COVID-19 Update #11; March 16, 2020 Dear SVUSD Community,

Thank you for your continued patience, understanding, and flexibility during this extraordinary time of uncertainty.

We continue to prioritize the health and safety of our students, staff, and families. As new developments continue to come in regarding COVID-19 and the implications school closures will have on our students, staff and communities become more clear, district and site leadership have been collaborating around the clock on the most appropriate way to move forward regarding instruction and ancillary services during the school closures. The most recent guidance for K-12 schools has come from Governor Newsom’s Executive Order that was signed over the weekend. This order outlines that if a school district closes its schools to address COVID-19, the district must:

• Continue delivering high-quality educational opportunities to students to the extent feasible through, among other options, distance learning and/or independent study • Safely provide school meals through the Summer Food Service Program and Seamless Summer Option, consistent with the requirements of the California Department of Education and U.S. Department of Agriculture • To the extent practicable, arrange for supervision for students during ordinary school hours

Please remember that this temporary closure and transition to distance learning is in response to a public health crisis and is intended to help support efforts to stop the spread of COVID-19. This is not only a rapidly evolving situation, but our ability to transition to distance learning is a work-in-progress, changing day by day. It is critical that families and students check email daily for updates from the district as well as site leadership. At this time, we would like to share what steps are being taken throughout this week to help support student learning, provide ancillary services for families, and meet the newly issued guidance from the state.

Distance Learning Throughout this week, administrators, teachers, and staff are collaborating on a multitude of ways to provide distance learning for our students. This will look different throughout the district, as each level (elementary, intermediate and high school) has unique needs and circumstances. Staff will take the remainder of this week to prepare to transition to distance learning for students beginning Monday, March 23.

We are aware that distance learning may provide challenges for our families. For those programs or classes that will require internet service or compatible devices, we are currently in the final development stages of a plan to address family needs. As we assess the device and internet needs of our students, we ask that all parents fill out the following survey for each student you have enrolled in SVUSD by Tuesday, March 17 at 4:00 pm: go.svusd.org/devicesurvey

Providing of School Meals As was shared in the SVUSD update that went out to all families on Saturday, March 14, during school closures from March 16 - 27, Saddleback Valley Unified School District Nutrition Services will continue to operate lunch service. Take away lunch is available, free of charge, for all children 18 years old and younger as well as special needs adults up to age 23.

Take away lunch service locations are operating Monday through Friday between 12:00 pm and 1:00 pm from the student parking lot at all SVUSD comprehensive high schools and at the District Nutrition Services office. Please note that in order to receive a meal, the child must be present. Locations are:

• : 25255 Toledo Way, Lake Forest, CA 92630 • Laguna Hills High School: 25401 Paseo De Valencia, Laguna Hills, CA 92653 • Mission Viejo High School: 25025 Chrisanta Dr, Mission Viejo, CA 92691 • Trabuco Hills High School: 27501 Mustang Run, Mission Viejo, CA 92691 • District Nutrition Services: 25566 Peter A Hartman Way, Mission Viejo, CA 92691

We will continue to update you on any new guidance and/or plan as it becomes available. Again, thank you for your patience and understanding as we work through the logistics of the coming weeks together.

Thank you,

Crystal Turner, Ed.D. Superintendent