2020 Learning Continuity and Attendance Plan

 

 

Exeter Unified is a rural district situated in the San Joaquin Valley near the foothills of the Sierra Nevada mountains. The population of the quaint town is approximately 10,000 people. The residents of Exeter are very passionate about their partnership with Exeter Unified to ensure the highest
quality educational experience for every student.

The unprecedented COVID-19 pandemic has had a tremendous impact on the entire Exeter Unified School District community and drastically altered the lives of our students, families, and staff. The unexpected closure of schools in March 2020 has impacted the physical, emotional, social, and educational landscape. Families and students have also been impacted by the physical separation from targeted supports and services that are typically provided in-person, including many services for English Learners, Foster Youth, Homeless Youth, and Students with Exceptional Needs. The COVID-19 pandemic has also resulted in increased isolation and disconnection due to the physical and social separation from the classroom and school community. Curriculum pacing, traditional methods of instruction and assessments of student learning have also been disrupted.

Due to Tulare County being on the state monitoring list our district has had to implement Distance Learning this Fall. Students, families, and staff have had to take on new roles. Parents, guardians, and caregivers – already important partners in the education of their students – have taken on increased responsibility as co-educators at home during distance learning with their students. This has been challenging for parents, guardians, and caregivers who are able to work at home and for those who are not. Many parents, guardians, and caregivers who are not able to work from home have had to balance the competing needs of caring for their children and maintaining their employment and income. Older students have also had to take on greater responsibility for younger siblings and/or relatives. This includes supporting the distance learning of those younger students, taking time away from their own learning. Staff have also faced tremendous challenges as many EUSD staff are also parents, guardians, or caregivers for school-aged children and are themselves balancing professional and personal responsibilities.

As a district, staff have also faced the additional challenge of providing a rigorous learning experience for all students virtually. We have worked together as both teachers and support staff to develop and implement a plan that will best support our students in these challenging times. Our district has created a hashtag and uses it on social media to remind the community that we are stronger together during this pandemic. #EUSD_StrongerTogether