LUSD addresses questions, concerns.
With the first day of the 2020-21 school year scheduled for Aug. 3, Lodi Unified School District, which serves nearly 30,000 students, is confronted with the challenges of reopening during a pandemic.
District officials addressed some of the concerns and questions it has received from the community in an email sent to parents on Wednesday.
Start of school year
When does school start for students?
The 2020-21 school year will start, as planned, on August 3. Students will return to school on Aug. 3 unless they have signed up for distance learning.
The Board gave direction to staff to continue to plan with the understanding that it was dependent on language in the state budget.
In order to change the Board-adopted calendar, a complete revised calendar will need to be presented to the Board in a public meeting for official Board action. The district must also honor the language in employee group contracts.
Do students show up to school on Aug. 3?
Yes, unless they have signed up for distance learning.
How will schools conduct orientations and other activities?
At this time, no social gatherings of any kind are allowed in San Joaquin County. Schools will plan alternative orientations for students.
When does the new school year start for staff ?
Staff work calendars have not changed.
Health and safety
What will the district do if the pandemic is worse during or before the school year starts?
The Board acknowledges that changes might be necessary. The district is making plans that can be implemented under varying conditions.
What kind of health/safety modifications will be in place?
The district has purchased hand sanitizer, face coverings for staff (cloth and shields), and reserved 200 hand washing stations. If masks are required for students, each site will have a supply on hand for students who forget to bring one to school. The District has also ordered no touch thermometers for every school site. Each school site will develop health/safety plans for the start of the school year, which will address issues such as arrival, dismissal, recess, and lunch. There will be frequent disinfecting on campus.
How will social distancing be maintained if class sizes are not reduced?
Social distancing of six feet cannot be implemented when all students are in class.
Will students be required to wear masks?
At this time, the governor has mandated the wearing of masks with specific exemptions. If it is required that students wear masks, the district will have a supply on hand for students who forget to bring one to school.
Will students be required to stay in one room all day long?
Students remain on their regular schedule at school.
How will schools handle passing periods?
Each school will develop procedures specific to their school site.
What will happen if a student or a teacher at my child’s school tests positive for COVID-19?
Once the district has been made aware of a COVID-19 positive test result, the district will be in contact with San Joaquin County Public Health Services for specific directions. Thorough cleaning will occur and students may be placed on distance learning for two weeks.
Will there be free mandatory testing prior to the start of the 2020-21 school year?
At this time, the district does not plan to provide free COVID-19 testing. There are free testing sites in the area. Information on free testing can be found on the San Joaquin County Public Health Services website.
Will the kids have to be vaccinated for the coronavirus? Will it be mandatory?
At this time there is no vaccine for COVID-19. The district will monitor the requirements for vaccinations.
Please describe the screening process to attend school each day?
In accordance with the San Joaquin County Office of Education guidelines, staff and families of students will be asked to “self-screen” before coming to school each day. Individuals should screen for common symptoms of COVID-19, such as cough, shortness of breath, sore throat and/or fever of 100.4 degrees or higher. If the individual has any of these symptoms, or has been in close contact with or cared for an individual who has been positively diagnosed with COVID-19, they need to stay home. In addition, the district has purchased no touch thermometers for all schools to use. Protocols will be developed by each school site.
Will school offices maintain social distancing or wear masks?
School offices will follow guidelines from the San Joaquin County Public Health Services. At this time, masks are mandated by the governor.
Will the district have enough PPE? Will students be providing their own masks?
The district will have face coverings (cloth and shields) for staff. If masks are required for students, they will be expected to bring their own mask to school. Schools will have a supply of disposable masks for those who forget to bring one to school.
Can students wear face shields if they have breathing issues?
Yes, students can wear other forms of face coverings, such as face shields.
If children have a high temperature, will it be excused or are we to get in contact with a doctor for a note?
Parents/guardians with children that have a temperature will need to notify the school that their child is ill. Regular procedures regarding a student’s sick days apply.
Is the district hiring more custodians to clean the classrooms and school facilities?
Yes, the district is planning to hire more custodians for the 2020-21 school year.
Will the district provide more soap in the restrooms? How will you ensure the restrooms are properly stocked for students and staff ?
School site staff will more frequently check the restrooms to ensure they are properly cleaned and stocked with supplies.
Will there be recess or lunch outside?
Students will go out for recess and lunch. There will be no use of playground equipment. Each school will develop procedures associated with these activities.
Distance learning
How will you improve distance learning from how it was in the spring?
Our district has learned a lot over the last few months. Our staff had to switch gears very quickly and our teachers did a fantastic job providing distance learning to students in innovative and creative ways. There is a team of teachers from each grade level (TK-6) developing a distance learning framework using district curriculum. The district will follow requirements set by the State for attendance and instructional minutes. Teachers will grade assignments throughout distance learning.
Can you explain the all distance learning options that were presented to the Board of Education?
The presentation from first grade teachers is a framework and it is not school specific. Our district has a team of teachers who are working over the summer to develop the program for other grade levels. This will be based on the current Lodi Unified curriculum.
Sample Day:
Elementary: Elementary distance learning will be taught by Lodi USD teachers and Lodi Unified curriculum will be used.
Minimum school day is based on the following:
• Kindergarten: 180 minutes
• Grades 1-3: 230 minutes
• Grades 4-6: 240 minutes Instruction time will be based on the time value of assignments as determined by the teacher. This will include a combination of direct instruction through a District virtual platform and independent work.
Teachers will provide differentiated instruction/assignments to meet needs.
Attendance will be taken each day. Progress will be monitored and grades will be given.
Middle School: Middle schools will be able to offer their classes online. We are still working out details related to some classes, such as band.
High School: Most high school courses will be available in a digital format with the exception of specific courses such as Career Technical Education (CTE) courses. Students can still enroll for in-person classes.
How can we confirm our child’s student identification number?
You can find your child’s student ID on the Demographics Page in the Aeries Parent Portal. If you cannot access your Aeries Parent Portal, please email so we may assist you.
Can high school students still play sports for their school if they choose distance learning?
Yes, students can still play sports as long as the sport is permitted by health guidelines.
Will students enrolled in GATE stay in cluster GATE if they sign up for distance learning?
At this time, it is possible that students enrolled in GATE will be able to stay in cluster GATE if they are in distance learning but we cannot guarantee it. It will depend on the number and grade level of GATE students in distance learning.
If we sign up for distance learning, are we committed for the entire school year?
Distance learning should be considered a long-term commitment but the district will seek to accommodate requests for students to return to school. In some cases, it may not be possible for middle and high school students to keep the exact same schedule upon returning to school from distance learning.