ESUSD Superintendent Melissa Moore distributed the message at the link to parents, staff and the community today, March 24, 2020.
Dear ESUSD Parents, Staff and Community,
How are you feeling?
This question leads off Chapter One in Marc Brackett’s book, Permission to Feel. Dr. Brackett is the Director for the Yale Center for Emotional Intelligence who developed the RULER program, an evidence-based systemic approach to social emotional learning. One of the ESUSD Board of Education’s goals is to promote the social and emotional well-being of all students through the adoption of the RULER program. Especially during this worldwide pandemic, I would assert that social-emotional awareness is vitally important. Now more than ever before, I hope all of us are orchestrating opportunities for our students/children to talk about their feelings in order to further develop their emotional intelligence and develop into responsible, self-resilient individuals.
Update on Extension of School Closure
The Los Angeles County Office of Education has recommended that all county public schools remain closed with staff returning on May 4 and students returning to school on Tuesday, May 5, 2020. ESUSD will comply to help contain the spread of COVID-19. Thus, ESUSD school closure will be extended through May 4th. This decision follows new state and county public health orders. However, it is important to note that Governor Newsom has publicly stated that there is a very good chance we will not return to school this year, so stay tuned.
Public Safety
On Monday our District Office donated 400 N95 respirator masks to the City of El Segundo for use by our local first responders. This is a community-wide effort and we are grateful for every person on the "front line" putting their lives at risk every day. Our lawmakers and medical professionals across the nation remain highly concerned about people not taking social distancing seriously enough. This is not just for your health and safety; it is for the community's and the world's. Several residents reached out to report large groups are getting on to the fields. The school district took additional steps to further secure the facilities to prevent access. However, last night I was contacted that a large group was playing on the softball field. I regret that our fields, track, playground structures and blacktops must remain closed, but it is essential for public safety. Please continue to safely distance yourself and remind others to do the same.
Thank you and stay safe.
Melissa Moore, Ed.D.
Superintendent
El Segundo Unified School District