FRIDAY, MAY 15 – 4 pm
Updates on the MVHS response to the COVID-19 crisis:
- Phase III of the EMUHSD distance learning plan took effect on May 5 and extends till June 4, the last day of the school year. The district is currently working on Phase IV, which will address Summer 2020 and Fall 2020.
- Summer school will be online, and is tentatively scheduled to take place from June 29 – July 24.
- The Fall 2020 semester will begin on Tuesday, August 18. It is unclear at this time, however, whether the semester will begin with on-campus instruction, remote instruction, or a combination of the two. The district is awaiting guidelines from the Los Angeles County Office of Education (LACOE), which are expected to be released in late May.
- Student registration for Fall 2020 will not be in-person. Mr. Oscar Gomez, assistant principal student services, will collaborate with the district office to create protocols for the process.
- Seniors can find updated Class of 2020 information at the MVHS website.
- According to an email from Superintendent Edward Zuniga, Class of 2020 “traditional graduation ceremonies” have been postponed until November. On June 4, “schools will commemorate graduation through a virtual senior activity paying tribute to the Class of 2020.” Further details regarding the MVHS virtual activity will be provided in the upcoming weeks.
- The district is creating a Senior Spotlight press release series to highlight the achievements and experiences of this year’s seniors. MVHS’s Angel Jimenez and Erika Rivera were featured in the first issue. If you are a senior who would like to share your story, or if you would like to share the story of a deserving senior, email EMUHSD Director of Curriculum and Instruction Hillary Wolfe at hillary.wolfe@emuhsd.org.
- MVHS staff delivered senior signs to members of the Class of 2020 this week.
- While state testing was cancelled for this year, the Advanced Placement (AP) tests began this week. Viking scholars took AP tests this week in subjects such as calculus and physics. AP exams continue next week through Friday, May 22.
- MVHS administration is finalizing student check-out procedures for the end of the 2019-2020 school year. More information is expected next week.
- Online tutoring is available through PREP.
TUESDAY, APRIL 21 – 5:30 pm
MVHS has implemented a schedule for distance learning, effective April 20. The purpose of the schedule is to ensure that students do not experience schedule conflicts for online meetings with their classes.
FRIDAY, APRIL 3 – 2:10 pm
MVHS and other district schools will remain closed physically, with distance learning, till the end of the academic year on June 4, according to an email yesterday from Superintendent Edward Zuniga. EMUHSD acted on guidance from the state Department of Education and the Los Angeles County Office of Education.
According to the email, the Class of 2020 graduation ceremony is postponed. Dr. Zuniga wrote, “we are assessing best options and are putting together a senior student leader advisory committee to explore ways in which to celebrate our seniors, both virtually and in a public setting, if it is safe.”
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 1 – 5:10 pm
It is increasingly likely that MVHS and other district schools will remain in school dismissal, with distance learning, through the end of the academic year, according to an email from Superintendent Edward Zuniga.
Superintendent Zuniga wrote that more information would be released tomorrow.
Dr. Zuniga noted that Los Angeles County Office of Education Superintendent Debra Duardo recommended today that schools remain “physically closed” till the end of the 2019-20 school year.
This follows guidance from state Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond, who wrote Tuesday, in a letter to school leaders, “it currently appears that our students will not be able to return to school campuses before the end of the school year.”
Dr. Zuniga noted that the district will “explore alternatives to celebrate” academic milestones while preserving “the safety and well-being of our students and staff.”
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 25 – 11:45 am
In an email to seniors, Principal Jose Marquez said that graduation for the class of 2020 would not be cancelled. He also indicated that detentions would not be counted against students this year for purposes of participation in graduation activities.
In a separate email to the entire student body, Mr. Marquez urged Vikings to approach the school dismissal as an opportunity to practice for career and college. “For example, when given an assignment, take the responsibility to complete them on your own as if you were a college student responding to a college professor or potential boss,” he wrote.
MONDAY, MARCH 23 – 12:45 pm
- MVHS and other district schools will remain closed through May 4, according to an email from Superintendent Edward Zuniga, “with a tentative return date of Tuesday, May 5, assuming the county’s [stay at home] order is lifted April 19. We plan to observe our scheduled Spring Break from April 13-17.” (The county order is here.) Distance learning will continue, and students will continue to have access to school breakfast and lunch.
- Superintendent Zuniga’s email also noted that California state testing, also known as CAASPP, has been suspended for this school year.
- AP Testing will continue, with further updates to come by April 3, according to an advisory published by the College Board on March 20.
- The MVHS Library will not charge fees for books that would have been due during the closure, according to an email from Librarian Nicki Stanley. “If you don’t remember what you have checked out, go to the “Destiny Library Catalog” tab on our Library Page, and click on the Destiny Catalog Basics link to learn how to log in to the library catalog (use your Google credentials, but don’t add @stu.emuhsd.org) and see what you have checked out,” wrote Ms. Stanley.
THURSDAY, MARCH 19 – 11:50 am
According to an email from Assistant Principal Student Affairs Allende Palma-Saracho, Prom has been rescheduled for May 29.
“Ticket sales will be extended and a new purchase deadline will be created when we return to school,” wrote Mr. Palma-Saracho.
SUNDAY, MARCH 15 – 6:53 pm
Students will have access to school breakfast and lunch during the closure, according to the closure plan communicated to staff by Superintendent Edward Zuniga.
“During this period of school closure…[the district] will be providing a cold grab and go breakfast and lunch at El Monte HS, Arroyo HS, and South El Monte HS. A drive-up/walk-up curbside service will be available at the front of the schools. These sites were selected during a meeting with the Nutrition Services Directors from El Monte City S[chool] D[istrict], Rosemead S[chool] D[istrict], Mountain View S[chool] D[istrict], and Valle Lindo S[chool] D[istrict]. Sit[e]s were strategically selected from all four districts so that families in our communities have the best access to school meals. All districts are serving under a Seamless Summer Program option that allows us to serve all children 18 years or younger. The student name and identification card are NOT required for access to school meals during this time. All students are eligible to receive a meal at one of the following locations from 9:00 am – 12:00 pm:
● El Monte High School – 3048 Tyler Avenue, El Monte, CA 91731
● Arroyo High School – 4921 Cedar Ave, El Monte, CA 91732
● South El Monte High School – 1001 Durfee Ave, South El Monte, CA 91733
● Durfee School – 12233 Star St., El Monte, CA 91732
● Gidley School – 10226 E. Lower Azusa Ave., El Monte, CA 91731
● Potrero School – 2611 N. Potrero Ave., El Monte, CA 91733
● Shirpser School – 4020 Gibson Rd, El Monte, CA 91731
● Payne Elementary School – 2850 Mountain View Rd, El Monte, CA 91732
● Kranz Intermediate School – 12460 Fineview St, El Monte, CA 91732
● Twin Lakes Elementary School – 3900 Gilman Rd, El Monte, CA 91732
● Encinita Elementary School – 4515 Encinita Ave, Rosemead, CA 91770
● Savannah Elementary School – 3720 Rio Hondo Ave, Rosemead, CA 91770
● Muscatel Middle School – 4201 Ivar Ave, Rosemead, CA 91770
● Shively Middle School – 1431 Central Ave, South El Monte, CA 91733
This system will be in place Monday, March 16 through the dismissal period of
Friday, March 27.”
FRIDAY, MARCH 13 – 3:01 pm
Students will not attend MVHS from March 16 – March 27, according to a public address announcement made by Assistant Principal Instruction Maria Montano at the end of 5th period today. Staff will return to MVHS on Monday, according to a second announcement by Ms. Montano at 3 pm.
Ms. Montano encouraged staff and student to check their EMUHSD Gmail regularly, as updates will be sent by district and/or site administration through email.
The EMUHSD Board of Trustees held an emergency meeting this afternoon and passed an emergency resolution authorizing Superintendent Edward Zuniga “to take any and all actions necessary to ensure the continuation of public education, and the health and safety of the students and staff at the district sites.”
FRIDAY, MARCH 13 – 10 am
According to an email from Child Welfare and Attendance Coordinator Anthony Martinez, Saturday School is suspended until further notice.
THURSDAY, MARCH 12 – 4:10 pm
According to an email from Assistant Principal Student Affairs Allende Palma-Saracho, the March 20 Food Fair has been “postponed indefinitely as a safety precaution.”
THURSDAY, MARCH 12 – 12 pm
EMUHSD Superintendent Edward Zuniga issued a memo on Wednesday, March 11, detailing district responses to prevent the spread of COVID-19, commonly known as coronavirus. The Scroll will use this page to update the MVHS community on developments and specific events that have been affected at MVHS.
The drama spring performance, Little Shop of Horrors, has been postponed.
According to Mr. Allende Palma-Saracho, assistant principal student affairs, the Food Fair scheduled for Friday, March 20 will still take place.
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