Superintendent's Newsletter - January 4, 2021
Dear Salt Lake City School District community,
Welcome back! I hope your Winter Break was enjoyable and that you were able to take some time to relax. This week will be a busy one, so I wanted to write a message today and update you on several topics.
BOARD MEETING
The Board of Education will meet tomorrow, Tuesday, January 5. The meeting will be livestreamed on our district YouTube Channel, www.youtube.com/slcschools, and the meeting agenda can be found on our website.
At this week’s Board of Education meeting, we will welcome three new Board members, Joél-Léhi Organista (Precinct 1), Jenny Sika (Precinct 2), and Mohamed Baayd (Precinct 5). All three will take the Oath of Office at the beginning of the Board meeting. Board Member Kristi Swett, who recently won her bid for re-election, will also be sworn into office tomorrow night.
During tomorrow’s meeting, I intend to make a formal proposal to the Board of Education to offer an in-person learning option for middle and high school students. The Board of Education has always expressed a desire to bring our students back into the classroom as soon as we could safely provide that option. Now that we know that COVID-19 vaccinations are coming soon for our educators and frontline school employees, I feel safe in making a recommendation to the Board to offer an in-person learning option for our secondary students after our staff members have the opportunity to be vaccinated.
COVID-19 TESTING FOR EMPLOYEES, STUDENTS, AND COMMUNITY
The district has been working with the Utah Department of Health to establish COVID-19 testing clinics for our students, employees, families, and community. These clinics will be staffed and supplied by the state and can provide testing for anyone who wants or needs a test. Testing teams will consist of Utah Department of Health staff, deployed National Guard members, and TestUtah contracted teams. Anyone can get tested at these free testing clinics, even if they do not have symptoms of COVID-19.
Those who wish to be tested can register online at https://coronavirus.utah.gov/utah-covid-19-testing-locations/. If you can’t register online, you will be able to register at the site. Identification is required. Test results will be emailed to those tested within 30-60 minutes after being tested.
The Department of Health will conduct the testing clinics in the gym at Glendale Middle School on Friday, January 8, 3-7 PM, and Saturday, January 9, 10 AM-2 PM.
MORE COVID-19 TESTING
Salt Lake County has expanded their hours for community testing at the Maverik Center Overflow Lot at 2050 W 3100 S. Testing is now available Monday-Saturday, 10 AM-3 PM. You need to register for testing in advance and can do so online at https://slco.org/health/COVID-19/testing/public-testing/ or by phone at 385-468-4082.
The county is offering rapid antigen testing and PCR testing. People coming for testing will select which type of test they want during the registration process.
SUPERINTENDENT SEARCH
As you may know, the Salt Lake City School District Board of Education is in the process of searching for a new superintendent to lead the school district. The board recognizes that selecting a superintendent is one of its most important functions. In order to be successful in selecting the best individual, the board is interested in gaining input from you – parents, students, and community stakeholders.
We have set up a series of parent and community forums through Zoom so you can share your feedback with us.
Parent Forums
Saturday, January 9, 2021
11:00 AM
Tuesday, January 12, 2021
6:30 PM
Parents should have received an email with links to the parent forums. If you did not receive an email, please contact Molly Schwarzhoff at Ray and Associates. Her email address is Molly@rayassoc.com.
Student Forum
Thursday, January 7, 2021
3 PM
Students should have received an email with a link to the student forum. If they did not receive an email, please contact Molly Schwarzhoff at Ray and Associates. Her email address is Molly@rayassoc.com.
Community Forums
Saturday, January 9, 2021
6:30 PM
Zoom link: https://zoom.us/j/98584945255?pwd=SjJzUUZJU1JucFBra0IxMmF6RUliZz09
Monday, January 11, 2021
6:30 PM
Zoom link: https://zoom.us/j/93100289835?pwd=azZhTFFRLzRDTmNyZ04vQUo2dFBrZz09
If you have questions about these stakeholder forums, please contact Molly Schwarzhoff at Ray and Associates. Her email address is Molly@rayassoc.com.
Sincerely,
Larry Madden
Interim Superintendent
Salt Lake City School District