Even as no there have been no reported cases of COVID-19 in the Alhambra Unified School District, Superintendent Denise R. Jaramillo announced additional steps Wednesday afternoon to help protect students, teachers, staff and community members from exposure to the disease.

In a letter addressed to AUSD parents and staff, Jaramillo wrote that effective Thursday, March 12 and continuing through Sunday, April 12, all non-essential events that bring groups of students, parents and members of the community together will be canceled or postponed. 

“I recognize that the steps outlined will cause some inconvenience and disappointment,” she wrote in concluding her letter. “Please know that this was a very measured decision, made in consultation with local authorities, and out of concern for the health of our entire community.”

Those events, which she described as part of Step One in new protective, social-distancing measures, include the cancellation of all school assemblies, performances, dances, rallies and fairs both during school hours and after school.

Included on her list are also school open houses, student field trips and travel, all school and district-level parent/community advisory committee meetings, PTA meetings, and “Coffee with the Principal” meetings.

The Career Fair scheduled for Thursday, March 12 is cancelled as well as the “Coming Out of the Shadows” Dream Center Event at Alhambra City Hall on Wednesday, March 18, the Science Field Day scheduled for Saturday, March 21 and the Robotics Challenge scheduled for Saturday, April 11. 

The status of athletic events is currently under review with the CIF. Some of those spring sports events, which offer safe social distancing will continue. A list of those events will be released shortly.

Her letter also stated that as of now, the 5th grade science camp scheduled to begin on April 13, 2020 will continue as planned. But that decision is subject to review as the date and circumstances at the time grow closer.

Jaramillo noted that many families rely on various after school programs offered at AUSD campuses. The ASES, AYC, Options and Sparks programs will continue to operate and provide after-school childcare. 

The SAT exam scheduled for Saturday, March 14 at Alhambra High School will take place as planned.

Staff travel will be curtailed with some essential travel approved on a case-by-case basis.

District-level professional development meetings will also be cancelled or rescheduled.

Step Two of her letter spoke of the need to reduce the number of people coming onto school campuses. Also effective on Thursday, March 12 and continuing until April 12, visitors and volunteers will be limited at all school sites. She asked parents with school business to call the appropriate campus in advance and try to conduct such business by phone. If the business cannot be handled by phone then parents may be invited to campus.

The district will re-evaluate all of these standards the week of April 6, 2020 to determine the need to continue, expand or relax these standards, Jaramillo’s letter stated.  The district’s spring break runs from March 29 to April 6, so the re-evaluation will take place the week school is back in session.

Jaramillo’s letter reflecting the AUSD action came as the number of cases in Los Angeles County continued to grow. On Wednesday, public health officials in Pasadena announced the first case of COVID-19 in that city.  Also on Wednesday, the first death in LA County from coronavirus, an elderly person who had recently traveled to South Korea, was announced by LA County Health Department Officials

Also Wednesday afternoon, the L.A. County Office of Education ordered all school districts into what they called “Scenario II Social Distancing” as outlined in a California Department of Public Health and California Department of Education guidance posted on March 7 .

AUSD is working on the logistics of those parts of “Scenario II Social Distancing” that they have not yet implemented.

 

Our previous reporting:

AUSD Board Hears Details on Preparations for Coronavirus Response March 11, 2020

Six New Cases of Coronavirus Identified in L.A. County; All Are Linked to Travel March 4, 2020

First U.S. Death From Coronavirus Occurs; Still No New Cases in L.A. County March 1, 2020

Coronavirus: Public Health Officials Warn of Inevitable Spread, Then Walk Back on Message Feb. 25, 2020

Coronavirus: How Many Have It, Where and Who Has Recovered from COVID-19 Feb. 22, 2020

Coronavirus Update: County Officials, AUSD and Garvey Superintendents Host Public Health Presentation Feb. 14, 2020

Still No Coronavirus in SGV: AUSD Sticking With Health Facts as Petition Emerges Urging Suspension of Classes Feb. 4, 2020

Coronavirus: Here’s What Happened in the Last Few Days Feb. 3, 2020

AUSD Officials Address Coronavirus Concerns in English and Mandarin video; Jan. 31, 2020

Coronavirus is Not in the San Gabriel Valley. The Flu is a Bigger Threat to Families This Lunar New Year. Jan. 30, 2020

El coronavirus no está en el valle de San Gabriel. La gripe es una amenaza mayor para las familias este año nuevo lunar. Jan. 30 2020

冠状病毒不在圣盖博谷地。流感是农历新年对家庭的更大威胁。 Jan. 30, 2020

For more information from the Alhambra Source, go to our Stay Healthy page.