RESOLUTION 2021-04: Resolution on Grades K-6 and K-8 Learning Modalities for Fall 2020, During COVID-19 Pandemic

WHEREAS Sonoma County is currently on state’s watchlist for COVID-19 cases, and schools in the county are required by the state to open the 2020-2021 academic year in distance learning modalities; and

WHEREAS Petaluma City Schools (PCS) may transition to in-person instruction during the pandemic only after Sonoma County is off the state watchlist for at least 14 consecutive days; but even then, in-person instruction would require physical and behavioral adjustments at schools, including maintaining spacing between all individuals, wearing masks, cohorting students, frequent cleaning of shared spaces and materials, and responsive virus testing and contact tracing; and

WHEREAS some students are significantly disadvantaged by distance learning from home, including some who do not have adult supervision during the day; lack adequate space or privacy; lack adequate internet connectivity, bandwidth, or speed; are English-language learners; or require learning accommodations specified in IEPs and 504s; and

WHEREAS the need to reevaluate the effectiveness of distance learning during the pandemic can be partly mitigated by differentiated support for students and families who are most disadvantaged by distance learning; and

WHEREAS distance learning impacts all students’ social development by limiting extra-curricular activities traditionally offered by schools; and

WHEREAS the PCS community upholds the values of safety, equity, consistency, and flexibility as it navigates through the pandemic;

NOW THEREFORE BE IT

RESOLVED that PCS commits to distance learning modality through the 12th week of the fall 2020 traditional semester, and PCS will reassess the pandemic situation by the 9th week of the fall 2020 traditional semester, to plan accordingly for 13th week and thereafter; and be it further

RESOLVED that PCS will strive to accommodate students and families who are significantly disadvantaged by distance learning at home, by coordinating safe and supervised spaces on campuses for cohorted students in distance learning; and be it further

RESOLVED that PCS will monitor students' distance learning throughout the fall semester, and make necessary adjustments to maximize effectiveness and equity; and be it further

RESOLVED that PCS will investigate social programming options for students in fall semester, and will support those that can be implemented safely; and be it further

RESOLVED that PCS calls on all our students, families, and staff to generously support each other as a community committed to the education of all our children.

RESOLUTION 2021-05: Resolution on Grades 7-8 and 9-12 Learning Modalities for Fall 2020, During COVID-19 Pandemic

WHEREAS Sonoma County is currently on state’s watchlist for COVID-19 cases, and schools in the county are required by the state to open the 2020-2021 school year in distance learning modalities; and

WHEREAS Petaluma City Schools (PCS) may transition to in-person instruction during the pandemic only after Sonoma County is off the state watchlist for at least 14 consecutive days; even so, if the pandemic persists then in-person instruction would require physical and behavioral adjustments at schools, including maintaining spacing between all individuals, wearing masks, cohorting students, frequent cleaning of shared spaces and materials, and responsive virus testing and contact tracing; and

WHEREAS in-person instruction during the pandemic presents unique challenges to secondary schools, because students’ individual schedules confound efforts to cohort students and sanitize spaces and materials; and

WHEREAS some students are significantly disadvantaged by distance learning from home, including some who do not have adult supervision during the day; lack adequate space or privacy; lack adequate internet connectivity, bandwidth, or speed; are English-language learners; or require learning accommodations specified in IEPs and 504s; and

WHEREAS the need to reevaluate the effectiveness of distance learning during the pandemic can be partly mitigated by differentiated support for our students and families who are most disadvantaged by distance learning; and

WHEREAS distance learning impacts all students’ social development by limiting extra-curricular activities traditionally offered by schools; and

WHEREAS the PCS community upholds the values of safety, equity, consistency, and flexibility as it navigates through the pandemic;

NOW THEREFORE BE IT

RESOLVED that PCS commits to distance learning modality through the 12th week of the fall 2020 traditional semester, and PCS will reassess the pandemic situation by the 9th week of the fall 2020 traditional semester, to plan accordingly for 13th week and thereafter; and be it further

RESOLVED that PCS will strive to accommodate students and families who are significantly disadvantaged by distance learning at home, by coordinating safe and supervised spaces on campuses for cohorted students in distance learning; and be it further

RESOLVED that PCS will monitor students' distance learning throughout the fall semester, and make necessary adjustments to maximize effectiveness and equity; and be it further

RESOLVED that PCS will investigate social programming options for students in fall semester, and will support those that can be implemented safely; and be it further

RESOLVED that PCS calls on all our students, families, and staff to generously support each other as a community committed to the education of all our children.