The Piedmont Unified School District has determined that the work on the new STEAM building at Piedmont High School is an essential government function and work will continue on this project, over which the City has no jurisdiction.
April 6, 2020, Sara Lillevand, City Administrator
Report on the Impacts of the COVID 19 Emergency on the City of Piedmont
April 3, 2020Dear PCA,Thanks for your inquiry. We appreciate the opportunity to address your questions, and our responses follow:
What is the School District doing to inform construction workers of requirements for social distancing and other COVID – 19 practices?
Overaa Construction, the District’s general contractor, issued detailed protocols to all workers for individual and community health and safety, posted information at each entrance to the job site, and provides reminders at each staff meeting.
At this phase of the STEAM project, workers are dispersed across the roof and the interior floors, and there is abundant space for proper distancing while working. Workers wear personal protective equipment, including gloves, and avoid sharing equipment, tools, and other items. The jobsite is stocked at all times with hand sanitizer, hand soap, diluted bleach in spray bottles, paper towels, and disinfecting wipes, and workers regularly wipe down communal surfaces as well as tools and equipment. Also, the jobsite trailers are now single-occupancy.
On April 2, it was brought to the District’s attention that several workers were on a break and congregating on Magnolia Avenue without proper social distancing. Overaa’s foreman immediately halted all work and called an emergency meeting for all workers, spaced at least six feet apart from each other. The foreman again reviewed the protocols and told workers that there would be no warnings — that any failure to comply would result in immediate dismissal. Overaa followed up with an email to all workers to reiterate the protocols and consequences for noncompliance.
Given the indefinite school closure, the District is enlarging the fenced area around the jobsite, to provide more space for workers to meet and have lunch and breaks outside.
The School District and Overaa are committed to keeping the workforce and jobsite healthy, and it is evident that the great majority of workers take these protocols seriously and earnestly comply.
What is the School District doing to enforce construction workers’ social distancing, smoking, and parking in the residential neighborhoods?
Enforcement of the health and safety protocols is addressed above. In addition, security cameras at various locations on the jobsite make it possible for Overaa and the District to monitor compliance.
The District is not aware of any illegal parking by the workers. With the closure of schools, most workers are parking in the School District’s Permit A spaces near the jobsite. Those who do not park in Permit A spaces typically park at Zion Lutheran Church on Park Boulevard, and take a worker shuttle to and from the jobsite. Workers have been instructed that, if they do park in neighborhoods, they must follow the posted restrictions. If you are aware of any illegal parking, please snap a photo and send it to us so we can follow up.
Similarly, the District is not aware of any illegal smoking by workers. Smoking is not permitted on School District property and this rule is strictly enforced. Nonetheless, smoking is legal elsewhere. If you are aware of problems, such as workers discarding cigarette butts, please snap a photo and send it to us so we can follow up.
Is the School District asking the Piedmont Police Department to enforce orders?
As noted above, Overaa will enforce the health and safety protocols with its workers. The School District and Piedmont Police Department are in frequent communication about enforcing the shelter–in-place order, primarily concerning groups of people who trespass at Witter Field (which is closed) and do not follow social distancing directives.
While construction workers attend to their work tasks, are they wearing protective masks at all times?
The advice on masks is evolving quickly. Each worker has an N95 mask but is not currently required to wear it at all times. If public health mandates change, Overaa and the District will ensure full compliance.
Please don’t hesitate to ask if you have further questions.Regards,Pete
Pete Palmer
ppalmer@piedmont.k12.ca.us
PUSD, Director of Facilities/Construction ManagerPiedmont Unified School District
760 Magnolia AvenuePiedmont, CA 94611 510-594-2877 office
The Public is invited to make comments to items on the agenda before the Board adjourns to Virtual Closed Session:
Join Zoom Meeting
https://zoom.us/j/139610657?pwd=QU1wai9Kb1dLOWpqRmVrazJUV0MyZz09Meeting ID: 139 610 657
Password: 583881
Meeting begins at 4:30 pm, March 30, 2020
Closed Session 4:35 pm
| III.A. Conference with District Labor Negotiator Randall Booker regarding Negotiations with Association of Piedmont Teachers (APT) (Government Code 54956.6) |
| III.B. Conference with District Labor Negotiator Randall Booker regarding Negotiations with California School Employees Association (CSEA) (Government Code 54956.6) |
IV. REGULAR OPEN SESSION
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| IV.A. Report of Action Taken in Closed Session |
Full detailed agenda linked below:
March 25, 2020
The Alameda County Office of Education announced today that they are closing schools through May 1, 2020:
“Seven Bay Area county health officers, in collaboration with their county superintendents, have made a unified, regional decision to extend school closures and student dismissals from regular school attendance through May 1, 2020 to slow the spread of novel coronavirus (COVID-19) to the maximum extent. The safety and wellness of students, school personnel, and the community are the highest priorities of all schools and districts in Alameda, Contra Costa, Marin, San Francisco, San Mateo and Santa Clara counties.”
You can read ACOE’s press release here.
The Piedmont Unified School District will comply with this directive and extend its school facilities closure and student dismissal through May 1, 2020.
There has been a question around if we’re required to add days at the end of the year to help meet the normal 180 instructional day requirement. According to the California Department of Education, the answer is no. We are NOT required and we will NOT add additional days to our instructional calendar for the 19-20 school year
As we progress over the next several weeks, District leadership, in consultation with the Governor’s Office, Alameda County Public Health Department, Alameda County Office of Education, and the Piedmont Unified School District Board of Education, will determine if the school facilities closure and student dismissal will be extended past May 1, 2020.
Randall Booker PUSD Superintendent
For questions, please contact Randall Booker, PUSD Superintendent at rbooker@piedmont.k12.ca.us
March 20, 2020
The District held a special Board of Education meeting (click here to watch the recording), Thursday, March 19th – 3:00pm where they unanimously passed Resolution 20-2019-20 – Emergency Actions by the Superintendent of Schools.
With this authorization, the superintendent has extended the Piedmont Unified School District Site Facilities Closure and Student Dismissal through April 7, 2020 (to coincide with the current shelter-in-place).
As we progress over the next several weeks, District leadership, in consultation with the Governor’s Office, Alameda County Public Health Department, Alameda County Office of Education, and the Piedmont Unified School District Board of Education, will determine if the school facilities closure and student dismissal will be extended past April 7, 2020. If so, it may affect our scheduled Spring Break (April 13th-17th). The District will communicate if changes to Spring Break dates occur.
March 25, 2020 Regularly Scheduled Board of Education Meeting is Canceled.
The Piedmont Unified School District Board of Education, during its March 19, 2020 Special Board Meeting, unanimously decided to cancel their March 25, 2020 regularly scheduled Board of Education Meeting.
Distance-Learning Update
PUSD educators are working to develop and deliver distance learning opportunities for students. It was just a few days ago when the Board of Education voted to close schools and dismiss students, and much has changed since then. At first the District planned for a 2-week closure. Now we are shifting for a closure that may last for an extended period of time.
Educators will use this extended closure to collaborate (virtually) and build-out virtual lessons and learning experiences in order to grow in our ability to provide a continuance of education. These experiences will vary greatly from elementary to middle to our high schools. PUSD is committed to supporting our educators during this unique time of curriculum development and delivery. Patience and flexibility will be required as teachers and staff balance family and work responsibilities during this time of crisis.
Teachers and administrators’ email inboxes are overwhelmed with an abundance of suggestions and products for distance-learning solutions, both from the private and public sector. PUSD will progress in its development and delivery of distance-learning plans by researching appropriate technology tools and delivery strategies, provide the needed training and professional learning to teachers and staff, and collaborate with our educational professionals on how best to help students and families during this challenging time. School site administrators and teachers will provide families with progress updates along the way.
Governor Newsom’s Executive Order N-33-20
March 19, 2020
“The California State Public Health Officer and Director of the California Department of Public Health is ordering all individuals living in the State of California to stay home or at their place of residence, except as needed to maintain continuity of operation of the federal critical infrastructure sectors.”
Read a summary of the Executive Order here (CA.gov website) or the full Executive Order here (pdf).
California State Superintendent of Public Instruction, Tony Thurmond stated in a follow-up email last night, that “the order does NOT change or impact our role, considered essential, and our duty to carry out the following essential services …”
Additionally, “the Education Facilities Subsector covers pre-kindergarten through grade 12 schools, institutions of higher education, and business and trade schools. The sub-sector includes facilities that are owned by both government and private sector entities.”
While PUSD educators will continue to develop distance-learning opportunities for students, PUSD implores those families with middle and/or high school students to share this information with them and restrict their outings to only essential tasks/trips.
PUSD will continue to provide updates as it learns more from the Alameda County Public Health Department and the Alameda County Office of Education.
For questions, please contact Randall Booker, PUSD Superintendent at rbooker@piedmont.k12.ca.us
March 17, 2020
To help slow the spread of the COVID-19 virus, the Piedmont Unified School District has temporarily closed school facilities, including the Witter Field Complex. No access will be permitted to the field house, track, or football, baseball and softball fields until further notice. During this unprecedented health crisis, the District’s custodial staff is not available to clean and maintain these facilities for safe use. The District will continue to work with County and State health officials to determine when to reopen its facilities.
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Questions or comments? Please contact Superintendent Booker at rbooker@piedmont.k12.ca.us or Director of Facilities Pete Palmer at ppalmer@piedmont.k12.ca.us
” With this decision, beginning March 16, 2020 all school site facilities are closed to students and the general public. All extra-curricular activities, including athletics, instrumental, vocal, dance, and dramatic productions are also cancelled. Additionally, all school site facilities rentals by the public are cancelled.
During this time, district leaders will coordinate with county health officials, the Alameda County Public Health Department, and California Department of Education to determine if returning on March 30th is advisable.
Continuity of Education School site educators are developing plans to deliver a continuity of education for students district-wide. Distance learning will be utilized, so we expect students and families to monitor email, Infinite Campus, and Schoology regularly for homework/learning activities, important updates, and messages from teachers and the administration.
Our goal is to begin communicating distance learning opportunities in the afternoon on Tuesday, March 17, 2020. These communications, including expectations and specific learning opportunities will arrive directly from site educators and the administration.
READ FULL PRESS RELEASE BY CLICKING BELOW:
Randall Booker, School Superintendent
Piedmont Unified School District (PUSD) leadership continues to closely monitor updates regarding the 2019 novel coronavirus (COVID-19). Additionally, the District is continuing to work with the Alameda County Public Health Department and the Alameda County Office of Education to ensure the District is providing accurate and timely information.
Over the past several weeks, District Staff have sent several communications to families and staff regarding proper health hygiene and etiquette and information on COVID-19.
January 31, 2020 – Letter to Families & Staff
February 7, 2020 – Letter to Families & Staff
February 24, 2020 – Letter to Families & Staff
February 28, 2020 – Letter to Families & Staff
March 6, 2020 – Letter to Families & StaffThe District is taking efforts to address student/staff and visitors’ hygiene and respiratory etiquette on our campuses, as well as planning for possible school closures. This past week, I’ve been in informational and planning meetings with county, city, and district leadership, including the Director of Alameda County Public Health, the county superintendent, superintendents from across Alameda County, Piedmont school board members, and Piedmont’s mayor, vice-mayor, city administrator, and fire chief.
This afternoon, the Alameda County Public Health Department (ACPHD) released new information and guidance regarding gatherings. This guidance directly affects Piedmont Unified’s normal protocols regarding a number of events and activities. ACPHD recommends that communities, governments, businesses, and schools postpone or cancel gatherings and large community events where large numbers of people are within arm’s length of one another. These recommendations are meant to slow the spread of COVID-19 in our community and reduce the number of people infected, and especially protect those who are most vulnerable to severe illness.
Effective tomorrow, March 11, through April 10, the following conditions will be put into place in order to protect our students, staff, and community from the COVID-19 infection and reduce the possibility of community transmission:
Event Cancellations/Postponements
Following guidance from the ACPHD, all upcoming school and district related medium-sized gatherings (more than 100 people) where students, staff, parents, and outside community members come together in close proximity to one another will be cancelled and/or postponed.
Specific upcoming events between March 11 and April 10 that are now canceled/postponed include:
- All field trips where students and staff will be assembled in groups greater than 100 people and/or when the District cannot ensure that students and staff are beyond arm’s length of one another due to the venue or planned activity;
- All school dances;
- Group assemblies greater than 100 people;
- Professional learning events greater than 100 people and/or when the District cannot ensure that students and staff are beyond arm’s length of one another due to the venue or planned activity;
- Parent education events greater than 100 people and/or when the District cannot ensure that students and staff are beyond arm’s length of one another due to the venue or planned activity;
- All elementary, middle school, and high school performances, including vocal, instrumental, dramatic, and dance concerts.
Additional Restrictions
To the extent possible, and in an effort to limit the exposure in our community, the following restrictions are now in place:
- Outside rentals of PUSD facilities where large numbers of people are within arm’s length of one another will be canceled
- District staff will coordinate with individual organizations regarding communication and possible rescheduling.
- High school athletic events will be limited to 100 people in attendance and must be held in the largest venues on campus to accommodate guidance on increased social distancing (arms-length distance in seating/spectating). Ticketing protocols will be determined by school administrators. (Venues to be used include Witter Field, Binks Gymnasium, and the Morrison Gymnasium).
- High school sporting event restrictions may be changed if additional guidance and/or restrictions are provided by CIF/NCS or the health department.
Possible School Closures
At this time, the Alameda County Public Health Department currently is not recommending closing schools.
We will immediately implement the recommendations of the ACPHD and continue to monitor the actions of neighboring districts and counties.
If a staff member or student in a specific school is confirmed to have COVID-19, the Superintendent and local public health officials will consider, based on the specific facts and circumstances of that case, whether closure of that school is warranted. Should the Public Health Department determine a school closure is warranted, the duration may be up to 14 days.
We will be suspending all instructional activities at the school site and extra-curricular activities in the event of a school closure. We are continuing to develop distance learning opportunities and will have more information to share over the next several days.
Health Guidelines Remain the Same
The same simple steps that prevent the spread of ordinary flu viruses work against COVID-19 and other illnesses.
Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. Use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer if soap and water are not available.
Cough into a tissue or your elbow (not your hand). Then throw tissue away and wash hands.
Avoid touching your eyes, nose, or mouth with unwashed hands.
Avoid contact with people who are sick.
Stay home when you are sick.
Keep students home if temperature is above 100.0 F (37.8 C) or they report not feeling well, appear weak or ill.
Consult your healthcare provider if you or your child has special health conditions that put you at increased risk.
Randall Booker, Superintendent PUSD, March 10, 2020
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