Message from the Superintendent
September 16, 2020
Dear OUSD Community,
With cautious optimism, we are planning the transition to Phase 2 of our Safety & Health-Driven School Reopening Plan. Our Phase 2 plan allows families to choose to remain in 100% distance learning or transition to on-campus instruction. Elementary students will also have the option to participate in a blended program with both distance and on-campus learning. Students will engage in live (synchronous) class lessons with their teachers every day as well as receive rigorous instruction and support from District staff.
Students opting to return to campus will not all do so on the same day. Cohorts will be phased in to help establish stable groups and ensure students understand our new routines and safety protocols. Secondary students will be assigned to either cohort A or B. Middle school families will be notified of their student’s cohort on Friday, September 18, and high school families will be notified on Friday, September 25.
Each school will have schedules and protocols tailored to support health and safety based upon how many students return to on-campus learning, site capacity, and other facility specifications. Please pay close attention to the details your principal will share regarding your student’s school site.
Elementary Schools
During the week of September 21 – 25, teachers will provide live (synchronous) virtual instruction to students until 11:40 AM. The rest of the day during this week, teachers will receive professional development and prepare for students to return to class while students work on asynchronous assignments.
Students Return to Campus
- Monday, September 28: Pre-K, TK, Kindergarten, Grade 1, Parkside Home School (K-6), and Pre-K -6th Self-Contained Regionalized Programs
- Wednesday, September 30: Grade 1 & 2 Combination Classes, Grade 2, and Grade 3
- Friday, October 2: Grades 4, 5, and 6
Middle Schools
Teachers will provide live (synchronous) virtual instruction to students on a minimum day schedule on September 25, 28, 29, and 30. During these afternoons, teachers will receive professional development and prepare for students to return to class while students work on asynchronous assignments.
Students will be divided into two cohorts. Cohort A will meet on Mondays and Tuesdays. Cohort B will meet on Thursdays and Fridays. All students will engage in distance learning on Wednesdays, except for regionalized programs.
Students Returning to Campus
- Thursday, October 1 (second half of trimester): Grade 6 Cohort B, Grade 8 Cohort B, Parkside Home School (7-12), Special Education supports (regionalized programs), any identified cohort of students**
- Friday, October 2: Grade 7 Cohort B
- Monday, October 5: Grade 8 Cohort A and Grade 6 Cohort A
- Tuesday, October 6: Grade 7 Cohort A
High Schools
Teachers will provide live (synchronous) virtual instruction to students until on a minimum day schedule on October 8, 9, 12, and 13. During these afternoons, teachers will receive professional development and prepare for students to return to class while students work on asynchronous assignments. October 14 is a minimum day for high school teachers for grading purposes. This timeline allows high school students to finish their final projects and exams online before changing to Phase 2 in-person learning with the next three course SLICE.
Students will be divided into two cohorts. Cohort A will meet on Mondays and Tuesdays. Cohort B will meet on Thursdays and Fridays. All students will engage in distance learning on Wednesdays, except for regionalized programs.
Students Return to Campus
- Thursday, October 1: Parkside Home School (7-12), Special Education supports (regionalized programs), any identified cohort of students**
- Thursday, October 15 (start of the second quarter): Grade 9 Cohort B, Grade 12 Cohort B, All Richland High School Students
- Friday, October 16: Grade 10 Cohort B, Grade 11 Cohort B,
- Monday, October 19: Grade 12 Cohort A, Grade 9 Cohort A
- Tuesday, October 20: Grade 11 Cohort A Grade 10 Cohort A
**Secondary Principals, in collaboration with teachers, can identify individual and/or small cohorts of students for in-person instruction and support. These students may include those who are:
- Struggling academically/earning D/F’s
- Struggling with attendance
- Identified with specific learning loss/gaps
- English learners
- Students with IEPs
- At-risk and/or high-need
- Enrolled in specialized programs within VAPA, CTE, etc…
Additional Information
Face coverings or masks are mandatory for students in third grade and above who attend school on campus. Students who receive exemptions from masks/face coverings will be required to wear face shields to the extent their condition permits. Children in grades K-2 are also expected to wear face coverings or shields.
Staff is also required to wear face coverings. Employees seeking an exemption should contact Human Resources.
Thank you for your patience and flexibility as we continue to navigate the new school year.
Warmest Regards,
Gunn Marie Hansen, Ph.D.
Superintendent of Schools
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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