22-23 School Year Information
We are excited to continue serving our students and families! Below, you will find information that will help support you and your students in their education.
We are #BrightStarStrong, together. Here’s to a great school year!
Important Updates for the 22-23 School Year
Attendance Policy Update
Important note: our attendance policy has been updated for the 22-23 school year!
Please click here to see the full
policy.
Attendance really matters for students and schools! Attendance matters at every grade level, from kindergarten through 12th grade. Any absence may negatively impact your student's academic success regardless of being excused or unexcused.
Students should only be absent for valid reasons in accordance with the Bright Star Schools Attendance Policy.
Attendance Matters!
¡La asistencia importa!
출석이 중요합니다!
Valid Excused Absences Include:
- Personal illness, including COVID quarantine, and mental or behavioral health
- Doctor’s appointments including medical, dental, and eye appointments
- Attendance at a funeral service for a member of the student's immediate family
- Spending time with a member of the student’s immediate family who is an active duty military member
- Attendance at the student's naturalization ceremony to become a United States citizen
- Authorized parental leave for a pregnant or parenting student
- Middle school and high school students for one day per school year for participating in a civic or political event
- Upon advance written request for justifiable personal reasons, including, but not limited to:
- Appearance in court;
- Attendance at a funeral service other than as stated above;
- Observance of a holiday or ceremony of the pupil's religion; or
- Attendance at religious retreats.
How Does a Parent Verify an Absence?
- Parents or guardians must notify the school, within 24 hours, of the reason for any absence, excused or unexcused
- The parent or guardian must call the student’s respective school’s office each day the student is absent.
- For all absences, when the student returns to school, the parent or guardian must provide a satisfactory written explanation verifying the reason for the absence, such as a doctor’s note.
- An absence not properly verified will be considered unexcused.
Parents/guardians may not excuse absences for their child that are not considered excused absences in accordance with the policy. Please schedule appointments and
family vacations during out of school time.
Repeated unexcused absences can result in negative consequences up to and including your child being unenrolled from the school.
Please contact your school if you have questions or need to discuss extenuating circumstances.
Safety Procedures
See our full 22-23 school COVID-19 safety plans by clicking below:
Our safety protocols are based on guidance and requirements from the LA County Department of Public Health, which we are mandated to follow. As we continue to monitor and review recommendations and requirements from local, state, and federal health agencies and experts, our safety protocol may change throughout the year based on those recommendations.
Vaccine & Testing Information
Staff Requirements
COVID-19 Vaccine Requirements for Staff
Per LAUSD requirements, all staff are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 (i.e. at least 14 days have passed since the employee received: (i) the second dose of a two-dose series
or (ii) a single-dose vaccine), unless the employee receives a qualified and approved reasonable accommodation.
As an LAUSD-authorized charter public school organization, Bright Star Schools is required to follow LAUSD Board of
Education Report #158, approved on December 14, 2021. The report states, “On August 13, 2021, the District announced that all District employees will be required to be fully
vaccinated against COVID-19 as a condition of continued employment/service. The requirement also applies to District partners, contractors, charter school employees, and other adults who provide services on District property.”
Testing Requirements for Staff
Testing: All staff are asked to complete a rapid antigen test on your first day back on campus for the 2022-23 school year. Deans of Operations will have test kits available on campus, and
tests are self-administered. Moving forward, all school site staff will be asked to self-test before returning from any extended break (e.g. fall break, Thanksgiving, winter break, spring
break).
Staff members who are unvaccinated for COVID-19 will be required to test weekly.
Student Requirements
Vaccine Requirements for Students
For the 2022-2023 school year, we highly encourage all students to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19, but it is not required to attend school. To the extent it is required by the state of
California, the earliest a vaccine requirement could be implemented is July 1, 2023.
“Fully vaccinated” for students age 5+ is defined as having received both (2) doses of the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine and having completed the two-week period after the second dose
to ensure maximum immunity.
Testing Requirements for Students
All students are asked to complete a rapid antigen test the night before the first day of school for the 2022-23 school year. Deans of Operations will distribute test kits ahead of the start of the school year and also have test kits available on campus. Tests are self-administered. Moving forward, all students will be asked to self-test before returning from any extended break (e.g. fall break, Thanksgiving, winter break, spring break).
School Breakfast and Lunch: Community Eligible Provision
For the 22-23 school year, Bright Star Schools is participating in the National School Lunch and School Breakfast Programs called the Community Eligibility Provision. All enrolled students of Bright Star Schools are eligible to receive a healthy breakfast and lunch at school at no charge to your household each day of the 2022-2023 school year. No further action is required of you. Your child(ren) will be able to participate in these meal programs without having to pay a fee or submit an application.
#BrightStarStrong, Together
While the 22-23 school year will have challenges as we continue to navigate the COVID pandemic together, we know that our teachers, staff, students, and families will make it great.
We are #BrightStarStrong, together. Here’s to a great school year!
