Tag Archives: Pandemic

Schools Honored For Outreach Efforts During Pandemic

Kelli Gile

Diamond Bar – C.J. Morris, Castle Rock, Evergreen, Maple Hill, Quail Summit, and Vejar Elementary Schools earned the 2020 California PBIS Community Cares Award for outstanding support to students, families, and communities during COVID-19 stay-at-home orders.

Maple Hill Elementary staff sent students “Making Lemonade Out Of Lemons” video.

Maple Hill Elementary produced several outreach videos featuring the “Making Lemonade Out of Lemons” school closure theme.

“We wanted to support our families with weekly messages of encouragement, read-a-louds, and suggested activities to promote social and emotional wellness,” said Principal Kelly Morris.

In one video, staff members suggested fun stay-at-home “opportunities” including exploring nature, dancing, playing board games, learning family traditions, and even having a backyard picnic.

“Let’s seize the day – better yet squeeze the day!” Morris exclaimed.

Evergreen Elementary 5th graders penned caring letters to seniors living in quarantine.

Evergreen Elementary fifth grade students wrote letters to assisted living facility residents during the first weeks of quarantine.

“Hopefully you’ll get to see your friends and family soon,” offered one caring 10-year-old who said she was keeping busy reading Harry Potter books, playing with sisters, and watching TikTok videos.

“I understand that you might not be happy and you can’t travel or eat at your favorite restaurants,” said 11-year-old Kyra Chen.

“You should always stay positive and try to have a good time!”

“The seniors loved receiving the letters and some wrote the children back!” said Principal Trina Dreyer.

Challenge Accepted! Vejar Elementary families stay connected during distance learning by sharing online photos.

Vejar Elementary hosted online weekly spirit challenges, family activities, and sent daily text messages.

Families stayed connected while posting first day of school photos in a shared Google folder for the August 10 challenge.

“We are working to make sure we continue to recognize the positive moments from our students and celebrate them during distance learning,” said Principal Whitney Prenger.

This school year will include virtual student shout-outs, birthday celebrations, Bitmoji postcards, and monthly assemblies recognizing Valuable Vejar Vaqueros for demonstrating respect, responsibility, and safety.

“We also look forward to providing virtual classroom visits and school tour footage to get our students acquainted and excited to return as soon as it is safe to do so!” Prenger said.

C.J. Morris Elementary staff members distribute supplies for distance learning.

C.J. Morris Elementary staff members rallied together to provide supplies to students and families to support distance learning.

“We strive to be global citizens while implementing PBIS in conjunction with our IB Attributes,” said Principal Fayroze Mostafa.

“It truly takes a village!”

Quail Summit Elementary shared daily wellness activities and strategies to help students handle the stress of living in quarantine.

“Schools really need to think outside the box, now more than ever, when it comes to COVID-19,” said Principal Frances Weissenberger.

Castle Rock Elementary delivered messages of community, kindness, and
empathy during pandemic.

Castle Rock Elementary concentrated efforts on maintaining the sense of community built throughout the year.

“Students and staff alike were mourning the loss of one another and the connectedness we shared,” explained Principal Jen Alcazar.

“We focused on helping all our Knights demonstrate perseverance and grit while at the same time building faith that things would eventually return to normal.”

The school posted messages of hope and inspiration on social media platforms using photos, videos, and student highlights.

Homebound students were also challenged to reach out to others who might be struggling.

“They responded with love, compassion, and action doing what they could to uplift one another and by sending messages to essential workers,” Alcazar added.

Pandemic Updates for Eastvale

Staff Reports

Eastvale – The City of Eastvale has provided several updates over the last few weeks regarding face masks, businesses reopening, new testing sites available and parks reopening in the City of Eastvale.

On May 9, the City of Eastvale announced on their Facebook page that the “Riverside County Board of Supervisors voted 5-0 to direct the rescission of most local health orders to align with the Governor’s state-wide stay-at-home order.” Therefore, the City announced that starting May 9, face coverings and six feet of social distancing will no longer be required when outside the home in Eastvale. However, residents and businesses are strongly encouraged to do so when practical.

Photo courtesy: covid19.ca.gov
The City of Eastvale announced they are moving into Stage 2 of modifying the
stay-at-home order.

On May 8, The City also announced that they will now be moving into phase 2 of modifying the stay-at-home order, as announced by the State of California. They stated that retail, with curbside pickup, and associated supply chains can reopen with modifications that follow new State guidelines that can be found at https://covid19.ca.gov. As of Friday, May 8, businesses have started to re-open with modifications including some with curbside pickup for the following businesses: clothing stores, florists, bookstores, sporting goods stores, manufacturing, and warehouses. For a list of the types of businesses available for curb-side delivery and pick up, visit: https://covid19.ca.gov/roadmap/.

On May 7, Supervisor Karen Spiegel shared a post stating that “County health officials have also expanded the county’s coronavirus testing capability – more than 2,200 daily tests at four sites – to help determine the extent of the illness spread.” Additional testing from a state vendor at eight locations will increase the county’s total testing capacity to more than 3,200 per day, Spiegel said in her post. Expanded testing is one of the criteria that state will use to decide to how to ease restrictions on business.

As of May 5, eight new locations were opened in Riverside County for COVID-19 testing. The eight locations are expected to test an additional 1,000 people per day, according to the Riverside University Health System. Riverside County residents who want to be tested for coronavirus will be able to choose among eight new testing sites being offered by state health officials. The City of Eastvale posted that the closest testing site to Eastvale will be in the City of Norco.

The locations, which are spread throughout the county, are in addition to the four drive-up testing sites – Perris, Indio, Riverside and Lake Elsinore – that are operated by Riverside County Health Officials.

Appointments can be made online by going to https://lhi.care/covidtesting or those without internet access can call 888-634-1123. Testing is available for everyone, regardless of insurance or immigration status, and is no cost to the resident, according to the Riverside University Health System.

Also announced on May 5, the City of Eastvale stated that they are extending the temporary suspension of enforcement of street sweeping violations through Friday, May 29, 2020 (with the date being subject to change). “This is designed to help our residents and our City get through this unique time together as more people will be at home during the next few weeks,” according to the City.

Please note that the City will continue to enforce violations that pose a risk to public safety and health. Those include parking in front of fire hydrants, along red curbs and in disabled/handicap stalls without a placard. “We ask that you do your part and park responsibly, be courteous to others and be mindful of public safety,” stated their Facebook post.

Lastly, on May 2, the City announced their alignment with the State of California update that the usage of park facilities may be allowed for additional recreational activities, as long as users of the facilities maintain a safe physical distance of six feet and wear face masks. Therefore, JCSD reopened the following park facilities: Outdoor Basketball courts, Outdoor Volleyball courts, Athletic Field space, Dog Parks, and Skate Parks.

All organized/team sports activities and special events are still prohibited. JCSD clarified that it’s okay to go outside to go for a walk, to exercise, and participate in healthy activities as long as you maintain a safe physical distance of six feet and gather only with members of your household. The restrooms, playgrounds and splash pads will remain closed until further notice from the State of California.