Dear San Marino Unified Staff, Students, Families, and Community,
I am sure you all have seen the headlines pouring in from yesterday evening through today regarding the recommendations made by the California State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond and Governor Newsom for California schools to remain physically closed for the remainder of the 2019-20 school year. A little over an hour ago, the Los Angeles County Office of Education (LACOE) Superintendent of Schools
Dr. Debra Duardo made the same recommendation
that schools be physically closed for the remainder of this academic year.
Ultimately, student, staff, and family safety will always be our number one priority. Throughout this time, we have remained informed daily and have continued to follow guidance from our national, state, and local health and education officials, who continue to make it clear that the safest place to be is home during this COVID-19 pandemic.
With that in mind and aligning our decision with the recommendations made by LACOE, the California Department of Education (CDE), and our Governor,
our San Marino Unified School District campuses will remain physically closed for the remainder of the 2019-20 school year.
That is not an easy statement to type. We miss each of our students, and we miss seeing our colleagues in person. We know, however, how important it is to do our part in this worldwide problem to flatten the curve and save lives by stopping the spread of this cruel virus. We will continue to be safer at home and practice all of the spatial distancing guidelines shared by the experts.
Though our campuses are closed, please know that school is still in session and instruction will continue through online delivery methods that our incredible teachers continue to refine daily.
I recognize that this decision comes with many challenges. Remote learning is a new experience for all of us. The CDE, LACOE, and our leadership teams will continue to work each day to identify solutions to support this new learning environment.
As technical guidance is provided from the State and/or County Offices of Education around issues such as grading, UC/CSU admission policies, and more, we will make sure that you are kept up-to-date and informed. We will also look for and welcome ideas as we reimagine ways for our Class of 2020 to experience traditional senior events in new, special ways.
I want to again recognize the hard work of our teachers, counselors, teaching assistants and all of our student support staff, principals, maintenance and operations crew, technology team, fiscal and business employees, food services staff, office team, district administrators, and all other support staff in adjusting to this new way of delivering a high quality education for each of our students. Our Board and Executive team are committed to supporting our site teams throughout this unprecedented time in our nation's history. To our families and caregivers, you inspire us daily. I will be reaching out again this Friday with my second video message to our community.
Just as a reminder,
SMUSD'S Spring Break remains in place for April 6 - 10
. I know that many of you had to cancel travel or entertainment plans, but my hope for us is that we are able to use the time to take a step back over the coming week and replenish for this journey ahead of us. Please continue to check our
School Dismissal Updates webpage
on a regular basis for the latest information and guidance.
I remain absolutely confident that we will walk away from this stronger and more united than ever with incredible new ways of making learning connections with modern technology and stories of overcoming adversity to add to our history books.
Stay Strong,
Dr. Jeff Wilson, Superintendent
San Marino Unified School District
