Reef-Sunset Unified School District

December 2022 Communication

Superintendent's Message

Dear Reef-Sunset Community, 

I hope you have a safe and happy Winter Break, and enjoy time with family and friends. As we enter a new year and advance to the second half of our school year, I want to thank you for your collaboration and support for our students’ education.  

Thank you to our Reef-Sunset educators, staff, parents and guardians for encouraging our students to learn and seek growth inside and outside our classrooms. Thank you to our students for believing in your capacity to excel and reach your goals. 

I am proud of our school community and look forward to creating even more opportunities to have a successful educational experience and inspire our students in a safe and vibrant environment. 

On behalf of the Reef-Sunset Unified School District leadership, happy holidays and happy New Year! 

Pat Sanchez 

Superintendent 

Watch a special message from Superintendent Sanchez

Supporting Families with a Winter Sock Drive 

Thank you for supporting the Winter Sock Drive! This is an initiative from the Family Engagement Center, happening through Thursday, December 15. All donations will go to the Family Engagement Center to help families in need from Avenal and Kettleman City. You can find a donation bin at your school’s library. The spirit of the holiday season shines even more when we all unite to support each other. The distribution will start on January 9, 2023, at the Family Engagement Center. To learn more about this initiative, please call 559-386-9083, extension 1012. 

Our Students are Making Progress

with Academic Performance

The California Assessment of Student Performance and Progress (CAASPP) for 2021-22 (released this past November 2022) indicated that districtwide, we saw increases of academic performance in all areas. We are glad to share that we experienced growth of proficiency levels at all elementary and middle schools in both ELA and Math.  

We congratulate our students, educators, staff and families for this achievement. We look forward to continuing to work together as a school district to advance every student’s education. Your daily support and commitment to teach and learn is vital for our district’s efforts to reach academic goals.  

More Facilities Improvements to Create

the Best School Environment  

Our district invests in infrastructure and improvements of our facilities because we know this work enhances the environment that nurtures our students in their academic journey. In the last year, we have completed many projects, and embarked on new ones.

Improvements include solar shade structure installations, concrete footings (made from poured concrete and reinforced with rebar to support foundation and to stop it from settling), the demolition of old baseball backstops and old play structures, and a pool fence. We look forward to continued improvements! 

Positive Activities for the Holidays! 

With more time off come new opportunities to share happy moments with your family. Experts explain how important it is to have an open dialogue with your children, and begin a conversation with the simplest question: How are you doing? Listening to your children respectfully and paying full attention to what they are sharing is crucial to their development and social understanding. It is meaningful to express love for who they are, support them and encourage them to pursue their dreams.  

Going for a walk all together can create positive memories and provide a fun distraction. Staying at home and talking can provide a chance to share views and anecdotes. The point is to let your children know you love them, you support them, and you believe in them! 

Caring for Everyone’s Mental Health 

 Holidays can be a challenging time for many families. Having an open communication with children is critical, as well as being aware of signs of depression or anxiety, such as if your child is not coming out of their room. Mental health is important to our well-being. At Reef-Sunset we have social-emotional experts, resources, virtual support and tools to assist parents and guardians.

Please click here to access this free support tool.

Visit our website with Special Education Resources that provide critical assistance and information in English and Spanish.

Motivation to feel better is something crucial too! Learn more about self-care ideas here.

Please Be Safe and Test for COVID Before Returning to School in January  

Our district is distributing COVID-19 test kits to students to use at home before returning to school from Winter Break. By testing before returning to school, we can prevent the spread of the virus in the classroom. 

The California Department of Public Health (CDPH) is urging everyone to protect themselves and their families against many circulating viruses. The Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV), the flu and COVID-19 continue to impact Californians earlier than usual this year.

CARING FOR YOUR CHILD AT HOME: 

There is no cure for respiratory viruses, but some medications can reduce disease severity in certain situations. For mild symptoms, CDPH provides these tips to help ease discomfort: 

• Reduce congestion with nasal saline with gentle suctioning. Patients should sit or lie upright when possible. Cool-mist humidification also helps to clear the congestion and make people feel better. 
• Make sure your loved ones get plenty of rest and drinks clear fluids such as water, broth or sports drinks to prevent dehydration. For infants, use electrolyte beverages such as Pedialyte. Healthy snacks and small meals are also recommended. 
• If your child has a fever (100 degrees or higher), acetaminophen and ibuprofen can be given to children 6 months of age and older. Infants and children should not be given aspirin as this can cause a rare but serious illness called Reye’s syndrome. Only use other medications or medications for infants less than 6 months old under the guidance of your health care provider. 
• Follow dosing instructions listed on the back of the medication or from your health care provider. 
• Stay home at least 24 hours after there is no longer a fever or signs of a fever (without the use of fever-reducing medicine). 

WHEN TO SEEK CARE: 

Most childhood respiratory illnesses are mild and resolve on their own without the need for emergency care or hospitalization. Understanding when to see a doctor or go to the hospital ensures that children receive the right care. Call ahead to get medical advice and see what you can do at home and when it is best to come in to be examined. Seek evaluation right away if you child has: 



• Symptoms of lung disease: fast breathing, flaring nostrils, head bobbing, grunting, or wheezing while breathing; belly breathing; pauses in breathing 
• Symptoms of dehydration
• Gray or blue color to tongue, lips or skin
• Significantly decreased activity and alertness
• Symptoms that worsen or do not improve after 7 days 
• Fever in those under 3 months of age (12 weeks)
• Fever above 104°F repeatedly for a child of any age
• Poor sleep or fussiness, chest pain, ear tugging or ear drainage

IS YOUR CHILD AT A HIGHER RISK FOR SEVERE DISEASE? 

Early evaluation and treatment by a health care professional can ensure the best possible outcomes for children who are at a higher risk of severe disease. Children who are at higher risk of severe disease include: 

• Younger children, particularly 6 months old or younger 
• Premature or low-birth weight infants 
• Children with chronic medical conditions, including chronic lung diseases, heart disease, disorders weakening the immune system, or neuromuscular disorders 

TESTING FOR RSV: 

Testing for RSV is not always necessary. Unlike COVID-19, testing for RSV generally does not change the way doctors manage individual patients with this illness and treatment is based on the symptoms a person is experiencing. Accordingly, individuals should seek care based on concerns for the symptoms listed above and not solely to obtain an RSV test result. In most situations, return to school should also be based on symptoms and generally children with respiratory symptoms should not return to childcare or school until symptoms are resolved or at least mild and improving. This includes waiting until 24 hours have passed since resolution of fever without the use of fever-reducing medications. 

ACCESS TO HEALTH RESOURCES: CDPH IS PARTNERING WITH PRIMARY.HEALTH 

Medications for COVID-19 can prevent severe symptoms and may reduce the chance of Long COVID (symptoms that last more than 4 weeks). People should talk to a medical provider right away about medicines to fight COVID-19 if they have COVID-19 and feel sick (have symptoms) and are at least 12 years old and have a medical condition on this list.  

Medicines are safe and effective and must be started within 5-7 days, so it is important for people to act quickly. Everyone over age 50 should talk to a medical provider. 

HOW CAN SOMEONE GET MEDICINE FOR COVID-19? 

With a positive COVID-19 test in Primary.Health, through self-report of at-home tests or a professional testing program, a person will get this message: “If you are uninsured or cannot reach a medical provider, click HERE to connect with a FREE medical provider, or call 1-888-897-1244.” 

IS IT FREE?



Yes. The telehealth appointment and medications, if prescribed, are free. There is no charge for this program.  

For more information, please call (559) 386-9083.