DJUSD recommendation to open 100% Distance Learning, with students assigned to virtual classrooms at the school they regularly attend
Posted on 07/17/2020
RestartJuly 17, 2020


Davis, California- During a Special Meeting of the Board of Education on Friday, July 17, 2020, in an effort to continue to support the collective efforts of our region and state to slow the spread of COVID-19 and to protect the health and safety of students, staff, families, and our community, Superintendent Bowes announced a recommendation to restart all DJUSD schools on August 26, 2020, in a 100% Distance Learning Model. “The health and safety of our students and employees is our top concern and not something that we are willing to put at risk in this current environment,” stated Bowes.

Joining the Board meeting was Dr. Mary Ann Limbos, Acting Public Health Officer for Yolo County. Dr. Limbos explained, “When districts are deciding how to safely re-open schools this fall, a paramount consideration is what's happening with disease transmission in the surrounding community. Over the past few weeks, Yolo County has seen increasing case rates and transmission of COVID-19 and we are on the State of California’s County Monitoring List because of our concerning metrics. We want students, teachers, and school staff to have a safe return to school. The current pandemic doesn't support the safe re-opening of schools with in-person instruction at this time."

Joining his colleagues expressing concerns about the current health situation Board President Joe DiNunzio encouraged Staff to provide specifics for how Distance Learning in the 2020-21 school year will meet both the academic and the social emotional needs of all students and especially of those who may be furthest from opportunity. “As we consider how we educate our students in this current environment, we need to provide special care and attention to individual needs of students and families, especially to ensure we are doing everything we can to provide equitable access to education.”

As next steps, the Board of Education will be receiving a detailed presentation on the DJUSD Phased Return-to-Campus Plan at their Regular Board of Education meeting on Thursday, July 23, The presentation will focus on the restart of school, including details about the phases of returning to in-person instruction, supports for equity and access, schedules and structures for instruction, social emotional learning supports, health and safety guidelines, and practices to support student engagement and assessment.

The July 23 Board of Education meeting will be held virtually at 11:00 a.m. and be broadcasted through Davis Media Access / Channel 17 as well as through the web at www.djusd.tv.

Questions and feedback about the restart of school for the 2020-21 school year may be directed to [email protected] and updates will continue to be posted to the DJUSD Restart website at www.djusd.net/restart.