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SV schools closed through April 5

Posted on March 16, 2020 by Sonoma Valley Sun

All Sonoma Valley school classes and campus activities have been suspended through at least April 5.  The Sonoma Valley Unified School District released the news as it stressed that there has been no confirmed case of COVID-19 within the school community.

The mandate extends the Spring Break that began today by at least two weeks. 

“With careful consideration of many factors, SVUSD leadership made the difficult decision to suspend site-based learning in the Sonoma Valley Unified School District through April 5,” stated Superintendent Socorro Shiels. We are proceeding as a result of the rapidly changing public health outlook.

In summary:

  • Sonoma Valley Unified School District will suspend site-based learning at all schools beginning with Spring Break, from March 16 – April 5, 2020.
  • All after-school activities, child care, sports, use of facilities, and field trips will also be canceled from March 16 – April 5, 2020.
  • Commencing March 23, following Spring Break, individual schools will provide instructional materials in paper format and when possible online options. 

Shiels said the decision was made in collaboration with the Sonoma County Department of Health Services (DHS) and the Sonoma County Office of Education.

The district is implementing the measures to mitigate the spread of COVID-19 (coronavirus) through social distancing, Shiels said. “It is important to note that there are currently no known cases of COVID-19 among our students or staff. This decision allows our community to “flatten the curve” and reduce community spread of the virus.”

Instruction

Students will remain at home. Your individual schools will be providing instructional materials with possible online options and in paper format. Your principal will be providing more detailed information about the process of delivering and returning these materials. Your teacher(s) and principal will be working during the school closure from a safe location to continue to provide student assignments throughout the closure. Of course, students are not required to complete work during Spring Break, March 16-20. Please be patient as this process begins. Your educators will contact your students as soon as possible including an invitation to return to campus to pick up materials from your child’s teachers and/or retrieve personal items. Additional information will be available on our website as well.

Meals 

We are working with community partners, under the guidance of the state, to provide meals to students during this unprecedented crisis.  Specific information about the food availability program and distribution will be shared no later than Wednesday, March 18th. 

 After-School Activities

Afterschool activities including Mentoring and Boys and Girls Club programs, at all schools, will be suspended.

 COVID-19 Information

We understand there are many concerns around COVID-19, and the amount of information available can be overwhelming. For the latest information on COVID-19 from a reliable community source, we recommend you visit the Sonoma County Emergency website: https://socoemergency.org/emergency/novel-coronavirus/   Sonoma County also has an information and resource hotline: dial 2-1-1 on your phone, or text your zip code to 898211, which lets you text with a 2-1-1 call taker who can answer questions.  For school-related updates, visit our web page: https://www.sonomaschools.org/

Mental Health

Early intervention is one of the most important ways to prevent long term mental health problems. If students are struggling with emotional overwhelm, mental health challenges or safety issues due to school closures, please contact your school’s leader or one of the District’s mental health leads (listed below).These are not crisis lines. For emergencies, call 9-1-1.

Facts and circumstances may change quickly. Check for updates at https://www.sonomaschools.org/ and our district Facebook and Twitter. I

f you have questions related to school, contact your principal or our district email: [email protected]

Shiels said the district “looks forward to returning to normal instruction as soon as it is safe for all.  We understand that this will take some adjustment, but we will work closely with you as educational partners for your children. We ask for your patience and understanding in these trying times. Let us all work together on behalf of our children. Please take care and be well. # SonomaStrong continues.  Thank you for being part of the SVUSD community.”

 

 

Sonoma Sun | Sonoma, CA