Communication from GGUSD

Weekly Update - April 23, 2021

Dear Families, Students, and Staff,

We have just 6 ½ weeks left of the 2020-21 school year and what a year it has been. We are so proud of our students and families for their amazing resiliency and perseverance as we navigated the pandemic together.  We are proud that through it all, our teachers and staff remained focused on what matters most – the academic and personal needs of our students. Currently, all campuses are providing in-person instruction and students are enjoying learning from their classrooms and the numerous academic and social-emotional benefits that come with being at school. GGUSD scholars will finish the year strong with much to look forward to, including: in-person sixth and eighth grade promotion/commencement ceremonies, in-person high school graduations, award nights, athletic events, and more.

Due to the pandemic, recent guidance from the California Department of Education included flexibility in how school districts administer mandated assessments. In following the guidance provided,  GGUSD will administer local assessments for English Language Arts (ELA) and math in grades 3-8 and will administer the SBAC (Smarter Balanced Assessment) state tests for ELA and math in grade 11.  All assessments will be administered in-person.  Students that are enrolled in their home school but still participating in distance learning will test at their home school. The SBAC for ELA and math will be administered to 11th grade students between April and June so students will participate in the Early Assessment Program (EAP) to determine college-readiness for CSUs. Click here for more information on testing and contact your school for site-specific details. 

With summer quickly approaching, schools are busy planning robust in-person Summer Bridge programs that will address learning loss across a wide range of subject areas. Schools will be developing instructional programs to provide targeted supports where they are needed most.  At all levels, schools will offer Summer Bridge programs to address learning loss in the areas of reading, writing, math or AVID/self-regulatory  strategies, with science and history support also offered at 7-12.  Additionally elementary schools may offer summer assessments and 7-12 schools may also offer programs to prepare students for enrollment in Pre-Advanced Placement or Advanced Placement Courses.  Additionally, all students eligible for TK-8 Summer Institute or 9-12 summer school for credit recovery have received details about our in-person district summer programs. 

We are looking forward to seeing all students return to school in the fall for 5 full days of in-person instruction. The evidence is clear that school is the best and safest place for students to learn. For those families who prefer a distance learning option, distance learning will only be offered though the Virtual Learning Academy. Click here for details on how to apply.

Have a wonderful weekend and thank you for your continued partnership as we work together to support the needs of ALL students.