Compton Unified School District - Distance Learning Frequently Asked Questions & Resources

Distance Learning Frequently Asked Questions & Resources

School Closure and Distance Learning

Why did CUSD shift to distance learning?

The Governing Board of Compton Unified School District (CUSD) took action to close schools for in class attendance on March 14, 2019. This action was in alignment with Executive Order N-33-20 issued by Governor Gavin Newsom on March 19 and in accord with the Los Angeles County Department of Education’s guidance.

Why did the Governing Board take action to begin the 2020-21 school year with a distance learning model?

Compton is one of several communities in Los Angeles County where COVID-19 transmission cases have exceeded the allowable number of cases per 150,000 residents.

Will the whole school year be on distance learning?

The plan for Compton Unified is to return to in-school instruction as soon as it is feasible and possible to do so.

When will school begin?

The district will reopen schools on Thursday, August 20 using a distance learning model. All parents are encouraged to contact their school site for information related to picking up devices and instructional materials for distance learning.

How much notice will parents and staff receive from the transition from online to in-person instruction? Once off the county watch list for 14 days, will it be an immediate shift or will there be a wait period?

Communication to parents will occur as soon as our Governing Board takes formal actions to transition students to in-person classroom instruction.

Will the District re-evaluate at some time during the year to determine if schools can resume with in-person instruction? While we are doing distance learning, are schools updating classroom settings with appropriate equipment for teacher's and students' safety?

The goal is for students to return to in-person learning as soon as it is safe, following the guidelines established by the Department of Public Health and the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health. Before students return for in-person classroom instruction, all schools are mandated to adhere to the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health School Re-opening Protocol.

Nutrition Services

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Will breakfast and lunch continue during distance learning?

Yes. During Distance Learning, meals will be distributed from every school site on Tuesdays and Thursdays between 8:00 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. Below is the number of meals that will be given out on each of those days. • Tuesday: 2 Breakfasts and 2 Lunches • Thursday: 3 Breakfasts and 3 Lunches

Will parents be able to pick up meals for students during distance learning without the student being present?

Yes, however the parent must provide the student’s identification number to confirm CUSD enrollment.

If my child misses the time and day for distribution of meals, can they pick up meals at another time?

Yes, we can partner with the parent/guardian/student to schedule a pick-up time at the school. Point of contact will be the site Nutrition Supervisor.

Can I pick up the meals for all my children at one site or do I need to go to each site they attend?

Yes, you may pick up meals for all children at one site. Parent/guardian must provide each student’s identifiable number to confirm CUSD enrollment.

Is there a reason why parents can’t simply receive a voucher or financial reimbursement for meals?

The United States Department of Agriculture funding is based on distribution of meals only; school district meal programs do not receive any funding to provide vouchers for meals or financial reimbursement for meals not served by the district to students.

Facilities

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Have all classrooms been cleaned to make sure they are ready for students and staff to return?

Yes, all rooms have been cleaned for students and staff to return. When school sites were closed in March, the district used both internal staff and outside entities to sanitize every room throughout the district. The district used CDC, Centers for Disease and Control, cleaning and sanitizing materials to ensure removal of any possible germs and infectious pathogens.

How will classrooms be cleaned each day to make sure they are free from the Corona virus?

All high touch areas will be wiped down constantly throughout the day. At the end of each school day, a team of trained custodial staff will be responsible for cleaning and sanitizing every room including common areas such as; restrooms, lounges, and nurse’s office.

Will every classroom have hand sanitizer?

Classrooms that do not have a sink for hand washing will be provided a hand sanitizer dispenser. Common areas will also have hand sanitizer dispensers that utilizes a foot pump for dispensing.

How is the district going to clean the restrooms throughout the day after each time a student uses it?

The Plant Manager assigned to the school site will regularly inspect, wipe down, and clean all restrooms.

Who will be given masks to wear at schools?

All staff and students will be provided with a cloth mask with the CUSD logo. These masks are to be used for school attendance only. Additional masks will be available as need for anyone who forgets their cloth mask.

I keep hearing about air conditioning filters and the ones that are best for filtering the air in the classroom. What filters are being used and how safe are they?

Filters vary depending on the model and year of the HVAC systems. Utilizing incorrect filters reduces the functionality and efficiency of the HVAC system eventually resulting in a great reduction of their life expectancy. The District will use and replace HVAC filters according to manufacturer specifications.

What is the district doing to avoid having too many students in the bathrooms with so much emphasis on washing hands?

The district has ordered several portable hand washing stations for each site that will be located in outside areas. They will include water, soap, and paper towels.

Who is going to make sure classrooms and other areas are cleaned and sanitized regularly.

There are several positions throughout the district that are responsible for ensuring schools are cleaned and sanitized. At the site level, the principal and Plant Manager are responsible. In addition, there are staff members from the Operations department responsible for inspections of each school site.

Curriculum and Instruction

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How will grades be determined?

Grades will be determined based on the student’s mastery of the content standards, using a combination of but not limited to the following: performance on assessments, projects, and assignments.

How will the district ensure that teachers are engaging students in distance learning?

School administrators are responsible for monitoring the implementation of instruction during distance learning.

How will electives like band, culinary arts and others proceed?

All classes, including electives, will be conducted remotely with safety measures in mind. Band instruments will be checked out to students and will be used at home, there will be no sharing of any musical instruments. Students in culinary arts will participate remotely.

What about kids that are having trouble in reading?

Small group instruction and interventions will be provided virtually to address the challenges that a student is having in the area of reading.

How are teachers working collaboratively to assist ESL learners?

Teachers will be participating in professional development related to English Language Development to enhance Synchronous and Asynchronous learning. During these PD sessions they will have an opportunity to collaborate with other colleagues.

Can my child participate in extra-curricular activities?

Currently the guidelines from the California Department of Health do not allow any group activities to occur that include in person activities with coaches, advisors and students during the length of school closures.

Special Needs

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What about students with special needs who don’t like to be on video? Will they still be marked absent?

We highly encourage all our students to actively participate in our live instructional sessions. If there are any areas of concern, please contact your child's teacher to identify any barriers in an effort to develop solutions to provide support needed.

What is going to happen with the kids who have an IEP and the kids who need an IEP?

We will continue to provide the necessary support and services to students and support their IEP goals. Ongoing collaboration between teachers and parents will continue to ensure we are able to identify any barriers and provide the necessary solution to support students with IEPs. Every effort will be made to provide timely support to all students.

How are Special Education Instructional Aides going to provide assistance to student that needs help? Isn’t this a distraction for the class?

Our goal is to ensure we provide the necessary support based on our students’ needs. Professional development and coaching will be provided to support our aides.

How will my child receive their accommodations pursuant to his/her IEP?

In the distance learning model, students with specialized academic instruction (SAI) will be receiving much of their SAI virtually through distance learning. IEPs will be implemented to the greatest extent possible in a distance learning model.

How will assessments proceed for eligibility of Special Services?

Protocol have been developed to ensure safety guidelines are in place. IEPs will be held remotely for the safety of all as long as long as distance learning is in place.

How will triennial assessments for SDC students by conducted?

Each situation will be on a case by case basis. As an IEP team, we need to analyze students progress, goals, services, and develop next steps.

What about students who need behavior support?

Concerns regarding the development of a behavior support plan will need to be discussed through the IEP process. Based on the input of the team, we will develop necessary strategies and supports in collaboration with the parents.

How will my child’s 504 Plan be supported via distance learning?

Each School’s 504 team will work with parents and students to provide accommodations during distance learning. Our employees will continue to explore best practices and keep our families informed as we determine how to best support all students on 504 plans.

COVID-19 Transmission

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What if transmission of COVID-19 decreases?

The district will continue to monitor closely and involve guidance from federal, state, and local authorities to develop our response in accordance with guidance from CDC, California Department of Public Health and the Los Angeles County Public Health Department.

Why should we have to bring our kids in to get infected?

We are implementing distance learning in the fall, with no plans to return students until further guidance from agencies such as CDC, California Department of Education, and the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health indicate it is safe to do so.

How long will it take for in-person learning to start once we are off the watchlist?

A recommendation to our Board of Trustees to transition our instructional model will occur soon after cases of COVID-19 significantly decrease and when it is safe to return students to in-person classroom based learning in consultation with the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health.

If teachers on campus catch COVID, will everyone be quarantined? Will the whole school shut down?

Each School District and site within the district is required to comply with Los Angeles County Department of Public Health Protocols for School Re-opening. The Re-opening Protocol identify steps that must be taken should a case or cases of COVID-19 arise at any of our facilities within the district. In the event someone contracts COVID-19, the site will begin contact tracing to determine if there has been any possible exposure.

Are you testing staff for COVID since you are making them return to sites? Many classes have numerous staff members in them such as the instructional assistants.

The current recommendations by the state of California propose testing of employees approximately every two months. The District has partnered with St. Johns to provide resources in the event more testing becomes necessary. The District will monitor and screen for COVID-19 symptoms daily. Additionally, the District implemented a physical distancing and face covering protocol. Each site administrator has a responsibility to ensure all employees adhere to the safety protocols.

Athletics

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When will my child be able to participate in sports?

Currently the guidelines from the California Department of Health do not allow any in person sports activities during the length of school closures. Students may be able to resume some sports once group activities are safe and permissible under the California Department of Public Health guidelines.

Technology

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How will my child receive a device for distance learning?

Each school site has established a schedule for device distribution and has begun contacting parents through parent square to provide direction on when and how to pick up a chromebook or I-pad for distance learning.

How will you provide services to special needs children who struggle to be in front of or with a computer?

It is important for the IEP team to discuss the necessary support that is needed for students. This will allow the parent and teacher to have shared input in the process. Each child’s needs vary, which is why it is important that parents communicate any challenges directly with their child’s case manager.

How will hotspots for wireless access be distributed?

A survey was conducted to determine which households were in need of internet service to accommodate distance learning at home. Hotspot devices will be distributed to parents that identified the need. Hotspots are intended only for households that do not have internet connectivity in their home.

How can I receive customer support service if my device or hot spot is not working?

Our Technology Department help desk line will assist you at 310-639-4321 extension 55194.

How do I connect my child to a Google classroom for classroom instruction?

Your child’s teacher will invite your child with a class code. Once your child opens his/her Classlink, he/she will see the invite box open. You need to click “yes” to join.

What if my child does not know how to navigate through ClassLink or Google Classroom?

An employee at your child’s school site will demonstrate the log-in process during the device pick-up.

Would my child’s teacher be available to assist us with assignments linked to Google Classroom?

Yes, each teacher will have his/her daily office hours available for both students and parents.

Who do I call when iReady, Dreambox or NextGen Math isn’t working?

You can call your child’s school for assistance. The site principal will be available to assist you during normal school hours.

Essential Worker and Student Services

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How do I register my child for the after school education and safety program (ASES) at my school site?

Each school site has a link where you may go to register your child for the ASES after school programming.

Do I need to reregister my child for participation in the ASES program if my child is returning?

Yes, a new application must be completed each year.

When does registration for the ASES program begin?

Registration is on-going. However, Applications are available on the first day of school (on-line). Application are accepted until the program is full. Parents will received a reply through email.

Community Resources

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What resources are available to families within CUSD?

The following resources are available to parents and students within our community:

Public Agencies

Department of Public Social Services (DPSS)
211 E Alondra Blvd Compton, CA 90220
Phone: (310) 258-7400
Web: my.dpss.lacounty.gov

Department of Children & Family Services (DCFS)
921 E Compton Blvd Compton, CA 90221
Phone: (310) 668-6605
Web: my.dpss.lacounty.gov

Department of Mental Health
921 E Compton Blvd Compton, CA 90221
Phone: (310) 668-6800
Web: dmh.lacounty.gov

Department of Specialized Foster Care
921 E Compton Blvd Compton, CA 90221
Phone: (310) 688-6845
24/hr Helpline: (800) 854-7771

Department of Social Services (DPSS)
17600 S. Santa Fe Ave, Compton, CA 90221
Phone (886) 613-3777
Web: www.ladpss.org

Department of Housing Authority / Compton Section 8
700 N Bullis Rd, Compton, CA 90220
Phone (886) 613-3777
Web: http://www.comptoncity.org/depts/housing/faa.asp

Department of Social Security Administration / Compton Location
171 E Compton Blvd Compton, CA 90220
Phone : (800) 772-1213
Web: www.ssa.gov

Department of Probation, Compton
200 W. Compton Blvd# 300, Compton, CA 90220
Phone:(310)603-7311
Web: probation.lacounty.gov/

Department of Motor Vehicles, Compton
2111 S Santa Fe Ave Compton, CA 90221
Phone: (800) 777-0133
Web: https://www.dmv.ca.gov/portal/field-office/compton/

Employment Services

Career link Center/ Work Force Services
700 North Bullis Rd. Compton, Ca. 90221
Phone: (310) 605-3050
Fax: (310) 605-3067
Email: [email protected]

Compton Workforce Service Office
2909 East Pacific Commerce Drive, Compton, Ca. 90221
Phone: (310} 223-2901
Web: www.careercenteroffices.com

Emergency & Social Services

The Salvation Army
736 E. Compton Blvd. Compton, CA 90221
Phone: (310) 639-0362
Fax: (310) 605-3067
Email: [email protected]
Hours: Vary (best to call)

Champions of Caring Connections
4323 E. Rosecrans Ave. Compton, CA 90221
Phone: (310) 635-9536
Email: [email protected]
Hours: Vary (best ta call)

Catholic Charities (Not just for Catholics)
123 E. 14th St. Long Beach, CA 90805
Phone: (213) 251-3429
Email: [email protected]
Hours: Vary (best ta call)

Medical & Mental Health Services

St. John's Well Child Center
2115 Wilmington Ave. Compton, CA 90222
Phone: (310) 603-1332
App#: (323)541-1411
Email: [email protected]
Hours: Vary (best to call)

The Behavioral Health Urgent Care Center (BHUCC)
3210 Long Beach Blvd. Compton, CA 90807
Phone: (562) 548-6565
Email: [email protected]
Crisis Walk in: 8:00am - 8:00pm 24 hour psych treatment
Hours: Vary (best ta call)

Compton YWCA
1600 E. Compton Blvd. Compton, CA 90221
Phone: (310) 763-9995
Web: https://ywcagla.org/

Mental Health Agencies

Tessie Cleveland Community Services
8019 Compton Ave, Los Angeles, CA
Phone: (323) 586-7333

St. Johns Well Child Center
15301 San Jose Ave,Compton,CA 90221
Phone: (562) 630-6825

Compton Mental Health
921 E. Compton Blvd, Compton, CA 90221
Phone: (310) 668-6800

Children’s Institute
21810 Normandie Ave, Torrance, CA 90502
Phone: (310) 783-4677

Emergency Evaluation Centers

Harbor UCLA Medical Center
1000 W. Carson St, Torrance, CA 90509
Phone: (310) 222-3144

Star View Behavioral Health Urgent Care
3210 Long Beach Blvd, Long Beach, CA 90807
Phone: (562) 548-6565

Exodus Recovery, Inc.
12021 S. Wilmington Ave. Bldg. 10, Los Angeles, CA 90059
Phone: (562) 295-4617

Crisis Hotlines

911 for immediate support

Psychiatric Mobile Response Team (PMRT): (800) 854-7771

National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: (800) 273-TALK or (800) 273-8255

Suicide Prevention Crisis Line: (877) 727-4747

National Hopeline Network: (800) SUICIDE or (800) 784-2433

California Youth Crisis Line: (800) 843-5200 – 24 hours, bilingual

Trevor Project (866) 4-U-TREVOR or (866) 488-7386 – 24 hour crisis line that provides crisis intervention and suicide prevention services to lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and questioning (LGBTQ) young people ages 13-24. Visit www.thetrevorproject.org for more information.

Can my child participate in extra-curricular activities?

School Closure and Distance Learning

Nutrition Services

Facilities

Curriculum and Instruction

Special Needs

COVID-19 Transmission

Athletics

Technology

Essential Worker and Student Services

Community Resources