August 14th, 2020
YUSD School Community:
At Tuesday night's board meeting, the board approved the plan to move forward with a hybrid model. The model in which we will implement will be used TK through 8th grades. Here is the plan in a nutshell:
The first 8 days of school (Aug. 26 - Sept 4) will be "Transitional Distance Learning". All students will be on Distance Learning, but during these 8 days, teachers will meet with students and parents. Essentially, every family will have a one-on-one Back To School experience with their student's teacher. During this conference, teachers will review the expectations of their class, how to access the class from home, the grading, how to turn work in, but most of all, this is a great opportunity for the teacher to establish communication and a relationship with each family.
After the 8 days, we will transition to a hybrid model. Students will attend every other day. One Cohort will start on M/W/F the first week (followed by T/Th the next week). The other cohort will be on opposite days. (This mirrors the model used by YHS). Those students that are "off site" MUST have "live" interaction every day. **PER CDE Guidelines: Special Populations will be given the opportunity to attend every day (IEP, 504, Foster/Homeless, English Learner)
Students will be in a cohort in which they will remain with the entire day. Middle School will NOT switch classes.
Students/Families that opted for Distance Learning will also be a part of this "Back To School Experience" and meet with their teacher.
School will begin at 8:00am, with a "homeroom" period from 8:00 - 8:30. During this time, attendance will be taken, students will be screened, hands washed, breakfast eaten, pledge, announcements and more.
School will be dismissed early. We are still working out these details, but roughly 1:00pm. Students will be given a grab-n-go lunch on their way out. When school is dismissed, students will have the opportunity to attend SAFE.
Afternoons will be for teachers to make "live" interaction with students off campus as well as record lessons.
We will review this plan at a minimum at every board meeting. We are already looking at the best avenues to open up even further, as long as the data allows us to. On the other side, we must be prepared, in the event the situation worsens, to go to full Distance Learning. Here is a link to the CDPH Guidelines: https://files.covid19.ca.gov/pdf/guidance-schools.pdf
The YUSD Staff is working tremendously hard to work out the specific details of this plan. As we have discussed, there is no "perfect" plan, but we believe that we have developed a plan that suits the needs of our stakeholders the best at this time, and is doing so in a safe manner. As stated numerous times, this plan will change and may change even prior to the start of school. We are grateful for the outpouring of feedback, questions, suggestions coming from our school community. Please, keep these coming. You can email Mr. Harris at charris@yrekausd.net.
This is a unique start to the 2020-21 school year. However, we have to remind ourselves, that each individual has a responsibility to protect one another. Additionally, we all need to focus on what we can control...and that is our outlook and response to adversity. This is an incredibly difficult time for all of us, but in the end, we are in this together and want what is best for our community.
More specific details will be forthcoming. Please feel free to contact either school or the district office for more information. Thank you all for the amazing work you have done, are currently doing and will continue to do.
I realize that this is a lot of information. As the situation changes, we will be sure to notify you. In the meantime, I hope you enjoy the remainder of the summer and help prepare for this upcoming school year.
Thank you all for all you do!
Chris Harris, Superintendent.
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Please take a look at our California Healthy Kids Survey HERE.
Welcome to Yreka Union School District!
It is the mission of the Yreka Union School District to provide each student with a safe, caring and supportive atmosphere which will foster the intellectual, emotional, and social growth necessary to become a productive and responsible citizen who accepts cultural differences. All parents, students, teachers and staff are part of a supportive team helping children develop personal, educational, social and ethical values.
Yreka Union School District offers students an outstanding education. We are committed to our student's learning the academic and social skills they need to be promoted to high school and be successful.
- K - 3rd grade all classes at 22-25 students
- 4 - 8th grade classes are from 23-26 students per room
- 7th - 8th grade departmentalized program with highly qualified staff teaching: English, Algebra, Social Studies, Science, Art, Physical Education, Music (band and choir programs), and Intramural and team sports
- After School Program (SAFE) from end of school until 6:00 PM every day
- Instructional aides in all primary grades
- Computer labs and skills taught at all schools
- Interactive white boards with overhead mounted LCD projectors in most classrooms for teachers to use as a teaching tool with students
- Highly qualified teachers and paraprofessionals
- We have over 1,000 Chromebook devices district-wide
