Message from the Superintendent
June 26, 2020
Thank you for those who have provided feedback through our Family Survey. So far, we have received a total of 9,312 responses indicating that:
- 71.3% prefer Traditional Learning – Students receive instruction on-campus, in-person 5 days a week to the greatest extent possible.
- 21.3% prefer Distance Learning Only – Students receive instruction via online Distance Learning only.
- 38.5% would like a Blended/Hybrid Learning Option – Students receive instruction through a combination of on-campus, in-person lessons and online Distance Learning each week
Data also revealed that over 71% of families feel enhanced cleaning is "Very Important" and over 76% would like regularly scheduled handwashing.
For the survey sent out through School Messenger on Wednesday, June 3, over 8,400 results were collected. 73% of the respondents want to see students back in school (with 27% stating they want a virtual option).
Please note that Orange Unified will provide in-person AND online-only options for students. It is our intention to offer options that align with family preferences to the extent possible while adhering to California Department of Public Health and Orange County Department of Education guidelines. OUSD families will have the option to return their children to an in-person model of instruction at their neighborhood school or prior approved school of choice.
For the families who prefer not to return their students to on-campus in fall, the following personalized options will be available all year:
- K-12 Homeschooling through Parkside Education Center: Homeschool opportunity where parents serve as the instructor with support from an OUSD teacher who sets up learning schedules with virtual and in-school opportunities provided weekly or monthly
- 7-12 Independent Study: Independent study opportunity providing the flexibility of instruction guided by OUSD teachers and supported with daily, weekly, or monthly check-ins virtually or in-person
- 9-12 OUSD EDGE Virtual Academy: New online learning opportunity with virtual and in-class weekly meetings with credentialed teachers.
We understand that this is a dynamic situation and families may want to change to a different academic model during the school year.
Family survey data is available in the presentation to the Board on June 25. You may view the presentation in its entirety by CLICKING HERE.
To maximize the number of family responses, the survey has been reopened and emailed out to families yesterday. If you have not already responded, please check your email and submit a response for each of your students in the district.
The health and safety of our students and staff are paramount, and we are actively procuring equipment and supplies to help prevent the spread of illness as we return to campus. We are thoughtfully planning the reopening process, mindful of the need for physical distancing, enhanced cleaning procedures, and other safe work practices. Given the dynamic situation created by the COVID-19 pandemic, ongoing planning is based on the latest federal, state, and local guidelines and in alignment with our strategic plan and core values. Please be reminded that the district office is currently open by appointment only.
I appreciate everyone's diligence and hard work as we navigate this dynamic situation together and look forward to welcoming students and staff back onto our campuses in a mindful, responsible way.
Sincerely,
Gunn Marie Hansen, Ph.D.
Superintendent of Schools
Return to Play
The health and safety of Orange Unified students and staff are at the forefront of what we do and paramount during our reopening process. Our Return to Play (RTP) plan to mindfully reopen athletic and visual and performing arts (VAPA) activities for our students is aligned with guidelines established by the National Federation of State High School Association (NFHS), the Sports Medicine Advisory Committee (SMAC) and the Orange County Healthcare Agency Covid-19 Phasing Guidelines.
Implementing these RTP Guidelines requires a cooperative relationship between schools, coaches, administrators, and players (including parents/guardians). We understand that some will not be comfortable participating at this time and support individual decisions. Complete RTP guidelines are available on the website.
We continue to monitor the rapidly changing guidelines and look forward to welcoming outside athletic organizations back to our fields, gyms, and pools when public health recommendations allow. For planning purposes, we envision interested organizations will need to submit a comprehensive return to play policy from that is in line with our policies and procedures, in addition to the usual requirements, before receiving authorization to use our facilities.
We are grateful for our community partners and appreciate the valuable contributions that their organizations provide for our local youth.
Thank you for your support as we work to responsibly bring athletics back on to our campuses.
Congratulations to our retirees!
Connect with Us
Email: communications@orangeusd.org
Website: www.orangeusd.org
Location: 1401 North Handy Street, Orange, CA, USA
Phone: 714-628-4000
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/OrangeUnifiedSchoolDistrictCA
Twitter: @orangeunifiedCA
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