K-12 News & Updates

Jennifer Ketring

Outdoor Learning Protocols

Outdoor learning and field studies have always been an integral component of our programs. In the current climate of distance learning and COVID-19, outdoor classes are being promoted as a safe way for offering in-person instruction. We received a waiver from the State to initially offer outdoor learning days with our K-5 classes. We are continuing our K-5 outdoor classes in the 2nd semester with additional days and expanding to include middle school students beginning March 23. In-person Spring Fridays for high school students will begin after Spring Break. Our Outdoor Learning Protocols offer details for participating families.

Read our Outdoor Learning Protocols

Jennifer Ketring

High School October E-newsletter

At the Pacific School we are committed to building strong relationships with our families. Our biweekly e-newsletters, quarterly progress reports and regular teacher-parent communication are some of the ways we aim to maintain those relationships. We seek to establish long-lasting partnerships with families as we know that these partnerships are a key ingredient to the personal and academic achievement of our students.

A few updates I’d like to share this month include: 

  • Our new ramps are installed and the building is being painted. We are looking for parent-student support to complete the painting of the buildings. 
  • Facial masks are available. Made with love by Ms. B.
  • Chromebooks are ready for check-out. Please email me if you need a computer: mtaylorjones@pacificcharterschool.org.
  • Art supplies are coming in daily! Art supplies materials will be available for pick up this Friday, October 9.
  • On-site Academic Tutoring with Andrea Mazza will be starting this month.
  • Progress reports have been sent and October parent-teacher conferences will be scheduled.
  • We have welcomed several new students this past month. 
  • Staff participated in Odysseyware Training and are launching self-paced  courses to help during Distance Learning.
  • All teachers will be attending California Assessment Conference this week to help us with COVID teaching and assessment strategies. Students will receive assignments for those days.
  • Friday is the day for students to check-in with teachers for one-to-one support. Attendance counts! Please check-in with your teachers, myself or Jami at the H.S. Office.


Stay safe and take care.

Michele


Read the Full High School October E-newsletter

Jennifer Ketring

K8 October E-news

Hello everyone and Happy Autumn!

As we enter into our next month of distance learning, I am reminded how adaptable our students are. While full time distance learning is not ideal for everyone, our students are really working hard to make the best of a challenging situation. I know that this requires constant diligence on the part of our families in order to make sure our students are on time for their many Zoom lessons and completing their class work. Thank you for all that you do. Together, we will continue to work through the challenges and provide the best learning experience possible for our children.

In an abundance of caution, we chose to put our outdoor learning program on hold. We will continue to monitor the local situation, and will restart this program as soon as we feel that we can do so safely for our students, our teachers and our families. Prior to pausing this program, we were able to come together in person at Windy Hollow Farm and for Coastal Clean-up Month at Moat Creek. These two events were a great reminder of how inspiring it is to have our students together.  

Lastly, I want to remind everyone that communication is key to successfully navigating through distance learning. Please let us know as soon as you are able if your child is going to miss a scheduled Zoom session so that your child’s teacher can help you to access asynchronous learning options. Also, because we are having regular communication with so many of you, we are not going to schedule school-wide parent conferences this year. If you would like to schedule a thirty minute one-on-one conference with your student’s teacher, please let the teacher or the office know.

Take care everyone. Enjoy the change of seasons, and hope for rain!

-Todd, K8 Director


Read the Full K8 October E-newsletter

Jennifer Ketring

K-12 August E-Newsletter

I think we can all agree that the past few months have been challenging, and now here we are at the beginning of the school year and so many things are different. Our teachers are providing lessons over the computer, our students are missing their peers and classrooms, and our community is dealing with the many effects of the pandemic and wildfires. 

Our staff is committed to navigating these times in the best ways that we can. This means learning new teaching tools, setting up online resources, adjusting to new schedules, purchasing student devices, connecting our students and families to community resources, and the list goes on. We recognize that there will be hiccups along the way and we ask for your patience and understanding as we address problems and find solutions together.

Below are some resources to support distance learning at home:

-Jennifer Ketring, Executive Director

Read the Full E-Newsletter Here

Jennifer Ketring

Learning Continuity & Attendance Plan

PCCS developed a Learning Continuity and Attendance Plan for the 2020/21 School Year in accordance with guidance from the California Department of Education. The Learning Continuity Plan was adopted by the PCCS Governance Council on September 23, 2020 after receiving and incorporating feedback from our stakeholders.

The Learning Continuity Plan is intended to balance the needs of all stakeholders, including educators, parents, students and community members, while both streamlining engagement and condensing several preexisting plans. In particular, it was important to combine (1) the intent behind Executive Order N-56-20, published in April 2020,which envisioned an off cycle Local Control and Accountability Plan (LCAP) due December 15th, and (2) the ongoing need for LEAs to formally plan to return to school in the midst of the uncertainty and of COVID-19, without requiring two plans. The Learning Continuity Plan replaces the LCAP for the 2020–21 school year.

The Learning Continuity Plan template memorializes the planning process for the 2020–21 school year and includes descriptions of the following: addressing gaps in learning; conducting meaningful stakeholder engagement; maintaining transparency; addressing the needs of unduplicated pupils, students with unique needs, and students experiencing homelessness; providing access to necessary devices and connectivity for distance learning; providing resources and supports to address student and staff mental health and social emotional well-being; and continuing to provide school meals for students.

Jennifer Ketring

Reopening Plan: 2020-21 School Year

PCCS has developed this reopening plan in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. It will inform in-class learning scenarios at the K-8 and High School sites and outlines instructional options that include distance learning, hybrid instruction and outdoor learning. Any reopening will follow current local and state guidelines, and be adapted and/or implemented to be in compliance according to that guidance.

PCCS will follow the guidelines and protocols described in this plan while continuing to offer engaging K-8 and High School programs that align with the school’s mission. Where possible programs will encourage “social connectedness with physical distancing.” 

The PCCS Governance Council approved and adopted this Reopening Plan on August 5, 2020.

Download a copy of our Reopening Plan for the 2020-21 School Year.

Jennifer Ketring

Una Nota Sobre la Reapertura de Nuestro Presidente del Equipo Directivo

En los últimos 13 años, la Escuela Pacífico ha jugado un papel central para nuestra familia con mi hijo mayor, Logan, que se graduó de la escuela secundaria este año. Nuestra familia ha elegido formar parte de esta comunidad escolar debido a su espíritu empático, aprendizaje basado en proyectos, aulas colaborativas, estudios de campo y participación familiar.
Después de todos estos años en la Escuela Pacífico, no anticipé que pasaría del rol de madre a Presidente del equipo directivo, en medio de una pandemia mundial. En este nuevo cargo, he trabajado en estrecha colaboración con Todd Orenick como Director de K-8 y Michele Taylor-Jones como nuestro nueva Directora de la Escuela Secundaria para desarrollar un plan para reabrir nuestra escuela que mantenga segura a nuestra comunidad. Juntos estamos participando en reuniones con el Oficial de Salud del Condado, la Superintendente del Condado y el Departamento de Educación de California, así como siguiendo la guía local y estatal.
Estamos trabajando diligentemente para considerar las necesidades de los estudiantes, las familias y el personal para crear un programa que no solo aborde los desafíos presentados por COVID-19, sino que también se alinee con los valores de nuestra escuela. También reconozco que cada modelo de educación que hemos considerado tiene ventajas y desventajas y puede no ser la opción preferida para todas las familias. Esto es lo que anticipamos actualmente para el comienzo del año escolar:
  • El aprendizaje a distancia jugará un papel vital.
  • Los programas al aire libre basados en el lugar pueden ofrecer una oportunidad para el aprendizaje en persona en todos los grados, pero dependen de las pautas locales de salud.
  • Los estudiantes necesitarán computadoras portátiles para el aprendizaje a distancia, y estamos buscando fondos para comprar más dispositivos.
  • Nuestros maestros necesitan desarrollo profesional y tecnología mejorada para desarrollar y ofrecer atractivas lecciones en línea.
Le animo a completar nuestra encuesta familiar como una forma de proporcionar información para el plan de reapertura de la escuela. Discutiremos nuestro Plan de Reapertura y el Plan de Asistencia y Continuidad del Aprendizaje en la reunión del Consejo de Gobernanza del 5 de agosto. Todos son bienvenidos a asistir a esta reunión de GC (contácteme para recibir el enlace de la reunión de Zoom). Tendremos un Foro Familiar K-12 el miércoles 12 de agosto a las 5:30 a través de Zoom.
A pesar de estos tiempos difíciles, estoy decidida e inspirada a ofrecer una educación dinámica a nuestros estudiantes que también mantenga a nuestra comunidad segura. No dude en comunicarse conmigo directamente por correo electrónico o teléfono con preguntas o inquietudes.
Espero con el momento en que todos podamos reunirnos nuevamente en persona. Mientras tanto, manténgase saludable, manténgase seguro y disfrute el resto de las vacaciones de verano.
-Jennifer Ketring
Presidente del equipo directivo
jketring@pacificcharterschool.org
Jennifer Ketring

A Note on Reopening from our Management Team Chair

July 20, 2020

Over the past 13 years the Pacific School has played a central role for our family with my oldest son, Logan, graduating high school this year. Our family has chosen to be a part of this school community because of its empathetic spirit, project-based learning, collaborative classrooms, field studies, and family participation.
 
After all these years at the Pacific School, I didn’t anticipate that I would be stepping from the role of parent to Management Team Chair in the midst of a global pandemic. In this new role I’ve worked closely with Todd Orenick as K-8 Director and Michele Taylor-Jones as our new High School Director to develop a plan for reopening our school that keeps our community safe. Together we are participating in meetings with the County Health Officer, County Superintendent and California Department of Education as well as following local and state guidance.
 
We are working diligently to consider the needs of students, families, and staff to create a program that not only addresses the challenges presented by COVID-19, but that also aligns with our school values. I also recognize that every model of schooling that we’ve considered has advantages and disadvantages and may not be the preferred choice for every family.
Here is what we currently anticipate for the beginning of the school year:

  • Distance learning will play a vital role.
  • Outdoor place-based programs may offer an opportunity for in-person learning across the grades but are contingent on local health guidelines.
  • Students will need laptops for distance learning, and we are seeking funds to purchase more devices.
  • Our teachers need professional development and improved technology to develop and deliver engaging online lessons.

I encourage you to complete our family survey as a way to provide input to the school reopening plan. We will discuss our Reopening Plan and Learning Continuity and Attendance Plan at the August 5th Governance Council meeting—all are welcome to attend this GC meeting (contact me to receive the Zoom meeting link). We will hold a K-12 Family Forum on Wednesday, August 12 at 5:30 via Zoom.
 
Despite these challenging times, I am determined and inspired to offer a dynamic education to our students that also keeps our community safe. Please feel free to reach out to me directly via email or phone with questions or concerns.
 
I look forward to the time when we can all gather together again in-person. In the meantime stay healthy, stay safe and enjoy the rest of summer break.

-Jennifer Ketring
Management Team Chair
jketring@pacificcharterschool.org
707-353-0143