Superintendent's Message - October 21, 2020
Dear families,
As you know, we are currently in the middle of a search for our next superintendent. If you haven’t already done so, please take a few minutes right now to take our Community Survey: (survey now closed). By filling out the survey, you’ll help us narrow down the list of qualities our community feels should be taken into consideration as we work to fill this important leadership role for our district.
Please read the other announcements for this week below.
CHANGE TO STUDENT MEALS PROGRAM
Winter is coming, and with it comes cold temperatures and inclement weather. Starting tomorrow, Thursday, October 22, our meals will be served a little differently, depending on the weather. On days with low temperatures or inclement weather, our meal pick-up may take place from inside the school to help protect our Child Nutrition employees and keep them healthy throughout the winter season.
When you arrive to pick up your student meals, look for a sign or directions leading you to the area of the school where meals will be available. Exact pickup locations will vary by school. At some locations, drive-thru pick-up may still be an option. The meals will typically be available at a door near the school cafeteria. Please avoid going to your school’s main entrance or to the front office.
Thank you for your patience and understanding as we make this change. Our student meals will continue with our “Lunch Today, Breakfast Tomorrow” style, where students receive a sack lunch to be eaten that day and a sack breakfast, which can be refrigerated and eaten the next day. They will be available each weekday to children ages 0-18.
BOARD MEETING NEXT TUESDAY
Next Tuesday, our Board of Education will meet to hear more information from Dr. Adam Hersh, Pediatric Infectious Disease expert with Primary Children’s Hospital. Dr. Hersh spoke at last night’s Board meeting and shared information about the Utah Health and Economic Recovery Outreach (HERO) project. This project can help provide COVID-19 testing opportunities to our schools that may allow us to bring students back to the classroom sooner than expected. The meeting will be live-streamed on our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/slcschools.
FREE FLU SHOT CLINIC
There are many reasons to get the influenza (flu) vaccine each year, but this year, getting a flu shot is more important than ever. Taking measures to protect ourselves against the flu will help make sure we don’t overwhelm our healthcare systems if they are treating patients with the flu in addition to treating patients with COVID-19.
The Westside Coalition is offering a free, dive-thru flu shot clinic for community members. The clinic will be held on Saturday, November 7, 2020, at the Mestizo Coffeehouse (631 W. North Temple). The vaccines will be available from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
INTERNET ACCESS
Internet access is essential for remote learning, and we realize some families in our district may not have the ability to afford adequate Internet access. To help solve this problem, the Salt Lake Education Foundation has partnered with Comcast to provide broadband Internet service at no cost to families in need. We also have a limited number of Internet hotspots that can be loaned out to families.
If your family needs help, please contact your school’s principal, and they will refer you to the proper district contact.
Sincerely,
Larry Madden
Interim Superintendent
Salt Lake City School District