Friday, March 27, 2020

OTAN COVID-19 Field Support

COVID-19 Field Support

The Outreach and Technical Assistance Network (OTAN), the California Adult Literacy Professional Development Project (CALPRO), and Comprehensive Adult Student Assessment Systems (CASAS) are the three state leadership projects that support the California adult education field.

The three links below have a lot of information that you should look at and possibly use in your classes.

OTAN

OTAN Resource Guide: Resources to Continue Teaching and Learning
Planning the transition to online: Planning to Continue Teaching and Learning
Resources covid-19-field-support

San Juan Unified extends school closures through May 1

Special Edition of Behind the Scenes: March 27, 2020

San Juan Unified extends school closures through May 1
With the guidance of health officials and in coordination with other local school districts, San Juan Unified has made the decision to extend campus closures through May 1.

While our original goal was to re-open schools after spring break on April 13, it has become clear that the best way to help stop the spread of COVID-19 in our community is to extend our campus closures and transition to distance learning.

With the county shelter-in-place order still in effect, only employees who have been directly contacted by their supervisors should continue to report to work. Those who can work from home will continue to do so and all employees will continue to receive their pay and benefits for the duration of the closure. Our efforts to support learners through the distribution of technology and meal service programs will continue.

It is our hope that schools and programs will be able to resume some level of operation in May and that we will be able to close the year together with graduations and celebrations of our students’, staff members’ and community members’ many achievements. Until that time arrives, we must continue to provide educational services for all of our learners.

The plan is to shift to distance learning once we return from spring break. It is our intent to share additional details and timelines regarding implementation with our site leaders and practitioners this afternoon.

We know you may have a lot of questions about all of this, including specific questions around when we will all be back to our normal work routines. We will continue to keep you updated as soon as we have answers to share.

FBI Fraud Alert - Be Aware of Corona Virus Stimulus Scams

I wanted to share this timely reminder from Trudy Mazer, a local RN, who does CMA training and is a trustworthy source. She points out that there is another threat these days...scammers who will prey on the fears and vulnerabilities of the desperate. Please send her message to your departments, so that our teachers can be alert to any rumors of 'cures' or scams designed to separate people from their money.

Thank you,

Lynn Bartlett

FBI Warns of Corona Virus & Stimulus Scams

The FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) issued an alert warning of coronavirus-related phishing attacks, particularly surrounding economic stimulus checks. The news that the US government is likely to send upwards of $1,000 to most Americans has created a golden opportunity for scammers, especially since the delivery method for the cash is still uncertain.

Look out for phishing emails asking you to verify your personal information in order to receive an economic stimulus check from the government.
While talk of economic stimulus checks has been in the news cycle, government agencies are not sending unsolicited emails seeking your private information in order to send you money.
The FBI cautions people to watch out for offers of counterfeit medical products, including fake vaccines and testing kits.
Be cautious of anyone selling products that claim to prevent, treat, diagnose, or cure COVID-19.
Be alert to counterfeit products such as sanitizing products and Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), including N95 respirator masks, goggles, full face shields, protective gowns, and gloves.

Coronavirus-related fraud has skyrocketed, and we've covered many examples of it in the past few weeks. The FBI says to be wary of this trend when you seek information about the topic online.

"Scammers are leveraging the COVID-19 pandemic to steal your money, your personal information, or both," the statement says. "Protect yourself and do your research before clicking on links purporting to provide information on the virus; donating to a charity online or through social media; contributing to a crowdfunding campaign; purchasing products online; or giving up your personal information in order to receive money or other benefits."

Users can avoid falling for these scams by sticking to some basic best practices, such as being wary of email links and attachments, and not providing personal or financial data in response to unsolicited emails or phone calls. Being aware of current trends in phishing attacks can increase your chances of recognizing these scams, since you'll be on high alert whenever you see a coronavirus-related email.

Wishing you good health,

Trudy Mazer

Thursday, March 26, 2020

Updated info for Sacramento Food Bank & Family Services

Link to updated info for SFBFS:

https://www.sacramentofoodbank.org/response-to-covid-19

For additional food resources, please visit our Food Finder to find food distributions near you OR call (916) 456-1980 8am-4pm M-F for assistance (se habla espanol).

It is important that you do not refer individuals to physically come to either SFBFS campus as we do not serve food at either location. The online Food Finder is updated in real-time as we learn of partner agency closures. Please do not create community lists from this information as it is changing daily. Visiting the site or calling is always best, staff answer calls and can tell callers the nearest distribution that is open that day.

For community members who are unable to physically attend a food distribution, they can designate someone to pick up food for them at any of our TEFAP distribution locations (listed on the Food Finder as USDA). For these distributions, clients unable to attend in person, can fill out an Alternate Pick up Form that they will send with the individual picking up on their behalf.

Genevieve Levy

Director of Family Services

Sacramento Food Bank & Family Services

We could help students remotely to fill out the Census 2020

Subject: We could help students remotely to fill out the census

THE CENSUS LETTERS ARE ARRIVING. WE COULD ENCOURAGE STUDENTS TO FILL OUT THE CENSUS. IT IS SOMETHING THEY CAN DO TO HELP US ALL GET THOUGH THIS CRISIS. ALL CALIFORNIANS' PARTICIPATION IS VITAL TO THE STATE'S FUTURE.

WHAT DO YOU ALL THINK ABOUT IT????

LYNN B

FROM THE SACRAMENTO BEE:

WASHINGTON The U.S. Census Bureau suspended all employee field operations on Wednesday because of the coronavirus outbreak, raising concerns that the once-a-decade could be delayed.

The decision came only one week after Census documents were just delivered to households, and it means workers will halt person-to-person efforts to ensure that residents participate in the count that determines political representation in Congress and guides federal spending.

“Beginning today, in support of guidance on what we can all do to help slow the spread of coronavirus, 2020 Census field operations will be suspended for two weeks until April 1, 2020,” U.S. Census Bureau Director Steven Dillingham said in an announcement.

“The Census Bureau is taking this step to help protect the health and safety of the American public, Census Bureau employees, and everyone going through the hiring process for temporary census taker positions,” he said.

It couldn’t come at a worse time, said David Lee, Vice Chair of the Census Information Centers Steering Committee, who is based in California.

Lee said his organization is “very concerned” that the coronavirus will mean the Census Bureau will not able to deliver accurate results to the federal government on time.

The results are due to the president in December 2020, and timing is important so congressional districts can be redrawn in time for the next election.

“I asked on the call what would happen if we couldn’t get it by then,” Lee said, referencing a call with employees that happened Tuesday. “They don’t know. Nobody knows.”

Lee said he could not see the U.S. Census Bureau delivering Census results without an in-person effort to reach certain populations, such as immigrants and lower-income households.

Events meant to promote filling out the Census have all been indefinitely postponed. The Census Bureau is working with colleges and universities on how to count students with them not at school.

The Census is available for people to fill out online, by phone or by mail, but there are many populations such as those without internet access or who have language or literacy issues who Census employees need to reach out to in person. Lee said they were supposed to start going to households in April, but that’s now become an unknown with the coronavirus.

A spokesman for the Census Bureau did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Dillingham said 11 million people had responded so far to the letter the Census Bureau mailed earlier this month.

Lynn Bartlett

Principal
Adult Education
San Juan Unified School District
(916) 971-7967

lbartlett@sanjuan.edu

Scholastic is here for you! Forwarded from Lynn Bartlett

We want you to know that Scholastic is here for you, your teachers, and of course, your students and their families.

Regardless of your virtual learning plans, preparing instructional content for weeks away from school can be daunting. To support you, we’ve created the Scholastic Learn at Home website. This free resource provides all students with 20* days’ worth of learning journeys that span the content areas so you can keep your students academically active while your buildings are closed.

The site supports students with approximately three hours of learning opportunities per day, including projects, articles and stories, virtual field trips, reading and geography challenges, and more. These daily learning opportunities were carefully curated by our editors to reduce the burden on teachers and families needing to create meaningful learning experiences.

The Scholastic Learn at Home website has the username or password posted on the first page, so it is open freely to all, on any device. They are designed to limit the need for printing and allow students to learn independently or with their families.

We welcome you to share these free resource with your communities by including in your virtual education plans or including the link on your school and/or district websites.

www.scholastic.com/learnathome - Keeping Kids Reading, Thinking, and Growing

www.scholastic.com/coronavirus - Teaching our World: The Coronavirus

In addition, we are extending our book distribution program to all schools in the nation. The Scholastic F.A.C.E, Family and Community Engagement program provides books at up to a 70% discount, with the requirement the books are sent home with children to build home libraries. The perfect way to supplement your distance learning curriculum and to keep student reading during this challenging time.

Finally, school districts throughout the country have opened food distribution centers to provide “grab and go” breakfasts and lunches during this extremely

challenging time, making it possible to support students’ health and nutrition. As your partner, Scholastic has quality Take Home Book Packs readily available to accompany these meals, or can customize a list of titles to support your district’s literacy priorities. Research, and community surveys, reveal that the majority of our students from lower income neighborhoods have few to no books in their homes, where they find themselves currently isolated. Good books in the hands of our children provide another form of “nutrition”, through literacy development, improved cognition, and reduced anxiety, all of which are essential for every child, and particularly at this moment in time. Scholastic offers thousands of engaging books, across all grade levels, so let’s join together and assist our students with embarking on their own enjoyable reading journey.

Thank you so much for all you do to support students. If there is anything more I can do for you, please do not hesitate to ask.

Your Partner in Education,

Rob Walters

Central Valley Account Executive

Scholastic Education

Cell 559-231-6764

rwalters@scholastic.com

https://scholastic.com/education

Reading is Revolutionary. Read On.

Resources for Students and Teachers from Sacramento County Office of Education

Here are some ideas/information that you may want to share with/assign to your teachers while they are working/teaching from home. Please let me know how I can further support you and your teachers during this time.

Zoom for Online Learning

Sign up for a free Zoom account to conduct online instruction here
Learn Tips & Tricks: Teachers Educating on Zoom here
Attend an Introduction to Live Online Teaching – Register here
Conduct your class(es) through Zoom

OTAN Webinars & Resources

Visit https://otan.us to find webinars related to online teaching for adult educators

Census 2020 (Thank you for sharing this idea, Lynn!)

Reach out to your students to ask if they’ve completed the 2020 Census. Help students over the phone or in the online Zoom meeting room.

Resource: https://www.census.gov/library/video/2020/english-video-guide-complete-2020-census-online.html

Unemployment Insurance (UI)

Reach out to your students to see if they need assistance applying for UI benefits.
Share links to YouTube videos on How to Apply for UI Benefits (File a Claim)- available in Spanish, Cantonese, Mandarin & Vietnamese; See Instructional Videos on YouTube section of this page: https://www.edd.ca.gov/Unemployment/UI_Online.htm
Provide assistance over the phone or in the online Zoom meeting room.

View/Review CASAS Assessment to Instruction Training Materials posted here: https://bit.ly/2vrvBEh

View PPT presentation
Obtain Student Content Standard Summary/Class Performance by Test & Content Standards (SCSS) report PDF from your data manager for each of your classes (if you attended the in-person training on Feb. 6, 2020, you already have this report for one of your classes)
Develop lesson plans that address the content standards your students need to learn – be sure to clearly label the content standard(s) being addressed
Share your lesson plans by posting them here: https://scoenet.sharepoint.com/:f:/g/Departments/CAERC/EpqZmmUQpcBKu3Sy3vEXJP8BqwdtqpuEh7Ubqq3VwrbzEg

Thanks,

Bethany

Bethany Ely

Coordinator, Capital Adult Education Regional Consortium

Sacramento County Office of Education

Free Audible Books

Audible is offering free online books for kids. Share this link with your students.

About Audible, I failed to mention that clicking on this link ( here below as well) opens the library of books. They don’t have to download an app or have an Amazon account. There are also books in German and Italian, and French. You can work on that language you’ve been practicing for your next vacation. 😄

https://stories.audible.com/start-listen

Marisol Richmond

Help with Burlington Student Management- Tad Meyer

I wanted to offer my support with any needs you have with Burlington Student Management. I am here to help if you need to register new students, create classes, usernames, and passwords; modify rosters, remove/restore students, or any other Burlington management. Don't hesitate to reach out; I am here to serve.

Topic: Burlington Core / Teaching with ZOOM

Time: Mar 27, 2020 2:00 PM Pacific Time (US and Canada)

Join Zoom Meeting

https://BurlingtonEnglish.zoom.us/j/5300634565

Meeting ID: 530 063 4565

All my best~ Tad

Mobile phone (text or voice): 916.531.4388

Upcoming OTAN Activities to Support Adult Educators – Week of 3/23

In response to COVID-19 and the closure of schools across the state, OTAN is setting up a number of online webinars and Office Hours for our adult education colleagues who are continuing to teach and support their learners.

Please visit the OTAN website at otan.us frequently as new webinars are continually being added.

OTAN has set up a dedicated COVID-19 Field Support webpage that we are continually updating with relevant information for teachers, students, and administrators: COVID-19 Field Support
We are scheduling a number of open OTAN Office Hours to give teachers a chance to ask more detailed questions and get support on specific tools that teachers are using with students. You can sign up for these OTAN Office Hours at the California Adult Education Training Calendar:
- Wednesday, March 25 from 4:00 to 5:00
- Friday, March 27 from 10:00 to 11:00
On Tuesday, Melinda Holt will present Google Sites – Connect to Students Online. Creating a website with Google allows the adult education teacher thousands of ways to create a repository of resources or archive of class materials, publish event calendar dates, as well as link to other sites or resources. With your Google account, a Google Site will work and blend seamlessly with Google's suite of tools (Docs, Slides, Forms, etc.) for easy sharing, updates, and access. You can sign up for this webinar at the California Adult Education Training Calendar.
On Wednesday, Sudie Whalen will present Increasing Equity in Online Learning. We’ll discuss various aspects of equity in online learning, including accessibility, access, representation, and avoiding algorithm-based bias in online activities. We’ll also discuss the cultural competence continuum and how to transfer cultural competence to your online learning environment. You can sign up for this webinar at the California Adult Education Training Calendar.
On Thursday, Carl Haley will present The CK-12 Learning Platform for Adult Learners. You can sign up for this webinar at the California Adult Education Training Calendar.
On Thursday, CASAS will present Considerations when Implementing Distance Learning. Many schools and colleges are taking a "crash course" in distance learning implementation in response to COVID-19. This session looks at some of the key issues - such as pre- and post-test assessment, determining how to count instructional hours, and recording this activity in TOPSPro Enterprise - that have presented challenges. You can sign up for this webinar at the California Adult Education Training Calendar.
On Friday, Kristi Reyes will present Teaching Vocabulary with Technology. Learn a research–proven six-step process infused with technology to help students not only better learn and retain vocabulary but also move new terminology into their productive vocabulary knowledge. Learn to use select resources appropriate for each step of direct vocabulary instruction. You can sign up for this webinar at the California Adult Education Training Calendar.

Please contact us at support@otan.us or call our office at 916-228-2580 for more information! We are here to support you!

The OTAN Staff

Important: Log Your Hours (Class Assignments) and Who Attended Your "Classes"

Hi All,

Lynn B is asking that all certificated staff log their hours each week.

Here's a spread sheet form for us to use for now. Lynn Starks worked on this form to mirror the form we completed when we worked hourly for SCOE (CAERC). There may be a revised or different form coming in the future.

Please feel free to make copies of it electronically or physically and start documenting your daily activities (for example: communicating with your students, learning how to teach/do lessons/communicate with your students remotely, participating in professional development sessions). Begin this today, March 23, 2020.

We hope to know more about the formal process for properly saving or submitting these soon.