March 29, 2021
Dear AUSD Community,
A Day To Celebrate! Nearly 1,100 Albany students in Transitional Kindergarten through fifth grade returned to our schools today for daily in-person instruction. I have never before in my lengthy career seen young learners so excited to get to their classrooms! It was incredibly heartwarming to be at our campuses and witness how we are emerging strong from this pandemic while holding to our values of safety for all. I encourage you to thank a teacher for their monumental efforts in getting these classrooms open.
Full Reopening Is Planned for Fall 2021
Albany Unified is committed to a complete return to in-person instruction for all grades in the 2021-2022 school year. This has been the position of the Board and myself for some time. This communication is intended to reassure our community that this is our goal and intent, and to inform you of the process for planning the full return to a normal, on-campus, five-days-a-week school schedule. Students who may not be able to return to in-person instruction at that time will still receive a top notch education remotely.
At the April 6 Board of Education meeting, the Board will review and discuss an outline of the inclusive planning process we will utilize to plan our 2021-22 opening. You are welcome to watch and take part in that presentation. More details about this meeting will be sent out later this week.
Next year may still look different than pre-pandemic times. There is much that we don’t know now about the Fall, and it seems likely that we may still be wearing face masks and be practicing social distancing. However, Albany students will be in school, with teachers and staff who are committed to their growth and education.
In the spirit of moving forward together,
Dr. Frank Wells
Superintendent of Schools
Albany Unified School District