Coronavirus (COVID-19) Updates
The purpose of this page is to provide a central location to find updated information about the Coronavirus (COVID-19) and our program.
Click HERE for ongoing information from the Santa Cruz County Office of Education
For more further information, go to the Santa Clara County Public Health agency's website
Due to health concerns and guidelines around Coronavirus (COVID-19), there may be an impact on your mentoring. We ask that you check your email for any updates from the SC/SVNTP, as well as communication from the district you mentor in. Contact Jamie and Candace and your district’s Induction administrator for specific questions.
Updated: March 23, 2020 at 9:05pm
Email: SC/SVNTP Induction Update 3.23.20 (3.23.20)
Later this week, all of our participating teachers, site administrators, and Steering Committee members will be receiving a letter from the SC/SVNTP leadership. The intent of our communication is to recognize and honor all of our teachers’ efforts made in designing learning experiences for their students and address some questions regarding Induction requirements in light of COVID-19 and the Shelter in Place guidelines. The letter to teachers is attached to this email.
In short, the Commission for Teacher Credentialing has yet to provide any formal guidelines, however, what they have messaged to Induction Programs is:
- An understanding of the need to be flexible
- To maintain our weekly collaborations with teachers
- To continue to foster growth in support of our teachers’ Individual Learning Plans
The CTC will convene in late April to discuss and solidify next steps for Induction programs and active participants. Currently, the Commission staff recommends to the Commission that candidates who have been actively enrolled and fully participating in an Induction program in the 2019-2020 school year would not be asked to extend their program into the next school year. We are hopeful that the Commission accepts this recommendation.
All the evidence teachers have already collected as doable actions and/or measurable observable evidence to show growth in their Individual Learning Plans will be honored. Regarding the End of Year Assessment of Progress, we will maintain flexibility and grace in how teachers address and show growth in the Individual Learning Plans.
More information regarding the Assessment of Progress (AoP) will be included in Wednesday's Weekly Message.
Respectfully,
SC/SVNTP Leadership Team
Candace, Jamie, Melissa, and Marvilyn
Attachments:
| 3.23 Letter to Participating Teachers.pdf |
Updated: March 16, 2020 11:15am
SC/SVNTP Important COVID 19 Updates- (3.16.20)
Dear Mentors,
Thank you for the ongoing communication and updates. We have been receiving many questions about what mentoring we look like during the school closures, including processes, evidence and assessment days. At this time, we want you to focus on working with your teachers to prepare for distance learning. We value responsive, job-embedded support and will adjust accordingly to respond to what our teachers and students learn in this experience. We will continue to give you ongoing updates regarding programmatic decisions.
Currently, we don’t have enough information to know what the assessment of progress will look like in May. You may have teachers that haven’t submitted a Talent video for you to annotate or the post-assessment scheduled is no longer appropriate. We completely understand and are in the same place as you. Over the next few weeks, we will continue to update you on how we are adjusting to the needs of our teachers and students.
Please review the information below carefully for guidance regarding our collaborations with teachers as we prepare for continued distance learning.
Appreciatively,
Candace, Jamie, Marvilyn, and Melissa
Individual Learning Plans (Reminder): The Induction standards hold the ILPs at the heart of our teachers’ job-embedded support. Given the unique situation, we are facing as a community regarding school closures and the uncertainty around their re-openings, professional goals will shift and doable actions will speak to ever-changing instruction. For example, “distance learning” might become a new doable action.
Mentor Guided Observations (Update)
Ongoing Collaborations with Teachers (Update):
Ongoing interactions are essential to our teacher’s development and Induction requirements . However, given your own health and context, and district guidelines, it is at your discretion to set up face to face or virtual meetings as you see fit. If you decide to conduct virtual meetings, please let leadership know.
SC/SVNTP Important COVID 19 Updates- (3.16.20)
Dear Mentors,
Thank you for the ongoing communication and updates. We have been receiving many questions about what mentoring we look like during the school closures, including processes, evidence and assessment days. At this time, we want you to focus on working with your teachers to prepare for distance learning. We value responsive, job-embedded support and will adjust accordingly to respond to what our teachers and students learn in this experience. We will continue to give you ongoing updates regarding programmatic decisions.
Currently, we don’t have enough information to know what the assessment of progress will look like in May. You may have teachers that haven’t submitted a Talent video for you to annotate or the post-assessment scheduled is no longer appropriate. We completely understand and are in the same place as you. Over the next few weeks, we will continue to update you on how we are adjusting to the needs of our teachers and students.
Please review the information below carefully for guidance regarding our collaborations with teachers as we prepare for continued distance learning.
Appreciatively,
Candace, Jamie, Marvilyn, and Melissa
Individual Learning Plans (Reminder): The Induction standards hold the ILPs at the heart of our teachers’ job-embedded support. Given the unique situation, we are facing as a community regarding school closures and the uncertainty around their re-openings, professional goals will shift and doable actions will speak to ever-changing instruction. For example, “distance learning” might become a new doable action.
- Gathering and Analyzing Data (New). As teachers prepare for virtual learning experiences this week, how might we support them to track which students have access to technology and who is responding to online communication from the teacher? Who has an adult to help at home if they get stuck? Who has a younger sibling they are now responsible for? In this way, teachers can “use analysis and inquiry to inform instruction for Case Study/Students.”
- Lesson Planning (Update) examples could revolve around distance learning for case study/students.
- Learning about Students, School, and/or Community (Reminder) may encompass thinking through what tools students have at home and how teachers are working with colleagues to support case study/students.
Mentor Guided Observations (Update)
- Due to school closures, all MGOs are canceled. As has always been an option, you can watch a video with your teacher. One resource is TeacherTube.
Ongoing Collaborations with Teachers (Update):
Ongoing interactions are essential to our teacher’s development and Induction requirements . However, given your own health and context, and district guidelines, it is at your discretion to set up face to face or virtual meetings as you see fit. If you decide to conduct virtual meetings, please let leadership know.
- Form letter from mentors to teachers regarding continued mentoring: Sample Letter
Updated: March 13, 2020 12:22pm
SC/SVNTP Important COVID 19 Updates- (3.13.20)
Just as a reminder, your health and that of your loved ones are of our utmost concern. We thank you for your modeling in holding the larger health of our community as a focus. Like you, we find ourselves accepting non-closure as we too have questions about the upcoming weeks that we are not yet able to answer.
Our shared value is to support the continued learning of our students and the growth of our teachers. As mentors, we work with teachers in following their site and district guidelines. The expectation is that we continue our collaborations with all of our teachers. Given our individual context, those collaborations may be face to face or virtual.
Individual Learning Plans:
The Induction standards hold the ILPs at the heart of our teachers’ job-embedded support. Given the unique situation, we are facing as a community regarding school closures and the uncertainty around their re-openings, professional goals will shift and doable actions will speak to ever-changing instruction.
Mentor Guided Observations - Update:
Face to Face Teacher Meetings and Class Visits - Update:
We consider such interactions to be essential to our mentoring. However, given your own health and context, and district guidelines, it is at your discretion to set up virtual meetings as you see fit. If you decide to conduct virtual meetings, please let leadership know.
Talent:
If your schools are still open, there might be an opportunity to capture video. Just a reminder, the video doesn’t need to be connected to a lesson plan but ideally connected to ILP goals.
As questions and district updates come up, do not hesitate to reach out to Candace and Jamie. We will continue to house our updates on our website under the SV Mentor Tab.
Best,
Candace, Jamie, Marvilyn, and Melissa
SC/SVNTP Important COVID 19 Updates- (3.13.20)
Just as a reminder, your health and that of your loved ones are of our utmost concern. We thank you for your modeling in holding the larger health of our community as a focus. Like you, we find ourselves accepting non-closure as we too have questions about the upcoming weeks that we are not yet able to answer.
Our shared value is to support the continued learning of our students and the growth of our teachers. As mentors, we work with teachers in following their site and district guidelines. The expectation is that we continue our collaborations with all of our teachers. Given our individual context, those collaborations may be face to face or virtual.
Individual Learning Plans:
The Induction standards hold the ILPs at the heart of our teachers’ job-embedded support. Given the unique situation, we are facing as a community regarding school closures and the uncertainty around their re-openings, professional goals will shift and doable actions will speak to ever-changing instruction.
- Lesson Planning examples could revolve around distance learning for case study/students
- Learning about Students School and Community may encompass thinking through what tools students have at home and how teachers are working with colleagues to support case study/students
Mentor Guided Observations - Update:
- Continue following district guidelines and continue to check in with your district Induction administrator.
- Before visiting any school, either within your district of employment or outside of your employing district, get a confirmation in writing from the principal before visiting the school.
- If you are not able to go on an MGO, as has always been an option, you can watch a video with your teacher. One resource is TeacherTube.
Face to Face Teacher Meetings and Class Visits - Update:
We consider such interactions to be essential to our mentoring. However, given your own health and context, and district guidelines, it is at your discretion to set up virtual meetings as you see fit. If you decide to conduct virtual meetings, please let leadership know.
Talent:
If your schools are still open, there might be an opportunity to capture video. Just a reminder, the video doesn’t need to be connected to a lesson plan but ideally connected to ILP goals.
As questions and district updates come up, do not hesitate to reach out to Candace and Jamie. We will continue to house our updates on our website under the SV Mentor Tab.
Best,
Candace, Jamie, Marvilyn, and Melissa
Updated: March 10, 2020 12:08pm
Weekly Message: Guidance around Coronavirus (COVID-19)- (3.10.20)
Yesterday, we received new guidance from the Santa Cruz County Health Services Agency Public Health Division recommending school districts take social distancing measures to help interrupt, slow, and minimize the spread of COVID-19. (See attached.) The safety and wellness of our community is our utmost priority. It is important that you put your health and comfort first. We trust that you will make informed decisions regarding face to face interactions as is most appropriate given your context.
In accordance with the recommendations set forward by the Santa Cruz County Health Services and Santa Cruz COE, we will implement the following protocols going forward to slow and interrupt the spread of the virus and protect overall community health.
Combined Forum
In response to growing concerns regarding COVID-19, Coronavirus, and official guidance from the Santa Cruz County Office of Education and the Santa Cruz County Public Health, Friday’s Combined Forum is canceled.
Mentor Guided Observations
Before visiting any school, either within your district of employment or outside of your employing district, get confirmation in writing from the principal before visiting the school.
Face to Face Teacher Meetings and Class Visits
We consider such interactions to be essential to our mentoring. However, given your own health and context, it is at your discretion to set up virtual meetings as you see fit. If you decide to conduct virtual meetings, please let leadership know.
In-Field-Coaching
Based on the Santa Cruz COE guidelines, and as Santa Cruz COE employees, Marvilyn and Melissa will continue to join you in the field.
Contract Mentors
SC/SVNTP Leadership will reach out to you individually regarding next steps for the districts you work in.
Where to Find Updates
We’ve created a drop-down sub-tab titled Coronavirus (COVID-19) Info directly beneath the Santa Cruz Mentors’ tab.
As always, please reach out with any questions and/or concerns. This is an ever changing situation and we appreciate your flexibility and diligence in reading your emails as we navigate this new situation.
Appreciatively,
Candace, Jamie, Marvilyn, and Melissa
Attachments:
Weekly Message: Guidance around Coronavirus (COVID-19)- (3.10.20)
Yesterday, we received new guidance from the Santa Cruz County Health Services Agency Public Health Division recommending school districts take social distancing measures to help interrupt, slow, and minimize the spread of COVID-19. (See attached.) The safety and wellness of our community is our utmost priority. It is important that you put your health and comfort first. We trust that you will make informed decisions regarding face to face interactions as is most appropriate given your context.
In accordance with the recommendations set forward by the Santa Cruz County Health Services and Santa Cruz COE, we will implement the following protocols going forward to slow and interrupt the spread of the virus and protect overall community health.
Combined Forum
In response to growing concerns regarding COVID-19, Coronavirus, and official guidance from the Santa Cruz County Office of Education and the Santa Cruz County Public Health, Friday’s Combined Forum is canceled.
Mentor Guided Observations
Before visiting any school, either within your district of employment or outside of your employing district, get confirmation in writing from the principal before visiting the school.
- Aromas teachers scheduled for an MGO within Aromas/San Benito County - contact Melissa before sending teachers out.
- Hollister mentors and teachers will follow their district guidelines.
Face to Face Teacher Meetings and Class Visits
We consider such interactions to be essential to our mentoring. However, given your own health and context, it is at your discretion to set up virtual meetings as you see fit. If you decide to conduct virtual meetings, please let leadership know.
In-Field-Coaching
Based on the Santa Cruz COE guidelines, and as Santa Cruz COE employees, Marvilyn and Melissa will continue to join you in the field.
Contract Mentors
SC/SVNTP Leadership will reach out to you individually regarding next steps for the districts you work in.
Where to Find Updates
We’ve created a drop-down sub-tab titled Coronavirus (COVID-19) Info directly beneath the Santa Cruz Mentors’ tab.
As always, please reach out with any questions and/or concerns. This is an ever changing situation and we appreciate your flexibility and diligence in reading your emails as we navigate this new situation.
Appreciatively,
Candace, Jamie, Marvilyn, and Melissa
Attachments:
| Santa Clara County Shelter in Place Order |