Dear Ukiah High School Parents, Students and Community, 

Thank you for your support and patience as we transition from meeting daily with students to supporting remote learning experiences.

The challenges we face are numerous and diverse.  For all of us we are striving to reinvent the logistics of how we provide our educational program. For our seniors, stepping away from Ukiah High School just as the season of celebration is beginning is heartbreaking.  Our varsity athletes have prepared for years and conditioned for months for one final season that is now on hold. A spring musical postponed days before staging. Competitive mock trial, robotics, science and agriculture teams bound for state championships will remain home.  It is a long list of heartbreak next to an equally long list of success at Ukiah High School.

We speak frequently and openly about compassion and love at Ukiah High School.  We strive to embrace these values daily and rely upon them in times like this. In this challenge, like the fires of the past few years, our students are certainly learning more about resilience than most generations.  This strength will carry them far in life. They are also learning about perspective. They know that compassion is more than an idea. Compassion is knowing that the heartaches described above, however real and important, are not nearly as tremendous as the need and loss many are facing in this crisis.  They also know that love isn’t just the word of the year at Ukiah High School, it is the expression and act that gives strength to those in need.

This week our focus has been making the transition to remote learning.  Most of our students are accessing learning on the internet. For students who do not have internet access, the school library is open every Monday, 8:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.  Students needing this service are scheduled to ensure social distancing is followed. We will regularly communicate digitally - on our website, automatic phone calls to you, through the AERIES parent portal, and the UUSD Facebook page.  We have assembled care teams to support students should they fall behind. Additionally, our website includes forms to easily submit information should a student need counseling support for any reason. While our offices are closed we are monitoring and responding to phone and email communication on business days.  Our direct phone line is (707) 472-5750, or you can email us at [email protected].

Looking ahead, a primary focus is ensuring that the Ukiah High School Class of 2020 is supported in the social events they look forward to and the celebrations they have earned.  Most important among these is graduation. Our hope is that their day in the sun will arrive as planned on June 6, 2020. Know that in these uncertain times, we will explore all options to honor our graduates.  Members and families of the Class of 2020, you have our compassion, love - and commitment.

Sincerely,

Gordon Oslund, UHS Principal