On March 31, a call and email were sent out to parents and guardians in the Ventura Unified School District (Ventura Unified) regarding the announcement made by California State Superintendent Tony Thurmond earlier that evening. 

“Due to the current safety concerns and needs for ongoing social distancing it currently appears that our students will not be able to return to school campuses before the end of the school year,” stated Thurmond in the announcement.

Thurmond acknowledged the hardship that this might cause for families, students and educators, but encouraged the spread of learning through the use of distance learning. 

According to the letter, the goal for this is to create a “safety first approach out of an abundance of caution.” 

Ventura Unified plans to evaluate the next steps for students and educators and will provide more information when it is available.