By: Monica Aviles
On March 13, 2020, VUSD announced that all schools will be closed till April 13, 2020. “The health, safety, and well-being of students and staff are the highest priority for Visalia Unified School District; and as such, the District has attentively been monitoring the situation surrounding COVID-19.”
Hundreds of schools are closed in the U.S. today, and this has evoked panic amongst students, teachers, and families.
According to the California Department of Public Health (CDPH), it is confirmed that, as of March 23, 2020, there are a total of 2,102 positive cases and forty deaths in California (including one non-California resident).
On March 12, 2020, all activities including over 200 people were either canceled or postponed. This includes sports, mock trial, choir, band and orchestra concerts, and so many other extracurricular activities.
State governments are also ordering for bars and restaurants to close to enforce “social distancing.” Most of Visalia’s largest churches are closing as well. Most restaurants are only allowing drive-thrus open, and the Visalia mall has also closed.
VUSD school closures due to COVID-19 will be affecting over 32,000 students. Leaving some without the entrust of school breakfasts and lunches. Schools across the U.S. are creating different methods for children to receive proper meals by making “grab – n – go” bags, setting up delivery routes, or passing out food at churches, banks, etc.
VUSD will also be creating “grab – n – go” meals for all children ages from 1 – 18. Children and their parents will be able to pick up these meals at certain locations and specific days/times. For more information on this, contact VUSD’s Nutritional Services Department: (559) 730 – 7871
Due to school closures, many children are going to end up staying home, which causes stress for parents who rely on schools to look after their children during working hours.
“This is a time for us to take care of each other and demonstrate love and compassion. I am confident that we will get through this situation together.”
– Dr. Tamara Ravalín