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Educational Services and OUEA Leadership have been working collaboratively and diligently in the development of an Interim OUSD Grading Protocol that fosters our District Core Values of Equity, Integrity, Respect, and Excellence. Our recommended grading protocol has been formulated based on the following criteria:

• All Orange County districts have made a commitment to foster and implement an interim grading protocol that ensures a lens of equity & focuses on the primary goal of doing no harm to students
• It aligns with the Grading Recommendations released by the California Department of Education last week https://www.cde.ca.gov/ls/he/hn/gradegraduationfaq.asp
• It is very similar to what other OC districts and districts across the nation are facilitating
• It is grounded in culturally relevant teaching & learning research

Research on equitable grading practices provides insight into three principles that we must be cognizant of:

• Stress related to CoVID-19 will negatively impact student academic performance
• Student academic performance during school closures is more likely to reflect racial, economic, and resource differences
• Teachers are being asked to provide high-quality distance learning instruction, which is new to many of them

These principles and our commitment to our District Core Values and Goal Focus Area 3.0: Genuine Wellness & Safety provided the framework for our Interim Grading Protocol for Trimester 3 and Quarter 4. Many of our OUSD families and staff are experiencing severe emotional, physical, and financial challenges, which are inhibiting them from keeping academics as their main focus. This is a reality that we cannot or should not ignore.

We fully understand that there may be initial concerns about the Interim Grading Protocol as it may be perceived as not holding students fully accountable for their academic commitments. Teachers will have the opportunity to add written comments into the Aeries platform to flag students who are struggling with standards/concepts and who have incomplete assignments. The district office and site leaders will work with these families to design interventions in summer if social distancing mandates are lifted and/or in fall. Below you will find our Interim OUSD Grading Protocol:

OUSD Interim Grading Protocol for Trimester 3 & Quarter 4

We will provide a safe, equitable, and innovative culture of learning for each scholar to have a competitive EDGE as a leader

OUSD Interim Grading Protocol

Elementary/Middle School- Two grade options that include:

• Pass w/Distinction
• Pass
• Foreign Language/HS Math courses in Middle School will encompass A-C scale to ensure a lens of equity and a focus on the primary goal of doing no harm to students. (*CDE recommendation)

High School- Alter current grading protocol to a A-C scale to ensure a lens of equity and a focus on the primary goal of doing no harm to students. (*CDE recommendation)

Grading Protocol will include teacher opportunity for written comments in order for site leaders and DO staff to flag any struggling students for summer/fall interventions.

In order to assist with the successful implementation of this protocol, an Distance Learning Elementary Task Force and Distance Learning Secondary Task Force, comprised of teachers, District Curriculum Council representation, site leaders, and district office staff have been formulated to collaborate and recommend best practices and expectations in the following areas:

• Distance Learning Time Allotments/Schedules
• Student Workload
• Time given to Synchronous/Asynchronous learning
• Office Hours

Later this week an additional correspondence will be sent out from the Office of Curriculum & Instruction on these best practices and expectations. We thank you for your patience, understanding, and commitment to our District Core Values as we continue to address the needs of our students. If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out to your site principal and/or feel free to fill out our Questions/Comments Form at https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1p68tOqyKhvOvJRM_lTTabV4gD07Xm-FdeDYEzvycwa8/edit?ts=5e876dd5

We provided virtual graduations on June 11 and plan to host traditional ceremonies in July, depending on social distancing mandates. The planned schedule is as follows:

Wednesday, July 29
9:00 a.m. – Richland HS & Parkside
7:00 p.m. – Orange HS

Thursday, July 30
7:00 p.m. – Villa Park HS

Friday, July 31
9:00 a.m. – El Modena HS
7:00 p.m. – Canyon HS

Update on Orange Unified Summer Athletic Programs - 7/7/2020:

School districts across Orange County received guidance from the Orange County Department of Education (OCDE) that the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) confirmed in-person youth sports, including conditioning activities, are not permitted at this time. School districts have been advised not to operate summer youth athletic programs until there are written protocols provided by CDPH regarding recreational team sports or school-based sports.

In accordance with this notice, Orange Unified athletic programs will provide individual training opportunities until state and local advisories change. 

While we understand that this news is disappointing, the health and safety of our students and staff are paramount. We share your frustration and understand that athletic programs are an integral contributor to students’ health, wellness, and sense of school connectedness. We continue to monitor public health guidelines for updates and will fully reopen athletic programs as soon as permitted.

Once CDPH releases statewide guidance, OCDE will work with the local public health officer to consider community-specific conditions for the safe implementation of statewide guidance to reinstate school athletic programs.

 

Los distritos del Condado de Orange recibieron orientación del Departamento de Educación del Condado de Orange (OCDE) de que el Departamento de Salud Pública de California (CDPH) confirmó que los deportes juveniles en persona, incluidas las actividades de acondicionamiento, no están permitidos en este momento. Hasta que el CDPH proporcione protocolos escritos con respecto a los deportes de equipo recreativos o los deportes escolares, se les ha aconsejado a los distritos escolares que no operen programas deportivos de verano para jóvenes en este momento.

De acuerdo con este aviso, los programas deportivos de Orange Unified proporcionarán oportunidades de entrenamiento individual hasta que cambien las advertencias estatales y locales.

Entendemos que esta noticia es decepcionante, pero la salud y la seguridad de nuestros estudiantes y personal son primordiales. Compartimos su frustración y entendemos que los programas deportivos contribuyen de manera integral a la salud, el bienestar y el sentido de conexión escolar de los estudiantes. Continuamos monitoreando las guías de salud pública para actualizaciones y reabriremos completamente los programas deportivos tan pronto como sea permitido.

En cuanto que CDPH publique la orientación a nivel estatal, OCDE trabajará con el oficial de salud pública local para considerar las condiciones específicas de la comunidad para la implementación segura de la orientación estatal para restablecer los programas deportivos escolares.

The Special Education Department has generated correspondences for staff, as well as professional development for site principals on necessary protocols that must be facilitated during the school closures. Topics included IEP Meeting Compliance, Roles of Staff Members, and Remote Learning Training Opportunities that focus on equity, access, and innovation. Additional information and support are being provided on a daily basis as it is being gathered from our local, state, and federal agencies. Parents are encouraged to reach out to their school principal for specific questions regarding their student.

Staff can request access to their school site; Principals will coordinate with Educational Services on dates/times when staff can return to access necessary resources to continue teaching.

Will classified staff continue to be paid? Will certificated employees still get paid?

Regular classified and certificated employees are currently in paid status in accordance with the Governor Newsom’s Executive Order N-26-20. Individual employees are encouraged to call Human Resources at 714-628-5515 if they have questions regarding their employment.

Vacation 

Twelve-month employees may take their approved vacation as scheduled and those wishing to change their vacation plans should contact their immediate supervisor.

Educational Services has decided to open email accounts for all students in order to meet the need of more viable communication between staff and students. Student email accounts will be monitored by a software called Gaggle, which is a digital safety management tool.

Educational Services is looking into online intervention options for students who need additional support. Please reach out to your site administrator with specific concerns.

For a list of our schools and contact information please visit https://www.orangeusd.org/our-schools

If you are experiencing technical issues, please call (714) 628-5372 or email TechSupport@orangeusd.org for assistance.