Welcome to POCS
Home of the Timberwolves
Piner-Olivet Charter School is committed to providing high-quality education to our diverse student body. We achieve our goals through a challenging curriculum, quality teachers, and an atmosphere that emphasizes communication and cooperation. Together, these elements create a safe and engaging learning environment in which all students can excel.
School District: Piner-Olivet Union School District CDS Code: 49708706113492
Grades: 7-8 approximately 200 students
Principal: Kirsten Sanft Office Manager: Karen Wofford
707-522-3310 or email kwofford@pousd.org
Illuminate portal access: https://pousd.illuminatehc.com/login
“Education is for improving the lives of others and for leaving
your community and world better than you found it.“ -Marian Wright Edelman
School District: Piner-Olivet Union School District CDS Code: 49708706113492
Grades: 7-8 approximately 200 students
Principal: Kirsten Sanft Office Manager: Karen Wofford
707-522-3310 or email kwofford@pousd.org
Illuminate portal access: https://pousd.illuminatehc.com/login
“Education is for improving the lives of others and for leaving
your community and world better than you found it.“ -Marian Wright Edelman
School News and Happenings
Piner-Olivet Union School District Reopening Update
7/24/20
Dear POUSD school community,
You may have heard that Governor Gavin Newsom provided new state guidance for schools last Friday. This guidance impacts our school district’s plans for the fall. I am writing to share an update on what we know about school reopening based on this guidance. Also, this letter will outline the next steps that we will be taking to prepare for a safe and successful school year. As we near the beginning of the school year, POUSD will provide regular updates. Thank you for your ongoing patience and understanding during these challenging and quickly-changing times. Together, we will provide our children with the best education possible!
Sincerely,
Tina Rasori, Ed.D. Interim Superintendent
New State Guidelines
Beginning in Distance Learning The governor announced on Friday, July 17th that any district whose schools are in a county that is on the state “watch/monitoring” list will not be able to open for in-person learning until they are off that list for 14 days. We know that Sonoma county will be on that list until at least Aug. 2. That means the earliest that we or any Sonoma County district could open for in-person instruction would be August 14. For our school district, the board on July 10th voted to begin classes in virtual learning on Monday, August 17th, 2020.
Learn More
● Following are links to the new guidance documents for schools:
(PLEASE GO TO WWW. POUSD.ORG TO BE ABLE TO CLICK ON THE LINKS)
○ COVID-19 and Reopening In-Person Learning Framework for K-12 Schools in California, 2020-2021 School Year
○ Industry Guidance for Schools & School-based Programs
Our Next Steps
Because we were already preparing for virtual learning, we are well-prepared to respond to the state’s new requirements. POUSD teachers, administrators, and other school staff are preparing a strong virtual learning program to begin on August 17th, 2020. An overview of our virtual learning program is listed below:
● TK/Kindergarten–Grade 12
● 5 Full days per week
● Enrolled in POUSD
● Internet connection required (information and support for access available)
● District device provided, if needed
● Live teacher-led instruction and asynchronous learning daily
● Class meetings, small groups, and 1-to-1 support
● POUSD teachers and curriculum
● Social-emotional support
● Accommodations and support services provided
To learn more about POUSD’s virtual learning program, please visit our updated school district website at pousd.org. The updated website has a new menu tab called Reopening Plan. Once there, you can navigate your way through the following pages:
● Reopening Plan Home Page
● About Virtual Learning
● Virtual Learning FAQs
● Communications
● Community Resources
We will keep you updated with how you can help your child prepare and understand what to expect in the next few weeks. Thank you and please don’t forget to take a moment to check out our new website pages providing information on POUSD’s virtual learning program.
PLEASE GO TO WWW.POUSD.ORG TO BE ABLE TO CLICK ON THE LINKS ABOVE
Piner-Olivet Union School District Reopening Update
7/10/20
Dear POUSD school community,
I am writing to share an update on the efforts to reopen schools at the state, county, and district level. I know that the uncertainty presented by this pandemic is very challenging for parents, students, and staff. The team at POUSD is working hard to get the best and most current information possible to share with you so that you know what to expect in the
fall. Most importantly, today, Friday, July 10th, the Board voted unanimously to begin the school year with 100% virtual learning. The first day of school in the virtual learning model will be on August 17th. More information on this will come and this is one of many updates that you can expect as we prepare for the 2020-21 school year. I want to personally thank you for your patience and understanding.
Sincerely,
Dr. Tina Rasori
Interim Superintendent
State/County Health Guidelines Update
Watchlist
Following a large rise in COVID-19 cases over the weekend, the Sonoma County Health Officer expects that our county may be placed on a watch list with 22 other counties. Being on the watch list would require restrictions for certain types of businesses where people tend to congregate in large numbers. However, based on information from our health department, we do not believe that schools would be impacted by a watch list order. As well, the order only lasts three weeks.
Masks
California has now mandated that masks will be required in indoor settings for all children over age two. This is part of a statewide effort to enforce the importance of wearing masks to help stop the spread of Coronavirus. There will be exemptions for students with medical concerns.
Learn More
● Learn more about Coronavirus in Sonoma County at socoemergency.org.
● Learn more about the Coronavirus situation statewide at covid19.ca.gov.
District Update
● Here is what we know about what school will look like in the fall:
○ Friday, July 10th, the Board voted unanimously to begin the school year with 100% virtual learning.
○ The first day of school in the virtual learning model will be on August 17th, 2020.
○ The last day of school will be June 4th, 2021.
○ Here is the Board approved plan:
■ August 17th-October 2nd: Virtual Learning
■ October 5th-November 20th: Possible Transition to Hybrid Learning or Continue in Virtual Learning
○ The district will be constantly reassessing before moving from virtual learning to a hybrid learning model depending on the health and safety at that time of students, families and staff.
○ We know that the uncertainty and changing information is very challenging for families as they try to plan for the fall and wanted to let you know as soon as possible the plan.
○ We are working to get you answers as quickly as possible about more specifics on virtual learning.
● Here is what our district is working on right now:
○ Outlining how to train teachers in virtual learning
○ Plans on how we are meeting the needs of all of our student populations during virtual learning
○ Starting a committee to determine grade level focus standards
○ District plans for after virtual learning (ie. Hybrid Learning Model)
Sonoma County Office of Education (SCOE) Update
Roadmap to a Safe Reopening - County Guidance for Reopening Schools
● You can view the guidelines that school districts are using to plan for school reopening, Roadmap to a Safe Reopening, at scoe.org/covid.
● SCOE has created a guide for what families can expect when school reopens, based on the “Roadmap to a Safe Reopening” document. View the guide in English or Spanish.
● County Superintendent Steve Herrington hosted a community update on school reopening issues via Facebook Live on Wednesday, July 8, at 12:00pm. It can be viewed in English or Spanish at Facebook.com/SCOESonoma.
● On June 25, SCOE met with the County Health Department to discuss what conditions need to be in place before it would be considered safe for schools to consider reducing the distance between students from six feet to an amount that would accommodate more students. For instance, a four-foot distancing standard allows for larger class sizes that would allow many schools to have children come back five days per week rather than on a hybrid schedule. They agreed to continue with the county’s evidence-based approach by maintaining a six-foot distancing standard at the beginning of the school year. After about a month of school being back in session, the health officer and the county superintendent will reconvene to look at the data and see whether a more permissive student distancing standard is supported by the data. Read the joint letter from SCOE and the health department in English or Spanish.
Incoming 7th graders for the 20-21 school year:
POCS is still taking enrollment applications for the 2020-2021 School year. We usually receive more applications than we have space so don't delay!! Email Mrs. Wofford at kwofford@pousd.org for an enrollment packet.
Already enrolled for 20-21: School starts August 17th!
***ATTENDANCE TIPS FROM THE OFFICE ***
If your child is absent you must call 707-522-3310 or email kwofford@pousd.org with your student’s name, grade level, and the reason for their absence.
Not notifying the office of a valid absence can lead to your child having UNEXCUSED absences, which can lead to truancy.
PARENT CLUB
3rd Tuesday of each month at 6:00 PM
POCS asks that parents attend at least 6 Parent Club meetings during the year and this goes towards your parent hours too! These meetings keep you informed, build relationships with staff and other parents, and give you an opportunity to help decide what the group does.
Avoid the Lost and Found: Label all coats, sweaters, and lunch containers with your child’s first and last name.
School Hours: 8:40–3:10 – Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday
8:40–1:00 – Every Wednesday and minimum days
Our History
We have worked hard to create a challenging, safe, and rewarding environment for our students. Led by dedicated staff and teachers and supported by a long tradition of parental involvement, we’ve been able to achieve our goals of providing superior educational and developmental opportunities for our students, and having a positive impact on the surrounding community.