Keppel Union School District

NO CHANGE TO START TIMES IN KEPPEL IN 2022-23: Keppel schools will not change the start times in the upcoming year. Based on Bill No. 328, instruction in California must start after 8:00 a.m. for middle schools and after 8:30 a.m. in high schools next school year. All schools in Keppel already have start times after 8:00 a.m. so there is no need for any changes to the bell schedule.

The Keppel Union School District is seeking student-centered individuals who would like to join the district’s dedicated and loyal workforce. To see available jobs and to apply, click on the blue tab on the district website’s homepage at the top right, “Join our Keppel Team.” If you have questions about open positions, please contact the Human Resources department at 661-944-2155. You may also visit the following link to see open positions and to apply: https://www.edjoin.org/Home/Jobs?countyID=0&districtID=1214

MASKING MANDATE TO BE LIFTED As of Saturday, March 12, 2022, indoor masking in TK-12 schools will no longer be required for students and staff. Both vaccinated and unvaccinated individuals are included in the removal of the masking requirement. The Los Angeles Department of Public Health aligned masking guidance to the California Department of Public Health criteria, shifting masking to “…strongly recommending indoor masking at childcare sites and TK-12 schools.” Staff and students in Keppel schools will be able to be unmasked beginning Monday, March 14, 2022. However, if another surge or severe variant is encountered, actions may be reinstated by State and County officials to protect the health and safety of individuals.

Reminder: March 18, 2022 is a Minimum Day. Also, Spring Break is March 21, 2022 to March 25, 2022 and is a non-student week. Enjoy your holiday break! Schools will resume their normal schedules on March 28, 2022.

Many of you may have seen the news and understand that California is slated to lift the mask mandate in schools later this month. All Superintendents in Los Angeles County have a meeting tomorrow, March 1st, with the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health and the Los Angeles County Office of Education staff, in which we will hear and discuss the newest information on masking. As soon as the district receives clarification based on the CDC, State, and County's information, we will communicate the changes to students’ families. We are hopeful to have information to share by this Wednesday. Thank you for your continued patience as we endeavor to keep our students, their families, and our staff safe as we continue “Opening Doors to Infinite Possibilities" in Keppel. Sincerely, Dr. Cardenas (Chief Door Opener/Superintendent)

Come on out tomorrow and grab some books and other goodies! Vengan mañana a recoger libros y otros regalitos!!

Outdoor Masking Optional for Schools: Starting today, February 16, 2022, the Health Officer Order for the County of Los Angeles will no longer require masking while outdoors at TK-12th grade schools, youth sports, and/or childcare settings. Students will now have the option of removing their masks while outside during unstructured activity times while still maintaining social distancing from their peers.

Join us today at 4:45 pm for the Community Update webinar for information regarding safety, wellness, and the LCAP. meet.google.com/oxm-cbcy-exx

Únase a nosotros el martes 8 de febrero de 2022 para un seminario web de actualización de la comunidad en el que se discutirá la seguridad, el bienestar y el LCAP.

Reminder: Tomorrow February 2, 2022 is a non-student day. Schools will resume with their regular schedule Thursday, February 3, 2022.

Join us on Tuesday, February 8, 2022 for a Community Update webinar discussing Safety, Wellness, and the LCAP.

The next workshop in the Mental Health Series is Drug and Alcohol Prevention. The workshop will help participants better understand the impact of addiction and mental wellness. Spanish session at 10 am. English session at 1 pm. https://us02web.zoom.us/j/6463820194?pwd=K0hKa01VZVkxOHVtRllwSE9NdDYwZz09

Reminder: We would like to remind our families that the Monday, January 17, 2022 is the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day Holiday and is a non-student day.

Reminder: We would like to remind our families that the Keppel Union School District will have a change in the release time for students on Wednesdays. Effective January 12, 2022, all TK-8th grade students will be released early every Wednesday in order for teachers to engage in collaborative discussion around data, lesson planning, student needs, and much more.

SCHOOL SAFETY UPDATE: The district is aware of media and social media (Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, etc.) reports regarding the potential for mass school violence across the nation on Friday, December 17, 2021. Our school/district staff will be on high alert. We ask that students and their families, staff, or any member of the community having information on any credible threat contact the Palmdale Sheriff Department at 661-272-2400 or for emergencies call 911, in addition to immediately reporting the information to the school/district office. Safety is our number one shared priority.

Reminder: There is a Special Board Meeting scheduled for tonight at 4:30 p.m., held virtually via Google Meet. To access the meeting, please copy the following link into your web browser: meet.google.com/jbr-ketb-jxt To access the agenda, please click on this link: https://www.agendaonline.net/public/Meeting.aspx?AgencyID=67&MeetingID=85532&AgencyTypeID=1&IsArchived=False

Reminder: December 17, 2021 is a Minimum Day. Also, Winter Break is December 20, 2021 through January 7, 2022. School will resume January 10, 2022.

Únase a nosotros para los talleres de promotores de salud mental en diciembre. Conozca los efectos del COVID-19 en su salud mental y lo que puede hacer para ayudar a sus hijos y a ustedes mismos.

Join us for The Mental Health Promoters Workshops in December. Learn about the effects of COVID-19 on your mental health and what you can do to help your children and yourselves.

It is an honor and privilege to share a special Veterans' Day video with our learning community to pay tribute to members of the Keppel District Family who have proudly served our country. Thank you for your distinguished service. To all of our nation’s Veterans, we celebrate you and thank you on Veterans' Day for your service and many personal sacrifices to defend the United States and the interests of the United States. Veteran's Day tribute video https://youtu.be/qGGwWiUfPJ0