July 10, 2020
Dear Trinidad USD Families,
My name is Alyse Nichols and I am excited to introduce myself as the new Superintendent/Principal of Trinidad Union School District. I am beginning my second week on the job, and have already been impressed by the dedication of staff and families as we work together to navigate through these new waters.
Your reopening team has been hard at work developing plans for next year. Thank you all for your feedback on the surveys we have sent out over the past few months; we have taken it into account as much as possible. School will inevitably look different this fall. The team has created three plans, and will take all guidance from the health department into consideration as we make our final decision.
● Plan A: School will reopen as normal following guidelines set by the county health department.
● Plan B: Blended learning model with an option for distance learning (site-based instruction and distance learning, or distance learning for those who choose)
● Plan C: Full distance learning (CA is in Shelter in Place and/or County Public Health Officers have declared schools may only provide distance learning).
We have created our Plan B and have a draft of what our blended learning model may look like. Please know this is in draft form because there are scheduling details that need to be worked out and things can change very quickly depending on what is going on with the pandemic. My intent is to give families a document they can use as they begin planning for school in the fall knowing that as of right now we are leaning towards opening with a blended learning model (Plan B). The plan also highlights some safety measures we are taking to keep kids and teachers safe while on campus.
As you read this plan, consider what this will look like for your child during the middle of a pandemic. We heard our community when families said their children need to see their peers and teachers daily. We know that math and English language arts were very difficult to teach and learn through distance learning. We agree that our students need to be on campus as much as possible, and we also understand that some families feel distance learning worked for their student(s) and would like to continue. I know that a blended learning plan will cause hardship on families especially with childcare and scheduling. I do apologize for this inconvenience and hardship.
After reading the distance learning overview, take a moment to consider what option will work best for your family. Please fill out the Fall Choices Survey, filling out one section for each child. Respond by July 22. The reopening team will use this data as we determine cohorts and schedules.
There are going to be many questions and we will not have answers to all of them, but we will try our best to address them. Remember that information is rapidly changing and that we must adhere to health guidance as well as state orders and legislation. I will keep you informed and updated as much as possible as we move through the summer. A final decision on reopening will be made in late August.
This is a very strange and uncertain time to begin my partnership with you, but I look forward to working together as we meet the challenges and opportunities the next school year will bring for us. Strong relationships between families and the school are vital for students’ success, and I am confident that we will work together to make the 2020-21 school year a great one for all our students. I will work tirelessly to ensure that your children have the best experience possible while they are at Trinidad USD. Feel free to email me (anichols@trinidadusd.net) with any questions or concerns.
Stay safe and healthy, and enjoy the sunshine this weekend!
Alyse E. Nichols
