8-3-20 Special Board Mtg Agenda is now available here: https://5il.co/izzk

Sara Gomez

Dear Gustine Unified School District Families and Community Members,

The Gustine Unified School District is committed to providing our students, staff, and families of our school communities the best options for returning to school on August 12th. I wanted to provide you with an update regarding the opening of school. In early June we were predicting a full opening with mitigation measures in place to start the school year. The Pandemic continues to cause changes in our lives. The number of people infected with COVID-19 as well as hospitalizations in Merced County has increased significantly, thereby putting Merced County on the State’s watch list.

On Friday, July 17th, Governor Newson set out new guidelines for the opening of schools in the 2020-2021 school year. In these new guidelines, schools and districts in counties on the watch list must begin the school year with distance learning. In complying with the Governor’s guidelines, the district will provide distance learning the first quarter of the school year (October 16th). At the end of the quarter the district will reevaluate where we are and if we can return to some form of in-person instruction after that.

The Governor’s recent action supersedes the local control of the district school boards and superintendents in the county. While we are disappointed, we understand the need to keep all of our students, staff, and families safe during these unprecedented times.

School will begin on Wednesday, August 12th as scheduled with distance learning. Distance learning will look very different than it did in the spring. The teachers will be available during their regular working hours daily, and will provide live online instruction daily. Daily schedules for distance learning will be forthcoming. Students will be required to log on daily to the live online instruction; attendance and participation will be monitored and documented daily. Additionally, grading requirements and expectations will return to normal per our board policy.

In addressing parent concerns regarding connectivity, the district has invested in 300 MiFi hotspots to assist families who do not have reliable internet at home. The hotspots will be issued one per family in need. The oldest child in GUSD schools will receive the hotspot. These hotspots will only work on GUSD Chromebooks. All students will need to check out a Chromebook from their school. This will ensure all students have the same access and platform.

In the coming weeks leading up to the start of school, we will be holding regular Zoom meetings for parents and staff. The first Zoom meeting for families will be Wednesday July 29th at 4:00pm. https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89503381297?pwd=VkF0WFFNQmdwWkV0VTc1bEEvZFI0Zz09
This will be an opportunity to ask questions and get answers regarding the start of the school year. As we get closer to the start of school you will be receiving communication for your students’ principals with details on picking up Chromebooks and hotspots if needed.

Gustine Unified School District teachers and staff are working to ensure that rigorous and engaging learning is provided for our students during this time of distance learning as well as when students are able to return to GUSD campuses. We thank you for your input by responding to our surveys and phone calls; you are an important part of our decision-making process.

We are Gustine; we will get through this together and be better for the experience!

Respectfully,

Bryan Ballenger, Ed.D.
Superintendent

Sara Gomez

Dear Members of the Gustine Community,

I was saddened to learn of the events that transpired during demonstrations in our community on Sunday, June 28, 2020, which have circulated on social media. Although this occurred on the weekend and not on school grounds, we have investigated the incident.

The District has received many contacts from the public regarding this incident. I would like to assure members of the public and make it very clear that no Gustine Unified School District students were involved in this unfortunate incident.

Respectfully,
Bryan Ballenger, Ed.D.
Superintendent

Sara Gomez

The Board Agenda Public Packet for 6/24/20 is now available here: https://5il.co/hgt0!

Sara Gomez

Great News! Beginning next week, we will be providing weekend meals for all children 18 years old and under. On Fridays we will be serving a breakfast and lunch for both Saturday and Sunday along with Friday’s meals. Please see the menu below.

Bryan Ballenger

Welcome to the new website and mobile apps for Gustine USD!

Bryan Ballenger