May 1, 2020 Update From Gilroy Unified School District Superintendent Flores

Press release from the Gilroy Unified School District:

May 1 2020

Dear GUSD staff and families:

It is the beginning of May and summer weather is here. I am grateful to live in California where nature’s beauty surrounds us. I am thankful for the green hills of Gilroy which remind me that even after winter’s cold, new life emerges with the spring.

Today is National School Lunch Hero Day and I would like to extend my gratitude to our Food Service team for all that they have done to serve the children of the Gilroy community over the last seven weeks. They have worked in close partnership with our Maintenance team and Transportation team to provide resources to our families in safe and clean environments and they always serve our families with a smile. They are a source of comfort and joy for everyone with whom they interact. I am proud they are part of our GUSD team.

Here are some updates for you:

Santa Clara County and Bay Area Extension of the Shelter in Place Order

The big news this week was the extension of the Shelter in Place order for our County and other Bay Area counties and cities from May 4 through May 31. There was some easing of the restrictions including allowing the following to resume with strict protocols about social distancing: construction projects, real estate transactions, outdoor business such as nurseries, landscaping and agriculture and certain outdoor recreational facilities can re-open. The new order has no impact on district operations. Schools are closed through the end of the school year and distance learning remains in place.

Governor Newsom's Comments about the Start of the Next School Year

On Tuesday, April 28, Governor Newsom made some comments about public schools possibly opening next year in late July or early August. This was a surprise to many in the education community as superintendents have been asked to prepare for the possible continuation of distance learning next fall (2020). Since then, State Superintendent Tony Thurmond announced that he "has convened a statewide working group of collaborators charged with exploring what factors need to be considered before schools can safely re-open, and what must be accomplished to protect the health and safety of students, families, teachers, and classified staff." Our district leadership continues to monitor and plan for any number of scenarios regarding the return to school and the 2020-21 school year. Currently, there is no plan to amend the 2020-21 school year calendar. The COVID19 pandemic is a fluid situation and we will communicate any changes or modifications to the upcoming school year if and when they occur. We remain committed to the health and safety of our staff and students and will only reopen our campuses when the Santa Clara County Public Health Department has deemed it safe to do so.

Changes in Food Distribution

Beginning Monday, May 4, the Gilroy Unified School District is changing food service days pdf . Meals will continue to be provided at seven school sites (Solorsano Middle School, South Valley Middle School, Eliot Elementary School, Glen View Elementary School, Rod Kelley Elementary School and Rucker Elementary School) on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, from 10:00 am - 1:00 pm. Food distributed will still be for all seven days of the week. Monday meal bags will contain meals through Wednesday morning. Wednesday meal bags will contain meals through Friday morning. Friday meal bags will contain meals through the following Monday morning. As always, adults may pick up as many meals as are needed for the children in their home. Children don't need to be present for adults to receive food.

2020-2021 Registration Open

Registration information for the current school year and for incoming students for the 2020-21 school year is now being accepted. There are two ways to enroll: online (for families with internet access) or paper registration (for families without internet access).

Click here for more information and to begin enrollment now. If you have questions about the registration process, please email registration@gilroyunified.org or call 669.205.4013.

Welcome New Luigi Aprea Elementary School Principal

On Tuesday, April 28, we announced the appointment of the new Luigi Aprea Elementary School principal, Nicole Black. Ms. Black joins the Gilroy Unified School District from Stevenson Ranch Elementary School, and replaces outgoing Principal Michael Kelly, who will be moving across the country with his wife and son. You can read the full release here.

Current 6th Grade Students---Immunization Requirements for 7th Grade

At this time, we are not sure what school will look like for the fall start of the 2020-2021 school year. We do know that as of right now the Public Health Department and the State of California are still requiring public school students to meet immunization requirements. At the transition to seventh grade, students are required to provide proof of Tdap vaccination after the age of 7 and second Varicella vaccination. Most current sixth grade students have already received these vaccines but proof has not been provided to their middle school. Proof of these vaccinations is required before current 6th graders may start 7th grade. Letters have been mailed to families with students that still need to provide proof of these vaccinations. If you have received this letter and have not yet provided proof of these vaccinations during this school year, please review your child's immunization records looking for those specific vaccinations. If they have had them, please scan or take a photo of the entire immunization record being sure to include the student's name and email to your specific school's School Nurse.

• Solorsano Middle School: juracia.carbajal@gilroyunified.org
• Brownell Middle School: ronda.boykin@gilroyunified.org
• South Valley Middle School: ronda.boykin@gilroyunified.org

If your child does not have these vaccinations, you will need to contact your medical care provider to schedule a time with them as to when your child may receive those vaccinations prior to the start of the 2020-2021.

2020 Census

As of April 26, 63.7% of households in Santa Clara County have self-responded to the 2020 Census. However, there are still several of our neighbors that run the risk of being under counted. Please respond now and encourage your family members, your friends, and your neighbors to do the same. The Census results effects funding for educational programs that benefit our children, like after-school activities, school meal programs, and Head Start.

Participate in the census now by responding online at: or by phone with a customer representative: 844-330-2020. Customer service representatives are available in 12 languages. For more information click here.

GUSD Facilities Projects Continue

With schools being closed, progress on Brownell Middle School and the Gilroy High School pool renovation have been fast-tracked. Take a look at the latest photo updates pdf from both school sites. Next up: the South Valley Middle School rebuild. That project kicked off on April 15, and the expected timeline for completion is 2024.

Closing Comments:

This week, we recognized our Food Services team and Ed Services STEAM Coordinator, Kay Guenther, as our GUSD Behind the Scenes All-Stars. Read about their contributions to the success of our district here. Next Tuesday, May 5, is Teacher Appreciation Day. While most of our school sites celebrate our school staff members for an entire week, this year’s celebrations must be virtual. I want to invite you to share photos and videos with us showing how you’re celebrating our teachers and staff all week long. Please email your photos and videos to communications@gilroyunified.org or share them on social media and tag our district. We’ll compile those photos into a slideshow next week and celebrate next Friday. Thank you for your continued patience and grace as we continue to move through this new educational frontier.

Take care of each other,

Dr. Deborah A. Flores, Ph.D.

Superintendent, Gilroy Unified School District

This press release was produced by the Gilroy Unified School District. The views expressed here are the author’s own.