School District Adjusts to Distance Learning

Good Evening Monrovia Community,

On this first day of student dismissal, I wanted to share with you that all staff members were working tirelessly to develop instructional material for your children. As every day seems to bring us new information and guidelines from the county, state, and federal government, all staff members focused on ensuring that students had the resources they need today. For that reason, the Chromebook distribution became one of today’s top priorities.

Below is some specific information that may be of assistance:

• WiFi: Both Spectrum and Giggle Fiber are offering free internet service for 60 days to households with K-12 and/or college students who do not already have a Spectrum broadband or Giggle Fiber subscription at any service level up to 100 Mbps. Click HERE for more information.
• Instruction: Instructional materials should either have been distributed via hard copy or available through the online platform recommended by classroom teachers. We encourage you to follow a consistent daily schedule for studies. Please visit our website for more information regarding the instructional platform and updated information regarding COVID-19.
• Meals: We are continuing to provide meals to our students. Click HERE for more information.
• Vigilance at home: Please encourage your children to continue practicing good respiratory etiquette, including avoiding large gatherings, covering coughs and sneezes, and regular handwashing for 20 seconds with soap and water.
• Facilities: We are using this break as an opportunity to conduct extensive, deep cleaning of all our facilities, including each school. When students return to school, facilities will be completely disinfected and ready for instruction.Additionally, the Foothill Unity Center has assured us that its services are available to all families.

Once again, we know this dismissal poses significant challenges for all members of our community. Please know that we are doing our utmost to minimize its impact. We appreciate your many offers of support to address this unprecedented challenge together.

Sincerely,
Dr. Katherine Thorossian
Superintendent

Spectrum and Giggle Fiber Offer Free Internet Service for Students

Both Spectrum and Giggle Fiber are offering free internet service for 60 days to households with K-12 and/or college students who do not already have a Spectrum broadband or Giggle Fiber subscription. https://is.gd/aM5Be3

- Brad Haugaard

City May Ban Coronavirus Evictions; Access to City Hall Being Limited; Canyon Park, Hillside Preserve Reopening

In his latest report (https://goo.gl/aOqX7O) City Manager Dylan Feik reports:

~ The city will consider these measures, lasting until April 30:

• Banning landlord evictions for reasons related to COVID-19
• Waiving late payment penalties for unpaid water bills
• Waiving water shutoffs
• Waiving parking citations (except for parking that's hazardous to the public)

~ Beginning on Wednesday, March 18, the city will begin limiting public access to city hall, police station, fire station and public works administration building. Feik said this is to "ensure employees are safe, remain a safe distance from those who are ill, and ensure we can continue providing public services throughout the duration of this emergency and beyond."

~ The city will reopen Canyon Park and the Hillside Wilderness Preserve tomorrow, March 17 to "provide much needed mental and physical wellness benefits to Monrovians."

- Brad Haugaard

County Orders Bars, Clubs, Theaters, Entertainment and Fitness Centers to be Closed

To prevent further spread of COVID-19, Supervisor Kathryn Barger, Chair of the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors, announced additional precautions on Monday for all cities and unincorporated communities throughout Los Angeles County.

All bars, clubs, theaters, entertainment centers, and fitness centers are ordered to be closed until further notice. Restaurants will be permitted to serve take out or delivery food only and grocery stores may remain open.

Gatherings of more than 50 people are strongly discouraged, in accordance with directions from the Centers for Disease Control.

“This is a constantly-evolving issue and we appreciate everyone doing their part to help stem the further spread of the virus,” Supervisor Kathryn Barger said. “We’re moving into the next phase of preventative measures and do not make these decisions lightly.”

Closures will have an impact on thousands of employees, employers, and businesses. Supervisor Barger plans to work on eviction relief for any individuals who may be impacted by closures and restrictions of public gatherings. This may include a moratorium on evictions for residential tenants and small businesses in unincorporated areas of the County until further direction from the state and federal governments on available funding.

The County plans to assist small businesses in applying for loans through the U.S. Small Business Administration. Los Angeles County would like to work with utility and service providers to waive late fees and forgo service disconnections for tenants and small businesses who have been impacted. Additionally, the County will consider collaborating with banks and mortgage lenders to waive late fees, forgo notices of default and delay other actions to foreclose on property.

“This is a dynamic issue that has an impact on each one of us – personally, professionally, and economically,” Supervisor Barger said. “By working together and heeding the advice of our public health professionals, we will get through this.”

To serve those in need, L.A. County is examining options for additional assistance, such as food through the Cal-Fresh program and other support measures.

For those who need medical attention, Los Angeles County is working in collaboration with health care partners to provide essential medical services through telemedicine.

Essential County employees, including first responders and health care workers, will continue to serve the community. All Los Angeles County buildings are closed to the public and all non-essential meetings and events have been canceled.

Source: Kathryn Bargar press release: https://is.gd/oP8Bwe

- Brad Haugaard

Local Water District Says Water Is Fine

Tap water is just fine. That's the message from the Upper San Gabriel Valley Municipal Water District, which serves Monrovia. An announcement from the district says:

"Please know the facts about your local water supply. Our local water supply is one of the safest in the country due to the high water quality standards imposed by the federal Safe Drinking Water Act. Trust the Tap and know that your local water agencies are working hard to protect and ensure a sustainable supply for our region."

- Brad Haugaard

Supporting Local Restaurants

Ikonicks sent me this notice and the message, “Please, we are totally empty.”

I suspect many Monrovia restaurants face the same problems. And many offer food to go or food delivery. 

- Brad Haugaard 

Monrovia YMCA Closed Starting Today

The Santa Anita Family YMCA has announced that effective today, Monday, March 16, its entire fitness, pool, locker rooms, gymnasium facilities, and youth programs center will be "SHUT DOWN / CLOSED" through at least March 31, 2020.

- Brad Haugaard

Vons Looks Semi-Normal

With the exception of being cleaned out of paper towels, Vons looks pretty normal at about 4 p.m. today. I saw it when it opened at 7 a.m. and there was a crowd, Hopefully things are getting back to normal.

- Brad Haugaard 

Monrovia Schools Still Serving Meals

School Board member Rob Hammond reports that though Monrovia schools are closed for classes, they will still be preparing meals for students who usually get them. Available from the school closest to the student's home. Schedule:

• Breakfast  8-9 a.m.
• Lunch noon to 1 p.m.

- Brad Haugaard

New Owners at Mooncat Restaurant

Mooncat restaurant changes ownership. (Thanks to Kelly Moran.)

- Brad Haugaard

'Local Emergency' Proclamation; City Finances; Should City Join Housing-for-Homeless Project?

At its next meeting (agenda: https://is.gd/OLupsm) the Monrovia City Council will ...

~ Consider ratifying the City Manager's proclamation of a local emergency "due to conditions of extreme peril to the health and safety of persons and property have arisen within the City as a result of the spread of the 2019 Novel Coronavirus." https://is.gd/cRAdpn

~ Receive an "unqualified opinion on the city's financial statements" from Lance Soll & Lunghard, LLP, Certified Public Accountants. (Unqualified is good, by the way.) "This means the financial information presented in the City's accounting records and financial statements is accurately presented and free from material misstatement." https://is.gd/lPpkwD

~ Receive a mid-year budget update with proposed adjustments based on the city's current financial situation. https://is.gd/MUbT5n

~ Consider joining the San Gabriel Valley Council of Government Regional Housing Trust Joint Powers Authority, a consortium of local governments "being created to increase the availability of funding for the planning and construction of housing projects for the homeless and extremely low, very low, and low-income populations within the San Gabriel Valley. It will be able to receive public and private financing and funds and will also be able to authorize and issue bonds." https://is.gd/aP2XMB

NOTE: To participate in the meeting from home (recommended in this day of coronavirus) tune in on KGEM (Spectrum Channel 99 or Giggle Fiber
Channel 87-2), or  online at www.foothillsmedia.org/monrovia

- Brad Haugaard

Evensong Canceled at St. Luke's Episcopal Church

Because of the coronavirus threat, St. Luke’s Episcopal Church in Monrovia has canceled its 13th Annual Women’s Evensong Invitational on Sunday afternoon, March 15.

- Brad Haugaard

Lunch at Domenico’s

Lunch at Domenico’s, on the south side of Huntington just east of  Magnolia. Got the Soup and Salad Combo off the lunch menu for $8.99, plus I upgraded the salad to an antipasto for $2.95.  That and an iced tea for $2.95  Lots of meatballs in the minestrone. Very nice on a rainy day.

I’ve seen the following elsewhere but this is the first time in Monrovia: “We are a proud supporter of CA Living Wage Initiative; as a result a CA mandate surcharge is added to all guest checks.” The charge was $.96. 

- Brad Haugaard 

School's Out in Monrovia for Next Two Weeks

Blogger Carmen Martinez has posted an image of a letter signed by School Superintendent Dr. Katherine Thorossian, saying that "we will be dismissing students from school at the end of the day today and for the next two weeks. This dismissal will also allow our staff members to better prepare comprehensive plans for remote learning should the need arise for extended school closures."

- Brad Haugaard

Coronavirus: Monrovia May Extend Spring Break - Longer School Year; Large Gatherings Cancelled; No Spectators at Sports Events; Trips Postponed; Etc.

Dear Monrovia Unified School District Community,

The situation regarding COVID-19 continues to be dynamic and the Monrovia Unified Board of Education will be convening in an emergency meeting today to determine the best next steps in addressing this pandemic. An update regarding any decisions made by the Board will be distributed following the meeting.

As of today, no individuals within the Monrovia Unified School District (MUSD) have tested positive for COVID-19; however, there are two or more community transmission cases in Los Angeles County. Based upon recommendations from the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health, MUSD is now following social distancing protocols at all schools.

Following are some questions and answers that may help you as we navigate the next few days:

How will spring break be impacted by coronavirus?
MUSD is considering extending spring break in an effort to help mitigate virus spread. As a public school system, many legal, financial, employee and community implications must be considered before the District is in a position to adjust the school calendar, and you will be notified immediately about any changes that will be made. This extension may result in adding instructional days to end of the school year as required by the State of California. We are mindful that this plan may be disruptive, but the safety of students, staff, and the community is our number one priority.


What if someone at MUSD is exposed to coronavirus?
MUSD will be vigilant about investigating any reported cases. Should a confirmed case of Coronavirus exist within MUSD, we will work in consultation with Los Angeles County Public Health to take the necessary next steps. This situation will be handled on a case-by-case basis.

If I decide not to send my student to school or come to MUSD will absences be excused?
We understand community concern about student health and safety. Some families have asked about keeping their own child home based on the fear of contracting COVID-19 at school. However, per Education Code at this time, we are unable to mark an absence excused for this reason. Our normal protocol remains in place. Any absence due to quarantine or illness will be excused.

How is MUSD handling large gatherings at schools?
MUSD is postponing or canceling all public events that bring large groups of students, adults, and community members together. Alternate approaches to these events, which limit close contact, may include conducting assemblies via intercom announcements or conducting events online.

What is going on with sporting events?
MUSD is following social distancing measures for all public events. We will neither be participating in nor hosting any tournaments. Athletic events will be played, but no spectators – adults or students - will be allowed at the events. This includes outdoor events. The Rio Hondo League schools have agreed that all athletic events will be closed to spectators, but this directive may change at any moment.

Are all school trips canceled?
MUSD is postponing or canceling all District-sponsored, out-of-state travel scheduled through the last day of school, June 3, 2020. All field trips will be postponed through the April 6, 2020 and reassessed on a month to month basis.

Are outside groups still allowed to use MUSD facilities?
MUSD will work with community organizations that use our facilities after hours to determine if these events will proceed.

Will the Village Extended Day Program be canceled?
The Village Extended Day Program is a division of MUSD and will follow the recommendations made by administration and the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health.

What happens if schools close?
MUSD is working to develop a reinforcement of learning plan for all grade levels. More information will be provided if faced with school closure.

How should I talk to children about coronavirus?
Keeping calm and reducing fear is essential when talking with children about Coronavirus. Useful tips may be found in the following article: http://bit.ly/2Iun5aS

Where should I check for information about coronavirus?
Please use only official government agency outlets to obtain information, for example:
Los Angeles County Department of Public Health
Los Angeles County Office of Education
California Department of Public Health
California Department of Education
U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)

Source: Monrovia Schools press release

- Brad Haugaard

Coronavirus Forces Rescheduling of Concert

San Gabriel Valley Choral Company is rescheduling its March 21, 2020 concert, "A Night at the Opera," which was to be held at St. Luke's Episcopal Church in Monrovia. The new date will be June 6, "public health guidance permitting."

A press release says the opera company "will be in contact with those who have purchased tickets online to arrange for a refund or future concert ticket credit."

- Brad Haugaard

School Board Emergency Closed Meeting Regarding 'Threat to Public Services or Facilities'

The Monrovia School Board will hold an emergency closed session meeting tonight regarding a "Threat to Public Services or Facilities - Consultation with Dr. Katherine Thorossian, Agency Representative and Security Operations  Manager/Superintendent." https://is.gd/L9a7f7

[Though not announced, a good guess is that this relates to the coronavirus threat.]

- Brad Haugaard

Coronavirus: Citrus College Switching to Online-Only Classes

Because of the coronavirus, Citrus College, which serves Monrovia, has cancelled all classes through Tuesday, then will resume online-only classes until at least April 6. https://is.gd/1fSQfi

- Brad Haugaard

Coronavirus: Monrovia Closes Community Center, Library, Non-Essential City Facilities

Beginning Friday, March 13, the City of Monrovia will temporarily close certain public facilities to reduce the risk and potential exposure to COVID-19, or the coronavirus disease, under guidance received by local, state and federal officials. The certain public facilities will be closed until Tuesday, March 31, which may extend further if deemed necessary.

City facilities which will be temporarily closed include:

• Monrovia Community Center
• Monrovia Public Library 
• Monrovia Canyon Park
• Hillside Wilderness Preserve 

As a result of these temporary closures, the following programs and services will be suspended:

• All recreation programs including classes, activities and youth sports
• All senior programs and social club meetings
• All programs and events at the Monrovia Public Library 
• Private facility rentals 
• Passport services
• Monrovia Street Fair and Market 

Please note that those who have paid for classes, programs and/or facility rentals will be fully refunded.

The City will also postpone Board and Commission meetings until at least March 31. The City Council will meet at its regular meeting on Tuesday, March 17, and staff is currently researching practices for providing open and transparent public meetings utilizing technologies for teleconferencing.

Monrovia Canyon Park and the Hillside Wilderness Preserve will also be closed to the public beginning Friday, March 13, through Tuesday, March 31. All other parks in Monrovia will remain open for public use; however, the City highly discourages any large gatherings such as birthday parties and sports practices. Restrooms at the parks will remain open and will continue to be cleaned and sanitized daily.

Monrovia City Hall, Police, Fire, and the Public Works Yard will continue to operate in a “business as usual” context although we have made small enhancements/changes to some of our operations to address COVID-19. As the situation unfolds, we will continue to assess advisories from our local, state and federal officials to determine if any further closures are needed.

Source: https://is.gd/nY9Zor

- Brad Haugaard

Coronavirus Threat Prompts Large Monrovia Church - and Others - to Switch Services to Online

In light of coronavirus "updates from governmental organizations, health organizations, local schools, and large churches throughout LA," Monrovia's Fellowship Church, which meets at the Monrovia High Auditorium and is one of the largest churches in the San Gabriel Valley, is switching all its weekend services online "for the remainder of March."

In an email to the congregation, the church adds that it "will be cancelling all in-person mid-week gatherings, events, and programming at all of our locations until further notice," though church offices and the counseling department will remain open.

The weekend services will be online  Saturday at 5 p.m. or on Sunday at 9 and 11 a.m. on madeforfellowship.com, Facebook, the Fellowship App, or through the church's Apple TV and Roku apps.

The church also asked for prayer for those who have lost loved ones, for the recovery of those infected, that enough test kits will be available, and for wisdom for those working to find a vaccine and for those entrusted with decision-making authority.

Fellowship Church is one of several large Los Angeles-area churches to cancel in-person services. Others include Lake Avenue Church in Pasadena, Christian Assembly, La Cañada Presbyterian, and Reality LA.

UPDATE: Monrovia's Hope Unlimited Church has also decided to switch to all-online services "for at least the next 3 Sundays."

UPDATE 2: Calvary Chapel Monrovia reports that it plans "to act prayerfully and appropriately as we monitor local, state, and federal governments and health agencies." It says it is stepping up cleaning and sanitizing and "if a confirmed infection were to occur in our immediate area, we are prepared to implement additional measures."

- Brad Haugaard