Good Afternoon Walnut High School Families,

Dr. Taylor sent an e-mail to our community today regarding our next steps with distance learning. With guidance from our district, we mapped out distance learning for our students into three phases:

• Phase 1: (March 19 - April 9): Our staff put together resources for our students that will help review, practice, and enrich in specific content areas. Our goal is to help minimize the learning gap during this time and keep our students mentally and physically active.

• Spring Break (April 10 - 19)

• Phase 2: (April 20 - May 5): With the extension of our closure, teachers will deliver instruction to their students through a variety of platforms. As we transition into Phase 2, we are currently working on training our teachers to effectively use online platforms, getting resources for students such as Chromebooks and internet access, as well as finding solutions on how to best serve students with IEPs, 504s, our English Learners, Foster Youth, and our low-income population.

• Phase 3: (May 6 - May 28): Students return to campus and resume instruction during the final three weeks of school. We are closely working with our district, Los Angeles County Office of Education, and the Department of Health as we look to a safe return for our students and staff. As you know, this is a fluid situation and can change by the time we get to Phase 3.

The Walnut High School mindset as we head into uncharted waters is a quote from a book called The Obstacle is the Way. The author, Ryan Holiday, says "Placed in some situation that seems unchangeable and undeniably negative, we can turn it into a learning experience, a humbling experience, and a chance to provide comfort to others."

We are beyond thankful for your cooperation, support, and patience as we navigate through this together as a community.

Ryan Maine

Principal

Walnut High School

Dear Walnut Valley Families,

First and foremost, I am very thankful for your continued support of our schools, especially during this unprecedented time in education and across the world.

I am proud of our instructional plan during this PHASE 1 of SCHOOL CLOSURES (through April 9), which provides resources to our Walnut Valley students. I appreciate all of the efforts of our parents and families throughout this process.

While the PHASE 1 plan was designed to support students for an initial period of time, and now that the SCHOOL CLOSURES period has been extended through May 5, I believe we also need to expand our Distance Learning program as we enter into PHASE 2 (beginning April 20).

We have begun working collaboratively with our Principals, teachers, and staff members across the District to discuss expanding our Distance Learning plan that will allow us to effectively (and practically) do so in a manner, which ensures that all teachers will facilitate the education of their assigned students. We all recognize that this is a significant shift in the instructional delivery methods with which we have been most comfortable (as students, parents, educators, etc.)

Therefore, we have started the process of asking for teacher and staff input and perspective on various aspects of an expanded Distance Learning program (including areas such as Professional Development needed for teachers, recommended methods and guidelines for teacher-student interaction, effective and practical Distance Learning platforms, technology hardware and software needs for students and teachers, etc.).

Additionally, I would invite you to share any suggestions with us by utilizing the “COVID-19 School Closure Inquiries” section for input found on the cover page of the District’s website. We will consider all inquiries as we develop the expansion of our Distance Learning program over the next 10 business days in preparation for an April 20 start date (following Spring Break).

In the meantime, please continue to access and utilize our Learning Enrichment and Resource Network at http://learn.wvusd.org . Additionally, please refer to the DEVICE / INTERNET REQUEST FORM sent to all parents (we understand that some families might need additional technology support as we continue this transition).

I look forward to updating you in the near future regarding next steps. I appreciate your continued support.

Thanks again for all that you’re doing for your kids.

Please take care,

Bob

Robert P. Taylor, Ed.D.

Superintendent

Walnut Valley Unified School District

Early this week, our staff has been working around the clock to provide the resources your child will need over the next four weeks. At this time, your child should have heard from their teachers in regards to what to expect in their classes over the next 16 days of school closure. Our staff has created an academic resource webpage for each subject that will help your child review, enrich, and practice during this closure time. We encourage you to utilize these resources with your child to help minimize the learning gap. The resources page can be found below as well as a tutorial video on how to access these documents.

For questions and inquiries to district staff, we have prepared a web-based communication resource for parents/students/community members to contact the district. Click on the tab titled, "COVID-19 School Closure Inquiries" on our District website homepage https://www.wvusd.k12.ca.us/ to submit your questions and inquiries. District staff will respond to you in a timely manner.

Please see the video below from our AP Computer Science Teacher, Nick Blackford, on how our AP Students can utilize free, live, AP review lessons delivered from teachers across the country.

Some parents have requested additional guidance from others on how to implement social distancing with teenagers. Here are a few links that you might find useful:

• Tip From Mom in Italy About Covid-19 and Teens
• The Challenges of Social Distancing for Teens
• Tips for Managing Your Child’s Social Distancing

9th GRADE (Class of 2023)

Sarah Doramus (interim) (A – Li, ext. 43649)

Jeff Jacks (Lo – Z, ext. 43626)

10th GRADE (Class of 2022)

Ken McDill (A - Lo, ext. 43635)

Corolar Schultz (Lu – Z, ext. 43630)

11th GRADE (Class of 2021)

Viviana Hoyos (A – Lo, ext. 43641)

Sonia Nunez (Lu – Z, ext. 43616)

12th GRADE (Class of 2020)

Nathan Newman (A – Lo, ext. 43632)

Jenny Alegre (Lu – Z, ext. 43644)

ADP (Academic Design Program)

Elisabeth Everts (ext. 34264)

Intervention Counselor

Jennifer Peiten (ext. 43663)

We encourage everyone to take a moment to review the PowerPoints presented.

Please click on the appropriate grade level of your student.

These Scholarships are presented by Ray McMullen and Dedicated to Learning Inc. (D2L). D2L is a nonprofit corporation that provides summer school for the middle and high school students of this area.

The corporation is dedicated to developing innovative solutions that create extraordinary opportunities for students and educators around the world. All profits beyond the D2L operational costs are given to schools and school districts as well as to students. One of these scholarships will be presented to a student at Diamond Bar High School and another at Walnut High School.

Nancy McMullen, was an extraordinary elementary school teacher who went to UCLA as an art major and a biological science minor. She later taught for 30 years in the Covina School District. In addition to her teaching and work with kids, she maintained her passion for art and was a water color painter.

• These $1,000 scholarships are given annually in her memory and are intended to help young people pursue a career in a field of the visual arts.
• Applications will be reviewed by a committee of educators and artists.
• The deadline for the application materials and the supporting piece of art is Friday, April 24.

Applications can be sent to:

Lindsay Miyamoto 19376 Red Hawk Road

Walnut, CA 91789

Applications can also be emailed to: LIVE4MTM@gmail.com

Questions can also be answered by calling Lindsay Miyamoto at:(626) 646-3485