This page contains information and updates about COVID-19 pertaining to the Berkeley Unified School District.
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- Distance Learning in Fall 2020
- Decisions During COVID-19
- COVID-19 Public Health Guidance
- Assessing Conditions for Re-Opening
- Technology / Tecnología
- Food / Alimentos
- Health / Salud
- Mental Health / Salud Mental
- Finances / Finanzas
- Utilities / Servicios Publicos
- Housing / Alojamiento
- Parents / Padres
Fall 2020 Begins in Distance Learning
On July 15, the School Board unanimously voted to begin the 2020-21 school year using an improved Distance Learning model. On July 17, California Governor Newsom announced that counties that are on a State Monitoring List due to elevated disease conditions, including Alameda County, must not open for in-person instruction until their county has come off the Monitoring List for 14 consecutive days. Reopening guidance should be implemented only with health officer approval following review of local epidemiological data and local preparedness, including contact tracing and testing capacity.
Berkeley Public School campuses are currently closed to the public. When school begins again on August 17, instruction will occur in a Distance Learning model.
Distance Learning Plan Fall 2020
Plan de Distance Learning para el Otoño del 2020
Making Decisions at BUSD During the COVID-19 Pandemic
Since February 2020, BUSD has drawn upon guidance from local, state, national and world health experts about how to operate our schools and mitigate risk for our school community during the COVID-19 pandemic. Through weekly meetings and liaisons to health agencies, we are updating best practices.
August 5, 2020 Health Experts Webinar – UCSF and Berkeley Public Health
Watch Webinar and Q&A on YouTube
PDF of Webinar Slide Deck
COVID-19 Public Health Guidance
City of Berkeley COVID-19 Dashboard
City of Berkeley COVID-19 Information
Información en Español del Gobierno de la Ciudad de Berkeley acerca del COVID-19
Alameda County COVID-19 Dashboard
California Department of Public Health (CDPH )County Monitoring List Data
See district news about Coronavirus here
Assessing Conditions for Re-Opening School Campuses
We understand distance learning is challenging for our families and we are committed to opening our school campuses to students and staff when it is safe to do so. To determine readiness to return to on-campus learning, BUSD must consider external conditions, including local and state health orders and guidance, as well as internal conditions, including facilities preparations, screening and safety protocols, staffing availability and program readiness.
TECHNOLOGY / TECNOLOGÍA
BUSD Home Learning Resources
- Home Learning Resources Main Page
- Distance Learning Plan, March 26, 2020 (PDF)
- Plan de aprendizaje a distancia, 26 de marzo de 2020 (PDF)
- Connecting Your Student to Online Resources at Home
Free Internet
- Network Information
- Xfinity WiFi Free For Everyone
- AT&T Covid-19 Commitment
- 2 months free Wifi from Comcast
- 2 meses de Wifi gratis de Comcast
- 3 months free Internet and Phone from Sonic
Free Video Conferencing for individuals and school districts
FOOD / ALIMENTOS
During the summer break, as well as during distance learning, grab & go meals are available for pickup.
- BUSD Meal Distribution for School-Age Children
Free breakfast & lunch for all children 18 & under, including those who do not attend BUSD or live in Berkeley. - Pandemic EBT
CDSS P-EBT Information Page (English, Spanish & Chinese)
General Information
One-page factsheet in English, Spanish & Chinese - Berkeley Technology Academy Food Pantry
Community members can pick up fresh produce, protein and eggs, frozen prepared foods, and packaged goods there. Our school gardens are donating an estimated 50 lbs of fresh produce each month. The pantry is in service every 2nd and 4th Tuesday of the month from 2:30 – 4:00 pm at 2701 Martin Luther King Jr. Way. - Alameda County Office of Education: Meal Service by District
- Alameda County Food Bank
- Helpline: 800-870-3633 or 510-635-3663
- www.foodnow.net
- Berkeley Food Network’s Food Access Resource List (PDF) Updated August 10, 2020
- CA Food Banks Resource Page
HEALTH / SALUD
- La Clinica
- Kaiser Permanente Information
- Summit Health Information
- Children’s Hospital Oakland Information
- City of Berkeley Hand Washing Stations
- CDC – Coronavirus (COVID-19) webpage
- LifeLong Medical Care
Phone: 510-981-4100
837 Addison Street, Berkeley - Berkeley Street Medicine
Phone: 510-548-2570 - Ann Chandler Berkeley Public Health Center
Phone: 510-981-5350
830 University Ave., Berkeley
MENTAL HEALTH / SALUD MENTAL
- ACCESS to mental health services for Berkeley children and youth
M – F, 8 am – 5 pm
Phone: 510-981-7642 (desk) - Berkeley Mobile Crisis: 510-981-5254 (mobile psychiatric services, 11:30am-6pm )
- California Youth Crisis Line: 1-800-843-5200 (24 hours)
- California Peer Run Warm Line: 1-855-845-7415 (24 hours)
- Crisis Support Services, Alameda County 24 Hour Crisis Line: 1-800-273-8255 (24 hours)
- National Sexual Assault Hotline: 800-656-HOPE (4673) or Live Chat (24 hours)
- Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) Disaster Distress Helpline: 1-800-985-5990 or text TalkWithUs to 66746. (TTY 1-800-846-8517)
- Family Paths Parenting Stress Helpline: 1-800-829-3777 (Biling/Multilingual translation; community resources and mental health services)
- CDC recommendations (Spanish)
- La Familia Counseling Services
- Texting Hotlines:
- Text 741741 (24 hours)
- Text “safe” to 20121 (Local, between 4pm-11pm)
- Text “TEEN” to 839863 (Teens helping teens, 6pm-9pm)
FINANCES / FINANZAS
- Unemployment / Reduced Work Hours:
CA Employment Development Guidance on Unemployment Insurance - Worker’s Rights Information:
Legal Aid Fact Sheet - State of California employment supports
- Berkeley Public Schools Fund School Closures / COVID-19 Assistance Campaign
UTILITIES / SERVICIOS PUBLICOS
- PGE
- EBMUD
- San Francisco Water Power Sewer
- California Water Service
- Catholic Charities of East Bay
- Alameda County Bill Assistance
HOUSING / ALOJAMIENTO
Berkeley Unified Homeless Outreach Program for Education (Berkeley HOPE)
- Call, IMessage or Text: Melody Royal, MSW at 510.847.0008 or James Wogan, Student Services at 510.725.5041
YEAH! Youth Engagement Advocacy Housing
- Website
- Phone: 510-704-9867
- Address: 1744 University Ave, Berkeley, CA 94703
Dreamcatcher Youth Services
- Website
- Phone: 1-800-379-1114
- Address: 422 Jefferson Street, Oakland, CA 94607
Calli House – Youth Shelter & Drop-In Center
- Website
- Phone: 1-800-610-9400
- Address: 845 Brookside Dr B, Richmond, CA 94801
Women’s Daytime Drop-in Center.
- Phone: 510-548-2884
- Address: 2218 Acton (& Bancroft), Berkeley, CA
Homeless Outreach Team (City of Berkeley)
- Phone: 510-981-5273
- Email: hott@cityofberkeley.info
PARENTS / PADRES
- Family Paths Parenting Stress Helpline: 1-800-829-3777 (Biling/Multilingual translation; community resources and mental health services)
- Talking to Children about COVID-19: A Parent Resource
- Making the Most of COVID-19 School Closures
- Speaking Up Against Racism Around the New Coronavirus
- COVID-19 Resources for Undocumented Californians
- Resource list from Asian Americans for Civil Rights and Equity
- Resource list from Bay Area Parent Leadership Action Network (PLAN)