Newark Unified School District Parent Update - May 4, 2020

Press release from the Newark Unified School District:

May 4, 2020

Dear Newark USD Community,

I hope you are all well and safe as we enter our eight week of sheltering in place during this pandemic. I want to thank all NUSD families and staff as we continue to work though this difficult time. I want to share that no matter what the future holds, our teachers and principals will continue to deliver on our core mission of supporting students and we ask that you please reach out directly if we can help or support in any way.

Today, Newark Memorial High School distributed cap and gowns along with a beautiful lawn sign for each 2020 graduate to proudly display at their home. It was wonderful to see our students and our staff today celebrating our students. Our Bridgepoint Continuation School will hold their cap, gown and lawn sign distribution in the coming weeks. As most people expected, we have decided that our traditional high school graduations cannot take place this year, and both Principal Rangel and Principal Calderon are working with a provider to present an online graduation. Please be on the lookout for an email with an update on the graduation plans. We all acknowledge that this is not the same as our traditional ceremony and pending the Governor’s change in the order for stay in place, each school is also looking at an additional celebration in the late fall when we hope to be able to come together to celebrate the Class of 2020. All of our other schools are also looking at celebrations for our promotion ceremonies and you will get more information from each school principal.

Last week, Governor Newsom recently voiced the idea that schools might open this summer, which made headlines across the state. Across the county, it was the first time we had heard of any discussions for adjustments to the 2020/21 academic calendar. Initial research is being led by State Superintendent Tony Thurmond and according to the most recent press release at cde.ca.gov, the idea of an earlier school year is one of many ideas under discussion. Going forward, I will continue to provide timely information in context as best I can so we can focus on the work we have before us, without being distracted by the unknown. Currently we are forming work groups to plan for the fall. These workgroups will look at instruction, facilities, school safety and policies. This work will inform our planning for the 2020-2021 school year. We will keep you updated as we make progress on these plans.

Finally, we have a great partnership with the City of Newark and we want to support their efforts with ensuring all families complete the 2020 Census. Please visit 2020census.gov and help us make sure every family is counted. The census will impact federal funds for our city and school district.

In Community,

Leticia Salinas, Interim Superintendent

This press release was produced by the Newark Unified School District. The views expressed here are the author’s own.