May 15, 2020 Update

Good afternoon, BUSD family, this is Tracy McSparren, your Superintendent.  I promised an update when we heard any additional guidance from the Los Angeles Department of Public Health (LADPH). Yesterday the Public Health Director ordered the following:

“The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health Officer’s Safer at Home Order prohibits all public and private gatherings. The Order does not allow any exemptions for graduation gatherings of any type in order to limit the spread of COVID-19. This means all in-person graduation ceremonies, including use of cars for drive-in graduations (even if one student at a time), are considered public gatherings and are therefore prohibited. Virtual ceremonies are permitted and encouraged as a means of commemorating this important life event for young people and their families.”

Although we were holding out hope that we would be able to hold some type of in person or drive up celebration, it will not be the case. 

BUSD is  currently working on  virtual celebrations and other types of acknowledgements for our students.  We are proud of our graduating class of 2020!   Our Middle and Elementary Schools have also been working on virtual celebrations of their promoting classes.  

You will be receiving information in the next few weeks on how we will close out the school year.  We will also provide information on how students may return items or get personal belongings that may still be at the school. 

The LADPH did not give new orders on schools reopening.  I will notify you as soon as information is available. The Governor is proposing a 25% cut to our budget. If that comes to fruition it will impact how we approach the opening once definitive orders are spelled out.

Regardless of the challenge,  whether it be in classrooms, virtually, or a combination of both, BUSD will provide education and support to our students in the fall. Our school start date of August 13, 2020 has not changed.  

I know that we are a strong community and together we will continue to meet all the challenges head on and build futures for our students. 

On behalf of the Board of Education and our District, I want to thank everyone in the BUSD family, students, teachers, staff, and our community for their hard work, dedication, and support during this unprecedented time.