Dear Parents and Community Members,
Welcome to the 2020-2021 school year at Orange Unified School District! This new school year brings with it some unique challenges due to the COVID-1 pandemic. The health and safety of our students, staff, and families are of the utmost importance, and we have worked throughout the summer to disinfect our sites and implement enhanced health and safety measures on our campuses. While we anticipate beginning the school year with 100% distance learning, we are ready to welcome students back on campus as soon as public health guidelines allow. When schools reopen, on-campus learning will look much different than previous years, including fewer desks in classrooms, new campus signage, Plexiglas barriers, handwashing stations, and more.
Our 2020-2021 OUSD Re-imagining Schools/Health & Safety-Driven Reopening Plan, approved by the Board of Education on July 23, will allow us to pivot between 100% distance learning, blended (elementary only), and full-day on-campus instruction for the 2020-2021 school year, as public health guidelines permit and in accordance with all mandated public health and safety protocols. This dynamic plan aligns with The Orange Unified EDGE, which focuses on Excellence in academics and leadership, Dedicated and engaged communication, Genuine wellness and safety, and Efficient utilization of fiscal capital. The Re-imaging Schools Plan will continue to be updated based on the most current guidance from public health officials and state agencies.
Despite the stresses of the current situation, exciting things are underway throughout the District. Measure S construction is still in progress at each of our four comprehensive high schools, and we are excited to see our new Science Complexes come to fruition. This fall, we look forward to completing construction at Orange and El Modena High Schools.
Facilities district-wide are also being revitalized and updated, and the finishing touches are underway at the newly rebuilt Fred Kelly Stadium. Our high schools have updated track and field facilities, many of our elementary schools have new playground equipment, and The Little Theater at Orange High School is receiving a long-overdue renovation. Thanks to a generous donation from the Canyon High School Foundation, a complete overhaul of the Canyon High School gym will also be underway soon.
The success of each student is a collaborative effort between all stakeholders in the process of teaching and learning. Award-winning schools and academic achievement are direct results of the hard work and dedication of Orange Unified staff in partnership with our parents and the OUSD community. I encourage each of you to work with your child’s teachers and principal to help foster a positive educational experience. Together, we are re-imagining our schools and are ready to open our campuses for student instruction as soon as we are permitted to do so, and in alignment with public health and safety guidelines.
Please stay up-to-date on important district communication by visiting www.orangeusd.org and following us on social media. The most current version of our Re-imagining Schools/Reopening Plan, as well as other relevant information and resources, are also available on our website.
Together we inspire our learners of today to be purposeful leaders of tomorrow!
Warmest Regards,
Gunn Marie Hansen, Ph.D.
Superintendent of Schools
