with the completed work. Please keep it in a folder at home. We will determine the best way to get it to teachers soon.
If your child is experiencing significant anxiety at this time and you would like you to have school counselor, Jeanette Wendt, in with your child, please email Ms. Wendt at jeanette.wendt@bvusd.org your child's name, the nature of the issues you are concerned about, and your phone number and she will get back to you via email with a phone appointment when she will call you.
A Message from BVEF President Heather Gruenbaum: Please stay tuned for information about how the Bennett Valley Education Foundation's biggest fundraiser, Valley of the Arts (VOTA) 2020 will be done this year. BVEF is committee to raising the funds needed to keep art, music, and dance instruction in our district. If we all work together at this challenging time, we can raise the funds we need. "Let's Have a Heart for the Arts!"
Take care and stay healthy!
Sue Field, Ed.D., Superintendent
March 25, 2020
Sonoma County Schools Plan for Distance Learning Through May 1
For Immediate Release
Contact: Jamie Hansen, Communications Director | 707-524-2620; jhansen@scoe.org
Access the press release in Spanish
Sonoma County Office of Education (SCOE) on Wednesday recommended that Sonoma County school districts plan to continue distance learning through at least May 1. This guidance was based on consultation with the Sonoma County Health Officer and was also made in consultation with the county superintendents in Napa, Marin, and Solano counties. These counties will also be advising schools to plan for in-person classes to be canceled through May 1.
Previously, Sonoma County school districts had announced that they would suspend in-person classes at least through the end of the Sonoma County health officer’s shelter in place order, which was set for April 7. Then Gov. Newsom called for individuals to stay at home state-wide and prohibited mass gatherings of more than 10 people indefinitely.
Following this order, and in consultation with Sonoma County Health Officer Dr. Sundari Mase, schools are preparing for the possibility of conducting distance learning through May 1. SCOE and school district leaders will reconvene mid-April to reassess and determine a date to resume in-person classes.
Should the governor’s order end before April 30, school districts will be flexible and consider resuming classes earlier.
“The goal is to get students back into the classroom as soon as it is considered safe to do so,” said Dr. Herrington. “While difficult for working parents, school closures are necessary at this time to protect the health of students, staff, and family members with compromised immune systems.”
During this time, only school and district personnel who perform essential functions such as feeding children, providing childcare or ensuring business continuity are coming to physical work locations. All school district personnel are on-call to perform school support functions as identified in the Governor’s order by their respective school district.
Over the past two weeks, SCOE and school districts across the county have rapidly adapted to the emergency to provide remote learning, “grab-and-go" meal distribution, pop-up childcare for emergency/medical providers during the school day, and telecommuting.
Above all, SCOE continues to recommend that everyone practices prevention and hygiene protocols, including:
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If you are sick for any reason, stay home. Call your doctor if you are concerned and/or your symptoms worsen.
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Symptoms to watch for include a fever over 100 degrees; respiratory illness such as cough or difficulty breathing.
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Wash hands frequently for at least 20 seconds.
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Stay six feet or more away from strangers and those who are ill.
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Stop shaking hands with others to reduce the spread of germs.
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Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth.
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Sneeze and cough into a tissue or your sleeve; safely throw away used tissues.
Resources for schools and families related to COVID-19, including a map of school lunch locations, resources for parents at home with their children, and more, can be found at scoe.org/covid.
For more information about the county response to COVID-19, visit socoemergency.org.
