Superintendent Communication

Dr. Michael Bregy
Dr. Michael Bregy
Superintendent of Schools
For this full update click here
 
COVID Guide + Monkeypox 
 
To assist with the impact and management of COVID-19 BHUSD has created a separate COVID Compliance team to ensure that the focus for all administrators remains on learning and teaching this year.
This team includes a District COVID Compliance Officer and a COVID Compliance Officer for each school site.
 
Who do I notify that I have COVID-19?
Your school site COVID Compliance Officer through these emails:

[email protected] 

[email protected] 

[email protected] 

[email protected] 
Be sure to include your date of positivity, symptom and symptoms onset if any, and a list of people you have been within 6 ft of for more than 15 minutes during your exposure window in an indoor setting including your siblings. 

When can I return to school?
You cannot come to school with COVID-19. You may return when you have a negative antigen test/at-home test (after day 5) once you are fever free without the use of fever-reducing medication and your other symptoms are improving. Per LACDPH, students are not required to wear a mask upon return. Per Cal/OSHA, staff are required to wear a mask until day 10.

Does my vaccination status need to be sent to the District?
Per the State of California, students are not required to provide proof of vaccination. All staff who are unvaccinated are required by Cal/OSHA to send a weekly negative COVID test, time-stamped to your site COVID Compliance Officer (emails above).

Will we be notified if we are a close contact or shared air space with a person who has COVID-19?
Yes.

Is BHUSD contact tracing?
Yes. Each site in consultation with the District is performing contact tracing.

Who is considered a close contact? 
Anyone within 6 ft of the positive person for more than 15 minutes during the exposure window. 

Are my siblings considered close contacts?
Yes. 

What do I do if I am a close contact?
Per LACDPH you are required to:
  1. Monitor symptoms 

  2. Wear a highly protective mask for 10 days when indoors (please refer to the information below if it is unsafe for your child to wear a mask)

  3. Test within days 3-5 from the date of last exposure 


What do I do if I have shared air space with a person who has COVID-19?
Monitor your symptoms and you can choose to wear a mask. Per Cal/OHSA staff are required to wear a mask for 10 days.

I have COVID, will my absence be excused?
Yes! Be sure to email your site COVID Compliance Officer and they will connect with the attendance office.

[email protected] 

[email protected] 

[email protected] 

[email protected] 

Are you offering Short Term Independent Study? 
Assembly Bill 130 (Short Term Independent Study, STIS) was enacted for the 2021-2022 school year. Accordingly, STIS (Zoom) will not be offered this year. Your absence will be excused and we encourage you to reach out to your teacher who will assist you with the ​absence as we would ​any other illness.

Where can I get a free home test?
At your school site front office and the District Office. 

Where can I get a mask? 
At your school site front office and the District Office.

Is BHUSD in compliance with all HVAC requirements?
Yes! This has been assessed by LACDPH in person.

Can I go to school with COVID symptoms?
No. If you are exhibiting COVID symptoms please stay home until they resolve, you have access to free home testing at your school site.

How do I contact the BHUSD District COVID Compliance Officer and LACDPH Liason?
Email [email protected]
 
If my child is identified as a close contact and if it is unsafe for my child to wear a mask, what do I do?

Per the LACDPH Health Order (click here) you must complete the following steps to receive a mask exemption in a situation where it is unsafe for your child to wear a mask.  


THIS EXEMPTION MUST ONLY BE PROCESSED BY [email protected] NOT YOUR SCHOOL SITE.


1. Remain asymptomatic. 


2. If you become a close contact you must test for COVID-19 twice, once during days 3-5 and once during days 6-9. (Tests are available at every school site and the District Office.)

3. You are younger than two years old, hearing impaired, communicating with a person who is hearing impaired, the ability to see the mouth is essential for your communication, you have a medical condition, mental health condition or disability, or your medical provider has determined that it is unsafe for you to wear a mask.

4. Provide certification from a state licensed health care provider attesting that the student has a condition or disability that precludes them from wearing a mask safely will be accepted as proof of exemption.

5. The following licensed health care professionals may provide such attestations: Medical providers including physician (MD or DO), nurse practitioner (NP), or physician assistant (PA) practicing under the authority of a licensed physician; and licensed mental and behavioral health practitioners including Clinical Social Worker (LCSW), clinical psychologist (Psy.D.), Professional Clinical Counselor (LPCC), or Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT).

6. To receive your mask exemption you must send the attestation to [email protected].

Please note, once filed, the mask exemption status will then be recorded in our Student Information System (Aeries) and this status can be accessible by all staff.
 
Monkeypox:
This is a rare disease caused by infection with Monkeypox virus, and does not naturally occur in the US.

If you notice an unusual rash please do not come to school and consult your doctor. 

The Monkeypox virus can spread by:
  • Touching Monkeypox lesions on a person's skin
  • Touching contaminated objects, fabric (clothing, bedding, towels), and surfaces that have been in contact with someone with Monkeypox 
  • Coming into contact with respiratory droplets or secretions from the eyes, nose and mouth from a person Monkeypox 
Monkeypox Symptoms include:
  • Rash, bumps, or blisters 
  • Fever and headaches
  • Muscle aches
  • Swollen lymph nodes
  • Sometimes cough or sore throat
  • Symptom onset ranges from 5 - 21 days 
For more information visit http://publichealth.lacounty.gov/media/monkeypox/
Dear BHUSD Community,

As we approach the first day of school, here are the top five things you need to know about COVID for this year.

  1. BHUSD will provide free home testing available at your school site and the district office.
  2. BHUSD will provide free face masks available at your school site and the district office.
  3. BHUSD will continue using thermal scanners to catch any fevers on entry. 
  4. HVAC systems are in compliance with LACDPH protocols and set to allow the highest amount of fresh air indoors.
  5. Students and staff with COVID-19 can end isolation after Day 5 ONLY if all of the following criteria are met: 1. A COVID-19 viral test collected on Day 5 or later is negative, and 2. No fever for at least 24 hours without the use of fever-reducing medicine, and 3. Other symptoms are improving --or-- Isolation can end after Day 10 if no fever for at least 24 hours without the use of fever-reducing medicine.

If you are exhibiting COVID symptoms please stay home until they resolve, you have access to free home testing at your school site.

Respectfully,
Dr. Bregy 
Dear BHUSD Community,

I am writing to inform you of a few changes regarding COVID-19 protocols, a change in our rapid testing schedule, and a very special BHUSD student. On Wednesday, Dr. Fauci announced that we are “certainly, right now, in this country, out of the pandemic phase.” This is great news! We are excited to see a light at the end of the tunnel and thank you for your ongoing patience.

Main Takeaways:
  1. Beginning May 4th, all close contacts in a shared indoor air space will be required by LACDPH to wear a mask for 10 days when indoors and test between days 3 and 5.
  2. We will be moving our rapid testing program back to the pre-surge rotating schedule, rather than daily at every site. (See below)
  3. A very special BHUSD student needs us, please be sure to read this communication in its entirety to see if you can help!

IMPORTANT: This is the first time we have ever been given a Health Order from LACDPH that won’t go into effect immediately so we anticipate that it could change. If you have any questions or concerns please reach out to LACDPH directly at [email protected].

New Health Order:
After numerous calls with Dr. Ferrer and the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health (LACDPH), BHUSD (along with all LA County Schools) has been directed to implement the updated Health Order which will take effect on May 4th. This will require all close contacts in a shared indoor air space to wear a mask for 10 days when indoors and test between days 3 and 5. The County has shared that they understand the implementation and enforcement of this Health Order will be challenging.

With the significant decline in positive cases in our schools, BHUSD has reduced our COVID Services Department personnel who would monitor every student and we ask for your cooperation in following this Health Order without our surveillance. Just as the Police Department expects us to follow the rules but does not have the personnel to monitor each driver, we trust everyone will exercise their own personal responsibility. The expectation is that every person will follow the County Health Order.

Per LACDPH, if BHUSD is made aware of a positive case, the following steps are required:  

  1. Contact Trace the exposure (indoor only) 2 days prior to symptom onset or positive test.
  2. Identify students who “shared air space indoors” for 15 cumulative minutes during the exposure time (regardless of vaccination status OR having COVID within 90 days). 
    1. In a classroom the “shared air space” includes everyone.
    2. In larger spaces eg. Auditorium, Cafeteria, Library, Multipurpose Room, close contacts are those who were sitting within 6 ft of the case for 15 min or more (this does not include classrooms.)
    3. All students and staff identified as close contacts (regardless of vaccination status OR having COVID within 90 days), must wear a mask when indoors for 10 days from the last date of exposure to the case. 
    4. All identified students and staff (regardless of vaccination status OR having COVID within 90 days), must test between day 3 and day 5 with a home test or using BHUSD testing.

Starting on Monday, we are moving our rapid testing program back to the pre-surge rotating schedule, rather than daily at every site. Testing is available daily at the District Office and will rotate at school sites as below:
With parent permission, home tests are available for all students and staff at each school daily.


Can you help a student in need?
Finally, and more importantly, below is a flyer from the family of a special BHUSD student who needs our help. Please consider getting a simple cheek swab test on May 1st.



Please direct any questions and concerns regarding the Health Order to [email protected]. We are aware that the new variants are extremely contagious and support the right of any individual to wear their mask.
 
Respectfully,
Dr. Bregy
Dear BHUSD Community,

As we approach Spring Break, I want to thank you for the incredible resilience you have shown as we transitioned to a semblance of normalcy. I have greatly enjoyed attending so many events in-person during the first half of semester two! Some favorite recent moments include BHHS performing their sensational musical, “Singin’ in the Rain,” BVMS celebrating the first time it has ever been in-person throughout the month of March as a dedicated middle school with “Dude, Be Nice Week,” Hawthorne holding their Fun-Run after a two-year delay, and Horace Mann celebrating International Women’s Month with BHPD and BHFD!

Be sure to read below to learn about COVID-19 testing as we prepare for Spring Break. 


Spring Break Testing
This week every student and staff member will receive a box (photo below) with 2 COVID-19 test kits inside. Unlike Winter Break when we held a compulsory COVID test-to-return program, testing to return from Spring Break will be voluntary; you will not need to show proof of a negative test. With that said, we ask that each student and staff member test for COVID before returning to school, but no more than 24 hours prior. With emerging variants, it is imperative that if an individual is symptomatic, they do not come to school. Although the weekly PCR testing program is concluding on April 22nd, we will continue to provide optional daily (on school days) rapid antigen testing throughout the District. If students or staff are symptomatic, please get tested immediately. If you have any questions please email [email protected]


I wish you a safe and rejuvenating Spring Break. 

Respectfully,
Dr. Bregy

Dear BHUSD Families,


I trust you are having a restful and rejuvenating break. In full transparency, I want to share that in the week leading up to Spring Break we experienced a classroom who were put under the “Outbreak Order” status by LACDPH as there were 3 or more positive COVID cases within the classroom. We were directed by LACDPH to ensure that every student in the classroom and every student who came in contact with a positive student from that classroom got tested and wore a mask when indoors. 


I am sharing this information so you understand how a situation such as an “Outbreak” can impact your child seemingly indirectly. If it is determined that your child has been in contact (within 6 feet for more than 15 minutes) with an official “Outbreak” they will be required to wear a mask when indoors and get tested. 


How do we avoid an “Outbreak” causing mandated mask usage by LACDPH?

  1. Use the test kits we sent home before returning to school, regardless of symptoms of vaccination status. 
  2. If negative, monitor your child's symptoms. Even the slightest cold-like symptom could be COVID. Keep your child home until they are symptom-free. 

Before the break, your student received an orange box (photo below) with two tests inside. Although it is not mandatory, we implore you to please use the home test kits after 8 am on Sunday or before their return to school on Monday. OR get tested at your provider of choice.


If your child has COVID, we will discover it through our final week of PCR testing this week. Instead, please test them tomorrow and keep them at home so we are able to return to school with minimal disruption to other students. 


Remember:

If your child tests negative, please monitor your child's symptoms. Even if they have the slightest sore throat or cold-like symptom please get them tested and do not bring them to school until it resolves.


Monitor Symptoms - If they have any of these symptoms get tested & 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)


If you have COVID-19 in your household, please test daily before school.


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


Respectfully,

Dr. Bregy 


COVID Test

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

 

Your Mask, Your Choice

 

BHUSD Exposure Protocol 3/14/22

Dear BHUSD Community,


Today, before acknowledging the change in guidance surrounding COVID-19 from Governor Newsom and LACDPH, I must acknowledge the unrest in our world. Whether you are directly or indirectly affected, we know that children are sensitive to the complexities of global turmoil. Our students have been forced to be relentlessly resilient for more than two years navigating the challenges of the pandemic. 


Supporting our students through the largest attack on a European state since World War Two comes as a new hurdle for educators and our community. Throughout BHUSD, there are staff and students who have U.S. military family members, and we also have staff and students with family or cultural ties to Ukraine and Russia. We commit to ensuring that we are creating a safe space for all members of our community, especially at this time. At the end of this communication, you will find some resources, which are in no way exhaustive, for supporting our students through this time. 


COVID-19 Masking Update:


Just a few hours ago, as you may already be aware, we heard from Governor Newsom that California has adopted new indoor mask policies and moved from mask requirements to mask recommendations in schools starting on March 12th. 


“State policies do not change federal requirements, which still include masks on public transit. After March 11, in schools and child care facilities, masks will not be required but will be strongly recommended. Masks will still be required for everyone in high transmission settings like public transit, emergency shelters, health care settings, correctional facilities, homeless shelters, and long-term care facilities. As always, local jurisdictions may have additional requirements beyond the state guidance.”


Shortly thereafter we were pleased to learn that LACDPH chose to align their masking measures with the state announcing: “LA County Public Health will align school masking measures with the state and shift to strongly recommending indoor masking requirements at childcare sites and K-12 schools beginning March 12.”


BHUSD will immediately align with LACDPH and the State on March 12 and strongly support any students or staff members who choose to continue wearing their masks. We recognize that every home faces personal challenges, should any student or staff member feel more comfortable by wearing additional PPE please reach out to [email protected] and we will make this available to you.


I thank you for your continued support in navigating this pandemic and am grateful for this much-needed light at the end of the tunnel. My heart is with all of you who are impacted by the horrific turmoil worldwide. If your student needs any extra support please don’t hesitate in reaching out to our school leaders. 


Respectfully,

Dr. Bregy



SOCIAL AND EMOTIONAL LEARNING RESOURCES FOR FAMILIES, EDUCATORS TO SUPPORT STUDENTS:


For All Ages


For Elementary/Middle School Students

Dear BHUSD Families,

As you may already be aware, at 12:01 am this morning, the below changes were released with an updated Health Order enabling all students and staff to remove their masks while outdoors at all times (if they so choose) regardless of whether they are participating in sports (under Health Order Protocol for Organized Youth Sports: Appendix S).

Respectfully,
Dr. Michael Bregy
 
“Dear LA County School, ECE, and Youth Sports Partners,
It is with much pleasure I announce that we in Los Angeles County are on the verge of officially entering our post-surge period.  Tomorrow (February 16th) will be the 7th consecutive day that the number of hospitalized patients with COVID-19 will be below the threshold of 2,500.  As such, the requirement in the health officer order mandating masking outdoors at schools, child care, and for youth sports is lifted.  Similarly, the requirement to mask outdoors at mega-events is also lifted.  The recommendation to wear a mask when in crowded outdoor settings remains in place.  Schools, districts, youth sports programs, and child care facilities have the option to be more restrictive in their policies than Public Health orders require.
A revised Health Officer Order has been posted implementing these changes that go into effect at 12:01 AM on February 16.  Revisions to the relevant Health Officer Order appendices (protocols) will be finalized and posted shortly.
Thank you for your ongoing patience and cooperation.
Sincerely,
Robert Gilchick, MD, MPH
Child and Adolescent Health Section Chief”
Dear BHUSD Families,

This evening the Board of Education met to continue our discussion about COVID-19 protocols. As you are aware, the Board of Education has held numerous conversations and dedicated a study session to COVID-19 protocols and specifically outdoor masking. We have considered the voices of our community and we share your concerns. Today, the Board further evaluated the language in the LACDPH protocols and in a unanimous vote, approved the broader enforcement of the masking requirements for all outdoor activities pursuant to the Protocol for Organized Youth Sports: Appendix S, effective immediately

The Board of Education recognizes our charge to remain in compliance with LACDPH and Ed Code. Not only are we required by Ed Code 32282 “to provide a safe and orderly environment conducive to learning at the school” we are also responsible for the holistic well-being of our students. 

BHUSD has determined that every student (Preschool - 12th Grade) currently qualifies to participate in a grade-level sports team under the Youth Sports Health Order, should they wish. “When actively practicing, conditioning, or competing in outdoor sports where distancing is not possible, masks are required by participants, as practicable.” For a list of sports the students may participate in while they are playing on their sports teams to qualify for this Health Order, please see the final page of the Health Order here or scroll to the bottom of this email.

The indoor mask mandate for schools remains in effect for the entire State and LA County. While outdoors, all students may choose to wear a mask when actively practicing, conditioning, or competing in sports as listed below. This includes participation in PE when supervised by their teachers and time when they are outside (eg, recess and lunch) supervised by the administration. 

The Board of Education strongly supports all students who choose to continue wearing their mask while outside.

We, the Board of Education, along with the Superintendent are steadfast in our commitment to fulfilling our obligation in putting students first. 

Respectfully,

Mrs. Mary Wells, President, Board of Education
Mr. Noah Margo, Vice President, Board of Education
Dr. Amanda Stern, Board of Education Member
Mrs. Rachelle Marcus, Board of Education Member
Mr. Gabriel Halimi, Board of Education Member
Mr. Eli Ramer, Student Board of Education Member 
and
Dr. Michael Bregy, Superintendent of Schools

Dear BHUSD Community,

Today I am writing to bring you a three-part update on COVID with encouraging news:

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

1. This week LACDPH has provided a new T1 and T2 Health Order, a new Surge Protocol, and a new Contact Tracing Framework. There are significant changes, please read the new graphic closely; every color has been updated, including yellow.

Key takeaways: 
  • 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.  

Please remember, your whole family quarantines until the positive person tests negative after Day 5, and everyone in your home tests negative unless you have recently had COVID-19.


2. You can now access 4 free tests for your household by going to covidtests.gov.

3. Although there is a delay in the data due for BVMS and HM to the recent holiday, we have the full data (PCR, rapid/symptomatic test results) for both BHHS and Hawthorne. PCR results for BVMS and HM are expected shortly as HM tested yesterday and BVMS tested today. BHHS positive test results from new cases have decreased from last week to this week by approximately 71% and Hawthorne has decreased by approximately 68%. If these results are any indication of the direction we are heading, this is good news.

While encouraging, the District positive COVID case rate remains concerning. Pre-Omicron, we were averaging approximately 2 cases a day District-wide. Last week we were averaging approximately 59 cases a day. This week we predict that we will average approximately 21 cases a day when all the results come in, which is very promising.

The information detailed above about new Exposure Protocols and case rates is obviously a notable shift forward for LACDPH and BHUSD. We are pleased to see that the safety measures are working and cases are decreasing allowing us more freedom and continued access to in-person educational opportunities for our students.

Have a wonderful weekend,
Dr. Bregy 
Dear BHUSD Community,

I wanted to touch base with you regarding the delay in testing that occurred at all school sites this morning. The safety of our community is our first priority, second to that is keeping our schools open for in-person learning. 

In anticipation of the high number of tests required, today we placed a minimum of three testers at each school site plus extra staff where we saw high close contact counts. Each morning as a precaution, the testing company requires their staff (in school settings) to test for COVID regardless of whether they have symptoms. This morning, four of them tested positive for COVID which caused us to have a delay in testing. We still maintained two testers at each school site however the extra four testers were then sent to quarantine. 

Today you watched and saw our school sites pivot and enable everyone to be tested as quickly as possible, some with the assistance of home tests. This resulted in a significant amount of reconciliation for our staff today, as those tests are not in the database and must now be manually entered. All students waiting were in school by 10 am which we believe is a small price to pay to keep our schools open.

The baseline testing included 198 positive people last Sunday (1/9), many of whom came back to school today. This is in addition to their close contacts who are mandated by LACDPH to test on both day 0 and day 5. 

Although our dashboard reflects active cases, these numbers are not a daily number of new cases but instead, the active cases in the district. This includes cases that drop off once they test negative and return to school and new cases. To give you a summary of the daily new cases for the last few days at BHUSD please see below:

Date Daily New Cases Staff Daily New Cases Students  Total
Wednesday 1/12 10 46 56
Thursday 1/13 7 48 55
Friday 1/14 2 48 50
Monday 1/17 (from weekend PCR results and rapid notifications) 10 66 76


Finally, I want to thank those of you who remained calm and supportive of our staff this morning. Your kindness made an enormous difference in our ability to effectively make decisions and keep our community safe. 

Kind Regards, 
Dr. Bregy
Dear BHUSD Community,

We have heard you and agree, this new stage of the pandemic is overwhelming and naturally is eliciting many strong opinions. To reduce some of the pressure from your inboxes we will be posting daily updates about the number of current cases, broken down by school site, through our dashboard at bhusd.org/coviddashboard/. We are in communication with the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health multiple times a day and will email you with any significant updates. 

A critical part for us to effectively return your student to school when they are a close contact is to know upfront if they have had COVID over the Winter Break. Although we have put this in multiple communications we must reiterate - please email [email protected] medical proof that your child had COVID over break if this applies to you. Our goal is to minimize lost instructional time while keeping everyone safe. 

We are implementing a number of immediate actions to ease the burden of the surge on our entire community. The best way you can support this is to stay home if you have any symptoms, quarantine until your last family member is negative, and test before returning to school after an absence. 

Finally, if your student is quarantining and waiting on a Zoom link please ask them to reach out to their teacher to let them know. Each situation is different. The reasons links may be taking a little longer range from the enormous number of students being processed through Short Term Independent Study (which is a legal requirement by the state), teachers sick with COVID, and a considerable amount of staff who support the function of our schools also impacted by COVID. At this time we have enough staff to keep our schools open and we are grateful to be in that position. As the conditions of the pandemic continue to evolve we will keep you updated. 

Respectfully,
Dr. Bregy
Dear BHUSD Community,

Thank you for helping us achieve the safest possible learning environment for our community as we returned back to school yesterday. On Sunday and Monday morning, we identified many asymptomatic positive cases and immediately placed them into quarantine.

There have already been numerous people who tested negative on Sunday, who developed symptoms last night and tested positive this morning. Please remain vigilant and do not go to school with any symptoms. We are incredibly grateful to these people for being so conscientious and responsible. These actions will enable us to keep our schools open.  

A reminder that if anyone in your household is testing positive for COVID, please wait until the positive person tests negative after day 5 and everyone in your household also then tests negative.

If your student is absent due to any kind of symptom that has now resolved, please swing by the District Office before bringing them back to school to get a negative test.

The magnitude of the Omicron variant and the impact it is having on learning cannot be understated. Although we are confident in our ability to pivot, the number of students in quarantine is unlike anything we have experienced without transitioning the entire school to Distance Learning. These numbers are below and also on our Active Case Dashboard at bhusd.org/coviddashboard/.

After Sunday, we have the following active positive cases: (these numbers are changing and will be updated daily Monday-Friday)

  Active Staff Cases 1/10 Active Student Cases 1/10
BHHS 10 52
BVMS 9 44
HAW 8 31
HM 9 31
DO 3 0
Totals 39 159

There is no specific case threshold at which state and local public health recommend a temporary closure of a classroom or school. Guidance from the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) states that “a temporary school closure due to COVID-19 should be a last resort and considered only after all available resources have been exhausted in an attempt to preserve in-person education.”

Finally, I am so grateful to each of you. To our staff, parents, students, the wider community, the City of Beverly Hills, and the Beverly Hills Police Department for helping us in this time of continued uncertainty.

Respectfully,
Dr. Bregy
 

Dear BHUSD Community,

Thank you for attending today, you helped to keep our community safe! If you didn't make it, please follow these instructions to permit entry to school. We are grateful to the City of Beverly Hills and the Beverly Hills Police Department as it is with their partnership we are able to bring you the next part of our reopening plan for 2022.

Regardless of vaccination status, all students and staff will be required to present a negative COVID test before returning to school tomorrow. We are extending our testing to parents due to the highly contagious nature of the most recent variant and scarcity of tests available.

If you are not comfortable with our plan below you may test (only for this return test) with your own provider. The test must be time stamped and dated by your provider after 8am on Sunday 1/9. You must bring the results to school to enter on Monday 1/10. The tests we will provide to you are home tests at no cost.


To access the COVID testing area along Civic Center Drive:
  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.
As explained above, at Station 1 - present your ID and a BHUSD administrator will confirm the number of students in your family in Aeries and in the car. At Station 2 - current BHUSD students, and parents will be given tests for the people present in the car. Only 1 car per family will be permitted as we want to limit traffic. Tests may not be picked up on behalf of other families. Due to extreme scarcity, we want to ensure that every person gets a test. We will only provide tests for BHUSD students and parents. Please stay in your car at all times as we will be moving thousands of families through the line and we want to ensure it moves as quickly as possible. You may not walk, bike or scooter; you must be in a car. ID is required as we continue to have people outside BHUSD attempting to take advantage of our testing programs. Due to the national testing shortage we must restrict this opportunity to BHUSD only. A negative test is required to enter school.

Once you drive away please park safely and administer the tests following the instructions in the box. As these tests are not administered or supervised by medical staff, if anyone in your car tests positive for COVID please proceed immediately to the District Office (255 S Lasky Dr.) for confirmatory testing. A negative rapid antigen & negative PCR test are required to come to school after a positive test. These will both be available at the District Office. 

If everyone in your car tests negative for COVID, please proceed to school and present it to be verified by school officials with your health screening for entry to school.

Finally, please do not send any symptomatic students to school. The Omicron symptoms can mimic that of a simple cold. If anyone in your home has COVID we ask you to all quarantine as a family and not to attend school. We need your help to keep our schools open. If you are looking to book a booster shot please visit vaccine.mickeyfine.com.

If you have any questions please email [email protected]

Respectfully,
Dr. Bregy
Dear BHUSD Community,

I have waited to provide you with the BHUSD COVID-19 Health Order update with the most concrete information from LACDPH (Los Angeles County Department of Public Health).  However, yesterday we learned that LACDPH will be releasing new guidance on Monday or Tuesday in accordance with the revised CDPH (California Department of Public Health) order that was released yesterday. While this news can be frustrating and confusing, I ask you to continue to be patient with the changing nature of this pandemic.

Due to our drive-through distribution day tomorrow, if you have an appointment with COVID MD at the District Office on Monday, please cancel your appointment through Dragonfly.

The most important message from this communication is, if you have any symptoms, including cold or flu-like symptoms, please do not come to school. If you have COVID in your household, please do not send your students to school until the 5-day window (as defined below) has passed and everyone is testing negative. Please inform [email protected], your school COVID administrator, and the attendance office.

BHHS: Drew Stewart - [email protected] | [email protected] | [email protected] 
BVMS: Josh Stern - [email protected] | [email protected] | [email protected] 
HAW: Sarah Kaber - [email protected] | [email protected] | [email protected] 
HM: Chris Regan - [email protected] | [email protected] | [email protected] 

The following statistics were provided yesterday by Dr. Ferrer:

  • 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

There is no specific case threshold at which state and local public health recommend a temporary closure of a classroom or school. Guidance from the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) states that “a temporary school closure due to COVID-19 should be a last resort and considered only after all available resources have been exhausted in an attempt to preserve in-person education.”

We remain committed to following the most current Health Orders to protect our students, staff, and wider community and will provide updates as the new LACDPH guidance is released. For now, here are pertinent changes LACDPH made over the break:

LACDPH Requirements:
  • 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 negativeasymptomatic, 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. 

LACDPH Recommendations:
  • 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.

Please will you do this?
  • 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.

To put it simply, we are bound by LACDPH. We understand that there are many of you who strongly disagree with their decisions however, I must ask you to remember that the best way for your child to be the least educationally impacted is for them to be vaccinated. We have been informed that this is not only due to hospitalization rates but also the time (reduced) and ability to spread (lower viral load) the virus if you are vaccinated.

We are all aware of the current surge in Los Angeles County and across the nation. We recognize that these coming months may be disruptive and stressful as students and staff move in and out of school due to increased cases.

Respectfully,
Dr. Bregy


Below is a graphic produced by Lancet and NEJM and published by Insider to help better explain the patterns currently seen by Omicron.



Please click to download a PDF copy of Preventing COVID-19: Masks

Please click to download a PDF copy of the Masking Updates for Students

Please click to download a PDF copy of the Masking Updates for School Employees

Please visit http://publichealth.lacounty.gov/acd/ncorona2019/masks/ for additional information and guides in multiple languages.

Booster Eligibility - When am I eligible for a booster? 
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/booster-shot.html 

Here are the relevant Health Orders we are required to follow:

HEALTH OFFICER ORDER FOR THE CONTROL OF COVID-19 Public Health Emergency Isolation Order

HEALTH OFFICER ORDER FOR THE CONTROL OF COVID-19 Public Health Emergency Quarantine Order

Reopening Protocols for K-12 Schools: Appendix T1

COVID-19 Exposure Management Plan Guidance in TK-12 Schools: Appendix T2

Symptom and Quarantine Decision Pathways in Early Care and Education Centers and TK-12 Schools

Protocol for Organized Youth Sports: Appendix S

COVID-19 Exposure Management Plan Guidance for Organized Youth Sports Programs
Dear BHUSD Community,

I trust you are having a restful break although I know many of you are anxious to hear what our plan is in order to reopen schools as safely as possible on Monday. Thank you for your ongoing patience and understanding.

Since the beginning of this pandemic, our objective has remained the same, to keep students, staff and our wider community safe and our schools open for in-person learning for as long as LACDPH (Los Angeles County Department of Public Health) and CDPH (California Department of Public Health) allow us. 

We are grateful to the City of Beverly Hills and the Beverly Hills Police Department as it is with their partnership we are able to bring you the initial part of our reopening plan for 2022. 

As one of the last school districts to close before the break we saw what was ahead for us due to the Omicron variant. We had an enormous uptick in cases and immediately started ordering and preparing plans for our return which has placed us in a strong position for reopening. Another advantage we have is being one of only 30 school districts in Los Angeles County to return from winter break on January 10th instead of 3rd. We are watching what is going well and what could be better for our surrounding counterparts and using every piece of information to guide us to ensure each child’s continuity of education for the Spring semester. 

As we placed our orders before Winter Break, we are in a position to provide rapid home tests for each staff member, student and parent prior to coming on campus on Monday. Regardless of vaccination status, all students and staff will be required to present a negative COVID test before returning to school on Monday. We are extending our testing to parents due to the highly contagious nature of the most recent variant and scarcity of tests available. 

If you are not comfortable with our plan below you may test (only for this return test) with your own provider. The test must be time stamped and dated by your provider after 8am on Sunday 1/9. You must bring the results to school to enter on Monday 1/10. 

This Sunday, BHUSD will hold a COVID Testing Day. The tests we will provide to you are home tests at no cost. To achieve the safety provided by controlled queuing, we ask you to please attend only at the time below as designated by the last name of your child.


As explained above, on Sunday during your time slot, you will drive North on Rexford Dr and stop at Station 1 - here you will present your ID and a BHUSD administrator will confirm the number of students in your family in Aeries and in the car. You will then turn right and at Station 2 - BHUSD students, staff and parents will be given the number of tests for the people present in the car who attend BHUSD. Only 1 car per family will be permitted as we want to limit traffic. Tests may not be collected on behalf of other families, due to extreme scarcity we want to ensure that every person gets a test. We will only provide tests for BHUSD staff, students and parents. Please stay in your car at all times as we will be moving thousands of families through the line and we want to ensure it moves as quickly as possible. You may not walk, bike or scooter, you must be in a car. ID is required as we continue to have people outside BHUSD attempting to take advantage of our testing programs. Due to the testing shortage nationally we must restrict this opportunity to BHUSD only. A negative test is required to enter school on Monday 1/10. 

Once you drive away from Hawthorne before returning home, please park safely and administer the tests following the instructions in the box. As these tests are not administered or supervised by medical staff, if anyone in your car tests positive for COVID please proceed immediately to the District Office (255 S Lasky Dr, park at the Swim Gym) for confirmatory testing. A negative rapid antigen & negative PCR test are required to come to school after a positive test. These will both be available at the District Office. Admission to the District Office will be by showing your positive home test result, it is not open to the public. 

If everyone in your car tests negative for COVID, please proceed home and bring the physical test to school on 1/10 to be verified by school officials with your health screening for entry to school. 

Finally, please do not send any symptomatic students to school. The Omicron symptoms can mimic that of a simple cold. If anyone in your home has COVID we ask you to all quarantine as a family and not to attend school. We need your help to keep our schools open. We will send subsequent communications regarding updated Health Orders in the coming days. If you are looking to book a booster shot please visit vaccine.mickeyfine.com

If you have any questions please email [email protected]. I look forward to seeing you on Sunday!

Respectfully,
Dr. Bregy
Dear BHUSD Community,

I am writing to notify you that the Los Angeles County Office of Education (LACOE) Superintendent, Debra Duardo, has shared clear expectations for all schools in Los Angeles County during winter break which include the following:

  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. 

If you are following our COVID-19 Dashboard you are aware that we have 68 active cases in the last 14 days within BHUSD. This number does not include family members who are not students or staff of BHUSD (parents, siblings, etc). Although we have been in constant communication with LACDPH and they have said we do not meet the threshold for an outbreak at any of our schools due to the nature of the exposures, we will not take these directions from the LACOE Superintendent lightly. Our COVID-19 Task Force team will be working in conjunction with our Maintenance and Operations teams to ensure that all of these items are completed. Accordingly, I am closing the district to all non-essential personnel over the first week of the break for thorough cleaning, sanitization, and HVAC maintenance in preparation for the colder weather that is expected in January. BHUSD has just finished our quarterly preventative maintenance cycle for boilers, chillers, and air handlers. We are about to start our quarterlies on our cooling towers. Additionally, BHUSD is on a constant cycle of filter replacements. All MERV 13 filters are replaced every 3 months. We have and will continue to remain vigilant in our quest to keep schools open and our community as safe as possible. 

As I said in my communication yesterday, if you need to report a positive COVID case over the break please email [email protected], all other employees will not be checking or responding to emails. Be sure to include a copy of the positive test results.

If your student is fully vaccinated and you have not yet provided us with proof of vaccination please send this to [email protected]. This reminder is for everyone however is particularly geared towards elementary families.

I wish each of you a safe, relaxing, and memorable Winter Break and I look forward to seeing you in January. 

Respectfully,
Dr. Bregy  
Please note: There will not be any weekly PCR testing next week due to the Thanksgiving Break. Our rapid program will run on Monday and Tuesday.
 
Dear BHUSD Community,

Thank you for your cooperation with our weekly COVID-19 PCR testing. With your support, we are now in a good routine. Uninsured families may disregard the following email.

Shortly, parents, guardians, and staff will begin receiving Explanation of Benefits (EOBs) for the testing from insurance companies. As we stated weeks ago, an EOB is NOT a bill or invoice. You are never required to submit payment for this weekly testing. Sometimes an EOB is misinterpreted as a bill or invoice, which it is not. These statements (EOBs) are generated by insurance companies. BHUSD and our COVID testing partner, DoctorNow, have no control over how the information is presented by the insurance company.

We are placing significant importance on communicating with you the considerable difference between an EOB and an invoice. As we have communicated, our families and staff are not required to pay for any testing. The reason that insurance information was provided during the registration process is for DoctorNow to be reimbursed by the insurance provider, whether “In-Network” or “Out-of-Network.” DoctorNow only collects the amount reimbursed by the insurance provider as designated nationally under terms of this pandemic.

In rare cases, the insurance provider may send the reimbursement check directly to the participant. If that does happen, DoctorNow will follow up with the participant directly to collect that reimbursement amount. Again, you are not required to submit any payment; this is a reimbursement of funds intended for our testing company by your insurance provider.

If you receive an EOB that you have questions about, please don’t hesitate in emailing both [email protected] and [email protected] and we will be happy to assist you.

Again, you are never required to submit payment for this weekly testing.

Thank you for your continued support of our testing protocols to keep students and staff safe and ensure ongoing in-person instruction. We are continuing to update our COVID Dashboard at bhusd.org/dashboard/.

Respectfully,
Dr. Bregy
Dear BHUSD Community,

It is critical to remember that we are now in cold and flu season. You or your child's slight cold may very well be COVID-19. Although we are conducting weekly COVID-19 PCR testing which is identifying cases early on, please remember that this is screening testing that does NOT replace symptomatic testing which is available daily at no cost.

As a reminder, we have also included our volunteer/visitor guide below. This is important as many parent/teacher conferences are happing this week. If you are entering the inside of a BHUSD building for more than 15 minutes you must be tested with BHUSD prior to arriving. See below for more information.

PCR testing on Veterans Day (Thursday, November 11th) will be moved to the next day (Friday, November 12th) however there will not be any PCR testing during the week of Thanksgiving. There will be rapid antigen testing available on Monday, November 22nd, and Tuesday, November 23rd for symptomatic or exposed individuals.

Anyone who travels outside of California during the Thanksgiving break, must complete a rapid antigen test at the District Office on Monday, November 29th between 7 am and 9 am before going to school. To book your appointment visit bhusd.dragonflyphd.com.

Have a great week!


Dear BHUSD Community,

This week we launched our weekly PCR testing program. To ensure you have all of the information required to access your child's results, DoctorNow has put together the attached document. You will receive the first step 24-48 hours after the test is taken.

If you have any issues, please email [email protected] and they will assist you.

Thank you,
BHUSD
 
Dear BHUSD Community,

I’m writing to address some concerns about the recent Memorandum of Understanding entered into agreement between BHUSD and the Beverly Hills Education Association (BHEA) regarding various COVID-19 issues.

The main concerns I want to clarify are 1. Masking outdoors and 2. Visitor/Volunteer Testing.

As you are aware, during the Pandemic, the bargaining process has and continues to be ongoing and constantly evolving due to the nature of rapidly changing health conditions and the guidance of the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health (LACDPH).

When we started bargaining for the current school year in late July, the Delta Variant was spiking in Los Angeles County and we were concerned about the very real possibility of shutting down classrooms as a result of increasing COVID-19 cases. As such, we, like many surrounding districts, felt it necessary to consider additional precautions to prevent the spread of COVID-19 to ensure the continuity of in-person instruction and open schools. Regressive bargaining is a significant consideration and the difference between late July and now is considerable.
 
A few months have passed since the start of school and conditions have evolved. Consequently, we are in the process of reengaging our labor partners from BHEA to reduce the additional precautions we felt necessary when the Delta Virus was spiking.
 
We are working collaboratively with our labor partners toward an amended agreement that continues to closely align with the LACDPH Health Order and focuses on the health, safety, and well-being of our students, staff, and community members.
 
In relation to volunteer testing, per the Memorandum of Understanding, all employees will test weekly regardless of vaccination status. Unvaccinated employees will test twice weekly. We are not requiring visitors/volunteers to be vaccinated to participate. Visitors and volunteers will follow the guide below:

Visitor/Volunteer Guide
Are you a visitor/volunteer on a weekly basis? Yes = Sign up for weekly testing at the District Office here - doctornow-patient.precisemdx.com/BHUSDStaff  No = Move to the next line
Are you a visitor/volunteer entering a school campus inside of a building for more than 15 minutes? Yes = Go to the District Office at 255 S Lasky Drive, Beverly Hills and take a Rapid Antigen Test prior to entry. Sign up to make an appointment here - bhusd.dragonflyphd.com/  No = Move to the next line
Are you a visitor/volunteer entering a school campus outside for more than 15 minutes? Eg. Football Game, PTA Outdoor Meeting, JPA Outdoor Athletics/Activities, etc. Yes = Welcome! Have a great time!
No = Please email [email protected] with your question!

We appreciate your ongoing support of BHUSD during this difficult time.

Kind regards,
Dr. Bregy 

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.

 

Saliva Instructions


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 BHHS & BVMS Parents/Guardians,

In addition to our current Rapid Antigen Testing available for all staff, students, and volunteers (this is voluntary or required if there is an exposure or symptom onset occurs) this evening the Board of Education unanimously approved a COVID-19 Student Testing Policy requiring students to test weekly if they are unvaccinated plus a random selection of vaccinated students. All unvaccinated students will use our PCR Testing option and must receive parental/guardian consent. You are receiving this email because we do not yet have your student’s vaccination card on file and your student is 12 years of age or older and therefore eligible for the COVID-19 vaccination. 

As the nature of the pandemic continues to be unpredictable with new varients, 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. 

The testing program will commence on October 15th. Before we send you the links to give your consent we are creating a window for those of you with vaccinated students to provide us with their proof of vaccination using the form below through your ParentSquare account. 

The testing details regarding the types/method/options of PCR tests we will offer and the testing schedule will be communicated shortly. 

If you are having difficulty with the ParentSquare form you can email the proof of vaccination to [email protected] instead.

Respectfully,
Dr. Bregy

Dear BVMS Parents/Guardians with students under 12 years of age,

In addition to our current Rapid Antigen Testing available for all staff, students, and volunteers (this is voluntary or required if there is an exposure or symptom onset occurs) this evening the Board of Education unanimously approved a COVID-19 Student Testing Policy requiring students to test weekly if they are unvaccinated plus a random selection of vaccinated students. All unvaccinated students will use our PCR Testing option and must receive parental/guardian consent. You are receiving this email because although none of your students are eligible to be vaccinated due to their age, it is important that we communicate our plans with you. 

As the nature of the pandemic continues to be unpredictable with new varients, 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. 

The testing program will commence on October 15th. The testing details regarding the types/method/options of PCR tests we will offer and the testing schedule will be communicated shortly. 

Respectfully,
Dr. Bregy

Dear Elementary Parents/Guardians,

In addition to our current Rapid Antigen Testing available for all staff, students, and volunteers (this is voluntary or required if there is an exposure or symptom onset occurs) this evening the Board of Education unanimously approved a COVID-19 Student Testing Policy requiring students to test weekly if they are unvaccinated plus a random selection of vaccinated students. All unvaccinated students will use our PCR Testing option and must receive parental/guardian consent. You are receiving this email because although none of our elementary students are eligible to be vaccinated due to their age, it is important that we communicate our plans with you. 

As the nature of the pandemic continues to be unpredictable with new varients, 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. 

The testing program will commence on October 15th. The testing details regarding the types/method/options of PCR tests we will offer and the testing schedule will be communicated shortly. 

Respectfully,
Dr. Bregy
 

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 

Exposure Protocols
Dear BVMS Community,

Over the last 24 hours, an unusual situation has occurred that is a first for our school district. It is the best-case scenario for how the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health protocols work to keep us safe. The following information is being shared, has written, expressed permission from the family, and is therefore not in breach of privacy.

On Monday, a BVMS student started feeling unwell, they tested privately (outside of BHUSD) for COVID-19 with a PCR test.

Yesterday, the family immediately informed the BVMS COVID Administrator that the test result indicated that they were positive for COVID. We verified these results but asked for them to test with us at the District Office since their siblings were close contacts and also BHUSD students who needed to be tested per our Exposure Protocols.

The Rapid Antigen tests we use are more expensive than standard Rapid Antigen Tests which has been an area of concern for some community members. They are 97% accurate and a PCR test is about 98% accurate.

It is widely understood that PCR tests are often more accurate than Rapid Tests but the results time difference between a PCR test and Rapid Test is hours vs minutes.

When the “positive” student tested with BHUSD using the Rapid Antigen test, they were negative for COVID. They tested again and were negative again. Their siblings also tested and were negative for COVID. At this stage, we proceeded with caution to do everything in our power to prioritize our goals in this order, 1. Safety 2. Education. To do this, we strive to make the best decisions possible with the most information we can get. The negative Rapid Antigen test was not proof enough however, we did not want to unnecessarily quarantine over 20 close contacts if in fact there was no safety risk to our community. Therefore, we asked the entire family to test with a PCR test including the student who was initially “positive” and their siblings and parents.

We decided it was in everyone's best interest to continue as if the student were positive until we had proof to the contrary. While we waited for the new PCR results we followed the LACDPH protocols and finished contract tracing, testing, and quarantining the impacted people as well as all required notifications.

This morning we received proof of a negative PCR test for everyone in their family. We have been advised that the initial PCR test was a rare “false positive” and that the subsequent negative Rapid Antigen and PCR negative tests are accurate.

Accordingly, notifications to the following people and actions below are occurring simultaneously:

  • The Superintendent and COVID Administrator Team. 
  • The BVMS Principal and COVID Administrator by a District COVID Administrator. 
  • The Board of Education by the Superintendent. 
  • The teachers with the false positive student in their class by the BVMS COVID Administrator. 
  • The close contacts students quarantining will be allowed to return to school immediately.
  • The students who were able to return as they were fully vaccinated or had COVID-19 in the last 90 days are being informed.
  • The student with the false negative test results and their siblings will be allowed to return to school immediately. 
  • The BVMS Staff will be notified by the Assistant Superintendent of Personnel Services.
  • The dashboard will have this case removed by the District Liaison to DPH. 
  • The BVMS Community will be notified. 

Respectfully,
Dr. Bregy
Good afternoon BVMS and BHHS Communities,
I am also including our elementary school communities for full transparency even though this action request does not apply to you. 

It brings me great pride that, although there are cases of COVID-19 within BHUSD, we currently only have epidemiological links in cases where the students were in contact for a considerable amount of time outside of school. An example of this might be siblings living together. This is a testament to your children following the LACDPH protocols and keeping their masks on. I implore you and anyone in your household, if eligible, to please get vaccinated. Visit myturn.ca.gov to find your closest free vaccine, no insurance is required. It is the fastest way for BHUSD to get your students out of quarantine and back to school!

Action Request:
In anticipation of the event that your child may be a close contact (within 6 feet for more than 15 cumulative minutes within a 24 hour period) of a student who unknowingly has COVID-19 as they move between classes at the secondary level, we need your support to quickly return them to class if the circumstances allow. Accordingly, if your child is fully vaccinated (it has been more than two weeks since their last dose) we are asking you to proactively email us this proof of vaccination, your child’s name, school and grade to [email protected]. For an easy way to find proof of vaccination, please visit myvaccinerecord.cdph.ca.gov and take a screenshot. 

The quickest way for a close contact to get back to class on the same day of an exposure is if we have proof of their vaccination status. They will need to take a quick rapid antigen test at BHUSD (due to break-through cases) before they can return to school. If we have proof that they are vaccinated (or proof that they have had COVID-19 in the last 90 days) and tested negative, your child can immediately return to school and continue to monitor how they are feeling. They are welcome, and we encourage them to test 3-5 days later to be sure. They may test as often as you would like following this schedule, click here. Students may not miss class to test unless they are symptomatic or a close contact who is yet to be tested with BHUSD with permission from site administration and guardians. More on this Exposure Protocol can be found by clicking here

If you are interested in hearing how we handle a positive case of COVID-19 at BHUSD, please click here to watch my Superintendent’s Report at the Board of Education meeting on Tuesday. Additionally, the Board of Education discussed further testing and vaccination requirements towards the end of the meeting. 

Where can I easily find proof of my child’s COVID-19 vaccination? 
Visit myvaccinerecord.cdph.ca.gov.

Allergies? A little bit sick? Waiting on a test result? Have a positive test? Is a sibling positive? 
It is imperative that you keep your child home and inform your school COVID-19 Administrators immediately:
BHHS - Drew Stewart [email protected]
BVMS - Josh Stern [email protected]
HAW - Sarah Kaber [email protected]
HM - Chris Regan [email protected] 

What are the Active and Total Cases? 
Visit our dashboard by going to bhusd.org/coviddashboard/

What Causes School to Close? 
The LACDPH (Los Angeles County Department of Public Health) and CDPH (California Department of Public Health) removed the language around closing schools. It used to be if 25% of the schools in the district caused a district closure and 3 epidemiologically linked cases closed a school. We have not met this threshold however, LACDPH and CDPH have both removed this language. We are instructed to work with the LACDPH on a case-by-case basis. They will make this determination if and when they deem it necessary.

What is the testing schedule for free BHUSD testing?
Click here to view the schedule, be sure to book using the links below. 
Daily from 7:30am to 4:30pm:
Monday - District Office - bhusd.dragonflyphd.com 
Tuesday - Horace Mann Elementary & District Office - hm.dragonflyphd.com 
Wednesday - Hawthorne Elementary & District Office - haw.dragonflyphd.com
Thursday - BVMS & District Office - bvms.dragonflyphd.com
Friday - BHHS & District Office - bhhs.dragonflyphd.com

For more FAQ answers, our Exposure Protocol and Testing Schedule please visit bhusd.org/covid19/

Thank you for your ongoing cooperation and support,
Dr. Bregy 
Dear BHUSD Community,

As we are nearing the end of our first full week of school, we have 2 main objectives. 1. To keep our community as safe as possible. 2. To keep our schools open. I am the first person to acknowledge that the changing COVID-19 protocols are overwhelming to navigate. Accordingly, we have created a graphic to help (below) in line with the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health (LACDPH) protocols for close contacts depending on your circumstances. 

Additionally, we announced this morning that we have expanded our testing program for BHUSD Students, Staff, and Volunteers. Students may not miss class to test unless they are symptomatic or a close contact with permission from site administration and parents.

Finally, I implore you if you are eligible to get vaccinated! Visit myturn.ca.gov to find your closest free vaccine, no insurance is required. It is the fastest way for BHUSD to get your students out of quarantine and back to school!

Respectfully,
Dr. Bregy 

 
Exposure Protocols
 

COVID-19 Rapid Antigen testing is available at the following locations between 7:30 am & 4:30 pm for all BHUSD students, staff, and volunteers, please book at the links below:
*Exposed Students and Staff will always take priority over scheduled appointments

Monday - District Office (DO) - bhusd.dragonflyphd.com

Tuesday - Horace Mann Elementary + DO - hm.dragonflyphd.com

Wednesday - Hawthorne Elementary + DO - haw.dragonflyphd.com

Thursday - BVMS + DO - bvms.dragonflyphd.com

Friday - BHHS + DO - bhhs.dragonflyphd.com

Are you looking for an easy way to access your vaccination proof? Visit - https://myvaccinerecord.cdph.ca.gov.

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/




Dear BHUSD Parents/Guardians,

We understand that the current pandemic situation continues to evolve and it is overwhelming to decipher what is a guarantee for next year. Currently, there is no doubt that the mask mandate from the California Department of Public Health for inside buildings will remain regardless of vaccination status. We are required, per California Department of Education Assembly Bill 130 (AB 130), to inform you of the Independent Study (IS) program for students whose health would be put at risk during the 2021-2022 school year due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

We are excited to fully reopen on August 13th for in-person school! If you do not apply for the Independent Study (IS) program by Monday, July 26th at 8 am, your student will attend regular in-person school, no further action is required. 

To apply for the Independent Study Program please be sure you are logged into your ParentSquare account and complete the form below.

Sincerely,
Dustin M. Seemann
Assistant Superintendent, Education Services

What is Independent Study (IS)?
Independent Study, per the California Department of Education Assembly Bill 130 (AB 130), requires us to provide an alternative to in-person classroom instruction for students whose health would be put at risk during the 2021-2022 school year due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. The IS program will take place via Zoom and other tools.

Is Independent Study (IS) the same as the distance learning programs last year - LIVE@BHUSD or the Independent Learning Center/ILC)?
No, the Independent Study (IS) program, required under AB 130, looks different for each grade span. The teachers in the IS program may have previously worked for BHUSD and they will be employed by BHUSD, however, the IS program is entirely separate from the in-person instruction.
 
* “Live interaction” means interaction between the student and local educational agency classified or certificated staff, and may include peers, provided for the purpose of maintaining school connectedness, including but not limited to: wellness checks, progress monitoring, provision of services, and instruction. This interaction may take place in person or in the form of internet or telephonic communication.

* “Synchronous instruction” means classroom-style instruction or designated small group or one-on-one instruction delivered in person, or in the form of internet or telephonic communications and involving live, two-way communication between the teacher and student. Synchronous instruction shall be provided by the teacher of record for that student.

When is the deadline to apply?
Monday, July 26, 2021 at 8 am. We understand that you may feel as though there are still so many unknowns about COVID however this is the latest deadline we are able to provide to ensure we are staffed appropriately.

What is the commitment for Independent Study TK-12?
The commitment for Independent Study is one semester. This is to ensure appropriate staffing and to provide consistency for our student’s education. Please ensure that you carefully consider this choice due to the commitment.

If my student struggled in distance learning last year, should I sign them up for independent study?
No, you should keep them in in-person (regular school) learning. The 2020-21 school year forced all students into distance learning due to a pandemic. All students have the option to return to in-person instruction for the 2021-22 school year. If your student struggled with learning remotely, they should return to in-person instruction.  
 
What are the expectations of an Independent Study student?
  • 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 
 
What are the expectations of an Independent Study parent?
  • 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 
 
My child is easily distracted by video games, online videos, and social media but wants to be in the Independent Study program, should I sign them up?
No.  While many students have been successful in distance learning, online distractions have caused some students to struggle with their academics. If your child is easily distracted in this way, they would be better served with in-person instruction.

Will counseling and support services be available to my child?
Counseling and support services will continue to be offered to students remotely for Independent Study.

What technology do I need in my home for my student to be successful in distance learning?
For a student to be successful in distance learning they will need a reliable internet connection. Students and parents should be familiar with technology and be able to troubleshoot issues as they arise. The program will have technology support that can help families remotely troubleshoot any technology issues. For some families hardwiring a device directly to a modem has helped with WIFI issues. In addition, setting up a clean space, free of distractions, and dedicated to school has helped students be successful this year.  

What if Independent Study is not working for my child?
If Independent Study is not working for your child, you can always reach out to your Independent Study teacher for assistance. The IS teacher will work with your student’s school administration to discuss support and accommodations.

What if I want to change the program and go back to in-person?
The commitment to Independent Study is a one-semester commitment.

Will my child participate in standardized testing or other district-wide testing?
Yes, students in Independent Study will continue to participate in all state and local assessments.  
 
What about activities and sports through PTA/PTSA/Clubs/Athletics at my home school?
Students can continue to participate in after-school activities and sports through their home school.  
 
Will Special Education Services and accommodations be the same as in-person learning?
Independent Study will deliver Special Education Services and accommodations remotely, as appropriate.  These may look different than in-person learning and as a result, the IEP will be reviewed in order to determine appropriate accommodations and services.
Good evening everyone,

We are thrilled to announce that starting April 21, the Elementary students will be returning to five day instruction and on April 26, the Middle School & High School will resume five day instruction. It has been an unusual year but we are on the way to full recovery.

Additional good news, all teachers who received RIF notices will be reinstated for the 21-22 school year.

Respectfully,
Rachelle Marcus, President
Tristen Walker-Shuman, Vice President
Mary Wells
Noah Margo
Dr. Amanda Stern

--------------

Dear BHUSD Community,

This message is intended for families who are currently attending in-person learning.

We are pleased to inform you that due to the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health LACDPH Order changes, we have been able to increase the number of students in a cohort/stable group and therefore expand our in-person instruction.

Dates: The following dates are pending BHUSD Board of Education and BHEA Leadership approval.
Elementary - Wednesday, April 21st, 2021 - Daily Instruction - Times Below
BHHS & BVMS - Monday, April 26th, 2021 - Daily Instruction - Schedule to be released by each school

Elementary Families:
If you need to make a change from Distance Learning to In-Person or In-Person to Distance Learning please email the following people by 10am on Monday, April 19th.
Hawthorne Elementary - Sarah Kaber, Principal - [email protected].
Horace Mann Elementary - Samantha Jung, Assistant Principal - [email protected].
Please be aware that this change may result in a different teacher or a different school based on space availability. 

Elementary  Start M/T/T/F Start Wednesday Stop M/T/T/F
5th & 4th Grade 9:30am 10:30am 2:30pm 
3rd & 2nd Grade 9:00am 10:00am 2:00pm 
1st Grade 8:30am 9:30am 1:30pm 
TK/ K Early Class 8:30am 9:30am 1:00pm (1:30pm on Wed)
TK/ K Later Class 9:30am 9:30am 2:00pm (1:30pm on Wed)

Respectfully,
Dr. Bregy
Dear BHUSD Community,
 
In light of the recent Los Angeles County Department of Public Health (LACDPH) Order revisions, we are pleased your efforts to ensure the COVID-19 conditions continue to improve are paying off! 
 
As a District, we have made great progress in supporting LACDPH in their “staged approach” to physically reopening our classrooms safely. Los Angeles County continues to grapple with its COVID-19 cases and given the prevalence of COVID-19 in many states and countries, persons arriving in Los Angeles County (LAC) from other states or countries and LAC residents returning from other states or countries could introduce new sources of infection, including new strains of the SARS-CoV-2 virus, into Los Angeles.

Despite recent decreases in the current COVID-19 surge of cases and hospitalizations and given the new daily cases and hospitalizations remain a high-level concern, it remains imperative that LA County residents continue to take steps necessary to curb the spread of COVID-19 and contain new sources of infection. Even though we are making progress and moving into the Orange Tier, we have to continue to be diligent in preventing the spread of COVID-19 within our school communities, especially with the trends we are seeing in other parts of the country.

As you know, the LACDPH protocols and information continue to change. There is a required process in place to meet with our union partners regarding any possible impact on an employee’s working conditions. We are truly looking forward to further returning to a more normal schedule for all students including the possibility of full-time in-person instruction. We will be examining the impact of these changes this week with our Board of Education this week. 
 
Thank you for your continued support and advocacy in helping us navigate this incredible challenge of meeting the requirements of compliance for safety and infection control protocols while delivering the highest quality in-person classroom experience possible. BHUSD was in the first group of 25 school districts out of 80 to return to elementary in-person learning and BHUSD is among the first group of districts to return at the secondary level 6-12.
 
I must also note the change to the travel advisory, as detailed in the link below:

http://publichealth.lacounty.gov/media/Coronavirus/traveladvisory.htm
 
The salient points are as follows:
  • 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.
           All travelers must:
  • 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.

I look forward to bringing you further updates as we progress in our reopening and increase the in-person instructional time for our students. 
 
Respectfully,
Dr. Bregy
Dear BHUSD Community,

If you don’t have a chance to read this email in its entirety, please note: You (the person entering school - students/staff/essential visitors) can only come on campus if you have not traveled outside of California over Spring Break, even if you test negative for COVID-19, even if you are fully vaccinated. This will remain until the LA County Department of Public Health travel advisory changes.

Yesterday, we saw 6th and 9th grade students return for orientation and we are a few weeks into many of our elementary students returning. I am reflecting on many of the conversations I have had with parents, students, and my colleagues about reopening. COVID-19 has certainly changed the make-up of who we are forever. Some parents miss the gradual time with their kids to work together rather than the crazy rush to get everything in a backpack and get out of the front door in time for drop-off. Some parents are beyond ecstatic that their kids are back enjoying a version of normalcy. Students and employees also range that spectrum of anxious and excited.

I know that some students are adjusting to the idea of being back to “normal.” We have been through a collective experience that required the ultimate level of flexibility and resilience. Each time I walk the hallways I see our students bouncing with happiness, although I do look forward to the day that we can see their smiles again without a mask.

As we look to the Spring Break, I ask you to deeply consider your travel plans. I would be so disappointed if the opportunity for our students to return to the classroom was taken away. I am acutely aware of the desire for a break, a moment to breathe and regroup and I wholeheartedly understand that I am yet again asking you to be flexible. If we have 3 or more cases of COVID-19 that are epidemiologically linked with students or staff at just one school, our entire District must close for 14 days in consultation with the LA County Department of Public Health.

I implore you to take the following Travel Advisory letter from LACDPH Director, Dr. Ferrer, as seriously as you have taken advocating for your children to come back to school. If the person returning to school leaves California they must quarantine for 10 days even if they have been vaccinated. This will be enforced for every person who steps foot on our sites, students, staff, and essential visitors. Our Health Screening asks you explicitly if you have left California and we have faith in you to answer honestly.

I know that the tone of this email is not something you are used to hearing from me. Please understand that my first priority must be the safety of students and staff which is in your hands. I wish you a wonderful Spring Break starting on Friday!

Respectfully,
Dr. Bregy

___________

Dear K-12 Education colleagues:

I hope this letter finds you well. Spring break is upon us, along with several important holidays and observances upcoming shortly. I am writing to reemphasize the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health’s current advisory regarding travel. We understand the desire of students’ families and staff to travel for spring break and other holidays; however, travel increases the risk of becoming infected with and transmitting COVID-19. We strongly recommend that all schools issue messaging to students, families, parents/caregivers, and staff urging them to delay travel and stay close to home to protect themselves and others from the virus, even if vaccinated.

With many schools just beginning to reopen for in-person instruction, a 10-day travel quarantine requirement for a large number of students and staff on top of the spring break period may create a significant disruption for newly resumed in-person curricula. An increase in travel will also likely result in more COVID-19 cases at your school, with concomitant increases in required isolation, contact tracing, and exposure-related quarantine.

More broadly, we as a County have only just entered the Red Tier and none of us wants to see a rebound and loss of any of the progress that has been made in reducing transmission and the ability to take significant steps in sector reopenings for the first time since the Autumn season. The marked increase in travel around the end of year holidays contributed greatly to the devastation that peaked in January. Although a surge anywhere near the level of severity we saw a few months ago seems unlikely at this time, a more moderate reversal of progress could lead us back to Tier 1 (Purple) and undo many of the allowances and permissions that we are just starting to enjoy again; most importantly, we have lost far too many of our fellow Angelenos to this pandemic and another increase in numbers of deaths must be prevented at all cost.

For individuals who elect to travel despite the current advisory, we strongly recommend the following:

  • Notify your school administration and/or child’s teacher if you plan to travel.
  • Travel locally, within a 120-mile radius from your place of residence.
  • Get tested 1-3 days prior to travelling and 3-5 days after return.  Do not travel if your test is positive, or if positive upon return, you must isolate for minimum 10 days (and until symptoms improve and you are afebrile for at least 24 hours if symptomatic illness occurs).  Inform all close contacts within the 48 hours preceding onset of symptoms or within 48 hours of your positive test result if asymptomatic, of their potential exposure.
  • A 10-day quarantine is required after return to Los Angeles County after travel outside California, even if you have a negative COVID-19 test.  
 
The above advisories apply regardless of an individual’s vaccination status.

We rely on you as a trusted partner to help us disseminate this message to your school community to promote the timeliness and impact of the Public Health response, and to continue to reduce transmission of COVID-19 in Los Angeles County.

Thank you for doing your part to reduce the spread of COVID-19.

Barbara Ferrer, Ph.D., M.P.H., M.Ed.
Director
Los Angeles County Department of Public Health
Dear BHUSD Community,

The following letter is for families who are in LIVE@BHUSD at BVMS and BHHS, not in the ILC program or Moreno Continuation High School.
 
As the COVID-19 pandemic conditions continue to improve, we are pleased to announce the dates for BVMS & BHHS students to return (pending BHUSD Board of Education and BHEA Leadership approval).
 
We are aware that COVID-19 has impacted our families, our employees, and our community significantly. We recognize that our families have taken on new roles and responsibilities, juggling many commitments and supporting children at home through virtual learning. We must also applaud our employees who have shown dedication, loyalty, and extraordinary skills, reimagining education to fulfill their responsibilities for an entire year.

There will be continued pressures as we move forward in our reopening efforts. Each member of our community faces different challenges and holds different opinions on how reopening should take place. We commit to you that we will listen and work together with our leadership as we navigate this time.
 
In accordance with this commitment, we are pleased to announce the official reopening dates for our Middle and High School families. The dates that allow for asynchronous learning enable our staff to receive professional development and training in areas such as hybrid teaching. For example, if your family wishes to continue with distance learning, it will be available. 

 
The BHUSD administration will notify you of further details, cohorts, and schedules by April 6th.
 
Have a wonderful week. 

Sincerely,
Rachelle Marcus, Board President
Tristen Walker-Shuman, Board Vice President
Mary Wells, Board Member
Noah Margo, Board Member
Dr. Amanda Stern, Board Member
Dr. Michael Bregy, Superintendent of Schools

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 


Can We Travel?
As Spring Break approaches, many of us are thinking about traveling. Please travel safely and with the following in mind. As a community, we continue to work together to ensure the safety of all of our students. Individual decisions may impact the entire community, so weigh your options when considering travel, enjoy traveling within the state, but plan ahead if you go out of state.

Reference for answers: LA County Department of Public Health Travel Advisory

What if I go out of California for spring break and come back but don’t quarantine my kid? What would happen? How would anyone know?
If you go out of state without your children/child they don't need to quarantine. If you all go to 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.
 
I got vaccinated and traveled but my child stayed home. Do they need to quarantine?
No, currently the LA County Department of Public Health says that only the person who traveled outside of California needs to quarantine for 10 days.

If we travel somewhere and quarantine, why can’t my child just log into a zoom class? Why do they have to miss school?
Our teachers, especially in Elementary, do not teach sitting at a stationary place, they move throughout the classroom and interact with students. It is not feasible for Elementary teachers to teach on Zoom at the same time as in person. We cannot move students into new virtual classes for 10 days due to scheduling. The student has to miss school because the LA County Department of Public Health is clear that if you leave California you must quarantine for 10 days on your return. Your child will have an excused absence for the school days missed during the quarantine period. They will receive asynchronous work.

Does quarantine mean my child is marked absent? How does it work?
Your child will have an excused absence for the school days missed during the quarantine period. They will receive asynchronous work.

If 90% of my class has to quarantine after spring break, can the teacher just teach the whole class over zoom?
No, in this hypothetical example 10% of the class who chose to follow the travel advisory and not leave California would have to be asked to miss out on in-person instruction, we must operate the school based on the guidance, order, and advice of LACDPH.

Why can’t the whole school just quarantine for 2 weeks after break to be sure we all follow the quarantine rules and keep everyone safe? We already know people are planning on lying about it.
The premise of this question suggests that we can't trust our community which is a disappointing perspective. "People are planning on lying" implies that they would just as easily take an extended 2-week vacation instead of spending that time quarantining. We are choosing to trust our community to act in the best interest of public health.  

If someone comes back from break and doesn’t quarantine when they were supposed to, does our whole class have to stay home because of that one person?
They will follow the health screening and not come to school. If they test positive for COVID-19 and came to school and came within 6 feet of another person for more than 15 cumulative minutes that person is considered to be a close contact and will follow the graphic below. 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.



Are staff and community members going to be listening for kids talking about their vacation plans that involve going out of state?
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. 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. 

Can there be a totally voluntary testing of children upon return of spring break?
Yes, we offer free COVID-19 testing for all in-person students on request, they do not need to exhibit symptoms to be tested, however, testing negative for COVID-19 does not change the quarantine time of 10 days. It should be noted that some asymptomatic cases of COVID-19 do not test positive for COVID-19. 

Are the teachers going to be tested before returning to work after break?
All BHUSD employees have access to COVID-19 testing twice a week if they choose. It should be noted that testing negative does not mean you don't have COVID it can take up to 10 days to fully contract COVID after you encounter it. This means that on day 10 you could test positive for COVID, that is why the travel quarantine is 10 days.

Does school really offer free covid testing for children if we want it? Do they have to exhibit signs of the illness or can I request regular testing if I want my child tested?
Yes, we offer free COVID-19 testing for all in-person students on request, they do not need to exhibit symptoms to be tested, however, testing negative for COVID-19 does not change the quarantine time of 10 days. It should be noted that some asymptomatic cases of COVID-19 do not test positive for COVID-19.

If someone in my family tests positive for covid, do I have to tell the school? Do I need to keep my child home? What are the rules?
As communicated in numerous emails over the past 6 months, please contact your principal and Phil Wenker [email protected] who is our DPH Liaison. Yes, you must follow the graphic above.

What happens if someone in class is positive for covid? How will you let us know? Does the class then go on zoom?
Depending on the situation we have a lot of options within the LACDPH outbreak guidance. If they test positive for COVID-19 and came to school and came within 6 feet of another person for more than 15 cumulative minutes that person is considered to be a close contact and will follow the graphic above. 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. Our exposure protocol is in our Ready Together Plan - bhusd.org/readytogether/
Dear BHUSD Community,

The following letter is written to update you on the legal situation with the Beverly Hills Education Association (BHEA). It is mainly for our Elementary parents and guardians however, I have committed to keeping you informed and therefore we are releasing this to the entire BHUSD community.  

This weekend we attended mediation with the Public Employment Relations Board and the BHEA following their legal action against the District in relation to the physical reopening of our Elementary schools. The safe reopening of our schools is a shared commitment of all stakeholders – The Board of Education, Administration, the Beverly Hills Education Association, Teachers, and the wider community. 

These are difficult times, and adapting to emerging developments, addressing new concerns, and maintaining the positive relationship BHEA and the District have built over the last year are among those challenges. The District and BHEA are pleased to announce that as a result of a productive mediation process this weekend, we have tentatively (pending BHUSD Board of Education and BHEA Leadership approval) resolved to follow mutually developed new safety measures that will benefit students, teachers, and our entire BHUSD community. These include a few additional days for teachers to receive their priority vaccine this coming week. This has slightly shifted the first day of the new schedule for our Elementary students whether they are in-person or remaining virtual. We understand that you have the unenviable job of explaining this news to some very excited students who are counting down the days until they can come back to school. Resolving these differences early in the reopening process is critical in the long-term outcome. This is especially true as we see COVID-19 conditions improve and both the State and County authorities begin to allow more grade levels to return. 

We are aware that LA County is preparing to give BHUSD our first allocation of vaccinations for our employees this week and each subsequent week until everyone who wants to be vaccinated has received both doses. We have started creating a list to prioritize in-person Elementary teachers as they are the first teachers to interact with students in the classroom. We know that many employees have secured vaccinations already and some have booked appointments outside of the District.  

All BHUSD staff have been offered COVID-19 testing twice per week. In accordance with Governor Newsom’s plan, we will offer COVID-19 testing to students upon request as they return to in-person instruction. More information about this is forthcoming. 

As all of the elements we have been planning for months are finally coming together, there are still moving pieces. These include managing time for our teachers and staff members to plan and adjust to the new instructional model. Many are physically walking into a classroom for the first time in almost a year. Due to the shift from LIVE@BHUSD to virtual & in-person instruction, every Elementary student will have two days of asynchronous work before the change over happens. Asynchronous work is independent time that is not supervised by your teacher.

Below is a macro level Elementary schedule for the coming weeks:
 
 
March 1
March 2
March 3
March 4
March 5
March 8
March 9
TK-2
LIVE@
BHUSD Schedule
LIVE@
BHUSD Schedule
LIVE@
BHUSD Schedule
Async-
hronous 
Work
Async-
hronous 
Work
New Start Date:
Hybrid 
Schedule
Begins
Hybrid 
Schedule
3-5
LIVE@
BHUSD 
Schedule
LIVE@
BHUSD 
Schedule
LIVE@
BHUSD 
Schedule
LIVE@
BHUSD 
Schedule
Async-
hronous 
Work
Async-
hronous 
Work
New Start Date:
Hybrid 
Schedule
Begins
 
We are eager to share with you that this week you will receive many more details such as your teacher’s name. If you are coming back to campus you will be sent a video showing you how things will work. Thank you for your ongoing patience and support. 

If you have any questions, please reach out to your school site administrator. 

Respectfully, 
Dr. Bregy
COVID-19 Update sent in Superintendent Newsletter

As you are aware, this week has involved many changes regarding how COVID-19 is impacting schools. To read my previous updates please click here. The number at which the Middle School and High School may return has not changed at this time, it is still an Adjusted Case Rate of 7. Today, however, it was announced by The California Department of Public Health that youth and recreational sports will be allowed to resume in counties with fewer than 14 positive COVID-19 cases per 100,000 residents. We are waiting to hear how LA County will proceed.

Governor Newsom announced this morning that state officials will set aside 10% of California’s weekly allotment of COVID-19 vaccine doses for educators starting next month. Later today on a call with the LA County Department of Health, I was informed that LA County will earmark more than that required 10% of the weekly COVID-19 vaccine supply for educators to aid in the school reopening process. As promised, I will continue to bring you updates as I have them about reopening within BHUSD.

Late last night, our Board of Education released the following message:

Dear BHUSD Community,

As the COVID-19 pandemic conditions continue to improve, the BHUSD Board of Education would like to assure you that our biggest priority is to get our students and staff back to campus.

Collectively, we want you to know that we support the state and county directives that make it safe to open our TK-5 elementary schools. We have followed and supported both local and state directives since the beginning of the pandemic and we support the most current reopening plans and protocols recently released.

We are aware that COVID-19 has impacted our families, our employees, and our community significantly. We recognize that our families have taken on new roles and responsibilities, juggling many commitments and supporting children at home through virtual learning. We must also applaud our employees who have shown dedication, loyalty, and extraordinary skills, reimagining education to fulfill their responsibilities for almost an entire year.

There will be continued pressures as we move forward in our reopening efforts. Each member of our community faces different challenges and holds different opinions on how reopening should take place. We commit to you that we will listen and work together with our leadership as we navigate this time.

In accordance with this commitment, we are pleased to announce the official reopening dates for our elementary families, TK-2 and 3-5.

Grades TK-2: Thursday, March 4th, 2021
Grades 3-5: Monday, March 8th, 2021

The BHUSD administration will notify you of which program your student is in by March 1st. This will include AM/PM scheduling for in-person instruction/virtual schedules and all necessary information.

Have a wonderful weekend.

Sincerely,
Rachelle Marcus, Board President
Tristen Walker-Shuman, Board Vice President
Mary Wells, Board Member
Noah Margo, Board Member
Dr. Amanda Stern, Board Member
Dr. Michael Bregy, Superintendent of Schools
A Message from the Board of Education Regarding Reopening
 
Dear BHUSD Community,
 
As the COVID-19 pandemic conditions continue to improve, the BHUSD Board of Education would like to assure you that our biggest priority is to get our students and staff back to campus.
 
Collectively, we want you to know that we support the state and county directives that make it safe to open our TK-5 elementary schools. We have followed and supported both local and state directives since the beginning of the pandemic and we support the most current reopening plans and protocols recently released.
 
We are aware that COVID-19 has impacted our families, our employees, and our community significantly. We recognize that our families have taken on new roles and responsibilities, juggling many commitments and supporting children at home through virtual learning. We must also applaud our employees who have shown dedication, loyalty, and extraordinary skills, reimagining education to fulfill their responsibilities for almost an entire year.
 
There will be continued pressures as we move forward in our reopening efforts. Each member of our community faces different challenges and holds different opinions on how reopening should take place. We commit to you that we will listen and work together with our leadership as we navigate this time.
 
In accordance with this commitment, we are pleased to announce the official reopening dates for our elementary families, TK-2 and 3-5.
 
Grades TK-2: Thursday, March 4th, 2021
Grades 3-5: Monday, March 8th, 2021
 
The BHUSD administration will notify you of which program your student is in by March 1st. This will include AM/PM scheduling for in-person instruction/virtual schedules and all necessary information. 
 
Have a wonderful weekend. 
 
Sincerely,
Rachelle Marcus, Board President
Tristen Walker-Shuman, Board Vice President
Mary Wells, Board Member
Noah Margo, Board Member
Dr. Amanda Stern, Board Member
Dr. Michael Bregy, Superintendent of Schools
Sent to Elementary Parents and Guardians
 
Dear TK-5 Elementary Parents and Guardians,
 
Please read the following information carefully before making your decision. We will not be reopening admittance to the ILC (Independent Learning Center). Current participants will continue in the ILC and cannot move into the options below. You do not need to complete this form if you are in the ILC. 
 
The circumstances regarding reopening have significantly changed over the past few weeks and days. As you are aware, the State and County have given us permission to reopen our Elementary schools since LA County has reached an Adjusted Case Rate of 25 or less. Today, it was announced that the Adjusted Case Rate for LA County is 20. As we communicated to you last night, BHUSD submitted all required documentation and had the Department of Health visit our sites and approve our reopening procedures. Everything from our signage to cleaning products, to air quality filters, has been authorized by the County. 
 
With that said, in order to reopen, we will need to manage a number of additional factors. One of these is to continue the conversations with our labor partners to change the Adjusted Case Rate appendix within the MOU (Memorandum of Understanding). I want to draw your attention to the circumstances at the time at which this MOU appendix was negotiated. In December, before the significant increase in cases, the State and County both asked us to follow their “purple, red” tier system where safe school reopening was defined by an Adjusted Case Rate of 7 or below. This has now changed to 25 for elementary stable cohorts. Accordingly, our MOU negotiated in December, states that TK-2 teachers will return when the Adjusted Case Rate reaches 10 (well above 7) and grades 3-5 when the Adjusted Case Rate reaches 7. We are in constant communication with our labor partners to change this appendix to reflect the new Adjusted Case Rate “25 metric” but we need your help to ensure that your needs and requirements, as a family, are met as much as possible. 
 
We understand that there are parents who are ready for their child/children to return to in-person instruction immediately and there are others who are not ready to come back at all. We also acknowledge that this is a personal decision and you may have changed your mind. To refresh your memory, in December we sent you the academic schedule we will follow when we return to hybrid in-person learning. If you opt-in, LIVE@BHUSD Elementary students will transition back to physical school 5 days a week for instruction in English, Math, Science, and Social Studies. They will attend physical school with a classroom teacher for 2 hours and 20 minutes in-person Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday. Each Wednesday, students will be in-person for 1 hour and 30 minutes. The remainder of the day (Monday-Friday) is independent learning with once-a-week virtual instruction from Physical Education, Art, Makerspace, Vocal Music, and Science Lab teachers.
 
BHUSD will release the information on whether your student is in the “AM” or “PM” schedules with the virtual schedule for Physical Education, Art, Makerspace, Vocal Music, and Science Lab after we have aggregated the data from this form. We have decided to provide 5 days of in-person instruction that is 100% focused rather than a Zoom/live stream model where the teacher’s attention would be divided. Our youngest learners especially need this full-time attention.


Your preference will formulate how we navigate bringing back our students. It will inform how many teachers need to continue teaching your child virtually, and how many will need to teach in-person. Just as you are making decisions for your families, some teachers and staff may require accommodations and therefore, not all teachers will be able to return to the physical classroom. This could result in a substitute teacher or current BHUSD teachers switching classes or grade levels.
 
Due to the changes in the Adjusted Case Rate metrics system, and the newly formalized requirement by the state to continue to offer a fully virtual option to our TK-5 students, we must ask you to fill out the form below. After we receive your preference, we will then be able to structure our return. Be sure to fill out one form per child (this is in case you have different circumstances for each child).
 
If you have any questions about the above schedule, Hawthorne families may email Principal Sarah Kaber - [email protected] and Horace Mann families may email Principal Craig Bugbee - [email protected].
 
If you have any technical questions about filling out this form, please ensure you are logged into your Aeries account and if problems persist, email Rebecca Starkins - [email protected]
 
Respectfully,
Dr. Bregy
Superintendent
 
THE FORM IS EMBEDDED IN THE ORIGINAL EMAIL LINKED TO EACH STUDENT ACCOUNT, IT READS:
 

Please select your preference below as we return to school:

 

  • A. I want my child to stay with their current teacher. It does not matter if they are virtual or in-person, I want my current teacher to teach my child. 
    • I understand that this is not a guarantee. My teacher may not be able to remain with my child; this is fully dependent on the above factors. 
    • I understand that by returning to in-person school, my child will be required to follow all reopening procedures/protocols including wearing a mask, 6 foot distancing, washing hands often, daily health screenings, and following 10-day quarantine requirements due to travel.

 

  • B. I want my child to move to in-person learning even though they may not stay with their current teacher. 
    • I understand that in-person learning is for core subjects only (English Language Arts, Math, Science, and Social Studies). 
    • I understand that all specialist instruction (Vocal Music, Art, Makerspace, PE, Science Lab, and Related Services) will be virtual. 
    • I understand that due to State and County Cohorting requirements for cleaning and social distancing, my child will be at school in-person for 2 hours and 20 mins on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday and 1 hour and 30 minutes on Wednesday.
    • I understand that my child will be placed in either an AM or PM cohort. Requests cannot be taken due to a number of factors. 
    • I understand that by returning to in-person school, my child will be required to follow all reopening procedures/protocols including wearing a mask, 6 foot distancing, washing hands often, daily health screenings, and following 10-day quarantine requirements due to travel.

 

  • C. I want my child to stay with the current virtual learning model, even though their teacher may change. 
    • I understand this is a full day of virtual instruction, with similar minutes to the current LIVE@BHUSD model.
    • I understand that my child will continue to receive both specialists and core instruction, however, the current schedule will change.
 
Sent to all BHUSD parents
 
Dear BHUSD Community,

After the announcement made last night, I am writing to follow up with you regarding the reopening of schools. Today at 2 pm, Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors Chair, Hilda L. Solis, Supervisor to the First District and Dr. Barbara Ferrer, Director of the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health, reiterated that the Adjusted Case Rate of 7 remains unchanged for the physical reopening for Middle and High School.

At around 12 noon today, the Adjusted Case Rate was formally changed to 20. See below. Source - https://covid19.ca.gov/safer-economy/ 



We understand that there are parents who are ready for their child/children to return to in-person instruction immediately and there are others who are not ready to come back at all. I am sending a more thorough update specifically to our Elementary families which includes a critical form to advise us about the very personal decision each family must make regarding returning.

In order to reopen, we will need to manage a number of additional factors. One of these is to continue the conversations with our labor partners to change the Adjusted Case Rate appendix within the MOU (Memorandum of Understanding). I want to draw your attention to the circumstances at the time at which this MOU appendix was negotiated. In December, before the significant increase in cases, the State and County both asked us to follow their “purple, red” tier system where safe school reopening was defined by an Adjusted Case Rate of 7 or below. This has now changed to 25 for elementary stable cohorts. Accordingly, our MOU negotiated in December, states that TK-2 teachers will return when the Adjusted Case Rate reaches 10 (well above 7) and grades 3-5 when the Adjusted Case Rate reaches 7. We have and will continue to work with our labor partners to bring students back to in-person learning, for those families who are interested, as quickly and safely as possible.

As I receive further information about reopening I will keep you apprised.

Respectfully,
Dr. Bregy
TK-5 Reopening - Preliminary Statement
 


The following text will appear in your chosen language in your settings:

This evening at 8:47 PM, I received an email to LA County Superintendents from the LACOE Superintendent, Debra Duardo. Per the County and the State, elementary schools are permitted to reopen as of tomorrow, Tuesday, February 16, if they have met all necessary criteria. We are not provided a daily Adjusted Case Rate update. We thought, in all likelihood, that we would reach 25 tomorrow, and then begin the "5-day count". The fact that tomorrow is the 5th consecutive day of an Adjusted Case Rate of 25 or below is a surprise. This information is usually released every Tuesday. Last Tuesday, 2/9, we were notified it was 31.7. As of 11:04 PM tonight, it still reads 31.7 for LA County. Source - covid19.ca.gov/safer-economy/ 

Now that we have the County and State green light what needs to happen for BHUSD Elementary Schools to reopen?

  • Physically prepare for reopening.  DONE
  • Agree with labor partners and announce our academic schedules. DONE
  • Submit COVID-19 Safety Plans to the state. DONE
  • Pass the Department of Public Health site inspection. DONE
  • Ask TK-5 families (we understand many of you have new circumstances) who will physically return and who will remain virtual (form forthcoming). 
  • Give the 10-day official notice to staff to return (in progress). 
  • Continue negotiations with our labor partners to return to physical school at an Adjusted Case Rate of 25 or below (ongoing). 
More information coming tomorrow.

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.


According to the State’s new COVID-19 and Reopening In-Person Framework (January 14, 2021), and the new LA County Department of Public Health Reopening Protocols for K-12 Schools (February 11, 2021), our school district is currently not permitted to reopen grades TK-5 until Los Angeles County reaches a COVID-19 adjusted case rate of less than 25 per 100,000 population per day for at least 5 consecutive days — a metric we are quickly approaching. While we cannot be certain of the exact date of this forthcoming achievement, we are working on finalizing our plans with our labor partners.

The circumstances regarding reopening have significantly changed over the past few weeks and as of yesterday the State and County have aligned their reopening protocols. BHUSD has submitted all required documentation to the State and County to reopen, these include the CalOSHA Prevention Program and DPH School Guidance Checklist. We look forward to sharing additional information with you early next week. The Middle and High School Adjusted Case Rate for return (7) remains unchanged by the County and the State.

Here are some resources from the LA County Office of Education:
Many of us are hitting a pandemic wall right now as we round out almost a year of living in a crisis. Children and adolescents have also experienced social-emotional stress. The Child Mind Institute has created a helpful tip sheet, Signs and Symptoms of Mental Health Problems in Children During COVID-19, to provide parents with a guide to monitoring their children's health. You can find additional supportive resources on their website, such as Facebook Live video chats with expert clinicians, remote evaluations, and consultations.  

Are you interested in learning more about what’s happening with our schools? For the High School visit bhhs.bhusd.org/newsletter/, Middle School visit bvms.bhusd.org/newsletter/, Hawthorne Elementary visit haw.bhusd.org/newsletter/, and Horace Mann Elementary visit hm.bhusd.org/newsletter/.

As we embark on this long weekend, I wish you a Happy Valentine’s Day on Sunday!

Respectfully,
Dr. Bregy
Dear BHUSD Families,

Today I can answer the top three questions I get in my inbox on a daily basis:

  1. When are students returning to physical school?
  2. What will the schedule be when we return to physical school?
  3. What will the calendar be for the next three years?
I want to start by sincerely thanking you for your endless patience and support throughout this ongoing Pandemic. We know how hard you have been working at home during the Zoom classes, from managing multiple platforms to navigating technology issues, we understand this has been tough. Whether you are a parent, guardian, or student you have all been juggling so many challenges and I can’t begin to imagine how difficult it has been. You might be a working parent or a student with parents working on the front lines, whatever your circumstances, this Pandemic has impacted each and every one of you. This letter, at least for the first two questions, is for families who are not in the ILC (Independent Learning Center).

Just today, the Board of Education voted unanimously (5-0) to approve the Pandemic Response MOU (Memorandum of Understanding) Addendum #5– Return 2 Learn: Small Group Cohorts TK-12 and the Collective Bargaining Agreement (including 3-year calendar) with the Beverly Hills Education Association (BHEA). I would like to thank BHEA, the BHEA Bargaining Team, and the Cabinet along with both the previous and current Board of Education for reaching this outcome. Both agreements are pending the approval of BHEA membership.

Why are you telling us this now when COVID-19 cases are the highest they have ever been in LA?

We are sharing all of this information with you because it was just approved by the Board of Education. In no way does the timing of this information have a direct correlation with the timing of the Red Tier metrics which allows the physical return to school. As indicated below, the conditions in the community, per LA County & the State of California, will dictate when our schools will allow in-person learning.

When are students returning to physical school?

We have developed a visual representation (below) using the State and County metrics to better explain when schools will physically reopen this semester. The graphic also shows when we will move from Distance Learning to a Hybrid Model as conditions improve in our community. The important factor to note here is the Adjusted Case Rate, so when you are watching the news please keep an eye on that number for LA County. If you want to check it yourself please visit https://covid19.ca.gov/safer-economy/ scroll down to the map and click on LA County.

Due to BHUSD being awarded the TK-2 Waiver, our youngest learners will be the first students to physically return to campus. As you can see below, TK-2 students will return when the County is at an Adjusted Case Rate of 10 or below. Although this is still in the Purple Widespread Tier, we are permitted to do this as we were awarded the TK-2 Waiver. While the Red Tier begins to allow students in grades 3rd-12th to return to the classroom, the 6 feet physical distance requirement prevents all students from returning to the classroom at the same time.


What will the schedule be when we return to physical school?

All students returning to the physical classroom will be in a Hybrid Model as opposed to full-time in-person instruction. This is per the Health Order from LACDPH and their strict 6 feet physical distance requirement preventing all students from returning to the classroom at the same time.

Elementary:

LIVE@BHUSD Elementary students will transition back to physical school 5 days a week for instruction in English, Math, Science, and Social Studies. They will attend physical school with their classroom teacher for 2 hours and 20 minutes in-person Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday. Each Wednesday, students will be in-person for 1 hour and 30 minutes. The remainder of the day (Monday-Friday) is independent learning with once a week virtual instruction from Physical Education, Art, MakerSpace, Vocal Music, and Science Lab teachers.

BHUSD will release the information on whether your student is in the “AM” or “PM” schedules with the virtual schedule for Physical Education, Art, MakerSpace, Vocal Music, and Science Lab when we are closer to transiting into the hybrid model. We have decided to provide 5 days of in-person instruction that is 100% focused rather than a Zoom/live stream model where the teacher’s attention would be divided. Our youngest learners especially need this full-time attention.

 
 

Middle and High School:

LIVE@BHUSD 6th through 12th-grade students will transition back to physical school two days a week in either Cohort A (purple), attending physical school on Monday & Tuesday, or Cohort B (blue), attending physical school on Thursday & Friday. Both cohorts will be virtual on Wednesdays to allow for equitable instruction and deep cleaning due to the larger amount of students moving between classrooms.

The classroom instruction will be live-streamed to the cohort at home. Students in the cohort not on campus (at home) will be expected to log into the instruction via Zoom while the teacher delivers the lesson. When instruction is not occurring, students in the cohort not on campus (at home) may log off ONLY with teacher permission. Teachers can then deliver labs, assessments, and individual support for the students in the physical classroom.

  • Cohorts labeled as “A” and “B.”
    • Cohort A (purple): 
      • Monday & Tuesday students are in-person
      • Thursday & Friday students are streaming virtually into their classes
    • Cohort B (blue): 
      • Monday & Tuesday students are streaming virtually into their classes
      • Thursday & Friday students are in-person
    • Virtual Day: Wednesday students are all virtual


What will the calendar be for the next three years?

Please click here to view the calendars for the next three years. The calendar is very complex and multifaceted and there are specific reasons as to why there is a different look and feel each year.  

The calendar has both requirements and restrictions based on whether the yearly holidays fall on weekends or weekdays. Additionally, the following must be accounted for:

  • 180 days of student instruction and attendance
  • 3 teacher Professional Development days
  • 3 staff Service Days 
  • Final Exams (BHHS and BVMS) must be before winter break
  • Balancing the number of instructional days during the first semester with the second semester - keeping in mind that CAASPP and AP testing occur in April/May
  • Graduation Ceremonies

We realize that by sharing this information with you it may generate a number of additional questions. Please know that we are scheduling several town hall meetings for early January to address these questions. We really want you to take this Holiday Break to unplug from school and it’s important to me that my team can also recharge so rather than emailing please submit your questions by clicking here. We will then address these questions both at the Town Hall Zoom Meetings and in a FAQ.

Happy Holidays,
Dr. Bregy

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 

COVID-19 Public Health Order Update


Dear BHUSD Community,


We made it through our third week of this crazy school year and I want to thank you! This is a lot for everyone and you are doing a sensational job navigating so many new challenges. 


Today, I have another Public Health Order update to bring you. If you are beginning to feel that just as you understand the information, it changes, you are right! 


Yesterday, the LA Department of Public Health updated their Health Order, linked here, indicating if the District submits an application (which has not yet been made available to us) schools can consider offering in-school services for small cohorts of students with Individualized Education Plans (IEPs) and children who are English Learners (EL) needing assessments and/or specialized in-school services anytime after September 14, 2020.  


In full transparency, I just finished a conference call with Dr. Barbara Ferrer, PhD, MPH, MEd, Director, Los Angeles County Department of Public Health and she announced some very important information we were not yet aware of both for our high risk, high need students and also our general population:


  1. In order to allow in-school services for students with Individualized Education Plans (IEPs) and children who are English Learners (EL) needing assessments and/or specialized in-school services, we must submit an application to the LA County Department of Public Health. This application form for limited in-school services has not yet been made available to anyone in LA County. 
  2. Even when the State announces we (LA County) can move from Tier 1 (purple) to Tier 2 (red) the LA County Department of Public Health may not allow schools to physically reopen. LA County cannot be less restrictive than the State but they can be more restrictive than the State. In fact, they imparted that the current Public Health Order would need to be revised when we change Tiers. 
  3. LA County Department of Public Health does not predict any consideration of physical reopening until early November. This is due to the new more restrictive metrics announced by the State and the trends the County is seeing especially after holiday weekends. Of course, as we know, this situation changes daily and we will continue to monitor and review the LA County data. 

In addition to the mandatory orders, LA County announces, the decision to reopen physically in any way will be made under the direction of the BHUSD Board of Education and Superintendent. The factors to be considered are vast. The health and safety of our entire BHUSD community remains our first priority. 


Lastly, one of the items Dr. Ferrer asked me to impress on you, is the importance of getting the flu shot. We are nearing flu season, and combining this with a global pandemic may make physically reopening schools even more difficult. 


What are the takeaways from this letter? 


  • Students with IEPs, EL students, and high risk, high need students who need assessments and/or specialized in-school services will be the first students to return physically to school however, we need to apply for this privilege through the LA County Department of Public Health and they have NOT made this application available yet. If you are impacted by this update please know that within this group there are a number of constraints and limitations. We are assessing the feasibility of which programs, students, and staff to bring back while working within the cohorting approach dictated by the LA County Department of Public Health. Each individual program and student schedule must be analyzed to ensure as little cross-contamination takes place as possible. 

  • We will be in Tier 1 (purple) for many weeks to come. 

  • Even when we move to Tier 2 (red) by the State, LA County may have more restrictive requirements, additionally, we know there will be an updated Public Health Order when we change Tiers.

We are asking you to understand that LA County is trying to offer us options however, we must maintain its intent which is to lower community transmission.


Have a wonderful long weekend,

Dr. Bregy 


Tiers

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

Please see attached the revised 2020-2021 Calendar. 

Both the District and the Association agreed on the importance of providing time to plan, prepare and adjust to the changes needed for the 2020-2021 school year in order to provide teachers with the necessary resources, technology, and professional development. Therefore, the first day of school for students has changed from August 17, 2020, to August 18, 2020. To make up for this day of instruction, January 27, 2021, will change from a professional development day to an instructional day.

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. 

Key Dates August

Dear BHUSD Community,

 

Can you believe it?! School begins in a couple of weeks and everyone is working around the clock to make sure we have a fantastic start to the upcoming school year. You have heard a lot of information over the last 7 days about our Reopening Plans, options, and recommendations from our expert Think Tank about Physical Reopening. 


I am reaching out with some significant updates about forthcoming dates, coffees with the principals, and the statement made earlier today. We announced with the Beverly Hills Education Association, that a Tentative Agreement of a Memorandum of Understanding has been reached today, August 1st, 2020. 


The Tentative Agreement Memorandum of Understanding is pending Board of Education and BHEA Representative Council approval. The full agreement is available at bhusd.org/mou/. On Wednesday, we will release academic class schedules which include start and stop times and further information about certainties. 


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.


We understand you are eager to know as many details as possible.  We have created a few opportunities below for you to join us to learn more about the 2020 - 2021 school year.


On Tuesday, August 11th at 8am I would like to meet with all of our staff, from teachers to custodians to office support, anyone who works for BHUSD is invited to join me for a voluntary all staff meeting on Zoom. 


Parents, on Wednesday, August 12th our principals and some of our cabinet members will join me in hosting a parent meeting Zoom coffee. I hope you will join us. BVMS will start at 8am, Elementary will start at 10:30am and BHHS will start at 3pm. 


Although this MOU focuses on the change caused by COVID-19 from physical learning to distance education, it is the intent of the District and Association to return to a traditional educational program as soon as is feasible consistent with applicable state and local directives issued in response to this pandemic. It is anticipated that the return to a traditional program may occur in phases and may include remote and hybrid instructional and support models.


Before we share some highlights from this agreement, we want to take a moment to reinforce the importance of fundamental lessons we teach our students. Working together we can create positive, impactful change in this world. When we resort to unkind, divisive behavior, our ability to reach our potential is squandered. We encourage the BHUSD community to join us as teachers, administrators, staff, and parents in leading our students with behavior we expect from them. During a crisis, kindness is critical and we are grateful to be able to achieve unity and strength for both our students and one another through this MOU. 


After weeks of negotiating, now is the time to meet the moment we have all been waiting for, to come together and ensure our students are given the opportunity to learn, grow and achieve their personal success. 


For those of you who may not be familiar with an MOU, it is a Memorandum of Understanding, an agreement between, in this case, the Beverly Hills Education Association (our teachers and other unit members) and the District. There are many people in our community who make sure we can do the best job in delivering exemplary education however the people who create such a strong foundation as the bedrock of our District are our teachers. 


When things change, for example, a pandemic comes along, there is a change to the way our district works and that means we need to come up with a clear agreement to help everyone know what we need to follow to give our students the best possible education. 


The BHEA bargaining team has worked in a partnership with the District and Board of Education to fine-tune and reach an agreement today detailing exactly what the plan is so that we can start the school year with clear expectations for everyone. On Wednesday, we will share very specific schedules and expectations. Live@BHUSD will bring you the very best of Home Learning 2.0 and address what didn’t work so well.


The key elements of the MOU are outlined below:

  • Live@BHUSD will mimic what occurs in a physical classroom as closely as possible connecting in visual and auditory ways providing students, instruction, encouragement, and feedback.

  • Both the District and the Association agreed on the importance of providing time to plan, prepare and adjust to the changes needed for the 2020-2021 school year in order to provide teachers with the necessary resources, technology, and professional development. Therefore, the first day of school for students has changed from August 17, 2020, to August 18, 2020.  To make up for this day of instruction, January 27, 2021, will change from a professional development day to an instructional day.

  • BHEA unit members will have the opportunity to select their preferred worksite from District assigned locations or their determined remote location. 

  • Students will receive daily interaction in real-time. 

  • Students will receive live and synchronous instruction which engages students following the academic class schedule through direct instruction, guided practice, checking for understanding, progress monitoring, and setting the expectations for daily independent practice and homework assignments.

  • Live and synchronous instruction and support occurs when the BHEA member and students are meeting in the same virtual space at the same time using one or more of the audiovisual remote instructional platforms provided by the District.

  • Only students, members, and administrators shall have the right to be present in virtual spaces during synchronous and live instruction.

  • The District will clean and sanitize all necessary facilities and equipment remaining in full compliance with the LA County Department of Public Health Orders. 

  • In the event a staff member tests positive for COVID-19, the District will make provisions to support a leave. 


Thank you for your support, your patience, your willingness to challenge us, and give us grace. Thank you for extending each other kindness in a time that can create endless frustration and upset. Thank you for setting the example to our students for how to respond in an ongoing crisis with respect, trust in leadership, and empathy. 


To summarize here are some key dates and times:

  • Wednesday, August 5th - Academic class schedules and start/stop times released

  • Tuesday, August 11th at 8am - All Staff District Wide Voluntary Meeting

  • Wednesday, August 12th

    • 8am BVMS District/School/Parent Zoom

    • 10:30am Elementary District/School/Parent Zoom

    • 3pm BHHS District/School/Parent Zoom 

  • Monday, August 17th - New Staff Professional Development Day 

  • Tuesday, August 18th - School Starts


This pandemic has created challenges for all of us but we are so excited to start the school year on August 18th! Please stay on the lookout for the specific schedules and expectations for your family on Wednesday afternoon. 


Have a great weekend, wear your mask, wash your hands, and keep smiling, we will get through this together! 


Respectfully, 

Dr. Bregy

BHUSD and BHEA Reach Tentative Agreement

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

Next Steps for Fall Learning

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 

Dear BHUSD Community,
 

As we promised, “as soon as we have more information we will share it with you”, this evening I have some more information to share. I understand that I cannot begin to know how each one of you is feeling at this moment. Each person, whether you are a student, staff member, or parent, has a different situation with different challenges. 

 

We had an unprecedented conclusion to the 2019-2020 school year and we will have an unprecedented beginning to the 2020-2021 school year. As a former mathematics teacher, we are solving an almost impossible equation with variables changing unpredictably. From the beginning of February, we have shared that current circumstances are developing and our direction is subject to change, grow, and evolve.

 

Priorities: 

 
  1. Health and Safety 

  2. Educational Rigor and Consistency  

  3. Social and Emotional Well-being 

  4. Childcare

 

For each of you, the list above is prioritized in a different order. For many of you, they all have the same level of importance. For some of you, one far outweighs the other. We do not take the responsibility of educating our community lightly.

 

We are facing a divide among demands.

Demands have been made to have all students return to the physical classroom in August.

Demands have been made to have a hybrid schedule that replicates the programs and courses that exist on each student’s schedule.

Demands have been made to assure the safety from COVID-19 for every student.

Demands have been made to assure that students will not remove masks, shields, or face coverings.

Demands have been made to assure students will always be kept 6 ft away from one another.

Demands have been made to provide consistent and rigorous instruction.

Demands have been made to………..

 

Let’s talk for a minute about what we know unequivocally. 

 
  • School will commence on Monday, August 17th, 2020. 

  • The risk of COVID-19 impacting our health as a community is no less today than when we physically closed down in March. In fact, it is higher. 

  • When our Options Committee designed the two options, the trend in COVID-19 cases in LA County was significantly different than today. 

  • We anticipated a higher application number for the ILC to bring down the number of physical bodies in each classroom. 

  • We do not have the updated Order from the LA County Department of Public Health but we have been advised that no restrictions from the current one will be lessened, 6ft distancing is mandatory. This is a mandate, not a guideline. Click Here to View.

  • Should we physically open we cannot offer consistency as education will be disrupted when inevitably a student or staff member tests positive with a confirmed case and the people they were in contact with will remain at home in quarantine for a minimum of 14 days. (We are aware of multiple cases of COVID-19 in BHUSD since Spring Break)

  • Should we pursue the Hybrid Learning Option we will need to offer 3 cohorts (it was 2) for 4th-12th grades, a change since we announced the options. What changed? A detailed explanation is below. In short: 

    • 6ft distancing was mandated by many local and state officials

    • Our classrooms have been surveyed to measure how many students can fit with 6 ft distancing 

    • We can fit 10-12 students on average in each classroom

    • The ILC applications are lower than anticipated  

  • We have not made any decisions about which options will be changed at this time with the exception of the ILC. The ILC option will remain. 

 

Although we cannot replace the experience of being in a classroom, we are concerned about the social emotional well-being of our students attending school with necessary but intense (some have said, draconian) restrictions. Not being able to hang out or play with one another unless 6ft apart, or compete in sports or share in a game with equipment that touches more than one person or see each other's smiles and facial expressions due to mandatory mask wearing is daunting for students of all ages. Although through a screen, expression can be seen and connections can be made. We are privileged to be a 1:1 (student to device) district and will ensure that robust social emotional wellness programming is a part of whichever next step we take as a district. 

 

Well before COVID-19 it was established, per California Ed Code 46200, that for the 2020-2021 school year we are providing 180 instructional days. 

 

Semester 1 = 82 instructional days. 

Semester 2 = 98 instructional days. 

 

We are mandated to follow the LA County Department of Public Health Order which currently states that 6ft distancing must occur. Click Here to view this on page 13

 

“20. For purposes of this Order, the "Social (Physical) Distancing Protocol" that must be implemented and posted must demonstrate how the following infection control measures are being implemented and achieved, as applicable:


Limiting the number of people who may enter into the facility at any one time to ensure that people in the facility can easily maintain a minimum six (6) foot physical distance from others, at all times, except as required to complete a business activity or transaction. Members of a single household or living unit may stand or move together but must be separated from others by a physical distance of at least six (6) feet.“

 

Since we last connected we have more clarity on our ILC numbers which are lower than anticipated. We also surveyed our classrooms taking into consideration removing all non-essential furniture and can fit on average 10-12 students in each classroom. Some classrooms are bigger, some smaller, but the average is 10-12. 

 
  1. On average at the High School, there are 26-28 students in a class. 

 
  1. On average at the Middle School, there are 27-30 students in a class.

 
  1. On average at the Elementary School 4/5th Grades, there are 25-29 students in a class.

 
  1. On average at the Elementary School TK-3rd Grades, there are 19-23 students in a class.

 

Based purely on these averages the High School, Middle School, and Elementary School 4/5th Grade classes need 3 cohorts to ensure we are in compliance with the 6ft mandate. This would require each cohort to be physically on campus for 27.3 days in first semester and the rest of instruction would be provided remotely. 

 

In addition to the points raised above, should one single child or staff member be diagnosed with a case of COVID-19 we are obligated to quarantine every single person they have come in contact with (for more than 15 minutes) for 14 days. This further removes instructional consistency for our students. 

 

Or, we can continue to explore the possibility raised at the most recent Board Study Session and achieve both safety and educational consistency by offering the full 82 days of the first semester with the majority of teaching done remotely. There are endless nuances that will need to be worked out no matter which way we proceed but even with this simple data, it is clear that we are not offering consistent education or guaranteed safety if we return to the Hybrid Learning model at this stage. 

 

We have listened to you (parents and staff) and understand that many of you want more specialists and electives offered virtually. We acknowledge that COVID-19 is impacting our working parents in a very different way than other families. None of this is ideal and we are exploring child care solutions and the viability of what we can offer to those who need this support. 

 

The issues that we run into are continuous as we focus on answering the following questions:  

  • What is the safest environment possible for students and staff?

  • What is the most effective and consistent way to deliver instruction to students?

  • What is the smoothest way to transition back into the classroom when the Public Health Order begins to reduce restrictions?

 

Federal, State, and LA County officials can still provide direction and mandates that could change our plans and/or implementation. The risks are higher today than 4 months ago. School Districts across the country are preparing for the unknown. One thing is for certain, we will need to pivot our program quickly.

 

Please remember that we care about your opinion and if you have something to share you can always send it through our feedback form - bhusd.org/fall/

 

I want to be clear in communicating that we are working diligently on all possibilities and no formal decisions have been made. The Board Study Session offered direction and we are now exploring that guidance while also understanding that we must comply with state and local officials and any new orders that are announced. 

 

Respectfully,

Dr. Bregy

An Important Update Regarding Fall Learning
Dr. Bregy - BHUSD Fall Options Update July 6th
Return 2 Learn

Dear BHUSD Community,

I want to start by saying thank you. I am so grateful for your patience at this time of uncertainty. As you have seen over the last week, all local districts are unveiling very similar fall options. 

Although we wish that COVID-19 would cease to exist and we could return to school full time, we are not allowed to do that under the current order (mask requirement pg 2, social distancing requirement pg 13 - click here) from the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health (LACDPH). We are waiting for the latest order which we have been informed will be published this week. I have been told that the new order will not have any less stringent regulations. 

We must also follow the guidelines from the California Department of Education (CDE) and Center for Disease Control (CDC) and Los Angeles County of Education (LACOE). 

I understand that this situation is extremely difficult for all parents, staff, and students and particularly impacts our working parents in a different way. 

As a District we have two priorities, they have and always will be in the following order. First, Safety. Second, Education. We are working day in and day out with experts and our own staff to make the best decisions for our community. 

We want to help you make the decision by July 15th between Option 1 - ILC and Option 2 - Hybrid Learning by providing as much information as we have. It is important to separate this by age group as it impacts everyone differently. In all actuality, both options will not compare to the experience we provide without a global pandemic. 

There are three main updates I can give you today:

  1. You will hear from me once a week with an update throughout the summer. 

  2. We will publish a BHUSD Frequently Asked Questions document this week. 

  3. Our Primary and Elementary students, being younger learners, have significantly different needs to our Middle and High school students. Therefore, this Friday, July 3rd at 10am for 90 minutes we will hold a virtual Coffee with the Principals of Hawthorne and Horace Mann together. Information about this will be forthcoming.

Please be aware that everything we share is contingent on information from the Department of Public Health, the MOU (Memorandum of Understanding) with our bargaining teams, and a litany of things that are out of our control. Nothing is concrete and we understand that we are asking you to make a concrete decision about the ILC- click here- by July 15th. 

Respectfully,

Dr. Bregy 

Dear BHUSD Community,

As the country assesses the best way to return to school in the fall BHUSD is proactively working with two critical committees 1. Instruction - Education Experts and 2. Think Tank - Community Experts. These are listed here.  

The Department of Public Health is publishing further restrictions we must follow including social distancing and following strict protocols for example mask-wearing when we return. These protocols are evolving and changing by the day. We must follow this mandate. We have collected your feedback from the fall survey and are intentionally waiting to survey our staff because we need to first have a solid understanding of where you as parents are at in your decision making about returning to school. 

After the BHUSD Study Session on June 17th, we will be able to offer two options for the fall of 2020 due to restrictions set forth from the Department of Public Health:

Option 1: The ILC (Independent Learning Center) - admission closes July 15th, one semester minimum commitment. We strongly encourage you to consider this option. Click here to learn more - www.ilc.bhusd.org/

Option 2: Hybrid Learning - All students are automatically placed in this option unless they apply for the ILC. Click here to learn more - www.bhusd.org/hybridlearning/

These options are contingent on direction from the Department of Public Health. 

You must already be enrolled in BHUSD to participate in these options. If you are not already, please go to bhusd.org to enroll. 

A friendly reminder that if you decide not to return to BHUSD to please notify Maria Fernandez by emailing [email protected]

Please remember, admissions for the ILC close on July 15th. 

Stay safe,

Dr. Bregy

Superintendent

What is happening with Graduation and Promotion at BHUSD? Press play to find out!
 
Graduation

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

 

Home Learning Extended Through School Year


Dear BHUSD Students, Staff and Parents, 


Earlier this week Governor Newsom announced that families and educators should operate “with the expectation now that schools will not reopen, but classes are in” for the rest of the school year. In addition, the State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond released information that stated, “Due to the current safety concerns and needs for ongoing social distancing it currently appears that our students will not be able to return to school campuses before the end of the school year. This is in no way to suggest that school is over for the year, but rather we should put all efforts into strengthening our delivery of education through distance learning.” Superintendent Thurmond urged all school districts in California to move towards and/or continue to strengthen distance learning programs and opportunities for students at this time. 


With this information BHUSD is taking a safety first approach and action to extend the District physical shutdown and Home Learning through the end of the school year​. To be clear, the 2019-20 school year is not over, it has just transitioned from classroom instruction into Home Learning. Home Learning is taking place in different ways throughout our District and we are so grateful to our teachers for their innovative approach in this time. We ask for patience and understanding as we are all quickly transitioning into a new way of teaching and learning to meet the health and safety impacts of COVID-19. 


We are also extremely concerned about the social and emotional well-being of all of our students and are working on ways to stay connected even at a distance. We know that many students, especially our seniors, are looking forward to celebrating promotion and graduation ceremonies and are very concerned about missing out on these momentous celebrations. Please know that district and school leaders will be planning how we might offer these experiences in different formats and/or at a later date. In the coming days and weeks, we will provide you with information regarding how grades, graduation, transcripts, summer school, and continued Home Learning instruction will be handled.


While we recognize this extension of physical shutdown creates hardships for many families and staff in BHUSD, the most effective way to slow and disrupt the transmission of this pandemic is by continuing to implement social distancing practices. We are grateful to community members throughout Beverly Hills for their tremendous prevention efforts during this uncertain time. 


Be safe,

Dr. Bregy

 

Extended

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:


BHUSD Home Learning Website:



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 youStay 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. 


Response to Gov Newsom

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 

 

Social Distancing

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. 

  1. 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

 

BHUSD is physically shut down

Dear BHUSD Community, 

 

Today, March 11, 2020, the World Health Organization officially declared COVID-19 a pandemic. As of today, we do not have any confirmed cases at BHUSD. We will take this day by day, our COVID-19 Response Plan has been activated. Until we announce otherwise we look forward to seeing you on Monday, 23rd March refreshed and ready to get back to school! 

 

We are currently experiencing an unpredictable time in our history as a nation and as a school district. I realize you are facing many questions. Thank you for all that you are doing to support BHUSD.

 

As we prepare for Spring Break I need to relay some important things to you. 

  1. Please take all necessary precautions to protect yourselves and our community from COVID-19 and any illness. 

  1. If you visit a country or place (keep in mind, the CDC could declare warning areas within America) that is at Warning Level 3 or Alert Level 2 according to the CDC you must report this to Student Services (Phil Wenker, [email protected]) and your Principal. 

  1. Your child will be required to stay home and away from fellow students for 14 days after your return to Los Angeles and before coming back to school. This is the standard self quarantine period recommended by the CDC. At the moment these countries include China, Iran, Italy, South Korea and Japan. Any absence due to quarantine or illness will be excused.  

Please check here for up to date travel warning information: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/travelers/index.html

  1. We must be prepared for all scenarios which could include Home Learning. Depending on the grade level, this is a mix of online and workbook learning. Just as we have drills for other emergency situations we need to prepare for a COVID-19 outbreak. Therefore, we will be sending all students home for Spring Break prepared, just in case! 

  • Grades TK - 2 will take home consumable workbooks.

  • Grades 3 - 5 will take home their school laptops. 

  • Grades 6 - 8 will use their devices at home, if they do not have access to a device please contact Kevin Allen and we will provide one to take home. 

  • Grades 9 - 12 - will take home their issued devices. 

  1. Finally, as the CDC continues to communicate, the most important preventative measure is to wash your hands. Our teachers also continue to promote frequent hand washing among students especially before they eat. Please refer to the graphic below if needed. 

Please expect to hear from us if anything changes however, for now, enjoy your Spring Break.

 

Respectfully,

Dr. Bregy 

Superintendent
 
How to wash your hands

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.

 

How to talk to kids

 

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,

 

Thank you for your patience during this time of uncertainty. There is not currently a COVID-19 (coronavirus) pandemic in the United States. There are no known cases of COVID-19 in our District. We continue to participate in daily meetings and calls to best prepare for an outbreak and to support our community. We would like to remind you that the State of Emergency declared on March 4, 2020 by the Governor was preparation-based, not because an outbreak currently exists. An emergency proclamation is designed to focus resources and expedite government response. 

 

Please be aware that we are taking all direction from primarily the CDC (Centers for Disease Control) and the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health. Decisions are also made in partnership with LACOE (Los Angeles County Office of Education). 

 

We are prepared with plans and protocols in preparation for the possibility of school closures however this is not a current concern. 

 

FAQ

The information we provide to you about COVID-19 will change rapidly. Today, the following FAQ should help provide some clarity however be aware that we will update you with any new information as it evolves. 

 

What is the most important thing to do?

Wash your hands with soap and water for 20 seconds. If you have symptoms of COVID-19 and can stay home we recommend that you do. It is still cold and flu season, COVID-19 is not the only reason for us all to stay vigilant about being healthy! 

 

How is Spring Break impacted by COVID-19? 

Remember to rest and recuperate! Please take all necessary precautions to protect yourselves and our community from COVID-19 and any illness. 

 

If you visit a country or place (keep in mind, the CDC could declare warning areas within America) that is at Warning Level 3 or Alert Level 2 according to the CDC you must report this to Student Services (Phil Wenker, [email protected]) and your Principal. Your child will be required to stay home and away from fellow students for 14 days after your return to Los Angeles and before coming back to school. This is the standard self quarantine period recommended by the CDC. At the moment these countries include China, Iran, Italy, South Korea and Japan. Any absence due to quarantine or illness will be excused.  

 

Please check here for up to date travel warning information: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/travelers/index.html

 

Should we stay home if we have a fever? 

This is a great idea. We recommend that 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.

 

Hand Sanitizer vs Hand Washing, what wins? 

We will not be placing hand sanitizer in each classroom at this time. It simply does not compare to hand washing. The most effective way to keep germs at bay is to wash your hands for at least 20 seconds with soap. We have increased hand sanitizer dispensers significantly at every school and the District Office but this does not replace hand washing. 

 

Do we need masks? 

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) does not recommend routine use of a facemask or respirator. It is important that we do not deplete stock from those who need them for other illnesses.

 

What if someone at BHUSD is exposed to the risk of COVID-19? 

This is unfortunately inevitable. 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. Should a confirmed case of COVID-19 exist in BHUSD we will work in consultation with the expert government agencies listed above to take the necessary next steps. This situation will be handled on a case by case basis. 

 

If I decide not to send my student to school or come to BHUSD will absences be excused?

We understand community concern about student health and safety. Some families have asked about keeping their own child home based on the fear of contracting COVID-19 at school. This is certainly an option any family may consider. However, per Education Code at this time, we are unable to mark an absence excused for this reason. Our normal protocol remains in place. If a student is out for an extended period of time, a doctor’s note may be required. We have asked principals to work with teachers to provide makeup work for students. Any absence due to quarantine or illness will be excused. 

 

Will you cancel school activities and events? 

No. Until there is guidance from the expert government agencies listed above or we have an outbreak that warrants this decision we will continue all school activities as scheduled. 

 

Will you cancel school trips?

No. Until a travel advisory is issued for the specific location or advice given by the government agencies listed above or we have an outbreak that warrants this decision, we will not cancel any trips. 

 

Will you close schools?

This is an extreme measure that would be disruptive to our students, staff and families. This decision would be made in consultation with the expert government agencies listed above. 

 

How should I talk to children about Coronavirus?

We are working on a full set of useful tools and will send you an email with this once it is ready. For now, keeping calm and reducing fear is essential. 

 

Where should I check for information?

Please use only official government agency outlets to obtain information, for example:

www.cdc.gov/coronavirus

http://publichealth.lacounty.gov/media/Coronavirus/

 
Who can I call?

Student Services on 310 551 5100 ext. 2250. 


We will continue to update you as soon as additional information becomes available. 

 

Sincerely,

Laura Chism

Assistant Superintendent of Student Services 

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/

Helpful links:
Finally, as a reminder, the best prevention against any virus is to wash our hands often. Please make sure to wash your hands as frequently as possible. As always, we thank you for your ongoing support.

Take care,
Laura Chism
Assistant Superintendent of Student Services

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 

Dear BHUSD Community,

As promised we are staying in contact with you regarding the coronavirus. Currently, there is no threat of the coronavirus in BHUSD, should this change we will contact you immediately. Please see below an infographic and the most recent press release from The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health.

If you have any concern that you may be impacted please follow the infographic and inform the District immediately. If you have further questions please contact Student Services on (310) 551-5100 ext. 2250/2241 or see http://publichealth.lacounty.gov/media/Coronavirus/.

Take care,
Beverly Hills Unified School District 


"Public Health Confirms First Case of 2019 Novel Coronavirus in Los Angeles County

LOS ANGELES – The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health (Public Health) has confirmed the first case of 2019 novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV) in Los Angeles County. The infected person presented themselves for care once they noticed that they were not feeling well and is currently receiving medical treatment. There is no immediate threat to the general public, no special precautions are required, and people should not be excluded from activities based on their race, country of origin, or recent travel if they do not have symptoms of respiratory illness. Los Angeles residents, students, workers, and visitors should continue to engage in their regular activities and practice good public health hygiene as this is the height of flu season across the County. Public Health is working closely with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and other federal, state and local agencies to monitor this novel coronavirus that has emerged from Wuhan, China over the past few weeks. This is a rapidly evolving situation and information will be updated as it becomes available.

Additional information about the case
• This person is a returning traveler from Wuhan City, China.
• The person has been confirmed to have this new strain of coronavirus (2019-nCoV) by the CDC.
• The person is currently receiving appropriate care at a local hospital. In order to protect patient privacy/confidentiality, Public Health is not releasing the location.
• Public Health officials are working to identify persons who may have had close personal contact with this individual, including any friends, family members or health care professionals, to monitor them for signs and symptoms of illness and to take measures to prevent spread of the virus."

Dear BHUSD Community,

Here at BHUSD your health and safety is our number one prioritytherefore, it is important that we communicate with you whenever there is concern. As you may be aware there is a new coronavirus (explained below). Currently, there is no threat of the coronavirus in BHUSD, should this change we will contact you immediately. Please see below some information from The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health regarding the coronavirus and important information about staying healthy. If you have any concern that you may be impacted please follow the steps below and inform the District immediately. If you have further questions please contact Student Services on (310) 551-5100 ext. 2250/2241 or see http://publichealth.lacounty.gov/media/Coronavirus/.

"The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health (Public Health) is cooperating with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to respond to recent reports of a novel (new) coronavirus. Coronaviruses are a large family of viruses, some causing respiratory illness in people and others that circulate mostly among animals, including camels, cats and bats. Common symptoms in an infected person include a fever, cough and shortness of breath or difficulty breathing.

Since December 2019, Chinese authorities preliminarily identified more than 440 human infections, including 17 deaths, associated with this novel (new) coronavirus in an outbreak of pneumonia in Wuhan City, Hubei Province, China. In addition, novel coronavirus infections have been confirmed in four travelers who traveled to or came from Wuhan City, including one traveler in the United States located in Washington State.

Because this is a new virus that we know little about, and person to person spread has been confirmed, on January 18, the CDC initiated screening of travelers from Wuhan City at JFK airport in NYC, SFO airport in San Francisco, and LAX airport in Los Angeles. These three airports were selected because they are the initial U.S. destinations for the vast majority of travelers from Wuhan City. Beginning this upcoming weekend, CDC anticipates expanding airport screenings to Atlanta and Chicago and requiring all travelers from Wuhan City to enter the United States through one of the 5 airports in the U.S. where there is enhanced screening.

Public Health staff is assisting the CDC to ensure that travelers from Wuhan City that have a fever or respiratory illness symptoms upon arrival to LAX are appropriately screened, tested and receive care. Travelers from Wuhan City who are not ill upon arrival are being provided with a card that includes information on symptoms and advised to seek care if they become ill while visiting LA County. While there is no cure for this virus, our hospital partners and clinical providers will be able to test and care for ill travelers to minimize transmission and severe illness. Public Health issued a new health advisory informing local healthcare providers in LA County of the current situation on January 17, 2020. Our team from Acute Communicable Disease Control (ACDC) will continue providing updates and working with local healthcare providers as the situation evolves.

While there is much more to learn about the severity and other features associated with this novel coronavirus, and investigations are ongoing in China, based on current information, the risk from the novel coronavirus 2019 to spread in Los Angeles County residents is deemed to be low at this time.

If you or someone you know is planning on traveling to Wuhan, the following are important steps to take:

  • Avoid animals (alive or dead), animal markets, and products that come from animals (such as uncooked meat).
  • Avoid contact with sick people.
  • Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. Use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer if soap and water are not available.

If you or someone you know has traveled to Wuhan and feel sick, please:
  • Stay home and avoid contact with others, except for seeking medical care.
  • Seek medical care right away. Before you go to a doctor’s office or emergency room, call ahead and tell them about your recent travel and your symptoms.
  • Do not travel while sick.
  • Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue or your sleeve (not your hands) when coughing or sneezing.

If you work at a hospital, it is recommended that you:
  • Follow standard environmental infection control procedures for healthcare settings.
  • Ask all patients about recent travel.
  • Post signs that ask students and families to follow standard hygiene practices, such as:
    • Washing hands often with soap and water for 20 seconds. Using an alcohol-based hand sanitizer if soap and water are not on hand.
    • Covering their nose and mouth with their elbow or a tissue when coughing or sneezing.
    • Avoiding touching their eyes, nose, and mouth.
    • Limiting close contact, like kissing and sharing cups or utensils, with people who are sick." The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health