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    • Mar 18, 2020
    • 7 min read

School Closure Information And Resources

DISPATCH FROM OXFORD PTA

Meals

The Berkeley Unified School District Nutrition Department is serving FREE BREAKFAST AND LUNCH as take-away meals for school-age children 18 and younger.

Picking up meals for your children is considered an essential service and is allowed under the March 16 Shelter-in-Place Order. NOTE: We have changed the schedule.

Please continue to visit this page for schedule updates.

Locations

  1. Berkeley Arts Magnet Elementary, 2015 Virginia Street

  2. Rosa Parks Elementary, 920 Allston Way

  3. Longfellow Middle School, 1500 Derby Street

  4. Willard Middle School, 2425 Stuart Street

  5. Berkeley High School, 1980 Allston Way

  6. Martin Luther King Jr. Middle School, 1781 Rose Street (enter behind the school at Grant/Rose, through the gate)

BUSD Meal Distribution from Tuesday March 17 – Friday March 20 (Daily) Time: Open from 11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. to pick up both breakfast and lunch

Note: Friday pickup includes Friday lunch and Monday breakfast

BUSD Meal Distribution the week of March 23 – 27 (Monday, Wednesday, Friday)

Days: Monday, Wednesday, Friday

Time: Open from 11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. to pick up multiple meals

Internet Access

If your family does not have access to a laptop or the internet, please leave a message at 510-644-8931. We are working on ways to support you. Comcast is offering free internet for 60 days for low income families, visit internetessentials.com for more information.

Home Learning Resources

We are building out online resources for families at berkeleyschools.net.

Resources for families during school closure

  1. For updates about the Berkeley Unified School District (BUSD) schools closure and opening and additional resources please call 510-644-8931 or look at the BUSD website at berkeleyschools.net

  2. Berkeley Residents, call 311 (510-981-2489) for updates on ANY services available.

  3. Text ‘HOPE’ to 20121

  4. For Alameda county services call 211 (888-886-9660) for all updates or go to Alameda county resource finder

  5. For Contra Costa Services go to Contra-Costa county website

Food Needs

  1. The Berkeley Food Network’s on-site pantry will remain open during this period of COVID-19 containment as long as we are able to source food. Anyone in need of free food is welcome to visit. Be assured that our staff and volunteers are using recommended practices to ensure that everyone who visits our pantry stays healthy.

  2. When: Monday – Thursday 10am – 2pm; Monday and Wednesday 5 – 7pm; 1st and 3rd Saturdays 10am – 12pm

  3. Where: 1925 Ninth St., Berkeley (Enter through the door facing the parking lot).

  4. Alameda County Food Bank : 1-800-870-FOOD (3663) or 1-510-635-3663. You can also visit FoodNow

  5. Contra-Costa Food Bank: 1-855-309-3663 (FOOD) for help and information.

  6. Berkeley Food and Housing Project offers a weekday community meal program served by volunteers.

  7. When: Mon, Tues, Thurs & Fri* 3:30–4:45pm *A free spaghetti meal is provided by the Lutheran Church of the Cross on Wednesdays from 3:30–5:30pm.

  8. Where: Lutheran Church of the Cross, 1744 University Ave, Berkeley, 94703

Work Concerns

  1. Unemployment: If you are laid off due to your business shutting down or reducing staff, you may apply for unemployment without a waiting period. Visit the EDD website.

  2. Disability: If you get sick and need to apply for disability, you can file a claim here with a medical provider’s authorization here

  3. Paid Family Leave: If your family member becomes sick and you must take care of them, you can file a claim for paid family leave and/or FMLA with a medical provider’s authorization: here

Help Paying Bills

Visit Alameda county website for assistance. If you need help paying rent during this difficult period here are some resources:

  1. Alameda County Season of Sharing 510-272-3700

  2. Oakland residents only Catholic Charities 510-768- 3100

Medical Care

For suspected COVID-19 cases call your doctor. Lifelong Medical Care offers Immediate Care Clinics open to anyone with or without medical insurance at three locations:

  1. Lifelong West Berkeley Health Center 837 Addison St., Berkeley (510) 981-4100

  2. Community Health Services 2001 Dwight Way, Suite 1388 call 510-204-7979

  3. William Jenkins Health Center 150 Harbor Way, Richmond call 510-877-3365

  4. Lifelong San Pablo Immediate Care Center 2023 Vale Road, San Pablo 510-231-9800

You can also find a directory of medical providers for any or no insurance at: achealthcare.org Alameda County Acute Communicable Disease Control: Weekdays 8:30 am to 5:00 pm Phone: 510-267-3250 Berkeley Public Health Division: Weekdays 8:00 am to 5:00 pm Phone: 510-981-5292

Medical Care

Lifelong Medical Care offers Immediate Care Clinics open to anyone with or without medical insurance at three locations:

  1. Lifelong West Berkeley Health Center 837 Addison St., Berkeley (510) 981-4100

  2. Community Health Services 2001 Dwight Way, Suite 1388 call 510-204-7979

  3. William Jenkins Health Center 150 Harbor Way, Richmond call 510-877-3365

  4. Lifelong San Pablo Immediate Care Center 2023 Vale Road, San Pablo 510-231-9800

You can also find a directory of medical providers for any or no insurance at: achealthcare.org

  1. Alameda County Acute Communicable Disease Control: Weekdays 8:30 am to 5:00 pm Phone: 510-267-3250

  2. Berkeley Public Health Division: Weekdays 8:00 am to 5:00 pm Phone: 510-981-5292

Mental Health Services

  1. For psychiatric emergencies call the Mobile Crisis Number: (510) 981-5900 For support consultation or resources for uncomfortable thoughts call the Crisis Line: (510) 981-5244

  2. Alameda county teens who are feeling mentally unsafe can text ‘SAFE’ to 20121 between the hours of 4pm-11pm, to communicate with a counselor.

  3. Alameda County Suicide Prevention (Se hablan Español): 1-888-628-9454 For an immediate Alameda County mental health referral Call ACCESS (open 24/7): 1-800-491-9099

BUSD Information from Superintendent Brent Stephens

Additional Information about School Programs

During the period from March 16 – April 3, please note the following:

  1. Transportation to and from the school will be discontinued

  2. The BEARS and LEARNS program will also be closed

  3. All Berkeley Adult School programs will be closed

  4. All facilities rentals are cancelled

  5. All athletics games and practices are suspended

The District Office is Closed to the Public

District Office leadership, and some BUSD staff are required to remain at work to perform duties that are essential to the district for some or all of the closure. However, the District Office will be closed to the public. Please visit the BUSD website at berkeleyschools.net for contact information for our district office departments.

Important Social Distancing Guidance

City of Berkeley Public Health continues to help us assess social distancing guidance and other health agency directives. We are appreciative they provided information for our School Board at this week’s meeting and we look forward to their continued partnership as the coronavirus situation develops. “While this was not a public health recommendation, we know BUSD weighed many complex factors in its decision to close,” said Dr. Lisa Hernandez, the City of Berkeley’s Health Officer. “We will continue to partner with them as we work to slow the spread of COVID-19.” Dr. Hernandez advises everyone to continue to follow these important guidelines:

  1. WASH YOUR HANDS FREQUENTLY

  2. COVER YOUR COUGH

  3. STAY HOME AND AWAY FROM OTHERS WHEN ILL

Dr. Hernandez also emphasizes that while school is out, it is very important that everyone engage in “social distancing” to prevent the spread of the virus.

  1. STAY HOME AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE (EVEN IF NOT FEELING ILL)

  2. AVOID GATHERINGS

  3. STAY AWAY FROM OLDER ADULTS, such as grandparents, as well as those with chronic health conditions

You can also stay up to date on the rapidly evolving COVID-19 situation at cityofberkeley.info/coronavirus

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