Letter to Families from KCSD Superintendent Szymoniak

Below is a message from KCSD Superintendent, Glen Szymoniak regarding COVID-19 and the end of the academic school year.

Dear KCSD families,

Thank you for your continued patience, grace, and extra effort in working with teachers during this challenging time.

I want to share with you the district’s thoughts and plans as we move forward. My deepest desire is to have our schools be the best place for students to learn next fall and beyond.

In March, the COVID-19 pandemic caught our nation off guard. As schools closed, districts rallied to provide distance learning to their students. Our teachers had only a few days to create online lessons, learn digital platforms and connect with students in their homes. As the school year ends, we want to shift from reacting to this crisis to preparing our teachers for next year.

To accomplish this, the district will end this academic year for students on June 3 so we can provide professional development training for teachers on our new digital instruction formats. This training will be with experts with extensive experience in distance delivery and online education.

Next fall, I fully expect that schools in our region will be conducting face-to-face instruction under social distancing guidelines. While nothing can replace the power of a teacher’s face-to-face interaction with students in a traditional classroom, digital content may be a vital part of what students will need in the coming school year.

As the school year ends, please note:

• For families using a district Chromebook, you will need to return them to your school in working order on June 4 or 5. Schools will be contacting you with a schedule of drop-off times. Devices will be remotely deactivated and will not work after June 4. A charge of $250 will be applied to your PaySchools account if devices are not returned in working order.

• High school students taking dual credit college courses will continue to have access until their courses are complete. These students will receive instructions from their teachers on when and where they should return district Chromebooks.

• The Grab and Go Meal Program will continue through June 12.

• Day care offered by the district to first responders will end on June 12.

We appreciate all you are doing at home during this time. Please encourage your students to continue to engage with their teachers and complete their assignments through the end of the school year.

Sincerely,
Glen Szymoniak, Superintendent
Klamath County School District

Please continue check our website -- http://www.kcsd.k12.or.us/ -- and Facebook -- https://www.facebook.com/KlamathCountySchoolDistrict/ for updated information, fun photos, and positive stories about district staff and students.