Dear OUSD Community,

I want to take this time to thank you for your support as we navigate this unprecedented situation. We are aware how disruptive school closures are for families and are working hard to provide ongoing educational opportunities and support services for students.

We take the honor and duty of educating our students very seriously and appreciate the efforts of our teachers, parents and students to adapt to new ways to teach and learn during these challenging times. Please be diligent in ensuring that students are logging in to their online learning platforms and completing their assignments. Information about how to do this is located on the OUSD website under the School Closure Resources link in the orange menu bar.

Day by day, Governor Newsom provides new guidance, and we expect to hear more from him regarding next steps. We are in daily communication with federal, state, county, and local health and emergency officials to ensure the safety of our students, employees, and stakeholders. We have a shared responsibility in protecting our students, employees, visitors, and community from the spread of the COVID-19. To this end, the Educational Services, Business Services and Human Resources Divisions are taking steps to prepare to work remotely in the event this becomes necessary.

The internal operations of the district are led by a strong team of leadership employees who are deeply committed to our departments and schools. Site leaders and teachers are working together to transition classroom lessons to online learning platforms and provide resources to support continued student learning. Our nutrition services staff has deployed “grab and go” meals at 10 sites and one remote meal location. Educational and information technology services staff has been working around the clock to provide technical support to staff, as well as working to provide devices and internet access to families in need. Bus drivers are delivering packets of work to the homes of students with special needs, and our maintenance and operations teams are deep cleaning the school sites.

Be reminded, that kindness, respect, integrity, friendship, teamwork, and courage are also contagious. As we embark into uncharted waters, let us embrace compassion and our common humanity in navigating our journey together. Acts of kindness are needed more today than ever!

Sincerely,

Gunn Marie Hansen, Ph.D.

Superintendent of Schools

Orange Unified School District