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24 Pages Thursday, August 13, 2020 ◆ Pacific Palisades, California $1.50 Campus Reopening Waivers Not Pali Elementary Considered in LA County for Now Welcomes New Principal By SARAH SHMERLING She explained that she hopes By LILY TINOCO agreement with United Teachers Editor-in-Chief to quell some of this anxiety by Reporter LA addressing distance learning being sensitive to the information in early August. s departing Palisades Charter she sends out, ensuring it is as he Los Angeles County De- “The parties recognize the Elementary School Principal correct as possible. partment of Public Health need for an online Distance AJoan Ingle enters her re-retire- “It’s very important to me that Tannounced on Tuesday, August Learning program to start the ment, the school welcomes Juliet we create an atmosphere of trust 4, that the county will not be 2020-21 school year and prevent Herman to fill the position. so that parents can trust and rely considering waivers for schools the spread of illness arising from Herman began her career as a on what I say, that teachers can to reopen campuses under spec- COVID-19,” according to the high school English teacher, go- trust and rely upon what I say, and ified conditions. Seven Arrows tentative agreement. ing on to teach high school and that we can create a happy and co- The decision comes after the Rich Schmitt/Staff Photographer The tentative agreement middle school for about 10 years hesive learning environment for California Department of Public states that schedules must meet before moving on to an indepen- our students,” Herman said. Health released new guidance, pendent private schools, among the total minutes of daily student dent charter school in Thousand She also said that it is import- advising counties with case other options,” Farrahi said. “We engagement outlined in Senate Oaks. After working at the Ven- ant for teachers to take care of rates at or above 200 cases per know our plan can be a model for Bill 98: 180 minutes for ETK-K, tura County Office of Education, themselves and that teachers are 100,000 residents to not extend others on how to reopen a school 230 minutes for first through she felt like she really missed also entering unchartered territo- waivers, which would allow safely in these challenging times. third, and 240 minutes for fourth working directly with students. ry—there is no real playbook for in-person class instruction for “For now, we will open through 12th grade. The sched- “I started to look around for Juliet Herman how to open schools in a virtual students TK-6. school with distance learning 2.0 ule defined in the agreement has another opportunity and I found Rich Schmitt/Staff Photographer environment, so the entire school At the time of the statement, and then transition to in-person a start time of 9 a.m. and an end Pali,” Herman shared. “It’s been community is in it together. the LA County case rate was at once the application is approved time of 2:15 p.m. an amazing match for me.” When asked what her goals “I ask for a lot of grace and 355 cases per 100,000 residents. under the current metric they Other highlights include dai- After four cycles of inter- for the upcoming school year are, mercy from everybody on each “We know that to many fam- have defined.” ly attendance taken for each peri- views in 2019, the district had not Herman led with “keeping every- other, but also ourselves,” Her- ilies, this is a disappointing an- Calvary Christian School od or class session, and members yet found a replacement for Ingle, body calm” in the face of the pan- man said. “We have to be very nouncement, but it’s based on the had previously announced plans are not required to work at an who agreed to come back from re- demic and virtual learning. easy on ourselves and just take a existing science and data that is to resume in-person instruction LAUSD building or facility until tirement on an interim basis. When “We are just in absolutely breath and try to be as flexible as guiding all of our decision-mak- as well, so long as the campus is students are allowed to physical- they started the search up again in unchartered territory and we’re possible in these moments.” ing,” according to a statement permitted to do so. ly return to campus. March, they selected Herman. all there together,” Herman ex- Ahead of the official start of from Public Health. “We fortunately do not be- The tentative agreement will Herman explained that she plained, “so I hope to provide a the year, Herman said that she Public Health reported that gin school until September 8, so go to the LAUSD School Board loves charter schools, that she is strong vision of maintaining Pa- has already spoken to many par- the decision would be reconsid- we hope that something might for a vote, as well as UTLA passionate about providing oppor- li’s community and commitment ents and that she likes to keep an ered once the case rate decreases change between now and then, members. Voting will take place tunities and options for parents. to academic rigor.” open-door policy, which is cur- to the level recommended by the but we are complying with local over three days: August 12, 13 And, she touched on the beau- She shared that she hopes rently “open phone,” due to the state. guidelines,” a spokesperson from and 14. ty of the Palisades in particular. that the students have a positive pandemic. Seven Arrows Elementa- the school shared. “For now, we If the agreement is ratified by “I did a tour of the campus academic experience, in addition All things considered, she ry School Director of Strategic are planning to open in-person UTLA members, the agreement before my first interview and it’s to an enriching experience, with shared that she feels very lucky Marketing and Enrollment Man- for preschool, and remotely for will be in force until December just a lovely and idyllic school,” programs like drama, music and to be a part of the community in agement Fiona Farrahi shared elementary and middle school. 31. If members don’t ratify the Herman added. “From doing my PE—all while maintaining a feel- spite of the “daunting” challenges the school’s current plan with the Our in-person learning will be agreement, UTLA would have research in terms of the char- ing of community from a distance. that lie ahead this year. Post. with all of the CDC and Depart- to return the drawing board and ter and looking on the website, I Herman explained that she “Necessity is the mother of “We are aggressively pur- ments of Public Health protocols bargain again with LAUSD “and could tell that it was a really, re- has seen the effect that distant invention,” Herman concluded, suing all options to secure the in place.” there is no guarantee that an ally amazing, cohesive, and very learning has on parents. “and if we come together and we waiver in the interim, including Los Angeles Unified School agreement could be reached,” ac- warm and welcoming communi- “Parents are so anxious and invent together, we have the pow- coordination with other inde- District reached a tentative cording to an email from UTLA. ty. And I have found all of those they’re so concerned,” Herman er to make this situation some- things to be true since I started.” said. thing that is amazing.” Pali High Budget and The Palisades is Alive with Finance Committee Meets the Sound of Music Ahead of School Year Start TPY Presents By JENNIKA INGRAM ter 16 years. ings with eLearning, with details “The Sound of Music” Reporter “I’ve worked with him for fleshed out in a revised budget up- as the Program’s years and I’ll miss him,” parent date with actuals that are posted First-Ever Virtual Show head of the official start of committee member Sara Mar- on the school’s website. the school year, the Palisades giotta, who called the meeting to Pali High also received learn- By SARAH SHMERLING ACharter High School Budget and order, said to the Palisadian-Post. ing loss mitigation monies, which Editor-in-Chief Finance Committee met virtually “He’s been a great asset to Pali is a one-time total of $1,436,811 on August 3 for a four-hour Zoom High.” that came primarily from the fed- ach summer, Theatre Palisades meeting. Wood’s last official day was eral government for restricted EYouth participants work to- The initial committee meet- on August 7. The hiring commit- specific uses. gether to offer live musical theater Cast members Photo courtesy of Lara Ganz ing was scheduled early this year, tee interviewed new candidates “The funds were just an- performances, enchanting audienc- in part because Chief Business for the position on August 10. nounced at the end of July, and es—and this year is no different, condition—it’s incredibly hard for Masterson, who played Marta Officer Greg Wood was leaving “It’s a really important po- the Board of Trustees needs to except the programming has shifted the kids to learn a theatrical pro- Von Trapp, shared that all of the his position at the high school af- sition, so we hope we will get coordinate with the Budget and to online. duction, with singing, dance cho- teachers involved in the program some good people on Monday,” Finance Committee to identify “When we made the reography and scene work—in an were “so supportive and patient Margiotta shared.