Hi everyone,

I hope that you are staying safe and healthy during this challenging time. Happy Dolores Huerta Day!  Today is her 90th birthday, the California organizer who coined the phrase "Si Se Puede".  We honor her as we work together for health & education for all!  Check out her Foundation and curriculum here.

MDUSD continues to work hard to provide essential services.  Did you see in the superintendent’s April 9th letter that the district’s Food and Nutrition Services Department has served over 41,600 meals in just sixteen days of operation? Plus they are now also working to provide over 80 meals each day to senior citizens in our community, through a partnership with the City of Concord and Meals on Wheels.

And, as a District we have deployed over 5,000 devices to students. One measurement indicated that we have had close to 25,000 connections that have been made to our Google classrooms within a short amount of time.  I’m so thankful for all the staff and teachers who have been working nonstop in this unprecedented time!

Here are 3 key announcements from MDUSD:

1. School campuses closed through end of school year
2. Next School Board meeting - Monday, April 13
3. Watch the MDUSD Town Halls

School campuses closed through end of school year

On April 7, 2020, Superintendent Dr. Rob Martinez communicated to the public confirming school closure for the remainder of the 2019-20 school year in conjunction with joint action from six bay area counties. The full message is available here.

Next School Board meeting - Monday, April 13

The next School Board meeting is scheduled for this Monday, April 13^th. The meeting will be livestreamed to the public here: https://vimeo.com/405941539. The public may submit verbal information during Board Meeting hours by email at [email protected].

Agenda is available here. It is a very full agenda, including information about Distance Learning, Board policy revisions for grades and promotion, and reductions to Classified employees for the 2020-21 school year.

Visit https://mdusd.org/agendasminutes for all board agendas & videos.

Did you watch the MDUSD Town Halls? 

This is a new format to share important details from the district to the community. Watch the first two at http://mdusd.org/townhall, and that’s also where to look for the next one to tune in and participate.   The second Town Hall included translation into Spanish as well.

Also in this message I’ve collected some additional resources for you here:

1. Food
   • MDUSD
   • Monument Crisis Center
2. Remote Learning
   • Coco Students Helping Students
   • Where to find free internet & cell data – CDE complete list
   • En Espanol – Zoom tutorial by teacher Blanca Vega from ShoreAcres
   • Yours Humanly Distance Learning tools & content
3. Community Resources
   • Monument Impact Resource Guide in English y Espanol
   • Are you storing your guns safely?
   • Career Girls - epidemiologist
   • Crisis Help Lines

1. FOOD

MDUSD Meals – now Mon/Wed/Fri

 Monument Crisis Center – food for all

2. REMOTE LEARNING

In addition to the MDUSD Parent Portal, Staff Portal and CDE resources, here are a few additional gems:

• CoCo Students Helping Students

Did you know MDUSD students are taking a leadership role in remote learning? 

Here’s a message from Rosie Reid, an MDUSD teacher at Northgate High who was also National Teacher of the Year:

“The school closures caused by COVID-19 have been quite a challenge for so many of us. For some, this challenge has been dealing with feelings of isolation and sadness. Others have struggled with maintaining a sense of normalcy and motivation. Many are having a hard time learning on their own and keeping up with their schoolwork. To remedy this, I have set up a free student-to-student mentoring match-up program. How it works is simple: Students who want to mentor/tutor other kids email me and tell me what classes they have taken and gotten at least a “B” in. Students (or parents of students) who need help or want to connect email me and I match them up. From there, they schedule appointments that meet both of their needs. Some mentor/mentee pairs meet daily, others every other day, and others a couple of times a week via Zoom, Skype, Facetime, or phone. Currently, we have 60 student pairs with students from several school districts participating at the elementary, middle, and high school level. If you know of a teen who could use support or a teen who wants to mentor, please email me at [email protected]. “ -- Rosie Reid, Northgate High School

• Where to Find Free Internet & Data

Here is a comprehensive list that will be updated, from CA Dept of Education: https://www.cde.ca.gov/ls/he/hn/availableinternetplans.asp

• En Espanol, Zoom Tutorial de MDUSD ShoreAcres Teacher Blanca Vega

Buenas tardes! Para aquellos que quieran practicar cómo meterse a una videoconferencia en zoom, aqui está un titorian que hice en español. Muy sencillo, solo para poder entrar! Pueden encontrarlo también en mi canal de YouTube https://youtu.be/AhxnpiYGZDM   @MtDiabloUSD @ShoreAcresMDUSD

• Yours Humanly Distance Learning List of Tools & Content

“Our relationships with aid organizations, government agencies, school districts, teacher associations, and parent clubs have allowed us to compile a far reaching list of tools and resources that will help our communities cope with the unprecedented challenges and overcome the major obstacles we are facing.

Our hope is to curate some of the best ideas, strategies, reports, and online resources for the benefit of all, presented in one easy-to-navigate space. This initial resource list focuses on distance learning and strategies in light of shelter in place and social distancing.

 https://yourshumanly.org/tools-and-resources/

3. Community Resources

• Monument Impact Resource Guide in English y Espanol

They created a resource guide that organizes the available services and resources in Contra Costa county, from food distribution programs to unemployment insurance. Updated daily!

English: http://bit.ly/ResourcesCoCo  Spanish: http://bit.ly/RecursosCoCo

• Safe Gun Storage

Thank you to Mt Diablo Chapter of Moms Demand Action, for bringing this to our attention.  Did you know that in California, it is a crime for a person to negligently store or leave a loaded firearm in a place where a child is likely to access it.

State Superintendent Tony Thurmond stated in a recent letter, “District and school administrators must help educate parents and guardians about California’s child access prevention laws; it is a crime for a person to negligently store or leave a loaded firearm in a place where a child is likely to access it.”

Child access to guns and actual or potential gun violence is occurring in our immediate community.  In January, a neighboring high school, Las Lomas experienced a lockdown when an at-risk student brought a loaded gun to school with alleged intent to harm himself or others.   An Antioch High School student was shot and killed this year after a school sporting event.    More recently, gun sales amid the Corona virus outbreak have spiked.  According to Shannon Watts, founder of Moms Demand Action, "This spike in gun sales is deeply concerning, particularly for the millions of children unexpectedly at home with unsecured guns, women sheltering in place with abusers, and anyone struggling economically and psychologically."

The following national, state and regional organizations advocate for education on gun violence prevention:

American Academy of Pediatrics                                 American Federation of Teachers

California Attorney General                                          California Department of Education 

Contra Costa County Probation Dept.                          Contra Costa County Dept of Education

Contra Costa County District Attorney                         National Education Association

National PTA

• Career Girls

Career Girls is founded on the dream that every girl around the world has access to diverse and accomplished women role models — to learn from their experiences and to discover their own path to empowerment. CareerGirls.org is a comprehensive video-based career exploration tool for girls. It’s free to use, and, as important, it's free of ads. They have the largest online collection of career guidance videos focusing exclusively on diverse and accomplished women — over 130 of whom are in STEM fields — and add to it weekly.

Their Epidemiologist Career Page can encourage the next generation of disease detectives. Also, consider sharing their free Career Girls Toolkits with the parents, educators and mentors you know who need help keeping their kids engaged during this social distancing, shelter at home period.

• Crisis Help Lines

Crisis Text Line Text MHA to 741741 and be connected to a trained Crisis Counselor. Crisis Text Line provides free, text-based support 24/7

Disaster Health Helpline Call 1-800-985-5990 or text TalkWithUs to 66746. The Disaster Distress Helpline (DDH) provides crisis counseling and support for anyone in the U.S. experiencing distress or other behavioral health concerns related to any natural or human-caused disaster, including public health emergencies

Teen Line Call (310) 855-4673 or Text TEEN to 839863 to be connected to peers to offer support and education

Trevor Project Call (866) 488 -7386 or text START to 678678. A national 24-hour, toll free confidential suicide hotline for LGBTQ youth

Hi everyone,

Happy César Chávez Day celebration week!

(the official date in CA is March 31st, and MDUSD observes it on Friday April 3rd)

Thank you to all of the #Heroes out there who, like Chavez did, are working hard every day to make sure every person is treated with dignity and has access to adequate food, healthcare and education. Sí se puede!

MDUSD’s next Town Hall is tomorrow, March 31^st, at 3pm. Just go to mdusd.org/townhall to watch or participate.  Hope you can make it!  If not, you can watch the recording later, as with last week's.

In this message:

1. Superintendent Friday Letter
2. Monument Crisis Center – how to donate or receive food
3. MYDAC update on vaping, smoking information & resources
4. College Board Scholarships & free SAT practice
5. MDUSD Spirit Week

Superintendent Martinez’s Friday Letter

Here is Superintendent Martinez's March 27th Friday letter, which includes that Town Hall as well as the news that on March 25th, six bay area counties (including ours) and public health officials have made a unified, regional decision to extend school closures through May 1, 2020. 

Plus a few key excerpts:

• This week MDUSD’s free community meals continue at 9 school sites district-wide for all children 18 years and younger. Please see the attached flyers for a list of locations and details: English Flyer | Spanish Flyer " 

**Also note: There is no meal service this Friday (it is the day MDUSD observes Cesar Chavez Day), and so instead double meals will be given out on Thursday.**

• More Internet Access Opportunities: Because access to affordable home internet options for our families is highly critical, we are proud of a newly formed partnership with EveryoneOn through the California Emerging Technology Fund. Flyers that are specific to MDUSD are available here in English and in Spanish.

Monument Crisis Center – how to donate or receive food

In addition to MDUSD meals in partnership with Contra Costa Food Bank, the Monument Crisis Center has been a key part of the solution for families right now.  Please consider making a donation.

From MYDAC – Monument Youth Drug & Alcohol Coalition

“I'm writing today to share some resources with you. I hope these materials will serve you well while reassuring you that it's okay to seek help and assist you in taking care of yourself and your loved ones. We're in this together.  

• Self-care.During this time, we're putting in a lot of effort to help those in need—but we also need to make sure to take care of ourselves. See CDC guide on other resources on  Mental Health and Coping During COVID-19
• Stop vaping. With schools closed due to the COVID-19 national emergency, millions of children and teens are spending a lot of time isolated from friends and extended family. This is an excellent opportunity  for parents to talk with their kids about vapingand to encourage them to stop vaping
• National Suicide Prevention Lifeline.The stress and anxiety which comes from the coronavirus pandemic, financial insecurity, and feelings of isolation may put people at risk of self-harm. If you're feeling alone and struggling, you can reach out to The Crisis Text Line by texting TALKto 741741 or CALL the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK(8255), 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.  

Plus I want to share with you this important information about coronavirus & vaping:

• an article from the Center for Tobacco Control Research and Education at the University of California, San Francisco: Reduce your risk of serious lung disease caused by coronavirus by quitting smoking and vaping.
• an analysis of factors associated with disease outcomes in hospitalized patients with novel coronavirus disease(check out  the odds of disease progression (including to death) among people with a history of smoking)

In case you aren't, please follow us on Facebook and join our Mt. Diablo Community Against Vaping Facebook Group.

Sincerely,

Laura Custodio

Monument Youth Drug & Alcohol Coalition Coordinator”

College Board Scholarships & Free SAT help

High school students, there are now more free opportunities than ever before for you online from your phone or device.

Follow The College Board on Twitter or Instagram to see their new scholarships you can earn by practicing for the SAT and more!

MDUSD Spirit Week

Lastly, help your students keep their spirits up this week with these daily activities created by wonderful MDUSD teachers! Post & share photos on whichever way is easiest for you, that your school is using, such as Class Dojo, Google Classroom, or Twitter:

Keep up your social distancing, and together we'll flatten the curve. 

Students/parents - remember to call or email your teachers, counselors or school site - they miss you and want to help!

Hi everyone,

MDUSD is holding a Town Hall TODAY at 3pm! Just go to mdusd.org/townhall to watch or participate.  See you there!

(this was in the Superintendent's March 20th Friday letter, which if you missed it can be found here)

Also in the letter, did you know that meals are now being served at 9 sites?  "With the addition of Bel Air Elementary, we are providing free community meals at 9 school sites district-wide for all children 18 years and younger. Please see the attached flyers for a list of locations and details: English Flyer | Spanish Flyer "

And here are a few additional resources that have come to my attention in the past week:

1. Free Meals App
2. Free Groceries 
3. Free Tutoring & AP Resources
4. COVID resources for Undocumented communities
5. Tools for Special Needs & Struggling Students
6. Mental Health, Non-screen Activities, & Spirit Week

Free Meals App

Check out this new free app from CA Dept of Education!

Our MDUSD 9 sites are on there as you can see below, so it's a great way to share this out to our community.  Contra Costa County Food Bank has been providing fresh produce at our sites too!  From MDUSD Food Services Director Dominic Machi: "I want to thank my MDUSD Food & Nutrition Services staff for supporting me and their students. On the front lines preparing food for our kids and distributing over 5000 meals in three days (last) week. As we asked my staff on the front lines, if they would continue to do the work needed? Everyone of my staff responded" we are in this for the long haul, these are our kids". They are now my heroes and could not be more proud. Take care and be safe to all!"

Free Groceries: Monument Crisis Center

Monument Crisis Center is helping with groceries for entire families in the Monument area.  See their flyers here for how to access food or donate:

Free Tutoring & AP resources

Students can access from their phone a ton of resources now to stay on track with learning.  Here's two that came up just this week:

• Free AP review courses, support, & possible at-home testing

• Free online tutoring for ages 5-18 at GoPeer.org, from university students including MDUSD alumni who are now at Cal

COVID Resources for Undocumented Communities

This comprehensive list in English & Spanish details national & CA resources for undocumented community members to access health services and education during COVID19. 

Tools for Special Needs & Struggling Students

This resource shows how teachers & parents can use over 30 Chrome web extensions that can assist students in five main categories:

• Text to Speech
• Readability
• Reading Comprehension
• Focus
• Navigation

There's even a way to verride all fonts on a webpage with the OpenDyslexic font, making the text more easily readable!

Mental Health, Non-Screen Activities & Spirit Week

Lastly, I wanted to share a few ways to keep your spirits up and things you can do off-screen:

• Check out these Tools to Bring Calm & Connection during Chaos, from MDUSD parent & school psychologist Katie Raher - https://www.constantloveandlearning.com/coping-tools

• Non-Screen Activities shared by MDUSD Health Teacher on Special Assignment Courtney Longua

• Spirit Week!  This was shared on Twitter by teachers from a few different schools: Ms Cattalini and Ms Moura. And I see some schools have their own they are sharing too.  Wonderful ways that teachers are keeping spirits up!

Dear Parents, Caregivers, & Community,

Happy St Patrick's Day!

I've updated my COVID19 resource list below with more distance learning, given that our MDUSD schools are now closed until at least April 12th. 

Please share this information about free meal services starting tomorrow, Wednesday March 18th, at 8 schools sites as well!

Resources I've compiled beyond the official CDC, CDE, CCHS sites:

Free tech resources:

• Education companies offering Free subscriptions
• List of Companies providing Free Internet & Unlimited Data 
  • Free Internet & Wifi for 2 months from Comcast
  • Unlimited data & no late fees from Sprint
  • Unlimited data & 20G mobile hotspot from Tmobile
• Free ZOOM videoconferencing for school & student email addresses

For Students:

• MDUSD Student Portal

• Khan Academy - free lessons & quizzes by grade level & subject. Computer programming & reading too!
  • Espanol - Para cada alumno, cada salón de clases. Resultados reales. 

• BrainPop video & quiz on What is Coronavirus

• also Brainpop Espanol, Brainpop Francais, Request free access

• A comic-edition piece& radio from NPR that focuses on the COVID-19 topic

• Shared by OGMS counselors:

For Parents/Teachers:

• **MDUSD Parent Portal is now LIVE with Remote Learning resources!
• **MDUSD Teacher resources are now LIVE via the staff portal with Remote Learning resources!
• Google Classroom - tutorial for Teachers, guide for Parents
• Khan Academy
  • article on How to Use Khan Academy for remote learning during school closure, including guide for parents or teachers
  • ¿Cómo puedo utilizar Khan Academy para el aprendizaje a distancia durante el cierre de escuelas?
• Seattle parent list of online & offline resources/ideas
• Virtual Field Trips around the world
• Student High School Journal COVID assignment by YV High teacher Brian Shaw, Tarea de Diario Estudiantil durante Covid19
• UC Berkeley Professional Development for Teachers - Resource List
• Tech Blog by Karly Moura, MDUSD - google classroom & eLearning Choice Boards

How To Talk Guides:

• Talking to Children About COVID-19 (Coronavirus): A Parent Resource
  • Hable con sus hijos sobre el COVID-19 (Coronavirus) Un recurso para padres 

• How to Talk to Kids About Coronavirus: Keeping your own anxiety in check is key
• New York Times Article on talking with teens about the virus
• COVID19 Facts Infographic, COVID19 Espanol

• Printable posters in Spanish, Chinese, Arabic, & more  
• Mindfulness to help families manage anxiety around coronavirus

Anti-Racism & Coronavirus:

• COVID19 Anti-Stigma Toolkit for social media
• Teaching Tolerance Guide to speaking about racism & coronavirus

Family Emergency Preparedness:

• Develop a Family Disaster Plan - California Department of Public Health

• Desarrollar un Plan Familiar - click "Select Language" at top for translation to 100 languages