Message from the Adult Education Principal
Dear Families,
I want to thank you for the patience and grace you have shown during this time of uncertainty and change. We all appreciate your understanding that we want to be able to re-open our schools and programs as safely as possible. Thank you to the families who have shared their thoughts, ideas and suggestions throughout this entire process.
As we approach the new school year, we know that there is no one-size-fits-all approach to reopening schools across El Dorado County’s 15 districts and our own student programs. Just as each independent school district is deciding how it will reopen schools while working closely with local public health officials and community stakeholders, we are doing the same here at EDCOE. As you know, our student programs vary and provide instruction from birth to adults and in settings from typical classrooms to incarcerated settings, as well as serving students with disabilities, and child care provided by Extended Day. Each program is unique so each implementation plan is tailored to the setting and needs of staff, students and families.
I want to re-emphasize to each of you our commitment that learning is non-negotiable. Regardless of how we come back, learning will be the constant. We know that in-person instruction is what we prefer, but in a manner that is safe for students, families and educators.
In light of the current conditions in El Dorado County, we are pausing on bringing staff and students back to classrooms, but not pausing on learning. Instead, we will implement a hybrid program that will combine distance learning with individual programs. Under this model, our initial six weeks of the school year, August 10 – September 25, will be conducted through distance learning. We will then re-evaluate conditions and modify accordingly. The following factors have influenced this decision:
- There is a significant chance that El Dorado County will be on the State monitoring list within the coming weeks, causing our schools and programs to revert to distance learning. External factors are likely to influence this.
- Our County is currently experiencing a significant increase in positive COVID-19 cases and an ever-increasing need for testing. This impacts our ability to arrange for high volumes of timely test results as recommended by the California Department of Public Health for schools offering in-person learning.
- We want to avoid the chaos of opening and closing classrooms due to potential COVID-19 cases and/or exposures. The instructional disruption would negatively impact students, families and educators.
While each department will provide the specific distance learning guidance/re-entry guidance by Monday, August 3, here is a quick overview.
- Charter Alternative Programs -
- Charter Alternative Programs (CHSA, CUP, CCA, CCP, Adult Education) will provide distance learning through September 25.
Thank you for your continued patience and understanding during this time.
Dr. Ed Manansala
County Superintendent of Schools
