August 18, 2020
Dear Alice Birney Families,
I hope this letter finds you and your families well. As many of you know, we have been working diligently to figure out the best way to safely open the 2020-2021 school year. We were hopeful that we could provide some site-based instruction, but with COVID-19 numbers continually increasing in our local area, this is not the direction we will be able to start in. At a special board meeting on July 30, 2020, the Eureka City Schools Board of Trustees took action to support starting the 2020-2021 school year in full distance learning and re-evaluating the plan at the regularly scheduled board meeting on September 15th.
As we navigate these uncharted waters, we want you to know that we are working diligently to create a school schedule that will support students as we start the school year. There are a few things that we know for sure about the upcoming school year. We will begin the school year in distance learning. We will offer a robust and improved program. Teachers will be teaching “live” or “synchronous” lessons to students using online tools. Students will have scheduled daily online classes with teachers and classmates. In addition to these live lessons, students will have school work to complete and turn in using google classroom. Our teachers will be creating small group and individual meeting times with students to help them with their school work. Students will be accountable for participation, attendance, work completion, and assessments.
On Monday, August 24th, Teachers will be hosting their first Google Meeting. TK-2 will meet at 10:30 and 3-5 will meet at 12:30. Included with this letter is a communication from your teacher with more information.
I know that some of you will be relieved to have us start the year with a distance learning only model, due to ongoing COVID-19 safety concerns. I also understand that this news is extremely disappointing for other families. Please know, it is our goal to make distance learning work for all families and we will be creating multiple opportunities to support students and parents. We know that we are teaching partners with each of you and we want to make sure you feel supported as well. We wish dynamics were different and that we could start the school year with onsite instruction. I can assure you that we remain committed to returning to onsite instruction as soon as safely possible.
Beginning on Thursday August 20th, we will begin checking out Chromebook devices. Please contact the school for information on checking out a device. We will also be hosting a drive through meet the teacher on Thursday August 27th. At this time, families will have an opportunity to drive through our campus, meet their teachers, pick up supplies, receive a popsicle and any technical support they may need.
As always, if you have any questions please don’t hesitate to contact us. Thank you for your continued support, patience, and understanding.
It is a true pleasure to work with each of you.
Truly,
Kristin Sobilo
Principal of Alice Birney
“Come Soar with the Eagles”
AB Parent Welcome Letter 2020-2021.pdf
AB Parent Welcome Letter Spanish 2020-2021.pdf