Community Update - Feb 12, 2019
RECONFIGURATION UPDATE: EDUCATION REIMAGINED
“All conversations begin and end with what’s best for kids. It’s about kids as learners, developing as individuals and who they are as people and as adolescents.”
~ Kevin Allen, El Rodeo & new Middle School Principal
Dear BHUSD Colleagues and Families,
We're pleased to share the next update from the Steering Committee on reconfiguration planning initiatives.
Student Transition Programs - 360 Video Tours & Pen Pals
Students are creating school campus tours for incoming students using 360 cameras and Google Tour Creator. A Pen Pal writing program has begun between 1-4 grades students (Beverly Vista to Horace Mann, El Rodeo to Hawthorne) to make introductions, share information about themselves and make new friends through an exchange of letters.
Daily Schedules
Middle School - daily schedules were reviewed by a collaborative committee comprised of middle school teachers, union representatives and administrators. The committee developed various schedules that were submitted to BHUSD district administration for final selection and approval.
Elementary - daily schedule will maintain “late start Wednesday” and be driven by the common planning and collaborative time for teachers within and between grade levels.
Middle School and Elementary - the final schedules will be announced in April.
Outdoor Field Trips
There will be an outdoor field trips for each grade at Middle School. Locations and programs were reviewed by a committee comprised of one representative from each school and two parents. We are in the process of booking specific locations and dates that will be shared in March.
Committees: Transition Advisory Committees & District Planning Committees
The Reconfiguration Steering Committee has established various Transition Advisory Committees and District Planning Committees to address different aspects of our process. These committees are listed here and information will be updated as it is available. The next Transition Advisory Committees to be formed are: Extra-Curricular (Elementary), Family Engagement, Communications, Extra-Curricular (Middle School) and Safety. Our staff is formally invited to submit a request by email to the appropriate Facilitator to join the OPEN committees.
School Tours & Gatherings
A “Coffee with the Principal” was held at Beverly Vista and Horace Mann this past week and had an overwhelmingly positive turn out. Parents had the opportunity to hear about our process and progress, ask questions and get feedback. Please join us for our March events. Click here for details.
Next Up:
- Tour & Coffee with Sarah Kaber (Hawthorne Principal) on March 5 at Hawthorne
- Tour & Coffee with Kevin Allen (incoming Middle School Principal) on March 14 at Beverly Vista
- Tour & Coffee with Juliet Fine (Horace Mann Principal) on March 29 at Horace Mann
Traffic Mitigation and Drop-off/Pick-up Control Study
A traffic mitigation “drop-off/pick-up” control study for the New Middle School, Hawthorne and Horace Mann schools are underway. PLACEWORKS consulting firm has been contracted to work with our Bond Manager TCDS, Inc., District Legal Counsel, Beverly Hills City Officials, and School Administration. Our “Team” is investigating options and analyzing the best practices for traffic access to our schools, including drop-off and pick-up procedures. The study and recommendations will be shared by end of March to early April.
Intent to Return
In our preparations for the upcoming school year, we will be sending home our Intent to Return forms for each student next week. Please return this completed form with your child to the classroom teacher/ homeroom teacher. If you have any questions, please direct them to your School Main Office.
Q&A
As we progress, answers and updates will be posted on the Q&A section on the BHUSD website.
We remain committed to our community and the fulfillment of ideals that will best serve our children. #BH1
Respectfully,
Dr. Michael Bregy, Superintendent of Schools