Looking at the calendar, I realized that tomorrow marks the start of the fourth week of the new school year. That seems hard to believe! Our campuses are bustling with curious kids and enthusiastic educators, giving their all in learning and teaching. I’m sure we’re all looking forward to a well-deserved respite next week with a three-day weekend. As a reminder, in recognition of the Labor Day holiday, all EUSD schools and the district office will be closed on Monday, September 5. Enjoy the extended weekend, and we look forward to seeing students on Tuesday, September 6.
Here are this week’s updates and reminders.
Preschool opportunities: EUSD’s Special Education department is pleased to share two exceptional opportunities for our community’s youngest learners:
Inclusive Preschool Program: The Special Education preschool program is seeking “Peer Buddies” at five school sites. A limited number of spaces are available for students whose birth date is between February 3, 2018, and January 31, 2019, who can serve as peer models for preschool classmates with special needs. This inclusive program is free, and offers three hours of instruction four days a week. Find additional details here, and complete an application here.
Preschool RISE: EUSD’s Preschool RISE program is back for another school year! EUSD established Preschool RISE – Responsive Interventions to Support and Educate – thanks to state funding for early intervention services. Preschool RISE provides opportunities for children ages 3 to 5 to develop the academic, language, and social skills needed for school readiness through targeted, short-term programs. A three-person team of developmental specialists is based at Central Elementary School and collaborates with community agencies to provide developmental screening and intervention services to our community’s youngest learners. Students who do not respond to interventions or who may have a disability will be referred for a Special Education assessment. This additional layer of supports will increase student outcomes in our next generation of K-8 learners. For more information, call 760-432-2400 ext.11002 or email RISEprogram@eusd.org.
Office hours: After careful evaluation, the summer operating hours for the Carilyn Gilbert Education Center will remain in effect year-round. The district office, located at 2310 Aldergrove Avenue, is open to the public from 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. If needed, an appointment may be scheduled between 4:30 and 5 p.m. by contacting the specific department directly.
Security: As part of an ongoing comprehensive security assessment across the district, the Escondido Police Department will be conducting an emergency response drill at two EUSD sites on Wednesday, August 31. The drills will be held at 6 a.m. at Felicita Elementary and the district office, with police personnel expected to conclude their work at the sites by 7 a.m.
COVID: Based on recent changes to COVID public health requirements, we have two protocol updates to share:
Symptomatic students: Students exhibiting COVID symptoms can return to school as soon as the following day if they have improved symptoms, are fever-free for 24 hours before their return, and have a negative result on one antigen test. Proof of testing is not required. Parents must inform the school immediately if their child tests positive.
Close contact group notification: Beginning Monday, August 29, the district no longer will send group notifications to the families of students identified as close contacts of a COVID-positive individual.
EUSD continues to prioritize the safety and health of our students and employees as we continue full-time, on-campus learning. The district’s 2022-23 COVID-19 health and safety plan can be found on our website. As a reminder, at-home COVID test kits are available at all EUSD school health offices for any student who has symptoms of COVID or who has been in close contact with an individual who tested positive for COVID.
Rooms: We appreciate your continued patience as our technology team continues to work with our website and electronic communication provider as well as our school office staff members to ensure that EUSD families get connected with Rooms, the new district-wide classroom communication platform. School office staff members will be available to provide assistance with Rooms at back to school nights, as well as by phone or email during the school day. Be sure to check your email for your invitation to set up your Rooms account. Log in to Rooms in the EUSD app on your mobile device or go to edurooms.com on a computer to log in.
– Luis Rankins-Ibarra, Superintendent of Schools