Appreciating lecturers, understanding medical go away, state testing replace | Opinion

recognition

I want to acknowledge all of the Carpinteria Unified School District staff who have worked so hard to prepare for the safe return of all students at our locations. I would also like to acknowledge our School Nurses Michelle Olson and Alison Baistrocchi for their excellent collaboration with the county health department and our schools.

Girls Inc. recognition

On Monday April 12th, Girls Inc. recognized CHS English teacher April Nunez as one of this year’s Women of Inspiration. Congratulations April!

MESA competition

In March, CHS students Diego Herrera and Sage Hawley won second place in the MESACoding Solutions competition. Congratulations to Diego and Sage and to the faculty advisor, Janellejovanni Manrique!

Medicinal sheets

During the 2020-2021 school year, Human Resources processed 34 vacation requests in accordance with state and federal laws. There are a number of laws that can apply when an employee submits a medical note from their doctor. The Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA), California Family Rights Act, Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), and Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA) may apply.

Different circumstances involve different laws. These laws place different requirements on employees in order to qualify as disabled or to receive job-protected vacation. When the district receives a medical notice, it evaluates what laws may be applicable to each employee’s circumstances and whether additional information is required to determine whether the employee meets the legal requirements to qualify for benefits available under potentially applicable laws to qualify.

ADA and FEHA prohibit workplace discrimination based on an employee’s disability and retaliation for exercising any right under these laws. A person is considered disabled if they have a physical or mental impairment that severely restricts one or more important life activities. For employees who qualify for the ADA and / or FEHA, the district may be required to make reasonable arrangements so that the employee can perform the essential functions of his or her job.

Employees are responsible for providing the district with the necessary information to determine whether they have a qualified disability and whether they can perform the essential functions of their position with or without reasonable accommodation. The FMLA and CFRA prohibit retaliation or discrimination against any employee in the exercise or attempt to exercise any FMLA / CFRA right. Employees must provide the district with the information necessary to determine whether the employee is qualified for a potentially applicable vacation. Even if an employee did not request a special vacation under these laws, the law gives the district responsibility for determining that the employee is qualified and correctly flagging the vacation. In order to fulfill its responsibility to its employees, the district often requires additional information from these employees.

Safe ways to school

Last week, when all students were returning to campus, the Sheriff’s Office stepped up patrols at school sites to monitor traffic and pedestrian safety. The city has posted flashing signs at pedestrian crossings to remind drivers that students are crossing the streets to get to school. We thank both City Manager Durflinger and Lt. Ugo Arnoldi for responding to our inquiries about improving the safety of students who go to school on foot or by bike.

State ratings

On March 16, the State Board of Education approved the 2020-2021 school year plan: Local education agencies are allowed to use the most appropriate option for assessment in their local context, including: Smarter Balanced Summative Assessments for ELA and Maths or other locally selected ones Diagnostic, benchmark, or interim assessments that meet five criteria and no scientific test required.

CUSD has no ratings for grades 3-8 and 11 in ELA and math that meet the five criteria. For this reason, we will be running CAASPP (California Assessment of Student Performance and Progress) in grades 3-8 and 11 on Wednesdays in May and June, in person for elementary school students and online for secondary school students.

Staff recruitment for the school year 2021-2022

We recruit and interview for the following positions: Aliso: Headmaster, 2 teachers; Summerland: Headmaster, 1 teacher; Canalino: 1 special educator; CMS: Deputy Headmaster, 2 teachers; CHS: 1 teacher.

Diana Rigby is the current Superintendent of the Carpinteria Unified School District. She is focused on improving teaching and learning for all CUSD students and welcomes input and feedback from parents and community. For more information on CUSD, log on to cusd.net or contact Diana at [email protected] or (805) 684-4511×222.