May 26, 2020 - Today, members of the Castaic School Reopening Planning Task Force held the first meeting to begin planning for the opening of our schools. The Task Force is comprised of parents, site and district level administrators, CTA and CSEA members, and representatives from all areas of operations for the district. This broad cross-section of viewpoints will provide valuable guidance as we move forward in developing a plan to reopen. The plan will ultimately be approved by our Board of Trustees and submitted to the Los Angeles Department of Public Health for approval. While the timeline for this process is unknown, we feel it is important to begin the planning process.

We have adopted the guiding principles from the Los Angeles County Office of Education (LACOE), as they are preparing to release their framework for opening schools this week. These guiding principles are:
Keeping students and staff safe and healthy
Assuring continuity of instruction
Ensuring access and equity for all students
Communicating with stakeholders, such as staff, families, bargaining units and partners
Ensuring flexibility to meet the needs and advocate for all students

The Task Force reviewed and is providing feedback on the draft survey that has been created to get feedback on our schools reopening and distance learning. We understand that there were many challenges to rapidly create a distance learning program on the fly. We are looking to improve our distance learning program for the future in the event schools are closed again or for those parents that choose to remain in a distance learning program in the fall.

Please look for the survey to be distributed at the end of the week.

State health officials have made it clear that the safest place to be is home during the COVID-19 pandemic. With that in mind, our campuses will remain physically closed for the remainder of the school year. Our decision aligns with the recommendation from Los Angeles County Superintendent of Schools Dr. Debra Duardo that schools remain physically closed for the rest of the academic year. Please see the link to the press release from LACOE. https://www.lacoe.edu/Home/News-Announcements/ID/4422/Los-Angeles-County-schools-chief-recommends-campus-closures-through-the-end-of-the-academic-year-due-to-COVID-19.

Importantly, while campuses are closed, school is still in session and instruction will continue. We recognize that this decision comes with many challenges. Remote learning is a new experience for all of us. The California Department of Education, the Los Angeles County Office of Education and our leadership teams work each day to identify solutions to support this new learning environment.

We will continue to provide updates via email, school messenger, and text message. Our teachers and staff will continue to support safety, continuity of education and feeding our children in partnership with School Day Café. Please continue to follow us on social media for lunch distribution dates and times, Storytime with Mrs. Maxon, Virtual P.E. with Mrs. Z, and other resources.

Three local male juveniles were arrested by detectives with the Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff’s Station in connection to vandalism and burglary that occurred at Castaic Middle School last week.

On the morning of April 22, employees of Castaic Middle School arrived on campus to find that at some point during the night, a group of vandals had broken into a P.E. room on the campus.

The Santa Clarita Valley School Food Services Agency is offering free meals for all children while schools are closed due to the coronavirus, officials said Tuesday.

Janene Maxon, Assistant Superintendent of the Castaic Union School District reads aloud “Fancy Nancy: Easter Bonnet Bug-A-Boo” by Krista Tucker.

Despite the rain, despite being in a pandemic, Deputy Brian Rooney, who oversees the Youth Activities League (YAL) in Val Verde, was determined to brighten kids’ day due to usual holiday activities being canceled.

He and a partner set out from the Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff’s Station with more than 50 Easter baskets on Thursday and delivered them to homes.

Here are a few photos from the station’s social media of the Masked Deputies in action.

All of the Santa Clarita Valley’s public school districts are expected to remain closed until May 5, according to education officials.
The extension to the closures comes after L.A. County Superintendent of Schools Debra Duadro announced Friday the recommendation to keep schools closed in order to help contain the spread of the COVID-19 coronavirus.

The public health crisis created by the coronavirus is not something any of us could reasonably have expected to happen, and we’re in uncharted waters as we work to prevent the spread of the illness. We have been following the guidance and direction of public health experts on how we can keep all who are part of our school community -- students, staff, family members and visitors -- safe in the midst of a growing health crisis. In collaboration with all SCV school districts, the City of Santa Clarita, SCV Sheriff's Department, and Los Angeles County Office of Education we are working to determine the best course of action at this time to ensure the health and safety of our students, staff, and community.

We ask for your patience and we will continue to do our best to keep you informed. Facts and circumstances may change quickly so we encourage you to check our website castaicusd.com regularly.