Update – County Schools Closing Including NCSA

Dear Families,

Please see the letter below from Scott Lay, County Superintendent:  My message below.

NEVADA COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS ADVISORY

Coronavirus / COVID-19 Update

Implementation of Distance Learning

March 13, 2020 –  5:00 p.m.

 

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):

 

Chicago Park                                                  Bitney Prep High School

Clear Creek                                                     Forest Charter

Grass Valley                                                    Nevada City School of the Arts

Nevada City                                                    Twin Ridges Home Study

Nevada Joint Union High School                   Yuba River Charter

Penn Valley

Pleasant Ridge

Twin Ridges

Union Hill

 

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

NCSA Families,

I recently sent an email regarding this with Connect-Ed, but it has been slow to send due to network overload. I am now using Parent Square for this very reason. More on that later. I know that this is a significant hardship for many families and we apologize for that. We will make every effort to support families through this. Please visit the EDD website for more information about Unemployment Options. http://edd.ca.gov

School will be closed to students Monday and Tuesday for teacher planning. We will begin our temporary Distance Learning beginning Wednesday.

Teachers sent home packets in preparation for this eventuality – please have students begin to complete them. Email teachers with questions.

Again, I am sorry to have to do this, but believe it is the right thing to do for the health and safety of everyone in our county.

Holly Pettitt
School Director