Dear Orange Families,
I hope this message finds you well. Today, in a Board of Education special session, we shared a revised school calendar for the upcoming 2020-2021 school year. At the next Board meeting on Monday, July 13th, there will be a discussion about back-to-school planning for the Orange Schools, including an overview of options to be considered by the Board for the 2020-2021 school year.
The purpose of this letter is to inform you of the calendar revision so you can plan your back-to-school transition. While staff will still report on August 17th as originally planned, we are pleased to announce that our students will return with a “soft start” on August 27th & 28th. On these days, ALL students will log in and attend remotely to begin engaging with their teachers. They will view online materials related to meeting their teachers, see the building virtually, and complete other activities to transition back to school. On August 31st, if the COVID-19 situation allows, students may return to in-person schooling at a capacity yet to be determined.
We will strive to provide the best educational experience possible in the safest environment possible. Staff will use the additional workdays to get acclimated to the buildings and to familiarize themselves with new procedures and protocols in advance of students gracing the halls. There will also be professional development for staff to focus on strategies and practices that are optimal for blended and remote teaching. Families will also receive information about sessions for parents and caregivers on using Google Classroom, so please stay tuned.
Next week, more details will be sent out so parents can begin planning for 2020-2021. I know how trying COVID-19 has made things, and I empathize with you as we look ahead to a year filled with uncertainty. I know everyone is eager, but we are taking our time to make sure we have the safest plan for our students, staff and faculty. Please know that your children’s education is in good hands, and together, we can do this. Thank you for your continued support!
Sincerely,
Lynn
Superintendent
Published on 7/10/2020
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