Skip To Main Content

Logo Image

Logo Title

Update March 24, 2021

Update: Message to the FCUSD Community

March 24, 2021

 

Dear FCUSD Community: Please see today’s updates which include a summary of last night’s Special Board Meeting.

The COVID-19 Dashboard has been updated. Please visit: www.fcusd.org/COVID

At last night’s Special Board Meeting two important topics were addressed, 1) the status for establishing a Virtual Academy school for 2021-22 and 2) the opportunity for middle and high school students to be on campus four days a week. Please keep reading.

Board approved staff’s proposal to apply for a new CDS Code for FCUSD Virtual School for 2021-2022.

County-District-School (CDS) Codes are required by all school districts from the California Department of Education (CDE) to open a new school.  What this means is that FCUSD can now formally plan to add a separate Virtual Academy school for the 2021-22 school year. While in the early planning stages, families can expect an option for full virtual learning, for grades K - 12 next school year. More information will be forthcoming.

As a reminder, staff is moving forward with master planning for a traditional full day, five-day a week, in-person learning at all campuses for the 2021-22 school year. FCUSD leadership is pleased that a full Virtual Academy school will be available for families and students who wish to remain in full remote learning next school year.

Implications of New CDC and CDPH Guidance for Physical Distancing on Current Schedule

On March 20, 2021, the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) updated its K-12 Schools Guidance to align with the latest science, as reflected by the March 19  update from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The state's updated guidance strongly recommends distancing of at least 3 feet for students in classrooms. Given this new information, staff and Board discussed what this would mean for students who have elected Hybrid in-person learning. 

In order to minimize scheduling disruption, it was recommended and agreed by all, that the current Elementary AM/PM, Tuesday - Friday in-person model would remain in place until the end of the current school year.

Secondary schools, however, have an opportunity to maintain the current Hybrid schedule and merge the A and B groups, so middle and high school students can attend in-person learning, Tuesday - Fridays. 

District leadership is taking action steps, starting today, to allow secondary students to return to campus four days a week, starting Tuesday, April 13.

***Due to Spring Break and the fact that most FCUSD staff will be out during that time, an April 13 start date will give staff and schools the necessary time to gather critical student information and implement the logistical changes needed.

We realize there are many questions. Below are common questions we are hearing from staff and families.

What is happening now?

  • All secondary families will receive a questionnaire TODAY at 5:00 p.m. from their school site, asking to choose a learning option for their student; either on-campus for the 4-day/week model or attend as a full Distance Learner. 
    • IMPORTANT: All families of students in Groups A, B, and D need to inform your school of your choice, now that we will offer 4-day/week on-campus learning. 
  • Please reply to the questionnaire ASAP. This will be open until Friday at 5:00 p.m.
  • For any specific questions please contact your school site.

What other safety measures are impacted by this latest public health guideline?

  • All previous health guidelines remain in place. The only change is reducing the spacing of desks from 6 feet to 3 feet. 
    • Adults need to remain six feet apart from each other and students
    • Mask wearing, increased handwashing/sanitization, and directional movement on campus remain in place.
    • Daily passive screening will continue
  • Contact tracing may be impacted. As students will be closer to one another in class, if an individual tests positive for COVID, more people may be contacted to quarantine.
  • A new COVID Safety Plan (CSP) will be rewritten and posted on all school websites.
    • The CSP does not need public health review 

Will middle and high school students be on campus full day?

In order to avoid another schedule change, minimize the disruption to students, and maintain all public health safety guidelines, the Hybrid schedule will remain intact. Students coming to campus will follow the current Hybrid Bell schedule. Lunch will continue to be grab and go. Afternoons will continue to be asynchronous learning.

REMINDER: It is the District’s plan to return all K - 12 students to a full day, five-day a week schedule when we return in August for the 2021-22 school year as long as all safety measures required by public health are followed.

With Spring Break coming up next week, we are mobilizing quickly the District and your school sites will keep you informed as more details and information becomes available.

Folsom Middle School named California Distinguished School for 2021!

Congratulations to Folsom Middle School for being recognized as a California Distinguished School for 2021! The school is one of only three recipients in Sacramento County and among roughly 100 middle and high schools across the state. 

The program recognizes elementary and middle and high schools in alternate years. Schools recognized with the honor hold the title for two years.

Visit our Facebook post here and read more about this high honor on our website.