March 27, 2020

Dear Parents & Guardians,

I want to thank you all for your patience and your understanding during this challenging time to our school community.  The impact of COVID-19 is affecting every aspect of our life and forcing Desert Trails Preparatory Academy to implement creative ways to adapt to the current situation.  Therefore, DTPA will be transitioning to Distance Learning beginning Monday, March 30th  through the duration of the closure.  Our staff has been working around the clock to acquire knowledge and setting systems in place to provide our scholars with lessons online.  Our school website, www.dtpacademy.com, will provide information and support for scholars, teachers, and parents with curriculum and digital resources to support remote learning opportunities.

To access your child’s classroom, please find your child’s teacher on the website and click into their webpage.  Here you will find daily digital lessons and activities for your child to complete.  Parents will have access to their child’s teacher through email and class communication apps such as Dojo/Remind/Bloomz.  Each classroom teacher has established a class account and sent home passwords for parent set up.  If you are in need of this information, please do not hesitate to email your child’s teacher.  Our teachers are still accessible for you.  They are contracted for their normal school schedule, Monday through Thursday 8 am – 4 pm and Friday 8 am – 12 pm.  Once our Distance Learning begins, you can expect contact with your child’s teacher regularly. Teachers will be developing a regular rhythm to their daily routine and schedule so that you, at home, can establish a routine and structure as well to ensure your child is a successfully maintaining their skills and acquiring new knowledge as well. We will keep our school website up to date with links and resources for scholars and parents throughout this time as well. Should your family not have internet access, teachers have created a list supplemental resources that have been mailed to you.

The administration and staff at Desert Trails are very aware and sensitive of the impact this is having on families.  Therefore, we want you to know that the expectation for you and your child is to do your best.   The most important thing is that our scholars are still being exposed to reading, writing, and basic math skills on a regular basis.  Please read with your child daily and let them use their imagination in developing stories and writing journals.  Let them explore math in day to day, real-world situations.  Enjoy science and history films and documentaries and let them share with you what they have learned.   More than anything, keep conversations and dialogue going with your child.

The staff at DTPA misses you all very much.  We are hoping you are staying healthy.

Sincerely,
Debra Tarver, CEO
Tiffany Sutton, Principal

March 19, 2020

COVID-19 Update: School Closure Extended

After much consulting with state, county, and local health and education officials, Desert Trails Preparatory Academy will extend the closure of the school campus Until May 1, 2020.  Desert Trails will regularly evaluate the situation and make adjustments accordingly.

This decision is a result of the national and state emergency caused by the potential spread of the COVID-19 virus.  This closure is supported by the San Bernardino County Public Health Department and the San Bernardino County Superintendent of Schools.

Though our campus will be closed, we are not stopping student learning.  We are now transitioning our campus to Distance Learning.  We ask that parents please engage with our school website daily.  Each of our teachers will have a webpage set-up for you to link into so that you can see your child’s daily assignments and learning plans.  Parents, please also be sure you are connected with your child’s teacher through their classroom form of communication, i.e. Dojo/Remind/Bloomz or through email.

The administration at DTPA will use the school website and One-Call system to keep you updated on a regular basis.  Rest assured that we are working around the clock to ensure that your child in engaged in a strong academic program for the duration of our school calendar.

We hope you are all well.

Sincerely,

Ms. Debbie Tarver, Executive Director

19 de Marzo 2020

Actualización COVID-19: Cierre de escuela

 Después de mucha consulta con funcionarios de salud y educación estatales, del condado y locales, Desert Trails Preparatory Academy extenderá el cierre del campus escolar hasta el 1 de mayo de 2020.  Desert Trails evaluará regularmente la situación y hará ajustes en consecuencia.

Esta decisión es el resultado de la emergencia nacional y estatal causada por la posible propagación del virus COVID-19.  Este cierre es apoyado por el Departamento de Salud Pública del Condado de San Bernardino y el Superintendente de Escuelas del Condado de San Bernardino.

Aunque nuestro campus estará cerrado, no vamos a detener el aprendizaje de los estudiantes.  Ahora estamos en transición de nuestro campus a Aprendizaje a Distancia.  Pedimos que los padres por favor interactúen con nuestro sitio web de la escuela todos los días.  Cada uno de nuestros maestros tendrá una página web configurada para que usted se vincule para que pueda ver las tareas diarias y los planes de aprendizaje de su hijo.  Padres, asegúrese también de estar conectado con el maestro de su hijo/a a través de su forma de comunicación en el salón de clases, es decir, Dojo/Remind/Bloomz o por correo electrónico.

La administración en DTPA utilizará el sitio web de la escuela y el sistema de One Call  para mantenerlo actualizado de manera regular.  Tenga la seguridad de que estamos trabajando las 24 horas del día para garantizar que su hijo participe en un programa académico fuerte durante la duración de nuestro calendario escolar.

Esperamos que estén bien.

Sinceramente,
Sra. Debbie Tarver
Directora Ejecutiva

March 15, 2020

Dear Parents & Guardians,

In wake of the latest COVID-19 pandemic, Desert Trails Preparatory Academy is now under a mandatory school closure. Therefore, an Independent Study packet to be completed by your child was went home on Friday, March 13th in preparation for such case that school is closed.  If your child was absent on Friday or did not receive a packet, you may come pick up your child’s packet on Monday, March 15th between the hours of 7:30 am – 9 am.

The teachers have prepared assignments that correlate to what your child is currently learning in class.  We are asking that your child completes this packet during their time at home in place of the learning they are missing.  We strive daily at DTPA, to close achievement gaps and foster academic success.  Therefore, while your child is at home, your child’s teacher will be available via your child’s normal means of class communication, i.e. Classdojo, Remind, or Bloomz.  So if any questions arise regarding your child’s assignments, please do not hesitate to contact them.  Once the school closure is lifted and your child returns to school, the Independent Study Packet will be due to your child’s teacher and will be graded accordingly.

Further, during this time, parents will be updated through our One-Call system and our website.  Please do not ignore these forms of communication.  They will relay vital information to you concerning our current situation.

We are working diligently to provide a safe and healthy learning environment for your child.  We thank you for your patience and support during this time.

Sincerely,
DTPA Administration

Desert Trails Preparatory Academy

March 4, 2020

Dear Parents & Guardians,

We at Desert Trails Preparatory Academy wanted to take a moment to provide you with an update on what we as a school are doing to prepare for the event of the Corona Virus (COVID-19) spreading in our community.  It’s important to take note that at this time, the risk to the High Desert area residents is low.  However, given the possible case of “community transmission”, we want to be prepared.

The administration at DTPA is monitoring closely, the developments related to the spread and transmission of the COVID-19 and is following guidance provided by the Center for Disease Control (CDC), as well as the State of California, and San Bernardino County public health officials.  In order to be proactive, DTPA has begun the following measures:

• Providing extra cleaning and sanitizing throughout the school site.
• Educating staff and scholars on preventative measures.
• Regular communication with health department and county office officials.

We would also like to ask that parents/guardians please help us in this cause to keep all of our scholars and staff healthy during this time. The CDC recommends that we all help respond to this public health threat by taking simple, every day precautions.

COVID-19 symptoms are very similar to the flu: fever, cough, and shortness of breath.  In some cases, COVID-19 may cause severe respiratory illness.  Health agencies say that the risk to the general public to COVID-19 remains low in California, and encourage everyone to use regular health and good hygiene practices including:

• Wash your hands often – with soap and warm water for at least 20 seconds preferably, if not available, then use an alcohol hand sanitizer.
• Refrain from shaking hands when greeting others.
• Avoid touching your eyes, noise, or mouth with unwashed hands.
• Cover you nose and mouth when sneezing, coughing or blowing your nose. Quickly throw away used tissues, then wash your hands.
• Avoid close contact with people who are sick – most germs spread when a sick person coughs, sneezes, or talks.
• Do not share – food, utensils, beverages, towels, lip balm/lipstick, phones or anything else that might become contaminated with germs.
• Stay at home while you are sick – if you have a cold, fever, cough, respiratory and/or flu-like symptoms. Flu-like symptoms include fever (100^o F or higher), cough, sneezing, sore throat, runny  or stuffy nose, body aches, headache, tiredness, or extreme exhaustion.

We will keep you updated with any changes.  Together, we can work to keep our schools and workplaces healthy!  For more information, please visit the San Bernardino County Public Health Department at http://wp.sbcounty.gov/dph/ or (800) 782.4264

The second semester at DTPA is well underway.  We are heading into state testing season as our scholars will begin testing in April.  The scholars will be tested in grades 3rd  – 8th  in reading, math, and science (5th & 8th grade). The scholars have been working hard on developing best test taking strategies, gaining mastery of key concepts and practicing Common Core critical thinking skills.  We are sure our scholars will be prepared for their best performance on these tests.

Parents, you too can support your child’s preparation for state testing.

How can I help my child prepare for the test? You are an important part of your child’s education. Some things you can do to help your child are:

*Discuss the test with your child. Make sure they are not scared or anxious.
*Tell your child that you and their teacher have high expectations and that you are both there to help them every step of the way.
*Make sure your child gets a good night’s sleep and a nutritious breakfast before testing.
*Review test results with your child and discuss with their teacher where they might need additional help.

I am writing to share very important information about an event that will take place in Spring 2020: The U.S. Census.  The census is a count of all people living in the United States and takes place every 10 years.  It is simple and confidential to complete.  For the first time, you can respond online.  You will receive a unique identifying number in the mail, which will allow you to fill out the online form beginning in March 2020.  It will ask questions about your household such as how many people reside in your home, date of birth, race, and sex.  Here are some thing you should know:

Your identity remains anonymous.  Any personal information you provide on the census form is protected by law and cannot be shared with anyone or any other federal agency.  Regardless of your immigration status, the information cannot be used against you or to invade the privacy of you or any members of your family.

The Census is important.  The Census is important because it helps to decide how much federal money our schools will get over the next ten years, and how much money our state will get for our parks, neighborhoods, public health, transportation, and many other programs and services.

The Census is safe.  All the data collected through the census is protected under Title 13 of the U.S. Code.  Records are confidential for 72 years by law.  All U.S. Census Bureau employees swear a lifetime oath to protect respondent information.  The U.S. Census will never share a respondent’s personal information with other government agencies.  Data is only released in summary tables; no individual records are released.

What do you need to do?  Complete the short and easy form online.  If you don’t have a computer at home, you can use one a library or at a location in your community clearly identified Census Questionnaire Assistance Center.

You kids COUNT!  Be sure to count them when you fill out the census form in Spring 2020!