We hope that all of you are doing well as we continue to shelter in place during the COVID-19 pandemic. During this challenging time, Living Classroom is continuing to help balance "screen time" with backyard "green time" by creating activity videos that help connect students with our nature-based curriculum at home. If you haven't done so already, check out the new Living Classroom PARENT PAGE where you can find our new how-to activity videos as well as additional nature-based resources. Please share this resource widely and check back frequently as new videos and activities are being added weekly. Click here to view a fun video on making your own bird nest or here to learn how to make simple dyes from plants and other materials found in nature!

Keep Calm and Garden On! - Living Classroom Staff

Living Classroom is in need of more volunteers!... With more teachers than ever before signing up for our fun and engaging lessons, we need your help to meet our lesson demand!  Please join us for our upcoming Spring Docent Training on Monday mornings in March from 9-Noon (3/2, 3/9 & 3/16) at the Los Altos School District iLearn Studio located at 201 Covington Road in Los Altos. Our trainings are fun, educational and even include breakfast! The suggested time commitment is only 6 hours a month and, in turn, we invite you to join us for our docent enrichment events which include socials, hikes, garden tours, workshops and lectures. No experience or green thumb necessary as we teach you everything you need to know! Volunteering with Living Classroom is a great way to act locally to help nurture our future environmental stewards and care for our planet!
 
Living Classroom Spring Docent Training
Mondays 9-Noon  -  March 2, 9 & 16
Los Altos School District – iLearn Studio
201 Covington Road, Los Altos
*Can't make Mondays? Ask us about our apprentice-style training!

Click here to view and/or print our flyer!
RSVP/Questions?  Email livingclassroom@lasdschools.org or call (650) 947-1103.
Check us out at www.living-classroom.org!
 
Who we are:
 
 We are a dedicated group of trained volunteers who teach hands-on garden-based lessons to students in grades K-8.  
 
Why volunteer?
 
 Living Classroom is about more than just teaching students how to plant in the garden.  It’s about using the edible and native plant gardens at each school as living laboratories and engaging student learning in fun and relevant ways.  Most of our standard-aligned lessons are interdisciplinary and tie into science, social studies and math curriculum.  Our hands-on lessons also get kids outside (green time vs. screen time), encourage healthy eating habits, and promote environmental literacy and stewardship.  
 
 Volunteering with Living Classroom offers a way for docents to act locally to help protect our environment and nurture our future environmental stewards!
 
 You don’t have to have a green thumb to be an amazing Living Classroom docent.  In fact, our program is great way to learn how to turn that black thumb into a green one!
 
 Living Classroom docents enjoy ongoing educational programs, hikes, field trips, social activities and a wonderful sense of community.  Just seeing the students smile and get excited when a docent arrives to give a lesson is rewarding and priceless!
 
 The commitment is only 6 hours (3 lessons) a month and you can tailor the program to fit your interests and availability.
 
Thanks and we hope to see you in the gardens soon!
 
Living Classroom Staff

February 3, 2020

Dear Los Altos School District Families,

The health and safety of our students is our top priority.  Please read the below letter from the Santa Clara County Public Health Department (SCCPHD), which provides an update on the coronavirus, as well as federal guidelines to prevent the spread of the illness.
We ask that our parents, students and staff--particularly those who have traveled recently to China--follow these guidelines to keep our community safe and well.

Regards,

Jeffrey Baier
Superintendent
Los Altos School District

Dear Administrators, Teachers, Staff, and Parents:

The CDC and state and local public health departments are continuing to closely monitor new developments regarding the Novel Coronavirus outbreak. A woman in the Bay Area who became ill after returning from a trip to China has become the ninth person in the U.S. to test positive for the Coronavirus, bringing the national total to 11. “I understand that people are concerned, but based on what we know today, the risk to the general public remains low,” said Dr. Sara Cody, Health Officer, Santa Clara County Public Health Department (SCCPHD). “With our large population and the amount of travel to China for both personal and business reasons, we will likely see more cases, including close contacts to our cases.” Dr. Cody emphasized that there is no evidence that the virus is spreading anywhere in the county, Bay Area or Northern California. The confirmed cases are being monitored closely coupled with confidentiality as required with any medical condition. Dr. Cody also stated that there was no risk of infection for the general public from the Santa Clara County cases.

Federal Guidelines are summarized by Dr. Sara Cody below and state the following:

1. Any staff or student who has been in the Hubei province within the last 14 days should not attend school. They should be at home, in a separate room, with separate bath, until 14 days after last exposure to Hubei. They should monitor for symptoms and report any symptoms to Public Health. They should not seek medical care without calling ahead first and letting care providers know of their exposure history.
2. Any staff or student who has been in China, in a province other than Hubei province, within the last 14 days should also not attend school. This would be voluntary quarantine, with symptom watch.

Dr. Cody reiterated the importance of common-sense precautions to prevent the spread of all infectious diseases:

1. If you’re sick, stay home.
2. Wash your hands and don’t touch your eyes, nose, and mouth.
3. Recommends to get your Flu shot.

Below are revised health guidelines for schools in response to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ national public health emergency declaration issued Friday, January 31, 2020.

Updated Federal Guidelines
As part of the emergency declaration, which went into effect today (Sunday, February 2) at 11 a.m. PST., Americans returning to the United States, who have been in China’s Hubei province within 14 days, will face a mandatory quarantine and be monitored by public health officials. Americans returning to the United States from other parts of China will face enhanced screening and a self-quarantine of up to 14 days to ensure they do not pose a health risk.

Updated Guidelines for Santa Clara County Schools
In response to the new federal guidelines, schools will exclude students who are under mandatory quarantine from school for 14 days from their last exposure and will communicate with Santa Clara County school districts, colleges and universities to ensure high-risk students remain out of school for the identified period.  Students who are under voluntary self-quarantine will be excused from school during this period.
It should be noted that the risk to the public remains low.

Guidelines for Students Under Mandatory and Self-Quarantine
Please know that Santa Clara County is committed to maintaining the privacy of our students.  Our schools will work with students and families under mandatory or self-quarantine with sensitivity and confidentiality.

Mandatory Quarantine

• Santa Clara County Public Health Department (SCCPHD) will notify districts of any students under mandatory quarantine, who have been excluded from attending school due to recent travel from China’s Hubei province within 14 days.
• Once SCCPHD has received notification these individuals are cleared to return to campus, schools will communicate with affected families to make arrangements.
• Schools will work with students to support continued learning at home.
• Related absences will be excused.

Self-Quarantine

• Students who have recently returned from other parts of China are asked to self-quarantine and provide schools with documentation.
• Schools will work with students to support continued learning at home.
• Related absences will be excused.

Missing school, for any reason, can cause concern and stress for our families and students.  We will work collaboratively with families throughout this process.  However, to maintain a healthy and safe environment for all students and families, these guidelines have been put into place.
In addition, we ask parents, caregivers or others, who may be under mandatory or self-quarantine to remain off campus as well.

Masks
At this time, public health officials say there is no need to wear facemasks in the United States. However, as a precaution, students should be allowed to wear face masks on school campuses. Please note, students who are sick must follow health guidelines and should not be sent to school sick, even if they wear a mask.

Additional Information and Resources
For the most up to date information about the Coronavirus, visit:  http://bit.ly/2OnX4x3

The SCCOE in partnership with the SCC Public Health Department will continue to closely monitor this situation, which is evolving as countries and expert health agencies learn more about the Coronavirus.  As we have updates, information and resources from SCCPHD or other agencies, they will be provided to our communities.

36th Annual Margaret Thompson Historical Essay Contest

2020 Theme:  "Peek into Your Past!"

The Los Altos Historical Commission and the Los Altos History Museum are co-sponsoring the 36th annual Margaret Thompson Historical Essay Contest, open to third- through sixth-graders who live in the area and/or attend local schools.

A photograph can capture a moment in time and preserve it for future generations. Photos help us remember special occasions, loved ones, and family traditions. J. Gilbert Smith, an orchardist who built the 1905 Smith House at the Los Altos History Museum, was also a photographer. Mr. Smith and his wife, Margaret, enjoyed traveling around California photographing the natural beauty of our state. A few examples of his photography and cameras of the time will be on display in the upstairs gallery of the Smith House from mid-January through early spring. If you wish to visit, the Museum and the Smith House are open Thursday-Sunday, from 12:00-4:00 p.m.

Do you enjoy looking at photographs of when you were young? Have you seen photos of your parents, grandparents or other loved ones from years past? Were those photos in color or in black and white? Are these photos in frames, in albums, or on your parents' cell phones? How do these photographs help to tell your family's story?

The deadline to submit essays is March 6. Public school students should submit their entries to Los Altos School District teachers. For the detailed essay prompt, click here. For the essay rubric, click here. For the cover sheet, click here.

For more information, visit losaltoshistory.org.

Living Classroom is in need of more volunteers!... With more teachers than ever before signing up for our fun and engaging lessons, we need your help to meet our lesson demand!  Please join us for our upcoming Winter Docent Training on Monday mornings in December from 9-Noon (12/2, 12/9 & 12/16) at the Los Altos School District iLearn Studio located at 201 Covington Road in Los Altos. Our trainings are fun, educational and even include breakfast! The suggested commitment is only 6 hours a month and in turn we invite you to join us for our enrichment events which include socials, hikes, garden tours, workshops and lectures. No experience or green thumb required! 
 
Living Classroom Winter Docent Training
Mondays 9-Noon  -  December 2, 9 & 16
Los Altos School District – iLearn Studio
201 Covington Road, Los Altos
*Can't make Mondays? Ask us about our apprentice-style training!

Click here to view and/or print out flyer!
RSVP/Questions?  Email livingclassroom@lasdschools.org or call (650) 947-1103.
Check us out at www.living-classroom.org!
 
Who we are:
 
 We are a dedicated group of trained volunteers who teach hands-on garden-based lessons to students in grades K-8.  
 
Why volunteer?
 
 Living Classroom is about more than just teaching students how to plant in the garden.  It’s about using the edible and native plant gardens at each school as living laboratories and engaging student learning in fun and relevant ways.  Most of our standard-aligned lessons are interdisciplinary and tie into science, social studies and math curriculum.  Our hands-on lessons also get kids outside (green time vs. screen time), encourage healthy eating habits, and promote environmental literacy and stewardship.  
 
 Volunteering with Living Classroom offers a way for docents to act locally to help protect our environment and nurture our future environmental stewards!
 
 You don’t have to have a green thumb to be an amazing Living Classroom docent.  In fact, our program is great way to learn how to turn that black thumb into a green one!
 
 Living Classroom docents enjoy ongoing educational programs, hikes, field trips, social activities and a wonderful sense of community.  Just seeing the students smile and get excited when a docent arrives to give a lesson is rewarding and priceless!
 
 The commitment is only 6 hours (3 lessons) a month and you can tailor the program to fit your interests and availability.
 
Thanks and we hope to see you in the gardens soon!
 
Living Classroom Staff

Under California's local control funding scheme, all school districts are required to complete a Local Control & Accountability Plan (LCAP) that represents their spending plans on services for students including identified sub groups of students.  Each district must engage and involve its constituents (stakeholders) in the development of its LCAP and make a copy of the plan available to the public for review and comment.  The LCAP must be adopted by the district's Board of Trustees following a public hearing at the same meeting it adopts its 2019-2020 budget.

The draft LCAP is available for review here and public comment can be provided here.

35th Annual Margaret Thompson Historical Essay Contest

2019 Theme:  "Inspired by Juana!"

The Los Altos Historical Commission and the Los Altos History Museum are co-sponsoring the 35th annual Margaret Thompson Historical Essay Contest, open to third- through sixth-graders who live in the area and/or attend local schools.

The current exhibit at the Los Altos History Museum is "Inspired by Juana: La Dona de la Frontera (the Lady of the Frontier)". This exhibit tells the story of Juana Briones, a dynamic 19th century woman who owned several businesses, many parcels of land, and was a talented businesswoman. She was also a traditional healer and an advocate for the rights of her family and friends in what is now Los Altos, Los Altos Hills, Palo Alto, San Jose and San Francisco. The story of Juana Briones is a tale of a resilient spirit, an inventive imagination, and business know-how - the hallmarks for Silicon Valley.

Visit the "Inspired by Juana" exhibit at the Los Altos History Museum or research on your own about the life of this important local historical figure. Think about Juana as a businessperson, a healer (herbalist), and an advocate for her personal rights, as well as those of her large family. Consider how Juana was able to have a relationship with people of all groups and nationalities, different religions, and customs.

The deadline to submit essays is March 8. Public school students should submit their entries to Los Altos School District teachers. For the detailed essay prompt, click here. For the essay rubric, click here. For the cover sheet, click here.

For more information, visit losaltoshistory.org.

Please Share Your Thoughts with ThoughtExchange     

As you may know, the Los Altos School District is on the cusp of obtaining a new school site to help relieve school overcrowding. Due to a unique partnership with the City of Mountain View to obtain a site, the Board of Trustees is seeking community perspectives regarding the plan for the school.

LASD is launching an online community forum called ThoughtExchange to understand your perspectives.  We ask parents, staff and community members to participate.  You will receive an emailed invitation to join the conversation, or you may sign up now by clicking here.

ThoughtExchange uses open-ended questions to gather a broad range of perspectives and we invite your participation.  It is only by understanding all perspectives that we can best serve the needs of our students and community.
 
A little bit about the process:

• It is a three-step process. Stakeholders begin by sharing their thoughts. Then they review and star (or rate) the thoughts of others.  Finally, stakeholders have an opportunity to discover the top trending thoughts among current participants.  You may re-enter the ThoughtExchange at any time to continue to add, rate or discover newly contributed thoughts.
• The process is confidential. The names and email addresses of participants will never be publicly associated with a thought or response.

 
Visit the ThoughtExchange website or email support@thoughtexchange.com for more information.  
Learn more about our progress in obtaining a new school site here.
 
Thank you for supporting our Los Altos School District students.

Help Shape the Future of Our Local Schools  

The Los Altos School District seeks volunteers for an 8-member Site Advisory Task Force to inform the design of a new 10th school site. Click here for a full description of the Site Advisory Task Force.

Student enrollment including Bullis Charter School exceeds 5,000 students, a level last reached in the 1970s, when we had 12 school sites rather than 9. Future enrollment is projected to rise, with an anticipated five-digit increase in homes in the next 10 years.

For the best solution to school overcrowding, we need your help to continue student success.