Superintendent Communication

Dear BHUSD Community,

Over the weekend, we received the most recent changes to the following Health Orders from LACDPH:

Protocol for K-12 Schools: Appendix T1

COVID Exposure Management Plan Guidance in TK-12 Schools: Appendix T2

Protocol for Organized Youth Sports: Appendix S

As you are aware, masks are no longer required by LACDPH. Over the next few weeks due to the changes in LACDPH mask requirements and Health Orders, you may receive an increased number of “potential exposure” notifications allowing you to make the best decision for your family per the revised Exposure Protocols below (see graphic). 

We will keep our ParentSquare Health Screening open for students however it is not mandatory. If you have any of these symptoms, please get tested and do not come to school:

• New Loss of Taste or Smell
• Unusual Fatigue
• Unusual Runny or Stuffy Nose
• Fever over 100.4 °F
• New or Unusual Headache
• New Cough
• New Sore Throat
• Shortness of breath/ Difficulty breathing
• Chills
• Muscle or Body Aches
• Gastrointestinal symptoms (nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea)

We will continue to use the Thermal Scanners to identify any fevers with all students entering through their current ingress.

If you have any questions please feel free to reach out to [email protected]. 

Respectfully,

Dr. Bregy

1. New Health Orders
2. Free COVID Tests
3. BHUSD Case Rate Update

• Testing is now available at every school site and the District Office every school day between 7:30 am and 4:30 pm.
• You do not need to be physically present for your student to test. To provide parent permission for testing (should your student require a test), you can create the appointment online at bhusd.org/covidtesting/ and your student can test and return to class without you needing to come to school. (The appointment means you have scheduled and given permission for the test, it is still a first-come, first-serve basis for timing.)
• Quarantine for unvaccinated close contacts is now limited to mask-off exposures.
• Quarantine is not required for unvaccinated close contacts if they test daily before school until day 5. 
• If your student is currently quarantining as a close contact to a case outside of your household, they can return to school on Monday if they test negative before school and then check in with the attendance office. They will need to test daily before school for the duration of the quarantine (5 days) originally set. 
• Modified Quarantine students (unvaccinated, supervised, and verified in school, mask on exposure) are now able to return to all regular activities including sports and extracurricular.  

1. Proceed to Beverly Blvd from N. Santa Monica Blvd or Doheny Drive.
2. ENTER the testing line by turning south onto N. Maple Drive from Beverly Blvd. (DO NOT enter the test area from other nearby streets.)
3. Follow posted signs and directions from Traffic Control Officers and BHUSD staff members.
4. Test kits will be distributed in the testing area on Civic Center Drive west of Foothill Rd.
5. When directed to EXIT the testing area, proceed south on Civic Center Drive toward Burton Way.

• You are 38 times less likely to be hospitalized if you are boosted
• You are 9 times less likely to be hospitalized if you are fully vaccinated but not yet boosted
• The Omicron variant is around 88% of all cases in LA County and quickly surpassing Delta

• Masks indoors and outdoors except while eating and drinking. (As you know, physical distancing is short-lived with the rate that students move around. Due to the surge, we have deemed the level of physical distancing required to mitigate risk outside unenforceable and unfeasible. Therefore masks are required both indoors and outdoors until further notice. Furthermore, all close contacts are now required by LACDPH to wear a mask indoors and outdoors for the full 10 days. Universal masking eliminates the need to ask anyone to wear a wristband for now.) 
• Revised Positive Isolation Protocol - LACDPH requires a 5-day at-home isolation. You must test on day 5 (with BHUSD) using an antigen test. If negative, asymptomatic, and fever-free without the use of fever-reducing medications for 24 hours you may return to school wearing a mask at all times, indoors and outdoors. If positive on day 5, you may test daily with BHUSD until negative.
• Close Contact Fully Vaccinated (and boosted if eligible - visit bhusd.org/booster/ to find out if you/your child is eligible) individuals are exempt from quarantine if they comply with the following testing and masking requirements:
  • Immediately test for COVID-19 upon learning of exposure.
  • Retest on day 5 from exposure.
  • Wear a medical-grade mask for 10 days after exposure while around others, both indoors and outdoors. 
• Close Contact Unvaccinated individuals now must quarantine for 5 days instead of 10 and return on day 6 if they comply with the following requirements:
  • Immediately test for COVID-19 upon learning of exposure.
  • Retest on day 5 from exposure.
  • Wear a medical-grade mask for 10 days after exposure while around others, both indoors and outdoors. 
• Close Contact Modified Quarantine individuals can now conclude on day 6 instead of 8 if they comply with the previous requirements and following new ones:
  • Immediately test for COVID-19 upon learning of exposure.
  • Retest on day 5 from exposure.
  • Wear a medical-grade mask for 10 days after exposure while around others, both indoors and outdoors. 
• The new health order no longer exempts an exposed individual that tested positive in the last 90 days and is not fully vaccinated from quarantine. 
• Masks for staff - all staff must wear a surgical mask at a minimum. Higher-level masks, such as KN95 or N95, are also acceptable. The district will be providing staff with KN95 masks or staff may provide for themselves.
• We have included an updated Exposure Protocols Graphic Below. 

• Masks for Students - Students are strongly recommended to wear masks that are well-fitting, non-cloth masks of multiple layers of non-woven material with a nose wire. Such as a surgical mask. 
• Overnight field trips are not prohibited but highly discouraged until the case rates are reduced. We will continue to monitor the situation and will be discussing a possible plan to implement trips based on the conditions in our district as well as outside the district. We understand that limiting overnight trips is very disappointing for many of our students who look forward to these special trips, however, health and safety continues to be our top priority.
• Strong recommendation for all eligible staff and students to receive a booster dose of a COVID-19 vaccine in addition to their primary vaccine series.

• If you had COVID over the break and haven’t already done so, please email [email protected] so we can accurately update the county. 
• If you have COVID in your house please do not send your student(s) to school until the 5-day window has passed and everyone is testing negative. 
• Please wait until symptoms have resolved before sending your student(s) to school. We are seeing a small delay in the Omicron variant, many students and staff who were undoubtedly symptomatic tested negative one day and positive the next. This includes a runny nose. 
• We need student vaccination cards to be able to quickly return your student(s) to class - please email this with their name, school, and grade to [email protected].  
• We need your booster proof (if eligible) to be able to consider them under the “vaccinated” protocol - please email this with their name, school, and grade to [email protected]. Visit bhusd.org/booster/ to find out if you/your child is eligible.

1. Notify LACDPH of any COVID-19 cases who have been on campus 14 days prior to becoming ill. 
2. Report COVID-19 cases to DPH within 1 business day for 1-2 cases. 
3. Immediately report COVID-19 cases if there are 3 or more cases.
4. Check ventilation (HVAC) systems, test intake and outtake vents, replace and upgrade air filters as needed and ensure all HVAC systems are in good, working order. 

Dear BHUSD Community,

Last week I communicated with many of you regarding the COVID-19 Student Testing Policy unanimously voted on by the Board of Education. This program will be in addition to our current Rapid Antigen Testing available for all staff, students, and volunteers (this is used for non-regular testing, for example, required if there is an exposure or symptom onset occurs). The new Student Testing Policy requires students to test weekly at BHUSD if they are unvaccinated, plus a random selection of vaccinated students will also be tested. 

Feedback from you about COVID-19 Testing:

• We don’t want our students to be tested at all
• We want our vaccinated students to be tested weekly also
• Flu season is coming up, testing should be twice a week
• We are happy for you to test our students if they can swab themselves 
• We want a saliva testing option

In response to this feedback and previous plans, the following will occur:

• Weekly PCR testing for all unvaccinated students per the Board of Education policy
• Weekly PCR testing available for all vaccinated students 
• 24 hours + notice given to the randomly selected vaccinated students
• Self swabbing PCR testing
• Saliva testing option (only by request, see below for more information)

As the nature of the pandemic continues to be unpredictable with new variants, positive case data will be the primary driver of this Student Testing Program. Should cases increase or decrease we will continue to reassess the frequency of this program in a responsive manner. 

Please see below a list of comprehensive answers in FAQ style including booking information. If your question is not answered, please do not contact your school site with questions or concerns about testing, they will only redirect you to the district office COVID-19 team, instead please contact [email protected]. 

Respectfully,

Dr. Bregy 

Who needs to test?

• All unvaccinated students. 
• Randomly selected vaccinated students.

To ensure that your child’s attendance and educational continuity is seamless please review and complete the form using the links below at your earliest convenience. 

Can my vaccinated child test weekly too?

Sure! Please sign up using the links below! 

How do I register/where is the consent form?

BHUSD Staff - doctornow-patient.precisemdx.com/BHUSDStaff

BHHS Students - doctornow-patient.precisemdx.com/BHHS

BVMS Students - doctornow-patient.precisemdx.com/BVMS

HAW Students - doctornow-patient.precisemdx.com/Hawthorne

HM Students - doctornow-patient.precisemdx.com/HoraceMann

When will testing start?

The policy states that testing starts on Friday, October 15th. 

What is the testing schedule?

The tentative schedule is as follows during the school day:

Monday - BVMS 

Tuesday - BVMS (Period 7) & HAW

Wednesday - BHHS

Thursday - HM & District Office (Staff and Absentee Make-up Tests)

What type of test is it?

RT-PCR test using a self-administered swab of the anterior nares. This is a shallow nasal swab of the part of the nasal cavity.   

What if my child is absent for the day their school has testing?

Absent students will be required to test the next day they are going to school before school at the District Office. 

Can my student test outside of school?

No, per the testing policy they must test within BHUSD. This is to ensure that no photoshopped/fraudulent test results are used and also to help with contact tracing in the event of an outbreak. 

I would like to have a saliva testing option, can I?
The PCR tests are nasal tests and they are by far the most accurate test. We have tested thousands of students using the shallow nasal swab without a problem however, should you have serious concerns about your child receiving a shallow nasal swab there is a saliva option available. This option is not recommended due to the requirement that no food or liquid is consumed 1 hour prior to taking the test or we risk the lab rejecting the sample and decreased accuracy or generating an indeterminate test result. If you wish to request this saliva option despite these considerations please email [email protected] with your child’s name, school, grade, and commitment to communicating that they may not consume any food or liquid 1 hour prior to taking the test.

I would like to opt-out of my student testing, how do I do that?

If you elect for your student not to participate in the testing program they will be considered to be in quarantine from attending in-person learning. Subsequently, you have two options. 1. Join the Independent Study Program. 2. Listen to and watch class from home through Zoom. To request one of these options instead of testing please email [email protected] with your selection.

Please do not contact your school site with questions or concerns about testing, they will only redirect you to the district office COVID-19 team. 

My student is in Independent Study, do they need to test?

If they are coming on campus for any reason for more than 15 minutes to participate in a school activity, they will need to test first. 

My student is already testing for athletics, do they need to test twice a week now?

No, we will fold the athletic testing program into this program, no need for double testing! 

My student is already testing for an outside-of-school activity, do they need to test twice?

No, we will make the results from our BHUSD testing available to you so that you can use them for any other activity! 

Do I need to give consent and make an appointment each time as I do for the Rapid Antigen Testing? 

You will only need to give consent once at the beginning and you will not need to make appointments each week. 

Which company is conducting the PCR testing?

DoctorNow (https://www.doctornow.net/home). 

What happens if a parent / staff member refuses to provide insurance, or if uninsured, refuses to provide social security or identification information or has none of the above?

Insurance information is necessary for DoctorNow to seek reimbursement from the insurance companies. There is no cost to the insured nor will there be a co-pay charged to the insured. DoctorNow will collect only what is reimbursed by insurance. Testing participants will not be billed by DoctorNow. 

For anyone who doesn't have insurance, DoctorNow will need a social security number  or government-issued identification like driver’s license or ID card. This information allows for DoctorNow to seek reimbursement from the federal government. If you do not have any of the above, please contact your school site.

If you decline to include insurance information, you will not be able to complete and submit your registration for BHUSD testing. BHUSD is providing no cost testing on site as both a convenience to families and staff and a way to keep our students and staff safer with no cost to anyone.

Note that many companies supporting school districts follow the same reimbursement procedures. 

How can I be sure my insurance company won’t charge me for testing or raise my rates? 

The State of California Department of Managed Health Care issued a directive for continued coverage of COVID-19 diagnostic testing, based on federal guidance. Information can be found in this memo. This testing does include testing done on school sites. Testing is available at no cost to all students and staff through our program. A couple of things to note in that regard: 

• If your insurance company tells you otherwise (email and or regular mail), forward the information to [email protected]. The district and DoctorNow (https://www.doctornow.net/home) will intervene. 
• If you are inadvertently sent a bill or demand to pay, the district and DoctorNow will intervene. 

For your comfort, the district is also committed and ready to reimburse any family if they are charged to pay for the district COVID-19 Testing. Note that this is a gesture to provide peace of mind that you will not be charged. However, we believe with certainty that you will not have to pay for the cost of testing with the district. 

Are you sure I won’t get a bill? 

Testing participants may receive an Explanation of Benefits (EOB) from their respective insurance provider related to the COVID-19 testing. EOBs are NOT BILLS. DoctorNow will not bill any of the testing participants for its services. DoctorNow only collects what is reimbursed by the insurance provider.   

Who is conducting the testing on students and staff?

For this weekly testing, students and staff will self-administer nasal swab tests in the presence of trained staff. The test is designed to be self-administered by even our youngest students. It is quick and easy with no more than the length of the cotton portion on a standard size Q-tip-style swab that is inserted in the nose. Although it is a simple test, trained staff is available to assist the students with a hand-over-hand technique.

May parents attend the testing of their student?

No, this will be done on campus during the school day. School site staff will be on hand for elementary student testing. Middle school and high school students may test with some classes or may be asked to report to the testing location independently. 

When will the test results be available?

There is a 24-48 hour turnaround time for the results. 

I have a question, who can I ask?

If you need help with getting registered please email [email protected]. 

If you have a different question please email [email protected]. Please do not contact your school site with questions or concerns about testing, they will only redirect you to the district office COVID-19 team. 

Dear BHUSD Community,

I have some developing news to share with you. The LA County Department of Public Health is very responsive to our feedback and after seeing consistent data that school student transmission is very low (in our district, zero) they have introduced a new Health Order which includes a Modified Quarantine for students only. This was released on Saturday but backdated to Thursday. It is linked here. If you are not comfortable with any of the requirements your student does not have to participate in Modified Quarantine (MQ). 

If your student becomes a close contact to someone who tests positive for COVID-19, it is entirely your choice to participate in a regular quarantine or a modified quarantine (MQ).  By choosing MQ you have been notified by your COVID site administrator that your student qualifies and you are agreeing to the following. If you are not comfortable with this and opt for a regular quarantine you can communicate this to your COVID site administrator at the time you are offered it. 

• The exposure took place in a school setting, supervised by school staff.
• The exposed student AND the person with a COVID-19 diagnosis BOTH wore a mask consistently and correctly during the entire exposure period. This includes any outdoor exposures. This was verified and approved by the site COVID Admin.*
• They must test twice weekly during MQ (dates will be provided).
• They will have a visual identifier (eg. sticker/wristband) to notify staff of MQ status.
• They can only participate in regular school curriculum/instruction provided during school hours. No after-hours sports or activities.
• They must wear a mask at all times, indoors and outdoors.
• They must eat and drink 6 feet away from other students.

*Some of you have already received emails about your student not wearing their mask correctly and if it keeps happening this may impact your student's ability to qualify for Modified Quarantine (MQ). Especially if they are not wearing a mask properly and they are exposed at the same time. Please remind your student how to wear their mask to cover their nose and mouth. 

For more information about how MQ works please see our updated Exposure Protocols graphic below. 

If your child is currently quarantined and you have not been contacted with information about MQ they do not qualify for Modified Quarantine. It is likely that the exposure took place where masks were not on eg. eating or outside or out of school. 

Additionally, LACDPH also recommends that vaccinated students test 3-4 days after exposure which we have included as a recommendation in our updated Exposure Protocols graphic below. 

Respectfully, 

Dr. Bregy 

Dear BHUSD Families,

I trust you have had a rejuvenating summer and are looking forward to returning to a new school year. We are excited to have a fresh start and this opportunity to provide a warm welcome back for your family. To limit the disruption of ever changing information from the State and County we have waited to share our revised COVID-19 Prevention, Containment, Response & Control Plan - Ready Together. The most recent Health Order for schools (Appendix T1) was released on July 28th, 2021 and since then we have met with the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health (LACDPH), our leadership administration teams, our COVID-19 compliance team, and the leadership of each represented bargaining unit.

I fully understand that the current state of the pandemic creates many uncertainties. In addition to our Ready Together COVID-19 Prevention, Containment, Response & Control Plan we have created a summary of pertinent information in an FAQ below. Our goal is to keep schools open with the least amount of disruption to the continuity of in-person instruction in the safest way possible. The precarious state of COVID-19 will undoubtedly require flexibility and responsive modification that is appropriate to the scale and nature of plans with the information we have available at that time. 

Thank you for your resilience, flexibility and commitment to BHUSD. As the new school year approaches we are facing another opportunity to thrive together. We will approach this year with adaptability and perseverance, while leaning on key lessons learned last year. The ongoing safety of our students, staff, families and wider BHUSD community continues to be our primary priority. I know with full conviction that we can count on one another to understand the complexities involved in navigating this ever-changing pandemic. This plan will undoubtedly evolve as the State and County continue to guide us. I am confident that we will collectively navigate this ongoing pandemic with optimism and deference to the unique challenges we are all facing.

Respectfully,

Dr. Bregy 

FAQ

Where can I view the current Los Angeles County Department of Health (LACDPH) Health Order for schools?

http://publichealth.lacounty.gov/media/Coronavirus/docs/protocols/Reopening_K12Schools.pdf 

Where can I view the BHUSD full Ready Together Plan for 2021-2022?

Visit bhusd.org/readytogether/ 

Should I come to school if I am sick?

No. 

Do we need to wear masks inside?

Per LACDPH, masks indoors are required at all times for everyone (staff, students, visitors, etc) regardless of vaccination status.

Do we need to wear masks outside?

Per LACDPH, masks outdoors are optional at this time. Per LACDPH, masks indoors are required at all times for everyone regardless of vaccination status. 

What are the close contact quarantine rules?

To be a “close contact” you have been within 6 feet for more than 15 cumulative minutes (in 24 hours) of someone who has COVID-19. 

Asymptomatic Vaccinated = If you provide vaccination proof to your school administration you don’t need to quarantine but LACDPH recommends you test. 

Not Vaccinated = Quarantine for 10 days from the day of last exposure, or a negative test on day 5 and you can return on day 7. 

Asymptomatic & had COVID-19 in the last 90 days = If you provide proof of having had COVID-19 within the last 90 days you don’t need to quarantine but LACDPH recommends you test. 

Will students/staff need a negative COVID-19 test before returning to school?
If a student has traveled outside California 10 days prior to school starting they are required to get a BHUSD COVID-19 test (see below). Per LACDPH, if a student is out for quarantine due to a COVID-19 close contact exposure and they are unvaccinated they must test negative on day 5 to return early on day 7 rather than the full 10 day quarantine. 

What is the COVID-19 testing plan? 

For symptomatic staff and students daily COVID-19 Rapid Antigen testing is available at the following locations between 3 pm & 4 pm:

Monday - District Office

Tuesday - Horace Mann Elementary

Wednesday - Hawthorne Elementary

Thursday - BVMS

Friday - BHHS

What is the plan for inevitable travel before the start of school & on major holiday breaks?

If students traveled outside the State of California 10 days prior to August 13th, September 9th and November 29th without being fully vaccinated, please complete a BHUSD COVID-19 Rapid Antigen Test a the District Office - 255 S Lasky Drive, Beverly Hills CA, 90212 at the following times:

August 12th - 11 am - 3 pm

September 9th - 7 am - 9 am

November 29th - 7 am - 9 am 

What travel rules are there for students and staff?

We encourage all students and staff to observe the LACDPH Travel Advisory which recommends that you follow the CDC Guidance - click here. 

After speaking with the LACDPH they reiterated that this is a recommendation but not a requirement. To ensure BHUSD is doing everything we can to create the safest possible learning environment we will be requiring the following:

If students traveled outside the State of California in the last 10 days without being fully vaccinated, please complete a BHUSD COVID-19 Rapid Antigen Test between 3 pm & 4 pm at the following locations:

Monday - District Office

Tuesday - Horace Mann Elementary

Wednesday - Hawthorne Elementary

Thursday - BVMS

Friday - BHHS

Do staff/students/visitors need to do health screenings?

Yes. Per LACDPH, health screenings for everyone are recommended but not required at this time. In an effort to keep our schools as safe as possible, BHUSD will be continuing health screenings for all staff, students and visitors. Staff and students can complete this using ParentSquare and Visitors can visit bhusd.org/healthscreening/. To learn more about how to complete your screening visit bhusd.org/healthscreening/. 

What happens if my child does not pass the health screening or exhibits symptoms throughout the school day?

They will need to test at one of the following locations between 3 pm & 4 pm:

Monday - District Office

Tuesday - Horace Mann Elementary

Wednesday - Hawthorne Elementary

Thursday - BVMS

Friday - BHHS

Pending their result and the discontinuation of symptoms, they will be able to return to school in accordance with the LACDPH Exposure Management Plan.  

Will BHUSD still take student temperatures prior to admittance?
Yes, all students and visitors will be required to walk through the thermal scanners or have their temperature taken using the handheld infrared thermometer upon entering school. Staff are able to take their temperatures prior to coming to school using their district provided thermometers or one they have at home. 

Will eating take place indoors?

To the greatest extent possible, eating will take place outdoors. Increased physical distance will be recommended per LACDPH. Elementary students will eat with their classroom groups. 

Can we use water fountains? 

Yes, per LACDPH water fountains have been reinstated, we encourage everyone to bring a water bottle from home if they are more comfortable. 

Will PE be indoors? 

No, to the greatest extent possible PE will be outdoors, if it is inside masking will be required, if outdoors masking is optional.

Will each teacher have seating plans in their classroom?

Yes, due to the close contact rules (within 6ft for more than 15 cumulative minutes within 24 hours) we need to be able to quickly identify students who may be impacted and begin contract tracing. 

Will cleaning procedures differ at all from last year? 

Per LACDPH COVID-19 routine cleaning is recommended at a frequency no less than once per day during periods of operation but may be done more frequently. 

Will masks be required for sports/performances?

If indoors, yes. 

Are there extra best practices for performances?

Yes, per LACDPH click here. 

Will COVID-19 vaccinations be required?

Not at this time, we will follow all LACDPH protocols. 

Is school going to be full day?

Yes! The only exception is Independent Study. Schedules are available by clicking here.

What are the drop off/pick up gates?

BHHS - 1. Moreno/Durant 2. Student Parking Lot

BVMS - 1. Elm Drive 2. Charleville/Rexford

HAW - Click Here

HM - Click Here

For more information about these questions please reference the Ready Together plan at bhusd.org/readytogether/. 

• Daily engagement with curriculum and school work 
• Distraction free learning environment 
• Assignments completed and submitted on time  
• High standards of academic integrity  
• Daily monitoring of school platforms including email, Aeries, Google Classroom, APEX Learning/Seesaw and textbooks 
• Organization with daily and long-term assignments through use of a list or agenda 
• Communication with teachers and staff to seek clarification and support  
• Respectful communication and collaboration with peers  
• Maintain balance with activities, outside of school, that do not involve a screen 
• Engage in remote learning with the same commitment as in the “traditional” setting 

• Active monitoring of student’s courses including assignments, grades and attendance 
• Consistent communication with teachers and staff  
• Support of the student’s distraction free learning environment  
• Establishment of a structured daily routine for completing work 
• Participation in meetings with program staff if requested. 
• Ensure student’s daily monitoring of all school platforms 
• Engaged communication with the teachers and school staff  
• Maintain an active role in my student’s education and provide assistance as needed 
• Provide student opportunities for physical activity and healthy social interactions 

• All individuals should continue to avoid non-essential travel.  
• Fully vaccinated persons are at lower risk and may travel taking public health care precautions.
• If asymptomatic, no quarantine or testing is needed upon return.
• All non-essential travelers who are not fully vaccinated must:
• Quarantine for 7 full days after travel if they get tested and get a negative COVID-19 viral test result from a specimen collected 3-5 days after their arrival. - If a student has traveled outside of California and is quarantining, they may now return to school on Monday if they present a negative COVID-19 test result to your principal. 
• Quarantine for 10 full days after travel if they did not get tested with a COVID-19 viral test after their arrival.

• Self-monitor for symptoms of COVID-19 for 14 days, and avoid being around people who are at increased risk for severe illness. 
• Isolate and should get tested if symptoms develop.

Dear BHUSD Community,

A year ago today we communicated with you regarding the World Health Organization’s official declaration of COVID-19 as a pandemic. Our pandemic response plan had been activated and we were heading into Spring Break hoping for the best but preparing for the worst. We did not predict that a year later we would be only four days into in-person instruction for a segment of only our elementary population. 

I send my most sincere condolences to everyone who has lost loved ones due to COVID-19. My heart breaks for you and for our families who have been the hardest hit by relentless hardships. We have many frontline workers in the BHUSD community and we are so grateful for you. Every single person in our BHUSD family has been impacted by this pandemic, whether you are a teacher, parent, counselor, custodian, security guard, office worker, food service provider, payroll worker, student, PTA volunteer, painter, and so many roles I haven’t mentioned. Truly, you have contributed to weaving the fabric that makes BHUSD the special place it is. 

This week I felt, for the first time in an entire year, an overwhelming sense of relief and happiness in seeing our youngest learners bound into school with excitement and anticipation. I could not be prouder of the BHUSD community for making this first day very special for our students. I visited both Hawthorne and Horace Mann many times this week and can say with full conviction that we were and will continue to be ready to keep everyone as safe as possible. We are eager to continue on this trajectory and bring the rest of our students back to campus as soon as possible (more on this below).

In many ways we haven't just survived this pandemic, we have thrived. Our use of technology in education will forever be changed for the better. Our awareness of the importance of connection must never be forgotten. The significance of milestone moments that particularly our Seniors have missed out on will elevate the celebrations we hold going forward. I applaud the rigor, dedication, and connection you have maintained throughout this year. 

Last week we vaccinated 50 of our employees, tomorrow we will vaccinate up to 100. Hundreds of our employees have received vaccinations outside of the District which is extremely exciting, especially in light of the new CDC guidance released this week. 

BVMS & BHHS Reopening 

Today, our negotiations team met with the BHEA negotiations team to further discuss the reopening of our Middle and High Schools. These discussions were productive and positive. As many of you know, the official Adjusted Case Rate for LA County dropped to 5.2 on Tuesday. We anticipate that LA County will officially announce we have moved to the “Red Tier” in a matter of days. We are, however, still waiting for revised information from LACDPH so that we can mix larger cohorts to allow Middle and High School in-person instruction. The Health Order has not yet been updated although we have received draft guidance. We are pleased to share that the reopening date for the return of BVMS and BHHS will be announced shortly. Virtual learning availability will continue for the rest of the school year.  

Travel/Spring Break

At the end of this communication, you will find a list of questions from parents regarding travel and Spring Break. As you are aware, until LACDPH changes the travel advisory, our Health Screening will include the question “Has the person entering campus traveled outside the State of California in the last 10 days?” If you travel out of California, we have faith in our community, to act in the best interest of each other, to be honest, and to protect each other from COVID-19. If there is a situation where one school has 3 or more cases of COVID-19 that are epidemiologically linked we must close the school and the district. Every other person will then miss out if people are not truthful and subsequently cause an outbreak, we know that our community is deeply invested in keeping our schools open. If the district has proof that the person who is entering campus (employee, essential visitor, or student) has been out of California in the last 10 days and is coming to school and misrepresenting the truth on their health screening they will be asked to return home for the 10-day quarantine. This will remain until the LA County Department of Public Health travel advisory changes. 

Compulsory Health Screening Mandated by LACDPH
A reminder - in order to enter campus every student and staff member must complete their Health Screening using ParentSquare, please visit bhusd.org/healthscreening/ for more information. We encourage you to download the ParentSquare app on your phone to make it quick and easy! 

Finally, there have been unimaginable hardships in the last year, both related to the pandemic and not, but you have shown the best of yourselves. I am proud to lead BHUSD but you are the ones who make us successful. I have been incredibly encouraged this week by seeing some of our students return to campus, by seeing our employees receive their vaccines, and by seeing the light at the end of the tunnel. 

Respectfully,

Dr. Bregy 

Dear BHUSD Community,

LA County Superintendents received a final decision yesterday for school districts who were awarded TK-2 Waiver but did not physically reopen during the holiday surges in COVID-19 cases. The CDPH (California Department of Public Health) decided not to extend the option of a safety review to schools that have approved TK-2 waivers, making the waivers invalid. CDPH apologizes for any confusion this may have caused.

Our current memorandum of understanding (MOU) with our labor partners was negotiated at the end of 2020 and was closely aligned to the original (and now outdated) State Blueprint for a Safer Economy metrics. The tiered system states that TK-2 teachers will return when the Adjusted Case Rate reaches 10 and grades 3-5 when the Adjusted Case Rate reaches 7.

Dear BHUSD Community,

I want to give you some insight into our decision-making process currently as it has evolved and it’s important to me that you understand where we are at. 

At 11.59pm last night, LA County officially went from our Safer-at-Home to a Stay-at-Home Order. With Intensive Care Unit capacity dropping to 12.5% on Saturday and 10.6% today in the designated Southern California Region we are a part of, we must weigh the risk to our community with in-person learning. Currently, we only have the legal option to bring back our TK-2 students in addition to our specialized services for defined subgroups of children who need in-person services and youth sports. Today it was announced that LAUSD will completely shut down all in-person activities beginning on Thursday, including outdoor conditioning and special services. 

If possible, when we physically reopen we do not want to close again. We have seen that giving students false hope with a yo-yo reopening/closing has been extremely detrimental to their social/emotional health as well as their academic continuity in other schools across the country. 

BHUSD’s youngest learners will be the first large group of students to return. We have just recently secured the TK-2 Waiver which allows us to return TK-2 students at our discretion during the top purple tier (widespread) rather than waiting until we are in the red tier. 

Our employees are critical to the success of our District and as you are aware adults are impacted by COVID-19 more significantly than children. When we bring any students back to in-person learning we must also bring our employees back. In accordance with our Memorandum of Understanding, we will give a 10-day notice to switch from Distance Learning to a Hybrid Model. Remember, the next step will not be full-time in-person learning, it will be hybrid to comply with the 12 person cohorting order. We have been told that new waivers would not be provided until the Stay at Home Order is lifted.

I want to take a moment to reiterate that we wholeheartedly want our students back in their classrooms however, there is a domino effect that takes place when 3 or more people at our school sites have COVID-19. 

1. Under the current County Health Order, it takes 3 COVID-19 cases within 14 days to close a school. (see here for the current order)

2. Under the State Health Order if 25% of your schools close the entire District must close. (see here under FAQ)

3. We currently have 4 school sites operating, ready for in-person instruction. El Rodeo is under construction and Moreno is virtual during COVID-19.  

4. That means that it only takes 1 school to close our entire District.

5. That means that it only takes 3 COVID-19 cases (staff or students) at 1 school to close our entire District. 

I can share with you that in a single day last week we were informed of 10 students who had tested positive for COVID-19, 3 at one school, 5 at another school and 2 at another school. This does not account for all unreported cases or employee cases, and is on 1 (single) day not over 14 consecutive days. Had we been in physical school, the District would have closed. We are a small District which means that the chance of closing is much higher for us and we must be mindful of this when making decisions. It would be irresponsible for us to even consider physically reopening with larger numbers of students while COVID-19 case rates are extremely high, especially within our own community. 

Last Monday in LA County, hospitalizations had increased by over 86% since early November. Today it was announced that since November 13th and December 6th, LA County hospitalizations have increased 140%. Over the last 6 calendar days, LA County has averaged 8,295 newly diagnosed COVID-19 cases per day. In LA County last week, over 400 schools had at least 1 student on campus with COVID-19. Over 100 schools had a cluster of 2 or more, and 21 schools had outbreaks. 

The physical reopening of our schools comes down to 3 major factors; the Health Order, the Adjusted Case Rates and our personal choices.

Respectfully,

Dr. Bregy 

Dear TK-2 Parents & Guardians, 

As you are aware, there has been an enormous surge of COVID-19 cases throughout the nation and I am extremely concerned for our community. Your health and safety are paramount. I can inform you that late last night we were granted the TK-2 Waiver (without a start date) from the LA County Department of Public Health. Both Elementary Schools, Hawthorne, and Horace Mann have already successfully passed the onsite County Assessment Team's inspection so we are not required to have another visit. The waiver came with a very strong warning that if our students have access to an equitable Distance Learning program we should continue using it until there is a significant bend in the curve and cases reduce. 

We will continue with our current model of Distance Learning in accordance with this advice being that our TK-2 students have a minimal amount of inequity and considerable access to wifi, devices, and instructional materials. BHUSD was in the last group of waivers granted as the County indicated no additional waivers would be granted until the Safer-at-Home Order is lifted.   

I implore you to please follow the Health Order and I will be in touch as soon as we have a firm timeline to physically return to school for our youngest learners. Everyone wants our children back in school however, we must put health and safety first.

In the coming days, we have been informed as many of you know, that it is likely our healthcare threshold will surpass 85% of intensive care capacity, triggering a much more extensive Safer-at-Home Order from Governor Newson for at least three weeks. We all need to look out for one another and ourselves by taking serious precautions and following this order. 

Don’t forget to inform Mr. Phil Wenker - [email protected] if your student is impacted by COVID-19 so we can support you through this hard time. We are all looking forward to Winter Break shortly!

Respectfully,

Dr. Bregy

Dear BHUSD Community,

I am writing to give you an update on where we are at with our physical reopening plans. 

As you are aware we are still in the “Purple Tier” which is dictated by State metrics that prohibit us from reopening schools in their entirety. There are a few exceptions the LA County Department of Public Health have facilitated that we are assessing to see what is viable for BHUSD. 

1. The physical return for in-person, small group instruction for our high risk, high need special education students.

2. The physical return of TK-2 students should the Waiver be granted by the LA County Department of Public Health. 

All options still require 6ft distancing, face coverings and cohorting (2 cohorts per classroom for TK-2). 

We are fortunate to continue having positive dialogue with our colleagues represented by the Beverly Hills Education Association (BHEA). We have collaborated together and agreed upon the facilitation of special education in-person/on-site assessments in addition to the extension to our current Memorandum of Understanding (MOU).

The rules are changing on a daily basis and as of today, we have decided that it is best to proceed with ensuring that all available options are open to us. Accordingly, we have applied for the TK-2 Waiver for Hawthorne Elementary and Horace Mann Elementary. 

At this time Dr. Ferrer, LA County Public Health Director, has indicated the application process may take several weeks and that the County is selecting 30 schools a week based on the percentage of socioeconomically disadvantaged students in each school. In the interest of full transparency, I must impart that we have a relatively low population of socioeconomically disadvantaged students at Hawthorne (2.45%) and Horace Mann (6.37%). It is unlikely that we would be selected right away as each school is processed individually and not as a District.  

For our TK-2 grades to physically return to school we would not only need to be selected but we would need to assess the COVID-19 adjusted case rate at the time of approval. Should numbers continue to climb it is likely that we will not be able to consider in-person instruction until next semester. If we are not selected until December we will likely wait until after the holidays in the interest of educational continuity. Even then, all decisions about reopening are made by the Board of Education in consultation with our community of staff, parents and students. 

In the coming weeks, you will receive a survey to allow us to collect standardized feedback as opposed to anecdotal. Be sure to fill this out to give us as much information to inform our decision-making process as possible. As always, please remember that the health and safety of our school community come first. 

Respectfully,

Dr. Bregy

Dear BHUSD Community,

This evening I am presenting to you our BHUSD Ready Together Plan. We do not have the authority to provide in-person learning for all students per the current State and County mandates. I have been giving regular updates regarding the changing COVID-19 impact on BHUSD at Board Meetings and PTA Meetings and a consistent question I receive is “but, are you ready?” It is important that I specifically show you how we are physically ready to reopen when the time comes. 

BHUSD Ready Together is our comprehensive, uniform plan to physically return as safely as possible. The factors involved in physically reopening range from restrictions from the State and County levels to working with our teachers to bring our students back. 

I must be clear that this BHUSD Ready Together Plan is not an academic reopening plan but instead a physical one based on guidance from the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health Order, the California Department of Public Health Order, and expert opinions. 

This document is subject to change and should be used as a thorough communication of protocols, procedures, and expectations for students, staff, and parents. It is absolutely imperative that every member of our BHUSD community reads this document. 

Please see attached or visit bhusd.org/readytogether/ to read our Uniform Plan to Safely Reopen our Physical Schools. 

Respectfully,

Dr. Bregy 

Dear BHUSD Community,

As we conclude week two of the school year I am writing to bring you an update from our Governor. Thank you for being so adaptable in this very unique start of school! This update provides clarity for how we will reopen schools from the State but not the County. We do not yet have information from the County about their response to this new system.  

Yesterday, August 28, 2020,  Governor Newsom, announced a new Tier Framework that will guide us as a District regarding the reopening of physical school. Please remember that we are also governed by the LA County Department of Public Health which sometimes has more stringent or can use different restrictions. 

This Tier Framework has changed from six metrics and a Monitoring List to two metrics - Case Rate & Test Positivity Rate and a Color Coded System. Additionally, we must achieve two weeks of stability in the new tier before schools can open for the Red category. 

Moving between tiers does not immediately mean schools will reopen physically. The decision to reopen physically will be made under the direction of the Board of Education. The factors to be considered are vast. The health and safety of our entire BHUSD community remains our first priority. 

What color are we? Right now we are purple but for updates please visit this website by typing in our County - Los Angeles and Activity - Schools - https://covid19.ca.gov/safer-economy/.

Please know this situation is extremely important to me. Along with ensuring we are delivering the best possible education, I am working with many members of the BHUSD staff and countless experts to ensure that if we are in a position to physically reopen we are ready to do so in the safest way possible. 

Have a wonderful weekend,

Dr. Bregy

Dear BHUSD Community,

It is important to me that I balance sharing ever-changing information (literally yesterday the information from the authorities was different) with critical updates. 

Some of you may already be aware that there is a “waiver” concept that has been floated publicly which could enable elementary grades to physically open if the waiver was granted. We were informed that should LA County fall below 200 daily positive cases per 100,000 people, the LA County Department of Public Health would open the elementary waiver process to us. 

Governor Newsom shared new guidelines for reopening schools on Tuesday, August 25th, including the opening of an elementary waiver process for grades TK-6. This evening, Wednesday, August 26 at around 7 pm, the LA County Department of Public Health’s Director released a statement that they, at this time, are not going to allow any schools to open physically through a waiver process. 

“At this point,” said Dr. Ferrer, “Public Health will not be opening up our waiver process for schools. We will be closely reviewing the guidance from the State and will be reviewing all options with the Board to ensure that schools are able to open as safely as possible for all children and staff.”

No district in LA County has been granted access to the preliminary paperwork to even consider if this is an appropriate option for their schools. The specific details remain unknown.

Please know our reopening plan is extremely important to us. Along with ensuring we are delivering the best possible education, we are working to make certain that if we are in a position to physically reopen we are ready to do so in the safest way possible. 

Respectfully,

Dr. Bregy 

First Day of School 2020 2021! Click play below! 

Remember, if you are in the ILC, it is your first day too! Your first meeting with your teacher might be later this week if you are in Middle or High School but your first day is tomorrow. Welcome back, everyone!

Dear BHUSD Community,

Please see below the registration links for our Zoom Coffees with the District and building staff for parents on Wednesday. I hope you will join us! 

Wednesday, August 12th at 8am - BVMS

This meeting will be recorded for those who are unable to join us.

Please register here:

***Available in email***

After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.

Wednesday, August 12th at 10:30am - Elementary 

This meeting will be recorded for those who are unable to join us.

Please register here:

***Available in email***

After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.

Wednesday, August 12th at 3pm - BHHS

This meeting will be recorded for those who are unable to join us.

Please register here:

***Available in email***

After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.

Respectfully,

Dr. Bregy

8/4/2020 - Beverly Hills Unified School District Board of Education and Beverly Hills Education Association Unanimously Approve Memorandum of Understanding

BHUSD Reaches Agreement with BHEA

Tonight the Beverly Hills Unified School District Board of Education voted unanimously (5-0) to approve the new Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Beverly Hills Education Association. Additionally, the BHEA Representative Council also unanimously voted to approve the MOU yesterday, 8/3/2020. 

As part of its critical role during COVID-19, the Board of Education approved the MOU, reiterating the importance of moving forward with unity, “as a community we must now look to the upcoming school year joining together in supporting our students, staff, parents and wider BHUSD family,” Board President, Isabel Hacker, said. 

“On behalf of the Board of Education, I offer our thanks to BHUSD, Superintendent, Dr. Bregy, the Cabinet, the BHEA Bargaining Team, and BHEA members for such exhaustive work together on this educationally robust agreement,” Board President Isabel Hacker continued. “As we enter the first school year in our history from a Distance Learning model, due to COVID-19, we recognize that we must preemptively mitigate obstructive impacts to ensure the best possible education is made available to our students. I am pleased to see an outcome that so closely mirrors the physical classroom which positively supports the entire District under very trying times. I know that we are ready for this challenge.” 

“This is a huge milestone for our community and I want to take a moment to thank the Beverly Hills Education Association bargaining team and BHEA Executive Board and our district bargaining team, including the District Leadership, California Teachers Association Regional UniServe Staff representative, Penny Sevoian, and Board President, Isabel Hacker, for their hours and hours of collaboration in creating an MOU with the common goal to achieve the highest quality outcome for our students in what can only be described as truly unprecedented circumstances,” said Superintendent, Dr. Bregy. 

Dear BHUSD Community,

Thank you for your ongoing patience. Please see here our BHUSD Reopening Plan. Please remember the deadline to apply for the ILC is on Monday at 8am. 

Just before spring break back in March, we were faced with an unprecedented pandemic that would forever change the face of education. We responded with swift action, physical closures, the installation of hand sanitizers district-wide, and immediate cleaning protocols in hopes of a short quarantine and quick return to school. Instead, we implemented Home Learning and then Home Learning 2.0. We ended our school year under stay at home orders with virtual graduations and ongoing meetings, site assessments, pandemic forums, parent surveys, establishing a Think Tank, an Options Committee, consistent board meetings, ever-changing guidelines, and finally a school-specific public health order and guidance from the Governor. All we know with absolute certainty is that school will commence on Monday, August, 17th, 2020. 

Last summer we thought it was a challenge with reconfiguration! We reconfigured four K-8 schools to two TK-5 schools - Horace Mann Elementary School and Hawthorne Elementary School, and one consolidated Middle School Grades 6-8 now known as Beverly Vista Middle School. El Rodeo School was taken off-line for construction. Beverly Hills High School continued construction and the plugging of abandoned oil wells. 

The reconfiguration plan was built on a long process that was rigorous, iterative, challenging, and courageous. Our COVID-19 plans are much the same. I commit wholeheartedly that we will navigate this challenge putting your best interests first. Our top two priorities have and always will be safety and education. I trust this document will help guide you through our intentions but please understand that this situation is changing daily. We are extremely fortunate to have finished our 1:1 device rollout prior to the onset of COVID-19, therefore equity of access to technology is not a problem BHUSD is facing. 

You can find updated information at bhusd.org/return2learn/. Additionally, a Physical Reopening Plan is forthcoming. 

Have a wonderful weekend,

Dr. Bregy

Dear BHUSD Community,

Please click here to review the most recent Public Health Order released moments ago by the LA County Department of Public Health for schools.

I will be in touch with more information as it becomes available.

Respectfully,
Dr. Bregy 

4/10/2020 - Beverly Hills Unified School District Board of Education Unanimously Approves Memorandum of Understanding with Beverly Hills Education Association for Home Learning During COVID-19 Physical Shutdown. 

BHUSD Reaches Agreement with BHEA Bargaining Team

Today the Beverly Hills Unified School District Board of Education voted unanimously (5-0) to approve the new Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Beverly Hills Education Association for the further implementation of Home Learning during the COVID-19 Physical Shutdown.

“We have found ourselves in a historic moment to address an unprecedented situation uncovering issues which must be solved together with our union partners,” said Superintendent, Dr. Bregy. 

As part of its oversight of BHUSD, the Board of Education approved the MOU, underscoring the need for the community to, “be magnanimous and devote significant time and understanding to everyone involved to help stabilize the District’s ability to deliver instruction during this global crisis,” Board President, Isabel Hacker, said. 

“On behalf of the Board of Education, I offer our thanks to BHUSD, Superintendent, Dr. Bregy, the Cabinet, the BHEA Bargaining Team and BHEA members for working collaboratively on this mutually beneficial agreement,” Board President Isabel Hacker continued. “We have come together, agreeing on clear expectations that put our students first. We know our children need us to all work together to provide solidarity and strength as we continue to stand with our students, teachers, families and community.”

“Our teachers are the foundation of our mission to provide a safe and supportive community in delivering a rigorous and enriching quality education for every child,” Board President Isabel Hacker concluded. “I believe that the MOU we approved today goes a long way to provide a fair way forward and we give our deepest thanks to the entire BHUSD community for their ongoing support in these uncertain times.”

BHUSD in COVID 19: Home Learning - This is different. This is not unprofessional. This is what life looks like right now, for our students, for our teachers, for our parents and for our administration. Special interruptions happen and we understand! We WILL get through this! #educationreimagined

Dear BHUSD Community,

I can only begin to imagine the set of challenges each one of you is facing during this time trying to juggle the impact of these unprecedented circumstances.  I want to thank you for your understanding and patience during our first week of Home Learning.  

Due to the Global Pandemic we are extending our physical shutdown. The Los Angeles County Office of Education (LACOE) has provided a recommendation regarding a return date for LA County School Districts and BHUSD will be following this recommendation. For staff, the return date (as of today) is Monday, May 4th. For students, the return date (as of today) is Tuesday, May 5th.

We are adopting a philosophy of flexibility during this time. When we announced the physical shutdown it was for 10 days. We created an initial Home Learning Plan based on a 10 day period of time not knowing the full extent of COVID-19. Now that we are extending the physical shutdown of our school District we must significantly change this plan which you will see below. 

We will continue to observe the District calendar pre-planned Local Holidays and Staff Development Days. Between now and May 5th this includes the following:

• April 1st - Staff Development Day (no student work will be provided) 

• April 9th & 10th - Local Holidays (no student work will be provided) 

Home Learning Instructional Program Expectations Starting Thursday, April 2: 

Definitions: We are providing these definitions because we will never be able to replicate a true in person classroom environment through Home Learning. The delivery of instruction will look different for every student during Home Learning. 

Curriculum Delivery - This does not mean direct face to face teaching 100% of the time. Blended learning opportunities including; online face to face live (google hangout/meet/zoom), watching live instruction using slides, watching videos of teachers prerecorded, workbook time, independent work, project work, group work, online resources (YouTube/Khan Academy/other video platforms). Curriculum Delivery does not include independent reading that students should be engaging in during the week. 

Independent Reading - We recommend at least 30-45 minutes per day for elementary grade students, 45-60 minutes for middle and high school students. 

Scheduled Time - Below you will see schedules for BHHS and BVMS (elementary schedules will be sent out by the teacher as they are grade level and teacher specific). The times in these schedules provide a macro structure, the specific information for how the teacher will use each allocated time period will be communicated to the students directly.  

Homework - This is a hard one to differentiate right now, independent work may blur the lines however, we encourage your student to reach out to their teacher if they are unclear about expectations. 

Live instruction or meetings are NOT to be recorded in any way by anyone, including staff, students or parents per Ed Code 51512.

BHHS and BVMS 

• Teachers will provide students with 240 minutes per week of curriculum delivery (myriad of options above) per core and elective subjects they are enrolled in. 

• On average, during physical school the regular number of minutes provided is 240 per week of curriculum per core and elective subjects. 

• In our Home Learning schedule (below), we provide 4 periods of 40 minutes equaling 160 minutes per core and elective subjects.

• This leaves 80 minutes for students to complete outside of this schedule per core and elective subjects.  

• Students will be given a minimum of two opportunities each week to receive live instruction and/or meet with staff via Google Hangout/Meet/Zoom during the schedule. 

• The teacher will communicate with the student directly on what time and day the instruction will be delivered. 

• Students can also receive support through office hours and email communication. 

ELEMENTARY 

Elementary schedules will be sent out by the teacher as they are grade level and teacher specific, these will be implemented starting Thursday, April 2. 

TK - 5 Grades:

• Teachers will provide students with 120 minutes per week of curriculum delivery in Math, English, Science and Social Studies.

• Students must be given a minimum of two opportunities each week to receive live instruction from their Homeroom Teachers and/or meet with staff via Google Hangout/Meet/Zoom during the schedule. 

• Plus up to 60 minutes per week for MakerSpace, Art, Vocal Music, Instrumental Music, Science and Physical Education.

Grading/Feedback to Students:

• Teachers will offer students meaningful feedback and encouragement.

• Teachers will grade assignments in a timely manner to help students and parents understand where they are in the Home Learning process.

• Teachers will work with their department chair or School Administration to adjust grading practices to reflect any changes in the way they are delivering curriculum. 

Late Start Wednesdays and Early Release Thursdays will not be observed during this time. The BHHS and BVMS schedules (at the end of this email) will be implemented starting Thursday, April 2nd. 

For more information about Home Learning please click here. 

Don’t forget - if you are a parent and your child is diagnosed with a confirmed case of COVID-19, please report this to Student Services (Phil Wenker, [email protected]) and your Principal.

Food Accessibility - If any BHUSD student needs lunch, please pick it up at Horace Mann Elementary School between 10:30am - 12:00pm, Monday - Friday. You must bring your BHUSD student with you. Due to Health and Safety precautions, please stay in your car on Hamel Drive and we will come to you.

I also ask that you please read over the Netiquette Rules below with your children. 

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to reach out to:

1. Your Teacher

2. Your Grade Level Counselor or Assistant Principals

3. Your Principal 

I will continue to be in touch with you as the information about this Pandemic evolves and impacts our District. 

Respectfully,

Dr. Bregy

Superintendent 

BHHS HOME LEARNING STUDENT SCHEDULE

Click for printable/original document.

BVMS HOME LEARNING STUDENT SCHEDULE

Click for printable/original document.

Dear BHUSD Community,

We hope you had a restful Spring Break however different it may have been compared to other years. During this time we have undertaken a thorough cleaning of all schools. Please continue Social Distancing and all Government Agency recommendations, this is not a time to be lax, the health of our community, state, nation and world depend on it. 

Although we were aware of the virus spreading in other parts of the world and that soon the virus would begin to spread in the United States, it feels unforeseen that this pandemic would physically shut our schools down. Truly, we are navigating uncharted paths in public education.

With that being said, I want to say something about our amazing teachers, staff and administrators that I feel is important for you to know. Our staff is expertly trained to handle crisis situations at school, but this crisis impacts their own families and friends as well. We must share that we are all impacted personally, physically and emotionally. 

This news was delivered to our staff with very little notice and it felt as if we blindsided them.  The shift from classroom teaching to Home Learning teaching has happened seemingly overnight. This is not only a teaching transformation for our staff, but a learning transformation for your children as well. It is a new reality to be thinking about online teaching and for many of our teachers this will be the very first time they deliver curriculum and instruction in this way.

With that said, our entire staff have embraced our District Motto - Education Reimagined - with innovation, enthusiasm and willingness and I am grateful for all of their hard work. 

We all want this new reality to be an effective teaching and learning experience. However, it is important for you to know that Home Learning is not an online teaching program. We simply do not have the design and delivery of an established digital curriculum.  Home Learning is each individual teacher changing the delivery of their instruction to a digital experience. Google Classroom is an incredibly robust platform but methods of teaching and the nature of assignments is up to individual teachers.

It is important for you to understand that we will continue to manage this crisis and our teachers and staff want Home Learning to be a successful and effective experience for students. This is a real test for our school district and I truly believe that our students are ready for some new experiences. There is no doubt that the COVID-19 pandemic is pushing us into uncharted territories, to that end I ask for your patience and understanding while we learn, adapt and grow in our new reality. In all likelihood, every day and week will look different as we see what is working well and what we need to change.  

On Monday, March 23 our teachers will continue their Education Reimagined Home Learning planning in collaborative online settings. As you are aware, there won’t be any instruction on Monday. Students will hear from teachers on Tuesday, March 24, when Home Learning begins! 

If you have a device at home that is not BHUSD issued, you may use it. You do not need to collect a BHUSD device for Home Learning. Home Learning is accessible from any device using wifi.

If a student does not have access to a laptop/charger (3-12) or workbooks (TK-2), they can pick these items up at Horace Mann Elementary School on Monday, March 23, between 10:30am - 12:00pm. Access to the campus will be through the Hamel Drive Auditorium Gate only. Stay in your car on Hamel Drive and we will come to you. 

If you are without internet access/wifi at home, please email David Damico our Interim Executive Director of Technology directly at [email protected]. 

Please read through this communication carefully as it answers a number of questions our community have raised.

Respectfully,

Dr. Bregy

California Department of Education Guidelines for Distance Learning:

• Click Here.

BHUSD Home Learning Website:

• Click Here. 

Communication to Students:

• Communication to students regarding work and assignments including all other 3rd party applications (eg. Flip Grid) will be communicated through the following:

  • Grades TK-2: Seesaw and Consumables (workbooks)/Parent Email

  • Grades 3-5: Google Classroom/BHUSD Gmail/Google Hangouts/Meet

  • Grades 6-8: Google Classroom/BHUSD Gmail/Google Hangouts/Meet

  • Grades 9-12: Google Classroom/BHUSD Gmail/Google Hangouts/Meet

Communication to Parents:

• Please keep in mind that ideally, teachers will communicate directly with students so as parents you may not hear from teachers much like at school. We are encouraging you to engage directly with your child and support them reaching out to their teachers with questions. We want to empower our students during this time. TK-2 teachers will communicate directly with parents to reach their students. 

Home Learning:

• Our goal is to provide families and students with academic resources to continue instruction.

• You will receive communication regarding Home Learning directly from teachers. 

• Our attendance will be based off student work completed.

  • If students are not completing assignments and meeting the virtual meeting times/ collaborations, then this must be documented. 

• All functionality is now active on BHUSD devices. 

• To help keep your students organized, utilize this planner template - Click Here.  

• For resources to enhance student learning, tools and more information about Home Learning please Click Here.  

Technology:

• New! For immediate support please click on the Tech Support blue box on the homepage of your school's website from 7:30am-4pm Monday to Friday.

• Please email [email protected] for troubleshooting technology issues.

Food Accessibility: 

• Any BHUSD student that needs food or receives a District provided lunch can receive to-go lunches at Horace Mann Elementary School Monday through Friday between 10:30am - 12:00pm through the Hamel Drive Auditorium Gate only. This is free for both free and free/reduced groups. If you are a parent or guardian, you must bring the student with you. Stay in your car on Hamel Drive and we will come to you. 

College & Testing: 

• Please visit bhusd.org/COVID19/ and click on College & Testing for up to date information from our College Counselor as to how we will be impacted. 

Extending School into Summer:

• Due to the passage of Senate Bill 117 we will not need to extend school into summer. 

Safe Practices, Helpful Tips, How to Talk to Kids and Helpful Links:

• These are all updated regularly and can be found at bhusd.org/COVID-19 when you click on the relevant areas. 

COVID-19 Diagnosis:

• If you are an employee and you are diagnosed or if you are a parent and your child is diagnosed with a confirmed case of COVID-19, please report this to Student Services (Phil Wenker, [email protected]) and your Principal or direct supervisor. 

Emotional Support:

• Email is not checked outside of school hours. If you are emailing with a serious and immediate concern regarding a student (yourself or a friend), please call 9-1-1. If your concern needs immediate attention, support is also available by contacting the providers listed below.

  • Suicide Prevention Lifeline: (800) 273-8255

  • Crisis Text Line: text word “HOME” to 741-741 

  • Maple Counseling Center (310) 271-9999

  • LA County Mental Health Services: (800) 854-7771

  • The Trevor Project: (866) 488-7386

• For BHHS Students, you will still be able to access the Norman Aid Student Support Center by scheduling a virtual counseling session through the following link. Our virtual counseling sessions will be supported by our Counseling Interns and Maple Counseling Center while being supervised by Mrs. Norman-Franks. For more information visit the Norman Aid website. 

I need additional help, who do I ask?

• Please see below. 

Dear BHUSD Community, 

Thank you for your support over the last 48 hours. Our teachers, parents, staff and students have jumped on board with great attitudes and I am so proud of our school community. We are now officially physically shut down. Home Learning begins on Tuesday, March 24. 

Many of our teachers and administrators across the District met in small groups and online in Google Hangouts to plan Home Learning yesterday. Imaginations are running wild with new, innovative ways to bring instruction to all students. This is truly a time for our District motto to ring true - Education Reimagined! 

I sincerely hope that you will all take Spring Break to recharge, rest and recuperate. You will not hear from the District Office, staff or administration until Monday, March 23 unless there is an urgent message that must be communicated. Teachers will begin communicating with students and parents regarding Home Learning on Tuesday, March 24. 

Don’t forget that all of our COVID-19 communications and information, including new pages such as Safe Practices and Helpful Tips (eg. What is Social Distancing? How to get wifi access if you don’t have it) can be found at bhusd.org/COVID19/. 

Take care,

Dr. Bregy

Superintendent 

Dear BVMS, Hawthorne and Horace Mann Parents,

If your child did not bring their device/charger (3-12) or workbooks (TK-2) home yesterday you have 2 opportunities (planned so far) for you to collect them.  

1. Today, until 1pm you may go to BVMS (library), Hawthorne and Horace Mann (front office) to collect your child’s device/charger or workbooks. 

2. As per our communication last night, on Monday, March 23, you may go to Horace Mann Elementary School on Monday, March 23, between 10:30am - 12:00pm. Access to the campus will be through the Hamel Drive Auditorium Gate only.  

Please try and enjoy your Spring Break, we will be in touch regarding the launch of Home Learning before it begins on Tuesday, March 24. 

Respectfully,

Dr. Bregy

Superintendent

Dear BHUSD Community,

It is important to me that you go into Spring Break tomorrow with some peace of mind regarding how BHUSD will be impacted by the growing concerns around COVID-19. As of today, March 12, there are no known cases of COVID-19 in BHUSD. However, out of an abundance of caution, we must take preventative steps now to ensure our community stays as protected as it can.

Given this, BHUSD is deploying plans to ensure our community is both prepared for the likelihood of long-term disruption and is protected from the virus. To that end, today, each student was sent home with Home Learning (devices/workbooks) in the event that it was necessary to change the delivery of our instruction. That time has come. The following information applies to all users of our facilities, BH City Programs that use BHUSD facilities, the ESL Program, City Pre-School, BHEF, and all events during this time. 

This evening, BHUSD is making the following announcements:

• Starting tomorrow, March 13 at 1pm, BHUSD will be physically shut down until Sunday, April 5. This includes every school site and the District Office. Employees - Please contact your immediate supervisor if you are unsure as to whether you need to physically report to work. 

• During this time we will undertake a thorough cleaning of all schools.  

• On Monday, March 23, there will be no instruction. Teachers will utilize this day via online communication tools to collaborate and plan Home Learning. 

• Any BHUSD student that receives a District provided lunch can continue to receive to-go lunches at Horace Mann Elementary School starting Monday, March 23, between 10:30am - 12:00pm through the Hamel Drive Auditorium Gate only. 

• If a student needs to access a laptop/charger or they were absent today when their workbooks were made available, they can pick these items up at Horace Mann on Monday, March 23, between 10:30am - 12:00pm. Access to the campus will be through the Hamel Drive Auditorium Gate only. 

• On Tuesday, March 24, Home Learning for all BHUSD students will begin. See below for more information.  

• All field trips, activities, concerts, performances, conferences, and gatherings will be suspended through at least Sunday, April 5. 

• All athletic events will be canceled through at least Sunday, April 5. This includes both games and practices.   

• We will physically reopen all BHUSD Schools and the District Office on Monday, April 6, unless we announce otherwise or Government Agencies indicate we must remain physically shut down. 

Home Learning starting Tuesday, March 24:

• In terms of curriculum, each core subject a student is enrolled in and each elective course will be delivered via Home Learning. For example: 4th grade students will receive curriculum in Math, English, Social Studies, Science and MakerSpace, Art, Vocal Music, Instrumental Music, and Physical Education. Middle and High School students will receive curriculum/instruction for every class in which they are enrolled. 

• Teachers will utilize Monday, March 23 to collaborate and plan Home Learning via online communication tools. Teachers will communicate to all their students by the morning of Tuesday, March 24 with their expectations for that week. For 3-12 graders, their work will be turned back into the teacher electronically (via email or Google Classroom) by Friday, March 27. Every Monday teachers will release additional work to be completed by students and turned in by Friday. BHUSD staff will be able to answer questions regarding instruction and provide technological assistance via email during their regular working hours.

• Instructional staff that provide services to our students who receive special education and related services will make every effort to deliver the service minutes indicated in each student’s IEP utilizing the platforms available. When services return to the classroom setting, IEP teams can meet to determine if compensatory services are needed. 

I know these decisions will introduce some difficulties to many of our families. We have made them with the understanding that the full gravity of this situation is still unknown. Please understand that the purpose of this decision is to fulfill our responsibility to our broader community by taking every possible step to mitigate the spread of COVID-19.

It is imperative that after Spring Break you implement all necessary precautions including self-quarantine, social distancing and all suggested CDC actions. This is not an extended vacation. We all share in the duty and obligation to help slow the spread of COVID-19. 

If you are an employee and you are diagnosed or if you are a parent and your child is diagnosed with a confirmed case of COVID-19, please report this to Student Services (Phil Wenker, [email protected]) and your Principal or direct supervisor. 

Have a safe Spring Break. Be sure to take time to rest and recuperate. Please look out for further communications as more information becomes available.  

Respectfully, 

Dr. Bregy

Superintendent

Dear BHUSD Community,

I hope you had a restful weekend. We want to alert but not alarm you that the number of COVID-19 test kits will likely increase exponentially this week. This may result in many more diagnosed cases. The risk is the same as right now however, the ability to diagnose new cases will give us a much better picture of where we stand in regards to confirmed cases of COVID-19. Please remember that we have plans and protocols in place and we will continue to work side by side with the CDC, the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health and LACOE to remain prepared and keep you updated. 

Out of an abundance of caution, we have decided to cancel the 4th Grade day trips to Sacramento this week. Over the weekend some school Districts in the Sacramento area decided to close and as always, the health and safety of our students come first. Will will continue to monitor all planned school trips and events and inform you if any further changes are made. 

Good News - We now have a dedicated area on all school websites and the District website for COVID-19 Updates. We have deliberately waited to do this as it is paramount that I convey to you that the CDC and the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health are the best places for you to obtain up to date, verified information pertaining to COVID-19. 

The new website area includes all District Communications about COVID-19, a Toolkit for How to Talk to Kids, an FAQ, Spring Break protocols and other helpful information. Please visit bhusd.org/COVID19/ to access this.

As Laura Chism, Assistant Superintendent of Student Services, communicated in our update last week, it is inevitable that someone from BHUSD will be exposed to the risk of COVID-19. However, it is important to note that we unknowingly are exposed to threats to our health every day. We will remain vigilant about investigating all reported cases. For example, last week it was brought to our attention that a group of our students from BHHS privately attended the AIPAC conference in Washington DC. Notable political figures including Vice President, Mike Pence, spoke at the American Israel Public Affairs Committee Policy conference. 

According to AIPAC President, Betsy Berns Korn, “another group of attendees from New York was potentially in contact prior to the conference with an individual who contracted the coronavirus. The individual did not attend the Policy Conference. The group has been added to the self-quarantine list.” AIPAC worked closely with the DC Department of Health to assess the risk to the other 18,000 attendees of the conference. The DC Health Department considered it a low-risk exposure. 

At that time (March 5) BHUSD decided not to recommend self-quarantine for the conference participants as per the guidelines from the CDC and DC Health Department. No student reported coming in contact with these specific people amongst the 18,000 other participants, nor did they report any symptoms of illness. 

On Friday, March 6, the District of Columbia Health Department announced that two people who participated in the American Israel Public Affairs Committee annual conference tested positive for coronavirus. 

The District of Columbia Health Department stated, “Based on our investigation thus far, in collaboration with the New York State Department of Health (NYSDH), there is no identified risk to conference attendees at this time,” in the release they went on to say “DC Health has been in communication with NY about the two positive cases. They were asymptomatic, meaning they were not experiencing symptoms like fever or cough, while they were in DC. The information provided to us by NY indicates that both cases have no identifiable risk for anyone exposed to them.”

The DC Health Department released the following similar statement:

“Based on our investigation thus far, in collaboration with the New York State Department of Health (NYSDH), there is no identified risk to conference attendees at this time. All attendees and members of the public are urged to follow the well-established prevention tips like staying home if sick and calling ahead to a health provider if experiencing symptoms. We will work with AIPAC leadership to keep all attendees informed of any new developments.”

BHUSD learned on Saturday, March 7, that 30 George Washington University students who also attended the conference were advised by The DC Health Department that they did not need to self-quarantine. As situations of BHUSD exposure arise each one will be handled on a case by case basis. 

We will continue to update you as more information becomes available, especially before Spring Break. 

Respectfully,

Dr. Bregy

Superintendent

Dear BHUSD Community,

As we continue to monitor developments with the Coronavirus (COVID-19) through information given by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), the Los Angeles County Office of Education, and various public health organizations we are working closely with governmental and local agencies. We assure you that we are preparing plans for various levels of concern.

As of this morning (3/4/20) Los Angeles County has declared a local emergency regarding Coronavirus due to six new cases (for a total of seven in the county) which were reported overnight. This is a routine measure the County is taking to access additional resources and funding and to facilitate inter-departmental communication.

The safety and well-being of our students and staff are our priorities so we want to relay to our families that, at this time, we are continuing to be vigilant about this situation. We will maintain communication with County school and health officials and will provide ongoing updates to you.

Below are some examples of ways we are conducting illness prevention and planning for different levels of concern:

• We are communicating with BHUSD staff, including groups like Student Services and our Custodial staff, and reviewing procedures and protocols for assessing students and staff with possible fever or flu, and best practices for illness prevention.
• We are working with sites and our Facilities Department to inventory and maintain supplies like disinfectant, soap, and paper towels.
• We are working with school principals to encourage best practices among students and staff such as washing hands, covering coughs, encouraging students and staff with fever or flu symptoms to remain home for 24 hours fever free, and making sure that people who are sick are not stigmatized.
• We are meeting regularly as a Cabinet to update our Pandemic Response Plan should it be required.
• The CDC and County Public Health Department is not recommending the cancellation of public events or travel within the United States at this time. We will continue to take our recommendations from officials, but parents and students can opt out of events or travel-related school trips, if they choose. In the event that the CDC and public health agencies recommend stronger measures, we want to reassure our community that we are meeting and planning for contingencies to continue student learning and education.
• We will continue to work with governmental and local agencies so that accurate information is provided to our District community in a timely manner and we will take appropriate action, as needed. Please visit the County of Los Angeles Public Health's webpage for FAQs and other resources: http://publichealth.lacounty.gov/media/Coronavirus/

• City of Beverly Hills Novel Coronavirus page: http://www.beverlyhills.org/novelcoronavirus
• Center for Disease Control and Prevention Novel Coronavirus page: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html
• Before travelling, please visit the Department of State travel advisory page: http://beverlyhills.org/traveladvisory
• Please call 211, the LA County hotline, for any health and human services needs. https://www.211la.org/
• Sign up for City of Beverly Hills emergency notifications. Text BEVHILLS and BEVHILLSPD to 888777 or visit http://www.beverlyhills.org/emergencynotification

Dear BHUSD Community,

We are continuing to closely monitor the coronavirus (now named COVID-19) situation.

There is currently no known threat of COVID-19 to Beverly Hills. 

You may be aware that the disease has spread to other countries and the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) has issued new travel warnings with increased concern for South Korea, Japan, and Italy. Travel warnings for China have not changed, and the CDC has lowered its level of concern for travel to Hong Kong and Taiwan. Additional details about these warnings can be found on the CDC website.

At this time there have not been any travel advisories pertaining to locations our BHUSD school trips are going. 

As a parent/guardian it is, as per every trip, at your discretion as to whether you send your child. Until we receive warning from the CDC, LACOE, The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health or other states and governing bodies regarding traveling to the locations we will be going, no trips are canceled. 

We have increased the cleaning of commonly touched surfaces. We remain diligent in our efforts to clean frequently touched surfaces and objects such as desks, keyboard and doorknobs. Additionally, you will see a significant increase in hand sanitizer throughout our schools over the next week. There is a mix of dispensers to maximize efficaciousness. 

The CDC also recently shared that the coronavirus may begin spreading in communities in the United States, and Americans should begin preparations now. We are working with county school and health officials to establish protocols for schools in the event that coronavirus does spread in Beverly Hills. More information will be shared as this plan develops. In the meantime, current information about the coronavirus/COVID-19 is available on the CDC and The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health websites.

At this time, students and school staff should go about their daily lives and practice the same precautions they normally take during cold and flu season. To help prevent the spread of any respiratory virus, follow these important tips: https://www.cdc.gov/handwashing/when-how-handwashing.html

As a reminder, all children and staff members with a fever of (>100.4 F / >38C) or higher should remain home from school and other activities until they have been fever-free for at least 24 hours without the assistance of medication. To help prevent the spread of respiratory viruses, including the coronavirus/COVID-19 and flu, follow these important tips:

• Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.

• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.

• Avoid close contact with people who are sick.

• Stay home if you are experiencing flu-like symptoms.

• Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.

• Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces.

• Individuals with chronic health issues and/or individuals experiencing severe symptoms should be evaluated by a medical professional.

• Get vaccinated every year

Additionally, the California Department of Public Health does not recommend the use of face masks for general prevention and says that handwashing provides better protection from infectious diseases.

BHUSD will continue to monitor the situation and provide updates as necessary. If you have questions about these topics, please contact Student Services on 310 551 5100 ext. 2250.

The safety of our students and staff is a priority, and we thank you for your cooperation and support in helping us maintain a healthy and safe learning environment.

Sincerely,

Laura Chism

Assistant Superintendent of Student Services