Dedicated to excellence in education
July 21, 2021
Update: Message to the FCUSD Community
July 21, 2021
Dear FCUSD Community:
We hope this email finds you and your loved ones well, and that you are enjoying these weeks of summer. All at FCUSD are excited to see our students come back to school on August 11 and are eagerly preparing for the first day of school.
We are pleased that we can offer in-person, full day instruction for students at all campuses, as well as alternative options for education including, 100% remote learning through Innovations Academy, independent studies at Walnutwood High School, and a robust TK - 8 Homeschool Charter School to meet the varying needs of students and their families.
The COVID pandemic created challenges and disruptions in the 2020-21 school year that affected us all. While state and health guidelines continue to evolve, it is the promise and commitment of the FCUSD team to minimize disruptions to the greatest extent possible so we can continue to focus on the well-being of students and maintain high-quality education for all learners.
In order to address time-sensitive topics in preparation for the start of the school year, the Board convened last night for a Special Board Meeting. Below is a recap of topics discussed and actions taken.
SRO contracts for 2021-22
Board approved the revised 2021-22 Renewal Agreements with the City of Folsom Police Department and the Sacramento County Sheriff's Department for School Resource Officers (SROs). Additionally, staff will re-engage the District Safety Committee to review and recommend alternatives for school safety that will be presented to the Board by December 2021 for implementation to take place no later than the 2022-23 school year.
Key points and updates:
- Two SROs from Rancho Cordova PD will be assigned to schools in Rancho Cordova for the 2021-22 school year
- Two SROs from Folsom PD will be assigned to schools in Folsom for the 2021-22 school year
- Increased communication between SROs and FCUSD site administrators
- SROs will not be assigned a specific school(s), instead will rove to all schools based on communicated needs from site administrators
- SROs will wear body-worn cameras
- Folsom PD will implement by September
- All interactions with SROs and students will be documented with additional details and data points that will include student demographic information, allowing for more robust tracking of interactions.
The contract language discussed and approved for Folsom PD and the Sacramento County Sheriff's Department are attached. To access past information staff presented to the Board, regarding SROs, please visit the following links for the May presentation and June presentation.
Letter to California Department Public Health (CDPH) Requesting Local Control
On July 12, the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) released updated guidelines for schools, stating that students and staff must wear a mask indoors, whether vaccinated or not.
A presentation summarizing CDPH updates was given by FCUSD’s Director of Health Services and can be viewed by clicking here. Reference links imbedded in the presentation can be found below:
The Board and District leaders recognize and respect the expertise of health officials but would prefer more localized oversight. As such a letter is being sent to the CDPH requesting that COVID mitigating measures affecting our District, including the wearing of masks, be a decision made in cooperation with our local Sacramento County Department of Health (SCPH) officials. Please see the attached letter that will be signed and mailed later today.
IMPORTANT: FCUSD’s continuing focus and dedication is on student learning, in a safe and welcoming environment. This includes respect for students and families with differing beliefs and perspectives, as well as the right to advocate as they deem necessary.
It is also important to note, that public health mandates and public policy decisions reside in the jurisdiction of state authorities; rules that all school districts in California are legally, financially, and ethically bound to follow. To express your thoughts and concerns to state policy makers, please see the links below:
Governor Newsom: https://govapps.gov.ca.gov/gov40mail/
CDPH: https://www.cdph.ca.gov/Pages/contact_us.aspx
Assembly Bill 130: Independent Study
On July 9, Assembly Bill (AB) 130 was signed into law by Governor Gavin Newsom, making several changes to independent study requirements that all school districts will need to adhere to for the 2021-22 school year. Under AB 130, all families will have the option to choose an independent study option for their child(ren), regardless of the reason for their choice.
Two of our programs meet this state requirement; Innovations Academy: K-12 Virtual Learning and Walnutwood High School.
Following state requirements, we will be sending parents and guardians a letter providing further information and options for independent study. Please watch for that soon.
As we get closer to the first day of school on August 11, we will continue to keep you updated and informed on safety precautions and protocols. Please be on the lookout for more information.