Independence Elementary

The vision of Independence Elementary is to cultivate a learning environment where all students CAN and WILL learn in order to be successful in the 21st century. 

March 23, 2020

To the Los Angeles Unified School Community,

This past week marks the start of a new chapter for all who are part of our school community. Students are learning in different ways, teachers are teaching in different ways and families are struggling to support their children in their studies while balancing other responsibilities.

I wish I could tell you it will all be back to normal sometime soon but it does not look like that will be the case.

Schools will remain closed through May 1^st and we will provide additional updates well before May 1^st on what will come next.

In the interim, we want to continue to help all students learn and will be making a significant effort to help this happen.

I will provide a more complete update to our entire school community today at 11 a.m. My remarks will be broadcast on KLCS-TV as well as on our website. Please tune in if your schedule permits.

Thank you for your continued patience and support.

Austin Beutner
Superintendent

Go to: https://achieve.lausd.net/resources

LAUSD Grab & Go Food Centers:

Due to recent developments in the global coronavirus pandemic, Los Angeles Unified is opening Grab & Go Food Centers, giving families 60 sites where they can pick up food for their children.

We are following guidelines from public health experts and government partners who have called for increased social distancing to slow the spread of the virus.

LOCAL DISTRICT EAST

Bell Senior High School
4328 Bell Ave., Bell 90201

Felicitas and Gonsalo Mendez Senior High School
1200 Plaza Del Sol, Los Angeles 90033

Gage Middle School
2880 E. Gage Ave., Huntington Park 90253

Garfield Senior High School
5101 E. 6th St., Los Angeles 90022

Hollenbeck Middle School
2510 E. 6th St., Los Angeles 90023

Lincoln Senior High School
3501 N. Broadway, Los Angeles 90031

Marquez Senior High School
6361 Cottage St., Huntington Park 90255

South East Senior High School
2720 Tweedy Blvd., South Gate 90280

South Gate Senior High School
3351 Firestone Blvd., South Gate 90080

Wilson Senior High School
4500 Multnomah St., Los Angeles 90032

A la Comunidad del Distrito Unificado Escolar de Los Ángeles
 
La crisis de salud pública creada por el Coronavirus no es algo que ninguno de nosotros hubiera razonablemente esperado que ocurriera y estamos en terrenos desconocidos en nuestra labor de trabajar para prevenir la transmisión de la enfermedad. Hemos estado siguiendo la guía de los expertos en salud pública sobre cómo podemos mantener a todos los que son parte de nuestra comunidad escolar –estudiantes, personal, miembros de la familia y visitantes—seguros en medio de una creciente crisis de salud pública. Ahora estamos a un punto en que el balance ha cambiado y el camino adecuado a seguir consiste en cerrar las escuelas. Estamos tomando esta medida para proteger a nuestras comunidades escolares. A partir del lunes 16 de marzo, cerraremos todas las escuelas públicas del Distrito Unificado de Los Ángeles durante dos semanas mientras evaluamos el camino apropiado a seguir. Si bien, nuestras instalaciones escolares estarán cerradas, existen planes para que los estudiantes continúen aprendiendo durante este periodo y abriremos 40 Centros de Recursos Familiares  para ofrecer cuidado infantil si las familias lo necesitan.

Esta es una decisión difícil, pero necesaria ya que estamos tratando de reducir la transmisión del virus. El Distrito Unificado de Los Ángeles brinda servicios a una población con grandes necesidades y nuestras escuelas ofrecen una red social de seguridad para nuestros niños y jóvenes. El cierre de cualquier escuela tiene consecuencias reales que van más allá de la pérdida del tiempo de enseñanza. Esta no es una decisión fácil ni una que se toma a la ligera.

Cada estudiante tendrá un plan, el cual hoy se llevará a casa y se ofrecerá apoyo adicional para ayudar a los estudiantes durante la transición a una manera de aprender diferente, y a los maestros durante la transición a enseñar de manera diferente.  

Para algunos estudiantes será la continuación del plan de estudios y enseñanza en el que han estado trabajando en el salón con su maestro. Para otros será la participación en un plan de estudios y lecciones que nosotros y PBS SoCal ofreceremos. Y para otros será una combinación de los dos.

Si bien, nuestros centros de educación especial también estarán cerrados, los estudiantes y familias continuarán contando con acceso a los servicios de los centros regionales de los cuales dependen en la actualidad.

Los Centros de Recursos Familiares abrirán el miércoles 18 de marzo y contarán con personal capacitado profesionalmente durante los días de la semana de 6 a.m. a 6 p.m. Los niños podrán disponer de una comida caliente, podrán interactuar con compañeros y continuar con sus distintos estudios. Y todos estarán seguros.

Estamos creando una guía de recursos familiares que les proporcionaremos antes del lunes para ayudarles a responder a sus preguntas.

Quiero agradecerle a todo nuestro personal que está trabajando incansablemente para ayudar a nuestros estudiantes y planeando para que ellos se mantengan conectados con la comunidad escolar. Sabemos que los adultos en las escuelas son una parte importante en la vida del estudiante y haremos todo lo posible para tratar de mantener dicha conexión.  Todos los empleados deben tener plena seguridad que se les pagará durante este periodo, incluso si no están directamente involucrados con la prestación de servicios a estudiantes.
Y a nuestras familias, les agradecemos su paciencia y confianza mientras trabajamos juntos para mantener cierta sensación de normalidad durante estos momentos difíciles. Estas próximas dos semanas serán difíciles y no sabemos lo que nos espera después. Ustedes tienen mi inquebrantable compromiso de que haremos todo lo posible para ayudarles a ustedes y a sus hijos.

Continuaremos haciendo todo lo posible para mantenerlos informados. Los hechos y circunstancias pueden cambiar rápidamente y por eso les invitamos a que consulten con regularidad nuestra página web: lausd.net, mi Twitter: @AustinLASchools o llamen a las siguientes líneas de información.

Para familias: (213) 443-1300.
Para líderes escolares: (213) 241-2000.
Para empleados: (213) 241-2700  

Gracias por su apoyo.
Austin

Updated 3/13/2020

The public health crisis created by the coronavirus is not something any of us could reasonably have expected to happen, and we’re in uncharted waters as we work to prevent the spread of the illness. We have been following the guidance of public health experts on how we can keep all who are part of our school community -- students, staff, family members and visitors -- safe in the midst of a growing health crisis. We are now at a point where the balance has shifted and the appropriate path is to close schools. We are taking this step to keep our school communities safe. Effective Monday, March 16, we will close all Los Angeles Unified public schools for two weeks while we evaluate the appropriate path forward. While our school facilities will be closed, plans are in place for students to continue to learn during this time, and we will open 40 family resource centers to provide care for children if families need it.

This is a difficult decision, but necessary, as we try to slow the spread of the virus. Los Angeles Unified serves a high-needs population, and our schools provide a social safety net for our children. The closing of any school has real consequences beyond the loss of instructional time. This is not an easy decision and not one we take lightly.

Each student will have a plan which they will take home with them today and additional support will be provided to assist students as they transition to a different way of learning and teachers to a different way of teaching.

For some students it will be continuing the lesson plan and instruction they have already been working on with their classroom teacher. For others it will be engaging with the curriculum and lessons which we and PBS SoCal will be providing. And for some, it will be a combination of the two.

While our special education centers will also close, students and families will continue to have access to services from the regional centers they currently rely on.

The Family Resource Centers will open on Wednesday, March 18 and will be staffed weekdays from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. with trained professionals. Children will be able to have a warm meal, engage with their peers and pursue their different studies. And they’ll be safe.

We are developing a family resource guide that we will provide to you before Monday, to help answer your questions.

I want to thank all on our staff who are working tirelessly to help our students and planning for them to remain connected to the school community. We know the adults on a school campus are an important part of a student’s life and will do our best to try and maintain that connection. All employees should rest assured knowing they will still be paid during this time, even if they are not directly involved in providing services to students.

And to our families, we thank you for your patience and trust as we work together to maintain some sense of normalcy in these difficult times. These next two weeks will be difficult and we are not certain what lies ahead after that. You have my unwavering commitment to do all we can do to help you and your children.
We will continue to do our best to keep you informed. Facts and circumstances may change quickly so we encourage you to check our website lausd.net regularly, my Twitter @AustinLASchools or call the following phone hotlines.

For families: (213) 443-1300
For school leaders: (213) 241-2000
For employees: (213) 241-2700

Thank you for your support.
Austin