Glendale schools adjust plans after 2 coronavirus cases are confirmed in the city
Glendale Unified School District and Glendale Community College school officials updated their coronavirus outbreak plans after two cases were confirmed in Glendale Monday.
Last week the Glendale Unified Board of Education agreed to close schools for students from March 16 to April 3 but remain open for employees to return on March 23.
“Based on [new] information, we have made a decision to allow employees whose responsibilities are conducive to working from home, to do so until April 3,” stated Glendale Unified Supt. Vivian Ekchian in an email sent to employees Monday.
Teachers will work remotely using online platforms such as email, Google Classroom and Blackboard to communicate with students and families. The district plans to implement a remote learning model starting March 30.
Management and classified employees, which include information technology, maintenance, nutrition and other office workers, are waiting for more information to be released. The district is working with Glendale Schools Management Assn., California School Employees Assn. and the state government to determine school guidelines and tasks that must be performed on-site during the closure.
All employees who are 65 and over or have pre-existing conditions putting them at high risk for the novel coronavirus are excused to work from home, according to Ekchian’s email.
On Monday, Ekchian confirmed an employee at Clark Magnet High School self-reported that they are quarantined at home due to possible exposure to the coronavirus within the last week. The district notified the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health, the Los Angeles County Office of Education and the city of Glendale.
“Please remember that this is not a confirmed case of COVID-19. We take our responsibility to report even possible exposure to our community very seriously,” wrote Clark Magnet principal Lena Kortoshian in a Tuesday message to students, families and staff.
Kortoshian stated she couldn’t disclose specific details to protect employee confidentiality but will notify the Glendale Unified community if there are confirmed cases or other potential exposures tied to the school.
Glendale Community College also responded to the quickly unfolding scenario by switching from a partial to a full campus closure from March 16 to March 21. All classes taught at the Verdugo and Garfield campuses will be moved to be completely virtual starting March 23.
Student workers are not expected to report to on-campus offices but will be paid through the end of the semester. Child development centers are closed. College-related travel and all on-campus events are canceled, including sports games and performances.
The campus will remain open with limited services to the public.
“For those employees, students and public members who do come on our campuses, I assure you that college personnel will continue efforts to ensure a clean and healthy environment,” stated Supt./President David Viar in an announcement made Monday.
The food pantry is expected to be open on both college campuses for an hour-and-a-half window on alternating days. The library will not be open to the public, but students in need of digital devices and Wi-Fi can schedule appointments with the Verdugo Campus library to check out computers. Academic counseling is available online, and the Center for Students with Disabilities is open to calls for students who need learning accommodations.
For more information, visit Glendale Unified’s gusd.net/fluinfo or Glendale Community College’s glendale.edu/COVID19.
