Dear Nevada County Parents, Guardians, Community Members, and Students:
Earlier today, the President of the United States announced a declaration of national emergency along with a series of executive orders in response to the Coronavirus / COVID-19 outbreak. As of this notification, we expect California’s Governor Newsom to announce a set of state-level orders specific to California school districts and charter schools. In addition, both the State of California and Nevada County declared state and local emergencies earlier this week. These executive actions, along with guidance from public health officials, provide sufficient guidance for all Nevada County school districts and local education agencies.
As a result, all Nevada County public schools (see list below) will hereby implement processes to transition all in person / face-to-face instruction to “distance learning” according to the schedule outlined below. This directive is effective as of Friday, March 13 at 5:00 p.m. and will run until Monday, April 13 (pending further notifications).
The schedule for this unprecedented action will be as follows:
Monday, March 16 Campuses closed, teacher and staff planning
Tuesday, March 17 Campuses closed, teacher and staff planning
Wednesday, March 18 Pick up distance learning packets and instructions
Wednesday, March 18 – April 13 Student and teacher distance learning
Monday, April 6 – Friday, April 10 Spring Break
Monday, April 13 Possible student return / normal instruction
Nevada County school districts and local education agencies taking this action include (as of March 13):
- Bitney Prep High School
- Chicago Park
- Clear Creek
- Forest Charter
- Grass Valley
- Nevada City
- Nevada Joint Union High School
- Penn Valley
- Pleasant Ridge
- Sierra Academy of Expeditionary Learning
- Twin Ridges
- Twin Ridges Home Study
- Union Hill
- Yuba River Charter
Your individual school district(s) and sites will communicate instructions via email, all-calls, and websites on where and when to pick up materials and instructions for distance learning. We anticipate such communication being issued no later than 3:00 p.m.,Tuesday, March 17. Students, parents and guardians are asked to wait for those instructions and contact their individual school sites for questions or concerns. We expect your school sites will be reaching out to you next week. Arrangements will be made at each school to assist students and families that do not have reliable internet services or electronic devices.
We recognize this countywide directive will result in hardships and challenges for many of our families and students. The safety and well-being of our families, students, volunteers, and staff are our top priority. Actions of this nature are being implemented across the country in order to slow the virus’ spread so as not to overwhelm public health facilities and put our most vulnerable community members at greater risk.
Thank you for understanding, patience, and cooperation during this worldwide crisis. We will get through this. Our schools and community are strong, resourceful, and resilient.
Sincerely,
Scott W. Lay
Nevada County Superintendent of Schools