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Superintendent's Update - January 21, 2022

Superintendent's Update - January 21, 2022

SANTA CLARA COUNTY (SCC) OFFERING LIMITED AT-HOME ANTIGEN TESTS

The County of Santa Clara is offering four (4) free at-home COVID-19 antigen tests to those who live, work, or attend school in the county, with four distribution locations opening on an appointment basis starting this Saturday, January 22, 2022. Sign up is available through www.sccfreetest.org.

Individuals will be assigned a unique QR code which must be displayed to receive the tests. Tests are not available on a drop-in basis. Pick-up sites are designed for drive-through operation; however, individuals can also arrive without a vehicle and pick up the tests as long as they have an appointment. Those able to secure an appointment may choose from one of the following distribution locations for pick up at a chosen time, with the first slots available this Saturday:

  • Hellyer County Park, 985 Hellyer Ave., San José
  • Martial Cottle Park, 5283 Snell Ave., San José
  • Vasona County Park, 333 Blossom Hill Road, Los Gatos
  • Foothill College, 12345 El Monte Road, Los Altos Hills (offers evening hours)

SCC opted to purchase and distribute the test kits due to the current scarcity of tests and continued demand in the community. Additional kits are being distributed through the County's outreach teams to disproportionately impacted communities, through nonprofit partner organizations, as well as to first responders and other essential workers. County officials will assess whether this program can be expanded based on availability of tests and the need in the community.

The County recommends that the antigen tests be used for those who have symptoms; or to end isolation or quarantine periods early for those who have tested positive; or for those who have been exposed to a person with COVID-19 (when a more-sensitive PCR test is not available). If an antigen test result is positive, it should be recognized as valid and applicable isolation guidance should be followed. Also, if the result is positive, there is no need for a follow-up PCR test at a healthcare or County facility.

SAFE ROUTES TO SCHOOL UPDATE

Let's walk and roll into a great new year! This spring, our K-5 grade teachers are preparing to implement the Safe Routes to School Bicycle and Pedestrian Life Skills educational curriculum, which includes holding 3rd grade bike rodeos at each school. All events will conform with Santa Clara County/PAUSD-approved COVID safety guidelines at the time of the events and will be conducted remotely, if needed. Lessons support school commute safety and healthy social and emotional development for the more than 57% of PAUSD students that walk and bike to school daily, all the while reducing local traffic congestion. View the current suite of PAUSD Pedestrian and Bicycle Life Skills offerings HERE.

EARLY LITERACY

PK-5 educators recently participated via zoom in the second Districtwide Professional Learning Day of the 2021-22 school year. The Every Student Reads Initiative includes progress indicators and an implementation plan to increase reading achievement for student groups that have been historically underserved in the PAUSD. The morning session, provided by Dr. Kate Kinsella and her associate, Jennifer Finney-Smith, focused on teaching vocabulary, and providing opportunities and scaffolds for oral language development across all content areas. Dr. Kinsella shared with participants that "...Vocabulary knowledge is the single best predictor of an English language learner's academic achievement across the K-12 subject matter domains." Saville-Troike, M. (1984). Research demonstrates that vocabulary is an essential element in reading comprehension for all learners. This workshop represents a broader district focus on early literacy and the critical aspects of growing proficient readers and writers.

The morning session expanded the repertoire of classroom teachers and specialists with techniques and strategies to include as they plan and instruct their English Learners in reading, writing, math, science, and social studies. We are committed to providing our educators with high-quality professional development that facilitates the ongoing refinement of instructional practices, recognizing that our capable students require nimble instruction. Below is a word cloud that represents PK-5 Educator key take-aways from the session.

Word cloud

COVID VACCINATION CLINIC

PAUSD has partnered with Safeway to offer another vaccination clinic on Sunday, January 23, 2022. This clinic will be at the Gunn High School Library building from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

Details about the clinic and registration has been sent out to all families and staff in a separate message.