Keep Calm and Carry On

Putting Students First: Keep Calm and Carry On

In 1939, when Britain was preparing for World War II, the government created the now-famous slogan, “Keep Calm and Carry On.” Seems like good advice right about now, so that’s what we’re doing at Kelseyville Unified School District (KVUSD). We’re just focusing on taking care of our staff and students. Here’s the latest.

Big Thanks to our Teachers and Support Staff

Teachers all over Lake County are working hard to connect with students and help them learn, oftentimes while they’re also caring for their own kids at home. I’d like to thank all the teachers and other school district employees who are working remotely with students and their families. Remote learning isn’t as good as being in the classroom, but it’s the very best we can do under the circumstances. 

I’d also like to call attention to the impressive work of our Food Services, Maintenance, and Information Technology staff. Since we closed schools in March, KVUSD Food Service employees have remained at work every day, Monday through Friday, even throughout Spring Break, to provide as many as 600 meals a day to children who depend on us to feed them. The maintenance crew and custodians are keeping campuses clean, safe, and in good repair; and the IT team has remained responsive and helpful while fielding an enormous number of calls. 

Where to Get Information (and Lunch) 

Because we are dealing with a situation that changes all the time, it is important to know where to find the latest information. In addition to communicating with students and parents via phone, text, and email, we also post information on our Facebook page and on our website. For those in the Kelseyville area, be aware that the next on-site schoolwork drop-off and pick-up will be May 4. Visit www.kvusd.org and click on Remote Learning, then Coronavirus Update for the latest.

We continue to serve lunch daily at Kelseyville High School from 11:30 am to 12:30 pm for all children and teens under 18 years old. They can also pick up breakfast for the following morning during the KHS lunch service. After lunch service, we start preparing boxes for delivery. Delivery starts at 2:30 pm. If anyone needs food delivered, let us know by 2:00 pm by contacting Food Service Director Michelle Borghesani at mborghesani@kvusd.org.

The District Office remains open every day and school offices are open daily between 11 am and 2 pm. If you need to visit us, please remember to wear a mask.

Grades, Graduation, and Other Unknowns

We know people are curious about grades, graduation ceremonies, and other school-related questions. Here’s what we know right now. For grades, we are waiting for the California Department of Education to provide guidance, but I can promise we will not penalize kids for a situation that wasn’t their fault. We will find a fair and equitable way to give students the credit they deserve for working hard and achieving academically, and we won’t punish those who were dealing with unforeseen challenges related to the COVID-19 pandemic that prevented them from focusing on their studies. Kelseyville High School is sending progress reports with additional information about grading soon.

As for eighth grade promotion and high school graduation, we must comply with Lake County Public Health orders that do not allow large gatherings, so at this point, we do not plan to hold any ceremonies. However, if things change, we can adjust quickly and host events to celebrate our students. Same goes for returning to school before the end of the school year, if the shelter-in-place order stands, we’ll continue with remote learning. If things change and we are allowed to re-open schools, we will. Given what we know at this point, I’m not expecting to re-open schools until fall of 2020.

This news hits some students harder than others. I’m sorry that our high school seniors aren’t able to celebrate their final spring at KVUSD with classmates and friends. 
As for returning to school, in late April, Governor Newsom talked about California schools reopening in July or August. In Kelseyville, we are making plans for whenever students return, coordinating with the California Department of Education and Lake County Public Health to make sure everyone can be as safe as possible.

Resources for Parents

If you are home with students who are looking for more to do, we’ve posted resources on our website. Visit www.kvusd.org and click on the Remote Learning menu at the top, then click on Educational Resources. Another great resource is www.healthychildren.org. A local pediatrician recommended it to me. She said, “It includes information about how to protect your family from Covid-19, how to talk to your children about it, and how to recognize whether your children need extra support.” 

This is a hard time, but it will end. Concentrate on the good things in your life, and we’ll be back together again before you know it. In the meantime, keep calm and carry on.