I have ALWAYS loved the end of the school year! It is an exhausting time, but I have always found it so celebratory and uplifting! It is a good exhaustion. It is one of my favorite times of the year -- steeped in tradition, recognition, celebration, and the amazing feeling you get when you know you have worked as hard as you can to change the lives of young people.
As a parent of three and a life-long educator, I know how tough it was trying to support your students at home while dealing with the added personal stress caused by the pandemic. I recognize the monumental impact the crisis is having on students and families. Please make sure you take care of yourself, so you can continue to take care of your family.
I know our schools will come back to life in the future - there will be laughter in the halls again, rallies, teachers trying to fetch gummy bears out of a pie tin of whipped cream, loud teenagers screaming down State Street on floats, March of the Masks, Read Across America, Socratic Seminars, and everything we do to connect kids to school. We will take the lessons learned during this remote learning period and keep the best practices that can be carried over even when we return to on-site learning.
Life is not always perfect, and we are so often faced with challenges that seem impossible. I will remember 2019/20 as a year of resilience, knowing we can do ANYTHING together! Again, I am so grateful for each one of you and to the staff for everything they have done this year to support our students and families!
Last Day of School
The last day of school is today, Thursday, June 4, 2020. If you have any questions, please call your student’s school office, or call us at 707-472-5003.
Summer Timeline
We continue working on our school programs for the 2020/21 school year, and there is much uncertainty with what school will look like and what the Public Health orders will allow. I know how difficult it is not knowing what next year will look like, but I ask for your patience, flexibility, and continued advocacy for your children! We are planning for three scenarios: 1) on-site learning; 2) independent study and remote learning; 3) a blended model that includes on-site learning and remote learning/independent study. What we implement next year is dependent on the local public health order, which will be based on guidance by the California Department of Public Health and the California Department of Education.
As we plan for the next school year, we will communicate with you over the summer about any new developments or decisions that are made. Thank you for your patience and understanding!
Summer Food Distribution
Summer Food Distribution will begin on Wednesday, June 10, 2020. Food for 15 meals (3 meals X 5 days) will be provided for any child 18 years of age or younger every Wednesday at one location, Ukiah High School, from 7:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
Graduation and Promotion Schedule
Pomolita Middle School Thursday, June 4, 2020 • 6:00 p.m.
Eagle Peak Middle School Friday, June 5, 2020 • 6:00 p.m.
Big Picture Ukiah Thursday, June 11, 2020 • 6:00 p.m.
Ukiah Independent Study Academy Friday, June 12, 2020 • 6:00 p.m.
Ukiah High School Saturday, June 13, 2020 • 6:00 p.m.
All ceremonies will be aired on the UUSD Live YouTube Channel here.
2020-21 Planning Survey
We want to get your input on what preferences you have for your child's education in the Fall, and there is still time to be heard. Please use the links below to complete a survey for each of your children attending a UUSD school by tomorrow, Friday, June 5, 2020. You are not committing to any decision by completing this Parent Survey; it is only for planning purposes. Thank you to the over 1600 parents who have already completed the survey.
Fall 2020-21 Parent Survey (English)
Encuesta para padres sobre el otoño de 2020-21 (Español)
Social-Emotional Health
If your child is having difficulties, please do not hesitate to reach out for help.
Mendocino County Crisis Hotline (24 hours a day, 7 days a week): 1-855-838-0404
Mendocino County Warm Line: 707-472-2311
Mendocino County Suicide Prevention Hotline: 1-855-587-6373
National Suicide Prevention Hotline: 1-800-273-TALK (8255)
Línea directa nacional española de prevención del suicidio: 1-888-628-9454
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline website: http://www.suicidepreventionlifeline.org/
Specialty Mental Health Service Providers
Manzanita Services: 707-463-0405
(Peer Support, Wellness, Care Management & Therapeutic Services)
Mendocino County Youth Project: 707-463-4915
(Prevention & Intervention Services, Counseling Services)
Redwood Community Services: 707-472-2922
(Multiple Services: Behavioral Health, Homeless, Crisis, Substance Abuse)
Tapestry Family Services: 707-463-3300
(Therapeutic Services, Mental Health Treatment, Foster Care)
You can call us at 707-472-5003 with questions. Thank you so much for your support and patience during this challenging time. We appreciate you and all you have done to partner with us during remote learning. We hope you have a fantastic summer; please stay safe and healthy!