| August 28, 2020 Dear MUSD Parent/Guardian, I want to start this week's communication with a simple thank you. I thank you for your continued partnership and support as we continue to work through this challenging time. I continue to be very proud of the work that our staff is engaged in as we continue with remote learning. With that said, I am also very proud of the work that our families and students are engaged in as they also work through remote learning. It is fair to say that everyone involved is working harder than they ever have before. We encourage parents to continue to partner with teachers and school leaders to identify ways to support the individual needs of students. I also hope that this communication finds your student, family, and you healthy and well. Our faculty, staff and Governing Board have been working diligently on our Safe and Thoughtful Return to School Plan with a goal of returning safely to high quality, in-person classroom learning as soon as possible. As we continue these discussions the two components continue to be: When and How. When The focus on the when has always been based on the work of the Pima County's Back to School Committee and associated efforts. This includes guidance and direction from the Arizona Department of Health Services and the Pima County Health Department. At last night's Board meeting, representatives from the Pima County Health Department shared the three criteria (Disease, Healthcare Capacity, and Public Health Capacity) for a safe return to in-person, classroom instruction. While the metrics have not been met to this point, progress is being made in each of these three criteria. Based on the progress being made, recommendations from the Pima County Health Department, and in the interest of providing a specific date for our families, the Governing Board set October 19th as the date for a return to safe in-person, modified hybrid classroom instruction. A few critical factors went into this decision: This provides a clear, specific date for staff, students, and families to plan around. - Fall Break provides a natural transition for a shift in our educational model.
- The timeline provides ample time for the health metrics to improve.
- This provides opportunities for enhanced transition and engagement activities for our students in the coming weeks.
- The timeline provides ample time for our staff to continue preparing for a shift to another high quality education model.
- This will reduce the likelihood that MUSD would have to close schools in the future and return to a remote learning model.
I am confident that this timeline puts us in the best position to move forward safely and effectively. How The next biggest question is the how and the steps that will be taken to ensure that we can make this transition safely and effectively. The critical components of this step include: Parent/Family Surveys -
- We know that many of our families are looking forward to returning to in-person instruction and that many of our families will be utilizing the continuation of a remote learning experience once we return from Fall Break. A survey will be sent out next week seeking this information, as well as hybrid options, from families. The timely, accurate collection of this data will be critical for planning purposes.
- Journey Mapping
- We are continuing the work with our partners on identifying touch points, circulation flow and traffic patterns, as well as optimal classroom designs to maximize physical distancing on each of our campuses.
- Protocol Approval
- We are working closely with the Pima County Health Department and the school liaison on our Return to School Plan including their approval on each component of our mitigation plan (face coverings, hygiene, cleaning and sanitizing, testing and contact tracing, etc.)
- Hybrid/Modified Planning
- We are continuing the work that has been in progress with our principals and teachers on a high quality hybrid, modified education model. Many parents have expressed the desire to remain with their child's current teacher(s) upon the return to in-person instruction. We are working on a plan that will allow us to do that to the maximum extent possible.
- Other Service Planning
- Each of our departments continue to work towards a smooth transition. One of these departments includes transportation which will need to operate on a very different schedule and with very different protocols than in years past. We are grateful for their creativity and dedication in working through this process.
Our Return to School Task Force has been working diligently in each of these areas. Throughout this process we will need your input on many different aspects. We look forward to working collaboratively as we outline our steps to the return to school process. In closing, I want to thank you again for your partnership and support as we work together to return to school safely and effectively. Please be safe and stay healthy, Dan Streeter, Ed.D.
Superintendent | 
