Carmel Unified Community,
The District is pleased to report that we will be welcoming back students to full, in-person learning on Monday, August 9th, 2021.
The State of California has prioritized a full return to in-person learning for the 2021-2022 school year. This will require the continued use of masks to eliminate physical distancing requirements, a major impediment to a full return. As a public entity, we will follow the rules set forth by the California Department of Public Health (CDPH)and the California Department of Education (CDE).
- Masks are required for all students when indoors and for adults when students are present.
- When outdoors, masks will be optional for everyone.
- Masks will also be required on school buses.
The State of California has also given school districts guidance to offer independent study for students whose families determine that their health would be at risk in an in-person setting. To accomplish this, the state allows school districts to contract with other education agencies. We are excited to partner with North Monterey County Unified School District (NMCUSD) to offer an independent study program option, given our longstanding experience with their high-quality program and the anticipated low numbers of families who will choose this option. CUSD has partnered with NMCUSD for many years to provide independent study options for high school students. To participate in this option, students will transfer to the North Monterey County Center for Independent Study School which includes the NMCUSD K-12 Virtual E-School with the option to return to the CUSD in-person program at any time.
For those interested in exploring the Independent Study option, we’ll be hosting a joint Zoom presentation with North Monterey County Unified School District on Tuesday, July, 27 from 5:30 to 6:30 PM. We’ll be sending a meeting link and more details later this week.
Our goal will be to continue to have school in the most normal way possible; therefore, we will continue to revise and implement our COVID -19 safety procedures as needed. As always, we will be providing updates as we receive further guidance from the CDPH.
There are some questions you may have for which we are still developing plans or awaiting answers from CDPH and other agencies. We will let you know as soon as we have more information on topics such as...
- School schedules
- Updated quarantine, outbreak, and closure guidance
- School events and gatherings such as dances and field trips
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- Cleaning and disinfection procedures
- Parent volunteers
- Athletics, extracurricular activities, and performing arts guidance
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As I begin my third week in the school district, I have truly enjoyed speaking with many of you, visiting various sites throughout the district, and engaging with our community. I am impressed with the work of our staff and students, including our summer programs hosted at The Cachagua Children's Center, Captain Cooper Elementary, Carmel High School, and Carmel Middle School (which also included River and Tularcitos elementary students).
It is truly my honor to serve as your Superintendent and I thank you for your partnership.
Sincerely, E. Ted Knight EdD
