YUHSD to suspend extracurricular activities indefinitely
The following message was distributed to Yuma Union High School District families and staff members today:
The situation regarding COVID-19 continues to evolve around the world. In the past few days, we have heard from families who are seeking guidance on precautions and we have heard from many of those who are expressing concerns. We all understand that we have a social responsibility to each other and our community to be a part of a global solution to help “flatten the curve” and reduce the spread of communicable disease through social distancing. We take this responsibility seriously.
In the interest of student and staff health and safety, Yuma Union High School District will suspend all extracurricular activities until further notice, beginning Friday, March 13, 2020. While there are no confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Yuma County, we are taking this step with an abundance of caution. As we have throughout this international health crisis, YUHSD personnel will continue to monitor and assess the situation with decisions being made in the best interest of our families, staff members, and community.
Our goal is to provide the safest academic environment possible. Classes will proceed as regularly scheduled with food service and transportation fully operational. However, this suspension of after-school events includes all activities, athletics, performances, field trips, student travel, and staff professional development as well as facilities rentals/after-school community use of facilities.
It is with great consideration that we make this decision. As the public health epidemic continues to rapidly evolve, it remains imperative that we partner with the medical community to help mitigate large public gatherings, practice safe personal hygiene, and social distancing. While it is heartbreaking to potentially disappoint and disrupt the high school experience for our students, it is an essential decision.
In closing, I want to assure you that we weighed information and recommendations from a variety of public officials, higher education partners, and healthcare professionals, and I believe I have made the best possible decision for our students, staff and families.
Yuma Union High School District will continue to provide the most up-to-date information on its official website yumaunion.org. Families are encouraged to visit the website, and not rely on social media, telephone calls, rumors, and other unreliable modes of communication. We will continue to provide updates to families through our Blackboard messaging system as well.
Best regards,
Gina Thompson
Superintendent, Yuma Union High School District #70