Superintendent Message on Start of School

Posted Date: 06/01/2022

Dear Orange Schools Families,

Summer is upon us and I hope you and your family are able to enjoy the break. I want to assure you that our team is busy preparing for the 2020-2021 school year to have our schools ready to serve our fine students in the fall. The Orange Schools are facing challenges that are new to us and all school districts across the country as COVID-19 continues to affect how we provide education to your children. 

The governor states that one of his goals is to have students back in school in the fall. We are analyzing various scenarios including in-person classes, remote learning, and a blended platform. Within each of these options, we are considering a variety of challenges including academic needs, social-emotional health, campus operations, transportation, and the health and safety of our students, families and staff. State and health department guidance, which we are still waiting for, will also play a large factor in our return. Last week, the governor announced his intention of releasing guidance for reopening schools in the coming week. 

We will continue to develop plans with teachers, support staff and administrators, communicate with families through surveys and other means, and work with our Team Orange stakeholders, the Back-to-School Discussion Group. This discussion group consists of parents, teachers, union leaders, Board members, principals and other administrators. Insight gained from this group will be used to help guide our work as we devise plans for the coming school year.

We will share more information as we prepare our plans for the new school year. I realize that there are many points of view related to how to proceed, but please know that complying with health guidelines while seeking a workable instructional schedule is the goal. Finally, feel free to join us at the upcoming Board meeting via Zoom this Monday, June 29 at 6 p.m. A back-to-school update is included on the agenda.

Thank you for your continued support. We look forward to sharing our plan soon. Stay healthy; stay safe!

Sincerely,

Dr. Lynn Campbell
Superintendent
Orange Schools

Published 6/27/2020