by Staff Writer Megh Basu
On the morning of Wednesday, March 25, FUSD announced the decision to extend school closures until at least May 1 due to the rising threat of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19). This announcement followed a Bay Area-wide shelter-in-place order that was implemented the week before, leaving only essential businesses remaining open.
The resolution was reached in coordination with the Alameda County Offices of Education, who have been working closely with nearby county offices of education in Santa Clara, San Francisco, Contra Costa, Marin, and San Mateo. Speaking on the extension, Alameda County Superintendent of Schools L. Karen Monroe said, “As our schools continue to move through these extraordinary circumstances, regional educational leaders prioritized a unified approach for the appropriate extension of school closures.”
Although FUSD schools were set to reopen on March 30, Gov. Gavin Newsom warned in a press conference that many CA schools may remain closed for the rest of the academic year. Newsom also signed an executive order, which would suspend standardized testing for the 2019-20 school year if given federal approval. In a letter to President Donald Trump asking for medical aid in Los Angeles, Newsom stated his belief that roughly 56% of Californians — around 25.5 million people — were likely to be infected by COVID-19 in coming months.
With the Bay Area’s death toll rising to 26 fatalities as of March 25, Santa Clara County Executive Jeff Smith estimated there may currently be up to 10,000 infected people in the county. Meanwhile, health officials reported on March 25 that there are now 135 confirmed COVID-19 cases in Alameda County, an increase of 23 people from March 23. As multiple Bay Area counties report growing numbers of COVID-19 cases, health organizations such as the World Health Organization (WHO) recommend risk-reduction precautions, such as washing one’s hands, covering one’s face while coughing or sneezing, and practicing social distancing.
During school closures, classes are to be conducted over online platforms like Zoom. Students who are in need of meals can pick up Grab-and-Go complimentary breakfasts and lunches at Irvington, Kennedy, and Washington High School from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. In addition, the Fremont Unified Student Store has partnered with community businesses to provide free lunches. FUSD Acting Superintendent Raúl Zamora said, “As anxious as we are to open schools and get things back to normal, safety comes first. We are confident with the wide array of online opportunities created and used by our teachers and staff, learning will continue for our students as long as necessary.”
FUSD’s 42 schools are tentatively scheduled to reopen on Monday, May 4; however, this is subject to change depending on the circumstances. Students and parents can check the district website for updates.
“This whole coronavirus thing kind of threw everyone off path, including me. School is basically toast, and we don’t know what to do at home. This is the first time anyone in my generation has really been a part of something like this, so it’s new, it’s exciting, it’s terrifying, and real. I think that’s going to be a big takeaway for a lot of people, how bored you can get of yourself. I’m just following this through hoping that I can get something out of it. It’s the perfect time to destress and restart yourself from the ground up, and there’s a good chance we’ll never get a two month break like this for the rest of our lives, so I’ll use it wisely.”
“School obviously has to remain closed for the greater good. I support school being closed, but being the mother of a high schooler and middle schooler it’s very difficult to provide instruction. While we are aware the district is researching to adopt a platform for online instruction, I also think a tactical solution at the school level will help the kids keep up with their learning. Other private schools and some public schools have already adapted. Kudos to the teachers who have taken initiative for their students’ education at this time.
“This whole coronavirus thing kind of threw everyone off path, including me. School is basically toast, and we don’t know what to do at home. This is the first time anyone in my generation has really been a part of something like this, so it’s new, it’s exciting, it’s terrifying, and real. I think that’s going to be a big takeaway for a lot of people, how bored you can get of yourself. I’m just following this through hoping that I can get something out of it. It’s the perfect time to destress and restart yourself from the ground up, and there’s a good chance we’ll never get a two month break like this for the rest of our lives, so I’ll use it wisely.”
— Nihar Duvvuri, 10
“School obviously has to remain closed for the greater good. I support school being closed, but being the mother of a high schooler and middle schooler it’s very difficult to provide instruction. While we are aware the district is researching to adopt a platform for online instruction, I also think a tactical solution at the school level will help the kids keep up with their learning. Other private schools and some public schools have already adapted. Kudos to the teachers who have taken initiative for their students’ education at this time.”
— Paramita Das, Parent
Photo courtesy FUSD
