Dear FUSD Community:

One thing that this crisis has shown us is how resilient we are in our varying roles. This crisis has made us use our critical thinking skills much more than ever.  School staffs across this state and country have had to change the way we educate our scholars within a few days if not hours.  In FUSD, you have been asked to teach and serve over 33,000 students through distance learning, providing free breakfast and lunch, cleaning and sanitizing, communicating with families, and a myriad of other duties while keeping equity in the forefront and balancing caring for yourself and your own families.

As your board member, I have fielded minimal complaints and have found that many who have connected with me have suggested solutions on how we should move forward collectively. Through this venue, it is my goal to give some updates from a macro (State, Federal & County) and micro (FUSD) level.  Here are a few things that I have learned from participating in various discussions in the past day:

State Testing

Governor Newsom has canceled all required assessments for the remainder of the 2019-20 school year, pending the approval of a federal waiver. “This time is stressful enough for students, families, and educators without the additional burden of annual testing,” Newsom said. “This is an unprecedented time, and our main focus is on supporting the mental and socioemotional health of students while continuing to provide educational opportunities such as distance learning.”

Distance Learning

State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond and some of his CDE staff held a webinar yesterday regarding clarification of the recent Executive Order from Governor Newsom related to education during school closures. Of particular interest to me were the guidelines provided for distance/online learning and special education services. I know in FUSD, our administrators, teachers, and support staff have been working hard and have developed many learning opportunities for our scholars. Everyone wants to get this right for your child and all of our community’s children. I can say that many parents have realized how hard our teachers work to develop lesson plans and deliver various curricular tools.

Special Education

Currently, the federal government has not waived the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), but the federal government is allowing some flexibility.  Our state is also waiving some requirements.  Districts across the country will be trying different approaches to meet our scholar’s needs.  We will be learning innovative ways, but it will look different in all our communities.  

Labor Unions

Our local unions (FTA, USW 8599, & Fontana School Police) have been very patient through this process.  There have been many questions and challenges with collective bargaining issues.  I want to thank our local union leaders and administrative teams for working together through this process.  At the state level, our state Superintendent Tony Thurmond will be meeting with California labor leaders to help bring about guidance to help us to move in solidarity.

I understand that there is a lot of anxiety and stress, but if we continue to work together, we will get through this very difficult time.  Stay safe and remember to practice good personal hygiene to stay healthy. Again, thank you to all who are working hard to serve our scholars and their families!

In partnership,

Mars Serna
Vice President
Fontana USD Board of Education