DELANO, Calif. — The Delano Union School District announced that schools within the district will be closed beginning on Wednesday, March 18 due to coronavirus precautions.
According to an alert on the district's website, the schools will remain closed until further notice. The website adds that the schools will remain closed for at least two weeks immediately prior to spring break.
The website reads: "During the period of school closure, parents, guardians, and grandparents are reminded that the safest place for the children is at home. Non-essential social interaction should be minimized. All persons should maintain high standards of personal hygiene, including frequent hand washing, deep cleaning, and social distancing."
The full statement reads:
The Delano Union School District continues to prioritize the health and well-being of our students and staff.
In order to help limit the impact of the Coronavirus and safeguard the health and wellness of students, staff, and the community, Delano Union School District has made the difficult decision to close district schools beginning Wednesday, March 18, 2020, and continuing until further notice. At a minimum, the time of closure will include the two weeks immediately prior to spring break, as well as the regularly scheduled spring break.
During the period of school closure, parents, guardians, and grandparents are reminded that the safest place for the children is at home. Non-essential social interaction should be minimized. All persons should maintain high standards of personal hygiene, including frequent hand washing, deep cleaning, and social distancing.
For those parents that are not able to secure child care, supervision will be provided from 8:00 a.m. to 2:07 p.m. at designated school sites. Services will begin on Wednesday, March 18 at the following locations: Harvest Elementary, La Vina Middle School, and Pioneer School.
Delano Union School District will continue our instructional program during the period of school closure. Teachers and staff will continue to work to provide educational experiences and opportunities for our students. Prior to school closures, each school site will provide independent study packets to each student, along with available school supplies. The District is also piloting a distance learning component to build on the independent study program. We will be utilizing a variety of technology tools and resources, and adjusting our efforts to meet the needs of our students.
The District will continue our food services program, and we will make both breakfast and lunch available for all students. Meals will be available - “grab and go” – from 11:00 to 1:00 at the following locations: Almond Tree Middle School; Cecil Avenue Middle School; La Vina Middle School; Nueva Vista, and Pioneer School. These meals will be provided at no charge to families.
The circumstances associated with Coronavirus have presented our District and our county with unprecedented challenges. Please be assured that Delano Union School District is prioritizing the health needs of students, family, and staff. This is an ongoing situation, with new developments taking place and new directives will be issued on an ongoing basis. The District is in direct contact with the State of California, Kern County, the Kern County Superintendent of Schools, and all state and local public health agencies. We are partnering with local educational and governmental agencies.
DUSD will make every effort to keep families informed regarding plans, decisions, and new developments. Additional information will be distributed based as necessary based on changing circumstances.
