LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – Gov. Gavin Newsom and State Superintendent Tony Thurmond recommended on Wednesday that school classes should take place via distance learning rather than on school campuses throughout the remainder of the 2019/20 school year in California.
The Lake County Office of Education and the district superintendents, after consulting with Lake County Public Health Officer Dr. Gary Pace, agree with those recommendations for the safety of students and the community during this health crisis.
Suspension of in-classroom instruction has become necessary to help Lake County and California “flatten the curve” and slow the spread of COVID-19 so that emergency medical responders have as much time as possible to prepare for an influx of patients and save lives.
Lake County schools will deliver distance-based instruction through the end of the school year, unless the situation improves and warrants a safe return to the classroom as determined by Dr. Pace.
Students and their families will continue to receive specific plans and instructions from their child’s school district regarding ongoing remote learning.
“There is frustration that it has not been possible to determine an exact date to reopen campuses. But as Dr. Anthony Fauci, the United States top infectious-diseases expert says, ‘You don’t make the timeline; the virus makes the timeline,’” said Lake County Superintendent of Schools Brock Falkenberg.
School districts have been hard at work since mid-March building distance learning programs from the ground up to serve students remotely, including English learners and those with disabilities.
LCOE has diligently supported these efforts with virtual, county-wide trainings for educators, as well as individualized support for school districts.
Falkenberg added, “Teachers, support staff, and administrators are working long hours to provide students access to their academic education. They are also providing the social and emotional support that is so necessary during this health crisis.”
Although students may not be returning to campus, school sites will stay open for staff to perform tasks that have been deemed essential by their districts, including the preparation of student meals. In Lake County, every child under the age of 18 can receive these meals. Please check with your local school for details.
Falkenberg added, “I recognize this difficult but necessary decision may cause disappointment. I am a parent of a graduating senior. I understand the disappointment and challenges first-hand.”
Due to the ever-changing nature of this health crisis, please visit www.lakecoe.org/COVID-19 or the Lake County Office of Education Facebook page for up-to-date information.
Please visit your local district website, for information pertaining to specific schools.
Kelseyville Unified School District: www.kvusd.org
Konocti Unified School District: www.konoctiusd.org
Lake County International Charter School: www.lcics.org
Lake County Office of Education: www.lakecoe.org
Lakeport Unified School District: www.lakeport.k12.ca.us
Lucerne Elementary School District: www.lucerne.k12.ca.us
Middletown Unified School District: www.middletownusd.org
Upper Lake Unified School District: www.ulusd.org
For more information about the county response to COVID-19, visit http://health.co.lake.ca.us .
Distance learning continues through school year
- Lake County News reports
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