Dear School Community,
 
We hope this message finds you healthy and well as we move into July. Though school is out, our staff continues to develop our teaching and learning plan for fall 2020. As we develop the plan, the health and safety of students, teachers, staff, and their families are at the forefront of decision making.  
 
As a public school serving our Mill Valley community, we will continue to work with and take guidance from the Marin County Public Health Department as well as the Marin County Office of Education (MCOE). The 30 point set of guidelines issued on June 18th will inform our policies and procedures. It is up to our district to determine the specifics, which will include training for students and staff reinforcing the importance of health and safety practices and protocols. 
 
MCOE and Public Health have taken a holistic view of health in making recommendations and acknowledging the importance of education for our children, while recognizing that there is inherent risk involved in returning to site-based instruction.  The county's guidelines are based on study of the virus in Marin and will be updated by changing conditions if warranted. Please watch this video presentation, which outlines the science and other considerations that were taken into account when issuing the guidelines for reopening schools.   
 
We have a multi-step process ahead of us, including, but not limited to:
 
·     Review of District Survey Results
·     Working with the Task Force
·     Continued Collaboration with MCOE and Other Marin Districts
·     Internal Working Groups
·     Negotiations with Labor Partners (CTA and CSEA)
·     Continued Procurement and Installation of Essential Protective Equipment (including 
handwashing stations and hand sanitizer dispensers)
 
The American Academy of Pediatrics strongly advocates that all policy considerations for the coming school year should start with a goal of having students physically present in school.  We know that the best place for teaching and learning is at school, and we acknowledge that some in our community will be unable to return. We also know that we have our work ahead of us to keep our school community safe while returning to site-based instruction. This work will require intentionality, flexibility, and collaboration from our entire community. 
 
We are all processing these guidelines together, and we invite you to join us at the following series of meetings led by Public Health to review the guidelines in depth. Please see below for meeting dates and links.  
 
Warmly,
Kimberly, Superintendent
Marco, Board President 
Emily, Trustee
Leslie, Trustee 
Todd, Trustee 
Bob, Trustee  
 
When: Jul 2, 2020 09:00 AM Pacific Time
Topic: Guidelines 1-7
 
Please click the link below to join the webinar:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89154450967?pwd=S25vUnFoY1UzYUhXeXJ1TW5kRkExUT09
Dial: +1 669 900 6833
Webinar ID: 891 5445 0967
Password: 872271
 
When: Jul 9, 2020 09:00 AM Pacific Time
Topic: Guidelines 8-15
 
Please click the link below to join the webinar:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88319872483?pwd=Z1huRWxIYzZHa1ZWTzdrYk1HRHVYUT09
Dial: +1 669 900 6833 
Webinar ID: 883 1987 2483
Password: 872271
 
 
When: Jul 16, 2020 09:00 AM Pacific Time
Topic: Guidelines 16-23
 
Please click the link below to join the webinar:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84131693430?pwd=cnp3eTA5dXVOUVI0cW0wcE9HdEVGZz09
Dial: +1 408 638 0968 
Webinar ID: 841 3169 3430
Password: 872271
 
When: Jul 23, 2020 09:00 AM Pacific Time
Topic: Guidelines 24-30
 
Please click the link below to join the webinar:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88372265099?pwd=dDdxNlJMa21OTEw3MklpdFZNbjlyUT09
Dial: +1 669 900 6833 
Webinar ID: 883 7226 5099
Password: 872271