COVID-19 Information & Updates
Minimum Day for all MPS sites on Friday, March 13, 2020
COVID-19 Update: March 17, 2020
Dear Magnolia Families,
I understand that the spread of the coronavirus in Los Angeles County has been a great source of worry and stress among all members of the Magnolia community. I want to assure you that there have been no known cases of a Magnolia student, parent or staff member contracting COVID-19. I want to thank you for your patience and support during this difficult time. In an effort to keep our Magnolia families informed, we will send updates via this messenger platform ParentSquare every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday and urgent updates as needed. Additionally, we have created a Magnolia COVID-19 Information and Resource Center accessible from all Magnolia websites that will include COVID-19 updates, resources, and instructional material. To visit the information center please go to www.magnoliapublicschools.org/COVID19.
UPDATES
As mentioned in our March 13 ParentSquare message, all Magnolia Science Academies will be closed starting Monday, March 16 through Friday, March 27. We will be regularly updating you with relevant information during the closure, including if there are any additional changes to the schedule. For more information regarding city and county updates please visit the Department of Public Health links below.
SOCIAL DISTANCING
Based on the recommendations from the California Department of Public Health it is important to continue the practice of social distancing while school is closed. The CA Department of Public Health also discourages students or staff from gathering elsewhere. Community social distancing measures include canceling group activities or events, religious services, after-school classes and sporting events.
ACADEMIC RESOURCES
MPS Home Learning Guide
Core MPS Resources
· Single sign on to almost all school programs www.clever.com/magnolia/in
· Google classroom www.classroom.google.com
· Khan Academy www.khanacademy.org
Additional Guides for Parents
· NY Times Article: Schools are Closing, Now What?
· 70 Educational Activities for when you are stuck indoors
SCHOOL CLOSURE OPTIONS
Magnolia is prepared for the short-term, two-week closure (March 16-27, 2020) and is also preparing distance learning if campuses are closed longer than two weeks. We are working with your Principal to ensure that your student has all the necessary materials to continue learning remotely.
Short-Term Closure: During the March 16 to 27, 2020 school closure, there will be no instruction. Homework packets have been distributed to students for the remainder of the two-week closure. These packets are solely for your student’s edification and enrichment–they will not be graded or count for credit.
Distance Learning: If we are closed for more than two weeks, we will start providing distance learning for students via Google Classroom. More information will be shared as it becomes available.
RESOURCES
Free Internet and Wi-Fi
MSA-1-8 and Santa Ana sites are under Spectrum covered areas:
Charter Spectrum is offering free broadband and Wi-Fi access for 60 days to households with K-12 students. Call (844) 488-8395 to enroll.
Comcast is offering similar services to eligible households for 60 days through their Internet Essentials program. Learn more and apply
MSA-San Diego is under Cox Communications covered areas:
Cox Communications is offering affordable home internet to eligible households. Visit Cox Connect2Compete to apply.
LABOR LAW
Below you will find information for parents regarding labor laws, information regarding Disability Insurance, Paid Family Leave, and Unemployment Insurance.
California Labor and Workforce Development Guidance:
Coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) Resources for Employers and Workers
The California Employment Development Department’s Coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) web page
Please click on the following LINK below for information regarding frequently asked questions (FAQs) on laws enforced by the California Labor Commissioner’s Office during this Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) pandemic.
SCHOOL CONTACT INFORMATION
We have been working with our IT department to provide Google Voice telephone lines that our Magnolia Office Managers are able to access remotely in an effort to take calls from our Magnolia families. Below are the direct numbers for each Magnolia school:
MSA-1: (818) 609-0507
MSA-2: (818) 758-0300
MSA-3: (310) 637-3806
MSA-4: (310) 473-2464
MSA-5: (818) 705-5676
MSA-6: (310) 842-8555
MSA-7: (818) 886-0585
MSA-8: (323) 826-3925
MSA-SA: (714) 479-0115
MSA-SD: (619) 644-1300
Magnolia Home Office: (213) 628-3634
Please feel free to contact our schools and/or home office if you have any questions between the hours of 8:00 AM - 1:00 PM.
MEAL DISTRIBUTION SERVICES
We are continuing our school meal program during the short-term closure or distance learning. As of Wednesday, March 18, 2020, meals will be available everyday at the following locations listed below and will be distributed using a grab-and-go system. We will provide additional updates as they become available.
LAUSD Grab and Go Centers are listed at:
SAUSD Meal distribution centers are listed at:
The links below provide food service sites that have been confirmed by the Santa Ana Unified School District (SAUSD) where students will be provided meals during the school closures beginning March 16. SAUSD will be updating the resource pages below as more information is available:
SDUSD Meal distribution centers are listed at:
I appreciate your patience and ask that you please monitor your phones and emails throughout the week for messages from Magnolia and your school.
We thank you for your cooperation as we work to navigate the rapidly evolving updates regarding Coronavirus (COVID-19). The health and safety of our Magnolia family and the larger community are our top priority.
After consulting with our Magnolia Public Schools authorizers and local county public health officials, all Magnolia Science Academies will be closed effective Monday, March 16. We will be regularly updating you with relevant information during the closure, including if there are any additional changes to the schedule. This difficult decision is aimed at supporting efforts taking place throughout the state, as California has entered a critical phase to stop the spread of the Covid-19 virus. All Los Angeles Unified School District and San Diego Unified School District schools will also be closed effective Monday, March 16. The revised schedule is as follows for MSA 1-8 and Santa Ana:
- March 16 - March 27: CLOSED
- March 30: Our current plan is to resume regular instruction
Our team had already prepared a contingency plan in the event of school closures to ensure we continue to meet our students’ academic and wellness needs. School site leadership will be following up with more detailed information in the coming days.
Academic Planning
In collaboration with the home office academic team, school staff prepared guides, resources and tools to continue educating our students remotely. Students will be sent home with packages including learning activities. The first week’s worth of activities and remote lessons will be paper-based, as we evaluate technology needs and access for our students. Students will be updated about the use of online tools and resources for learning options during the second week of closure. Students will be assigned Chromebooks per school's technology practices upon signing a contract by students and parents.
Additional Supports for Students with IEP and Section 504 Services
Our resource teachers and case managers work collaboratively with general education teachers to ensure that students with IEPs and 504 plans are receiving their necessary accommodations remotely. For those students who receive designated instructional services such as counseling, speech, adaptive P.E., occupational therapy, and vision, we have lined up providers to continue our services to students with special needs without interruption.
Student Meals
We understand how important the meals provided at school are to our families. Our students will continue to receive meals to ensure our students continue to receive proper nutrition. We will provide further details on the ParentSquare platform about the meal program distribution.
The school closure is part of a broader effort to limit the rapid spread of the virus throughout our communities. We want to offer our families the following reminders to protect their health:
- 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 with at least 60% alcohol.
- Avoid touching eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands.
- Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
- Cover a cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.
- Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces.
- Get evaluated by a medical professional if you have chronic health issues and/or are experiencing severe symptoms.
By working together, being cautious and listening to the experts, we will keep our students, teachers, families, staff and communities healthy and safe. We are available should you or your family need anything at all during this period. Please email us at communications@magnoliapublicschools.org should you have any questions or concerns.
During the next two weeks, we will continue to provide updates as this situation evolves via ParentSquare.
Thank you,
Alfredo Rubalcava
CEO & Superintendent
Magnolia Public Schools
- Frequently Asked Questions Coronavirus-Social Restrictions for School Administrators_3-12-20.pdf (165 KB)