July 17, 2020
Dear Justin-Siena Community:
As you may have heard this afternoon, Governor Newsom outlined five principles regarding school reopening in the fall. Those principles were: safe in-person learning based on local health data; mask requirements; physical distancing and other adaptations; testing and contract tracing; and rigorous distance learning. Proudly, Justin-Siena has planned for and executed the last four of five requirements. What is out of our control, however, is that any school in a county on the state’s COVID-19 watch list cannot begin in person instruction. This, obviously, has a direct impact on the blended learning plan we have previously
announced
. Justin-Siena has confirmed with local officials that this directive will apply to us.
Based on our current understanding, Napa County would first need to be off of the state’s COVID-19 watchlist, and then stay off of it for a consecutive fourteen day period. We are currently twenty four days away from orientation activities which means there is still time. We are
not
announcing today that we will go into digital learning (we are still holding onto hope), but bear in mind that we will be compelled to do so if Napa County is not off the state’s watchlist. We are planning, now, for two realities (in person and remote) and will share more information as we get closer to the opening of school.
Let’s all do our part. Our encouragement, especially to those who wish for in person instruction, is to follow the guidelines of wearing masks, washing hands, and properly distancing ourselves from those not in our immediate family, so that as a community we remain safer and help ensure fewer cases in the counties in which we reside. We encourage everyone to be proactive in having a dialogue to that effect within your homes. We’ve driven down cases before, and I believe we can do it again.
I also want to mention that we are as frustrated as you are likely with the proverbial whack a mole we are experiencing. We know that this is incredibly vexing and uncertain and only adds anxiety to an already stressful situation. We remain here for you as a community so please do not hesitate to reach out to us if you have any questions or concerns. May we join our hearts and prayers for all those impacted by COVID-19 and for our ALL
HEART
community, most especially for all of our students and staff.
Thank you for your patience and partnership.
Warmly yours,
David J. Holquin
President
