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Kellis: DUSD schools are ready to start

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The 2020-2021 school year is here, and what a unique 100th Anniversary school year it will be.

I’m so happy to welcome our Dysart students back. Parents have chosen how their children will learn; now it is our opportunity to provide an extraordinary learning experience in every learning format.

Even though the year will begin remotely, teachers will be teaching full-time, every day. Dysart remains committed to the academics, arts and athletics, clubs and other extracurricular activities.

Dysart has offered our parents a choice of in-person classes, or full-time online classes through Dysart iSchool, a state certified online school. We are so proud to continue offering extraordinary educational options for students that will prepare them for college and train our current and future workforce.

This year Dysart is using a rigorous and challenging curriculum for both in-person and online learning formats. This ensures continuity as families transition through the COVID-19 crisis. Students can stay on track academically, regardless of whether they’re learning remotely, in person or online.

Dysart has been using this nationally accredited curriculum for our Dysart iSchool program at the high school level with great success since 2016, and we’ve been doing online courses since 2012, so this is not new to us. I am confident Dysart is ready to deliver classes in this uncertain and ever changing landscape.

Arts are still very alive in Dysart. Students will participate in visual and performing arts and rehearse and showcase their talents in a variety of safe public performance formats, no matter the phase we are in. Dysart is thrilled to display and celebrate the extraordinary talents our students possess. 

Dysart is also committed to providing extraordinary athletic opportunities for students. We have some amazingly talented athletes. Dysart continued to support athletes with summer strength conditioning in preparation for fall sports. High school athletic classes that were launched last year continue this year. Statewide, schools are monitoring for AIA updates. 

New to Dysart this year is the Dysart Student Broadcast program (DSB Live), which gives students live experience streaming school events for our community. With the need for virtual interactions right now, the timing of this broadcasting program is perfect. Stay tuned for programming schedules for upcoming school athletic and arts events. Best of all — there will be no charge to view them.

We love engaging with our community. I can’t wait for school to switch from learning online to learning at school again.

In the meantime, I am looking for ways to support our community as we stand strong through this historic time. I wish everyone a safe, healthy and extraordinary school year. 

Editor’s Note: Mr. Kellis is the DUSD superintendent.