PUENTE Charter School Newsletter and

COVID-19 Localized Boyle Heights Resource Guide

Dear PUENTE Charter School Families,

We hope everyone continues to stay well and healthy under these challenging and

unprecedented circumstances. Thank you for your understanding, patience and for your

cooperation by staying connected with our staff. We also want to express our gratitude to all our

families for your gracious support as, together, we help our children continue their education,

virtually.

We continue to work to meet the needs of our school community in response to COVID-19 safety

measures and follow the updates from the California Department of Education and the Los

Angeles Unified School District. PUENTE Charter School staff is committed to messaging the

available resources in the Boyle Heights community during these difficult times to help our

families find organizations, groups and information that you may need to stay healthy and up-to-

date.

Please know that this guide will be updated as the information may rapidly change. We

encourage you to stay informed with your local news or directly with LAUSD, CDC, the City of Los

Angeles and the County of LA Public Health at:

o LAUSD Updates at: www.LAUSD.net

o CDC Updates at: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/

o City of Los Angeles Updates at: https://corona-virus.la/

o County of LA Public Health Department: http://publichealth.lacounty.gov/

Information about our school and other programs can also be found on our website here:

www.puente.org

To view our PUENTE Charter School twitter page:

https://twitter.com/puentecharter

If you would like to contact an individual Charter School staff member either by phone or

email, click here:

PUENTE Staff Contact List

Respectfully,

PUENTE Charter School Administration

Table of Contents

I. Health & Safety

What is the Corona-Virus disease?

What are the symptoms?

What can I do to stay safe?

Guidelines for scheduling a COVID-19-Test

Where can I access free food resources near PUENTE Charter School?

What mental health resources are available for my child?

II. School Closure Updates

How is LAUSD responding?

English Resource

Spanish Resource

III. Curriculum & Instruction

PUENTE Virtual Distance Learning

Special Education Services

Class Assignments

Zoom Lessons

Frequently Asked Questions

IV. Other Community Resources Available in Boyle Heights

Resources for immigrant families

What resources are available to seniors?

I. Health & Safety:

What is the Corona-Virus Disease?

COVID-19 is a respiratory illness that can spread from person to person. Risk of infection from the virus is higher for people who are in close contacts of someone known to have COVID-19. It can also be contracted by touching a surface or object that has the virus on it and then touching one’s mouth or nose. The severity of these range from person to person, and not every infected person has all of them. The CDC identifies the following symptoms of an infection:

o Fever (100.4 degrees Fahrenheit or higher) o Dry Cough o Shortness of Breath o Persistent Pressure to the Chest o Loss of Smell & Taste: The American Academy of Otolaryngology Head and

Neck Surgery put out an alert that “anecdotal evidence is rapidly accumulating” that these symptoms are associated with COVID-19. Anosmia, or loss of smell, has been seen in patients who tested positive but had no other symptoms”.

*Older adults and people who have severe underlying medical conditions like heart or lung disease or diabetes seem to be at higher risk for developing more serious complications from COVID-19 illness.

What can I do to stay safe?

o Social Distancing is staying at least six feet away from other people lessening

your chances of catching COVID-19.

Click on the photo box above for more information from the CDC on Social Distancing

o Use “Safer at Home” practices such as avoiding contact with others as much as

possible. Increasing the physical space between people, leaving at least six feet

away from other people lessens your chances of catching COVID-19 and helps

aid in the spreading illness.

o Covering sneezes and coughing with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.

Do not cough or sneeze in your hands. If you do not have a tissue, use your

sleeve

o Washing hands frequently with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.

o Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.

o Avoid sharing things such as towels, cups, straws and utensils (spoons, forks,

cups, etc.)

City of Los Angeles Guidelines for scheduling a COVID-19 test:

Click on box above for more information from the Coronavirus.LACIty.org website

Click on box above for more information from the CA Department of Public Health

en Espanol

Where Can I Access Free Food Resources near PUENTE Charter School?

The Los Angeles Unified School District will continue to provide nutritious meals to all

students who need them during the temporary closure of schools. Grab & Go Food

Centers will be open rain or shine weekdays from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m.

Click on the picture for more locations and information

Find food assistance, help paying bills, and other free or reduced cost programs, including new programs for the

COVID-19 pandemic at Findhelp.org.

Click on the gray box for help in 90033 zip code

Food Distribution Centers closest to PUENTE Charter School are:

Hollenbeck Middle School Grab & Go Mon.- Fri. 8:00 – 11:00 am 2510 E. 6th St. Los Angeles, CA 90023

Belvedere Middle School Grab & Go Mon – Fri. 8:00 – 11:00 am, 312 North Record Ave., Los Angeles, CA 90063 323 -266-5400

Weingart East Los Angeles YMCA Food Distribution 290 Whittier Blvd., Los Angeles, 90023 (323) 260-7005 Food Distribution 11:00 am -2:00 pm Mondays & Wednesdays

Everytable Food Company COVID-19 Resources The Everytable food company has offered a Helpline for any students or individuals struggling with access to food at this time. Hotline: 323-458-6487

Los Angeles Food Bank has various food dispersal locations

What mental health resources are available for my child?

As COVID-19 cases rise, students may have one or more family members who become ill and are unable to provide care. As a result, students and their families may be facing overwhelming challenges related to mental health and access to basic needs. Listed below are mental health resources and providers throughout LA County. If there are staff,immediate needs, please contact the County Department of Mental Health Access line: 800-854-7771.

Department of Mental Health Service Provider Listing: offers a search engine of mental health providers by area for all ages.

Click on California ALL logo for a detailed guide from the Surgeon General.

II. School Closure Updates

The Los Angeles Unified School District announced on April 13, 2020 that all LAUSD

schools will be closed for the remainder of the academic school year, in response to the

spread of the coronavirus (COVID-19).

School facilities will remain closed through the summer

Summer school will operate remotely

State and local health authorities will need to provide guidance when it is safe

and appropriate to reopen school facilities

Grading

Students can work to improve but will not be penalized for circumstances

No failing grades will be given

Helping Those in Need

LAUSD Mental Hotline Open

Meals provided to students

Family Engagement & Support

LAUSD Information videos for families will soon begin

LAUSD Community town hall meetings will soon begin

How is LAUSD Responding? LAUSD has provided a Hotline for families to call with any questions about COVID-19. The Hotline is open from 6:00 am to 6:00 pm Monday through Saturday. Please call at (213) 443-1300. Childcare for essential workers:

Childcare can be assessed at www.lacoe.edu/childcare or by calling 1.888.922.4453

LAUSD Family Resource Guides LAUSD has put together a full resource guide for families to access additional learning tools, student meals as well as other important information. To download the full LAUSD Family resource PDF guide in English or Spanish, please select a picture box below.

III. Curriculum & Instruction

PUENTE Distance Learning Program

PUENTE Charter School is committed to providing high-quality education both in the

classroom and now through distance learning. Therefore, we began preparing for a

possible school shutdown in February when we initially received information of the

development of COVID-19. At this time, we developed a three phase plan. During phase

one, our priority was to contact all families and ensure that everyone had shelter, access

to warm meals an electronic device as well as access to the internet. At the same time,

teachers were creating daily videos that walked students through their daily assignments

and provided them with emotional wellness through Calm Classroom. These videos

were uploaded to YouTube and the link was sent in a text blast to all families daily.

In phase two, our priorities were launching live distance learning and providing families

with additional educational resources. On March 23rd, teachers began to provide one

hour of daily live distance learning through ZOOM. The daily attendance has been

favorable and we continue to stay in touch with those that cannot log in daily during the

scheduled live distance learning. In addition, students were given access to resources

like Khan Academy for math and Raz-Kids for reading.

This week (April 13th- April 17th) we are beginning phase three of the Distance Learning

Plan where our priorities are differentiation and strategic-data drive instruction. In order

to support all of the students, we will have several differentiation opportunities. Students

that are struggling academically, will be given support in a 1-1 setting at least twice a

week for 30 minutes. Students at or above grade level will meet with the teacher or

paraprofessional in a small group or 1-1 setting at least once a week. Additionally,

teachers are returning to the units of study that were scheduled for this time of the year.

They will be using SeeSaw to upload projects that will support their units of study and

also to assess student work.

Special Education Services Students that received special education services during the school year will continue to be serviced through a virtual platform. Our special education coordinator and instructors have contacted these families and have agreed on a schedule. If your child receives services but have not been contacted, please email Ms. Meza at brenda@puente.org .

Access to class assignments by grade level

Click icon for Class Assignments:

Access to Zoom lessons by teacher

Click icon for Zoom Class Lessons:

Frequently Asked Questions:

What if we do not have internet access?

Charter is offering 2-months of free internet. Click of the logo below apply or visit

www.internetessentials.com/covid19

En Espanol

My child attends PUENTE Charter and needs a computer, what should I do?

Please contact your child’s teacher or a staff member via email or telephone and let him

or her know so that the school can arrange for your child to receive a laptop.

PUENTE Staff Contact List

Will students have to repeat this year? Will they move on to the next grade?

Students will not have to repeat the grade they are currently in unless the teacher has notified the parent that their child was at risk during parent conferences in early March. If the teacher notified the parent in early March, this conversation will be revisited in late May as we see student’s progress in the next couple of months.

Can you extend the time students receive Live Distance Learning?

Although we wish we could provide additional instructional time, we need to keep in mind that the majority of families only have access to one electronic device and more than one child at home. Providing an extended amount of instruction would not allow for all students to be connected. Instead, teachers will be introducing a new platform called SeeSaw after Spring Break. This platform will allow students and parents to access assignments and resources. Stay tuned...

Will my child be getting adequate English Language Arts instruction?

We are committed to providing our students with high quality education daily across all content areas. Teachers have been providing students with Language Arts instruction through shared readings, read alouds, sight word practice, vocabulary practice, genre knowledge, writing workshop and soon with project based learning (Science and Social Studies).

Will students be ready for the SBAC next year and what will you do to make sure of their readiness?

Our Mission and Vision remains the same during this crisis. Teachers continue to make instructional decisions based on data, the Common Core and ELD standards. Teachers plan with their grade level teams on a weekly basis and turn in lesson plans to the Dean of Curriculum and Instruction for feedback. Our goal is to continue providing students with the tools that they need to succeed academically and also on standardized tests. At home, you could support your child by providing him/her with typing practice, as well as

daily reading and writing time. As the weeks unfold, we will provide you with online tools for SBAC practice like it was scheduled prior to COVID-19.

What about students that are not regularly active in distance learning?

We are satisfied with the response from the PUENTE community. We have been able to accomplish so much in so little time. Some school districts are working on launching live instruction in the next few weeks and others are only providing packets. We did not hesitate and quickly launched live distance learning and have had great attendance. These are the attendance percentages for the week of March 30th – April 2nd:

TK/Kindergarten: 88%

1st Grade: 74 %

2nd Grade: 78%

We continue to contact students that are not actively logging in.

Will we be able to get access to campus to retrieve workbooks or do we need to have a printer to print these?

On March 13th, we provided all of our students with packets that had work for approximately three weeks. Our plan was to provide work that would sustain up until Spring Break which began last Friday, April 3rd. Moving forward, our teachers will assign tasks that require basic materials such as a writing tool and blank paper. We will not ask you to print any tools. You may do so if you prefer. Our teachers will let students know of alternative ways to accomplish their work without having to print worksheets. This approach is very similar to the one used in the regular classroom where hands-on and paperless activities are used.

Will you still host Coffee with the Principal and Deans?

Yes! We believe that parents play a crucial role in student success. We held a Virtual Coffee with the Principal on April 1st. Click here to see the PowerPoint presentation. We will have the next meeting the second week of May.

IV. Other Community Resources Available in Boyle Heights?

Immigrant Families

Protecting Immigrant Families provides a list of resources and program eligible

for immigrant families during COVID-19

What resources are available to seniors (65+)?

Delivery Service for Seniors:

Los Angeles County offers a free delivery service for older adults aged 60+ and individuals with disabilities who are unable to leave their home due to the COVID-19 pandemic. This program will help vulnerable individuals get groceries, household items and other necessities during this time without having to leave the safety of their homes. Delivery will be available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, at no extra cost. No application process is required but items must be pre-

paid and ready for pickup. Deliveries can be scheduled by calling 1-888-863-7411 between 8:00 am and 5:00 pm, Monday through Friday.

Free Meals for Seniors:

o East Los Angeles Service Center Meals for Seniors

133 N. Sunol Drive, Los Angeles CA 90063

Phone: 323-260-2801 Distribution Hours: (By appointment only. Call M-F 8-5pm)

o Centro Maravilla Service Center (Meals for Seniors and Families)

4716 East Cesar Chavez Avenue, Los Angeles, CA. 90022

Phone: 323-260-2804 Distribution Hours: (By appointment only. Call M-F 8-5pm)

Workforce Development Aging & Community Service: Meals can be picked up by

a family members.

Special Supermarket Shopping Hours for Seniors

501 South Boyle Avenue Los Angeles, CA 90033

323.780.8900. 323.780-2961

7 Days a Week 7 – 8 am Seniors

Physically Challenged Pregnant Women

7 Days a Week 6 – 7 am Seniors

Physically Challenged Pregnant Women

7 Days a Week 7:30 – 8:30 am

Seniors Physically Challenged

Tues/Thurs 7 – 10 am

Seniors Physically Challenged

Tues/Thurs 7 – 8 am Seniors

Physically Challenged Pregnant Women

7 Days a Week

8 – 9 am Seniors

Physically Challenged

Tues/Thurs 8 – 9 am Seniors

No Guests Admitted w/Seniors

Days a Week

7 – 8 am Seniors

Physically Challenged Pregnant Women

7 Days a Week 7 – 8 am Seniors

Physically Challenged