Pajaro Valley USD to start school year with distance learning

WATSONVILLE, Calif. (KION) The Pajaro Valley Unified School District announced that it will begin the 2020-2021 school year on Aug. 17 with distance learning.

The district said the decision is due to increasing COVID-19 infection rates, saying it is clear that returning to class is not safe.

“PVUSD’s contingency plan for reopening schools, created in collaboration with classified and certificated staff and administration, is intentionally and thoughtfully designed to provide flexibility and therefore allows us to fully shift and open with a TK-12 Distance Learning model in this moment. The contingency plan also allows us to return to a hybrid or in-person learning model after the first semester and as soon as public health conditions allow. Distance Learning is the right thing to do to ensure the continued safety of our students, staff and community,” said Superintendent of Schools Dr. Michelle Rodriguez.

The district said it is preparing to provide daily live instruction, expanded staff training and training for students to help with online learning. It said it will offer resources for parents too, such as video tutorials.

Since schools closed in the spring, the Food and Nutrition Services Department has provided more than a million meals for students, and the district said students will continue to receive free meals. The district said all students grades 2 through 12 have access to a Chromebook, it acquired 4,000 hotspots to help with distance learning and it has provided academic and social/emotional support services.