PUSD Superintendent Closes Schools for Three Weeks

Pasadena Unified Superintendent Brian McDonald on Friday morning ordered the closing of all District schools for three weeks beginning Monday, March 16, followed by a full reopening on Monday, April 6.

“In an abundance of caution, I am authorizing the dismissal of students from attending school March 16, 2020,” McDonald said in an email to the School Board.

“Dismissal involves teachers, staff, and other personnel who will be expected to report to work as we plan for the continuity of instruction. As of March 17-April 5, schools will be closed, Schools will reopen on April 6, provided there are no further developments.”

The board voted to give McDonald emergency powers to act without calling meetings on Thursday.

A press release said PUSD staff from all schools and programs in the District will report for work on Monday, March 16, but no students will be present.

Schools will undergo a deep cleaning during the closure period. Staff will continue to report to their assigned work location until notified otherwise by the District, the announcement said.

Several district staff members have been tested for the coronavirus. District officials have not announced the results of those tests. There are no confirmed cases within PUSD at this time.

On Friday, the Los Angeles Unified School District and the San Diego Unified school district also closed schools.

According to a statement from the district, instruction will continue during the closure period and accommodations are being made for students with disabilities. The district is preparing instruction in three phases:

• Standards-based general content packets via Powerschool will be live on Monday;
• Digital push-out with additional content using Powerschool Online Classrooms;
• Distance learning with two-way flow of work between students and teachers is in development in case it is needed. The district will be providing additional information about services for students with disabilities.

School meals will continue to be provided for students starting Tuesday, March 17. Information and locations and more information can be obtained on the district’s website or call the district hotline at (626) 396-3680 .

On March 12, the superintendents from Glendale, Pasadena and Burbank canceled athletic events in their respective districts.

“In the best interest of health and safety and in light of recent directives, from state and local health authorities to practice social distancing, we have made the decision to suspend all Pacific League CIF athletic practices and competitions from March 13 through April 13,” they said in a statement. “This decision has been made in collaboration with our fellow CIF Pacific League superintendents. We will reassess the situation in early April and determine the plan for practice and competition beyond April 13.”