Dear Wasco High Senior Class of 2020,


This spring’s school closure due to COVID-19 has been difficult on all students, but especially to our seniors. We are saddened that your senior year is ending this way, but we cannot wait to see how you will overcome this adversity and thrive. Life is often about overcoming challenges and making the most of your opportunities. This will certainly be one of those times for our graduating seniors. Think fondly of all of the good memories and relationships that you have developed at Wasco High and remember that none of those can be taken from you. Although we are apart, we will get through this together. We are planning the following for graduation:

It is our preference to have a traditional ceremony for you at the Wasco Union High School stadium. If allowed by the Governor of California’s reopening plan in Phase III, we will have some type of “in person graduation” in late May or June. We would provide further details when the Governor moves the state into Phase III. We realize that moving into Phase III may not happen in May or June but later in the summer or fall. If that happens, we know that having a ceremony will not be possible. Many graduates plan to move on to the military, college, and work commitments that will take them away from Wasco. We will hold out hope that we are able to meet the May or June timeline.

In addition to the option above, we plan to honor the Class of 2020 with a “Virtual Celebration.” We will “premiere” this video celebration on Thursday, May 28 at 7:00 PM on our Facebook page and other media platforms. We hope this gives you an opportunity to celebrate safely with your family from home.


We look forward to celebrating this milestone with you to acknowledge your hard work and success at Wasco High! Congratulations to the Class of 2020!

Sincerely,

Kevin Tallon

Kevin Tallon
Principal Wasco Union High School

April 27, 2020

Dear Parents and Students,

After much thought, collaboration, and planning we are officially releasing our grading policies for the second semester of the 2019-2020 school year. District leadership, site administration, teacher leaders, and the Wasco Teachers Association worked closely to develop a grading system that attempts to ensure an equitable and reasonable grading solution for all students. In formulating our plan, we considered guidance from the California Department of Education, the California State University system, and the University of California system.

Below are the important grading details for students and parents:
The 3rd Quarter grade will be a student’s final 2nd semester grade unless a student chooses to improve their grade.
Students will have the OPTION of receiving their current letter grade (identical or better to 3rd Quarter and 4th Quarter Progress) OR opt to receive Credit / No Credit Grading as an alternative for the 2nd Semester. Students will need to choose one option and will not be able to utilize a combination of both.
Students will be given multiple opportunities to improve their grades between now and end of our traditional grading period—Seniors May 22, all other students May 28
No future grade will drop below the grade issued for the 3rd Quarter (which ended March 6).
This grading option was outlined in the guidance provided by the California Department of Education and we believe this decision gives the widest set of students the opportunity and incentive to connect through distance learning and to improve their grades during this
unprecedented time.
Off-Campus Sticker Eligibility for 2020-2021 School Year - Students who meet the following criteria will be issued an “Off-Campus Lunch Sticker” for a portion of the 2020-2021 School Year:
Students who had a minimum 2.0 GPA in the 3rd Quarter, AND
Received a Citizenship Mark of “O” (Outstanding) from ALL assigned teachers by the end of the Spring Semester (teachers shall issue a Citizenship Mark of “O” for students that engaged and regularly participated in distance learning for the DURATION of the 4th Quarter).

Continuing student learning through these remaining weeks of the spring semester or session is absolutely critical. Our goal is that our students return to school in August prepared for the new academic year, as unencumbered as possible due to the school closures. Your continued participation in ongoing distance learning is vital to this effort.

Beginning on April 20, we will also begin a new "Virtual Learning Schedule" (click on the link attached) that will allow you to contact your teachers during specific windows during the day. This will allow for more direct feedback from them on all of your questions on the lessons that have been provided.

April 2, 2020

Dear Parent/Guardian,

After consultation with the Kern County Department of Public Health, and the other 46 Kern County School Districts and the Kern County Superintendent of Schools, the Wasco Union High School District will follow the recommendation of Governor Gavin Newsom, and complete the 2019-20 school year utilizing alternative teaching methodologies, including online distance learning.

This is part of a concerted effort to limit the community spread of COVID-19 and address the important continued safety of our students.

In the meantime, we will continue to follow the Governor’s orders, which include:
● Schools will continue to deliver high-quality educational opportunities to students, to the extent feasible, through distance learning.
● Schools will provide meals in non-congregate settings.
● Schools will arrange for, to the extent practicable, supervision for students during ordinary school hours; and
● Schools will continue to pay employees.
At this point we do not know when the current shelter at home order will be lifted.

We understand how challenging this decision is for our families and we appreciate your support, dedication and patience. We are very grateful for all that our students, parents and staff are doing to support safety, continuity of education and addressing the nutritional needs of our students during school closures.

Over the past several weeks, we have rapidly adapted to this pandemic to provide online distance learning, “grab-and-go" meal distribution, and telecommuting for our employees and will continue to do so despite the physical closure of our schools.

In the coming days and weeks, districts will receive clarity regarding how grades, graduation, transcripts, scholarships, summer school, continued distance learning instruction, and a myriad of other issues will be addressed. We will communicate that information to you as soon as it becomes available.

Extended School Closure Timeline
The Wasco Union High School District and all of its schools will remain physically closed through the current 2019-20 school year, in response to the COVID-19 emergency. Teachers, students and staff will continue to work remotely to provide distance learning and other critical services.

Meal Service Distribution
The Wasco Union High School District will continue to provide “Grab and Go” daily lunches and breakfast for children 18 years and younger at the following times and locations:

Wasco High School Cafeteria 10:30 am – 12:00 pm
Semitropic Elementary School 10:30 am – 12:00 pm

There are also “Grab and Go” meal distributions provided by other school districts and available for any children 18 years and younger at the following times and locations:

James Forrest Elementary School 10:30 am – 12:00 pm
Teresa Burke Elementary School 10:30 am – 12:00 pm

Lost Hills - Trailer Park 10:00 am – 11:00 am
Lost Hills - Lamberson Apartments 10:00 am – 11:00 am
Lost Hills - Martin & Tulare 10:00 am – 11:00 am
Lost Hills - Blackwells Corner 10:00 am – 11:00 am

Wonderful Academy - Wasco Barker Park 8:00 am – 9:00 am
Wonderful Academy - Lost Hills 10:00 am – 1:00 pm

Wasco locations will continue to serve meals for two days during Spring Break (Monday, April 6th and Wednesday April 8th) from 10:30 am - 12:00 pm. Two days’ worth of meals will be provided on Monday and Wednesday.

Prevention
During school closures, it is important that staff, students and families follow the Governor’s orders to stay home and minimize social contact to the extent possible.

Furthermore, Kern County Public Health recommends the following everyday personal prevention actions:

● If you are sick or mildly sick for any reason, stay home! Call your doctor if you are concerned and/or if your symptoms worsen.
* Symptoms to watch for include a fever over 100 degrees; respiratory
illness such as cough or difficulty breathing.
● Wash hands frequently for at least 20 seconds.
● Stay 6 feet or more away from strangers and those who are ill.
● Do not shake hands with others.
● Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth.
● Sneeze and cough into a tissue or your sleeve; safely throw away tissues in a safe manner.

This is a dynamic situation where information and circumstances can evolve quickly. We are grateful to you and our entire school community for your tremendous care, collaboration, and understanding during these challenging times.

Sincerely,
Lori Albrecht

Superintendent

In an effort to ensure our students and staff have a safe environment in which to learn and work, Wasco Union High School District has been in contact with the Kern County Public Health Services Department regarding the 2019 Novel Coronavirus. At this time, Kern County Public Health assures us that the risk to the general public remains low.