Dear IUSD Community,
As we head into the final months of the 2020-21 school year, the Irvine Unified School District (IUSD) has begun initial planning for the 2021-22 school year based on current state and local public health guidelines for K-12 schools and projections for how the situation could evolve prior to the start of the new school year, beginning on August 19. Key factors for future planning include new or updated state and local guidelines for schools, which are not anticipated until this summer, and statewide COVID-19 vaccination efforts.
In the absence of more information related to these key factors and given the evolving situation, in which much can change between now and August, the District has the following high-level updates and will provide more specific information in the coming months:
- IUSD is considering academic models for the fall. However, it is too soon to determine what those will look like under the current conditions but we do know there will be options for both in-person instruction and a distance learning option through the IUSD Virtual Academy.
- Year round schools will remain on the traditional calendar for the 2021-22 school year with the intention to return to the year round schedule for the 2022-23 school year. This will ensure year round schools will benefit from the most recent health and safety guidelines and have access to the same resources and opportunities as our traditional schools.
- Orange County school districts are awaiting updated state and local guidelines for gatherings. Once this guidance is available, IUSD will provide an update about graduation and promotion planning and considerations.
- IUSD continues to work diligently with the Orange County Department of Education and the Orange County Health Care Agency to provide COVID-19 vaccines to school district employees. We anticipate our employees, who are essential workers, will have access to vaccination sites in the coming weeks.
Continued Updates
The evolving nature of the COVID-19 pandemic has presented challenges to public education, as guidance from the local and state agencies has shifted over the course of the last year. The District will continue to monitor the situation and provide updates to our community as we have them.
In the meantime, please continue to visit IUSD’s COVID-19 resource webpage, our Opening and Safety Planning webpage and our News Center for ongoing updates, information and resources. Thank you for your understanding, partnership and support as we continue to navigate these uncharted waters together.
Sincerely,
IUSD Communications