UPDATE: Return to In-Person Instruction

MPUSD Families,

As February comes to a close, this March marks a year since the Monterey Peninsula Unified School District closed its school doors for in-person instruction. The last year has not been easy for our students, families and staff. We know the challenge has been real and many have struggled during this unprecedented time.

MPUSD held a community Town Hall in English and Spanish Thursday evening with information about the update on the return to in-person instruction. If you did not have a chance to participate, an archive of the meeting, as well as the PowerPoint, may be found HERE.

We look forward to welcoming students back onto campus for in-person instruction in a hybrid model following Spring Break as follows:

• April 8 and 9 | Transitional Kindergarten - 5th Grades
• April 12 | 6th, 9th, and 10th Grades (This date is contingent on Monterey County entering the red tier)
• April 19 | 7th, 8th, 11th and 12th Grades (This date is contingent on Monterey County entering the red tier)

We understand that while we are excited to return to campus, there are many who are still anxious about an in-person return. Since the beginning of this global pandemic MPUSD has made a commitment to operate following the guidelines outlined by county and state health officials. The decision to return continues this commitment and follows the guidance outlined by the California Department of Public Health’s “COVID-19 and Reopening In-Person Instruction Framework.

The following outlines next steps toward returning to in-person instruction:

• Information communicated to families in the coming weeks with details on the hybrid model (e.g., days and times, schedule).
• Families will be asked to commit to either the return to in-person instruction hybrid model or the full Distance Learning model. Once a family commits, it is binding for the remainder of the 2020-21 school year to adhere to staffing models and social distancing guidelines.
• The week prior to Spring Break (March 15 - 19) may look different for Distance Learning with an increase in asynchronous learning and a decrease in synchronous learning as teachers prepare their classrooms and attend professional development to teach in the hybrid model. This adjusted schedule will continue to meet the state-required minutes. The specific adjusted schedule will be sent out shortly so families can prepare appropriately. 

Depending on each school site’s scheduled parent teacher conferences, some parent teacher conferences at the elementary grade level may be impacted due to this shift in instruction and planning. We know many families are looking forward to meeting with their child’s teacher to discuss academic progress; and should your conference be impacted and you have a concern about your child we ask you to be patient as we get through the return to in-person instruction. If your concern cannot wait, you are always welcome to communicate with your teacher in their preferred mode of communication (e.g., ParentSquare, Class Dojo, email or phone). You may also reach out to your principal to support you in getting the information you need.

The coming weeks are critical as we prepare for our reopening. ​Additional information is forthcoming. ​​​A Town Hall will be held prior to Spring Break (tentatively set for Thursday, March 18) with additional details and information. Your school site will also be hosting a Town Hall with specific health and safety details to each site prior to their return date.

Please feel free to reach out if you have questions or need clarification.