Kayenta Unified School District 

Yá’át’ééh!

Kayenta Unified School District No. 27 is located in the Navajo Nation of Arizona. We are a people who take great pride in our heritage. It is our privilege and honor to be in the position to accompany our children on their journey to great heights and solid futures. As you learn about us, we know you’ll catch our enthusiasm and appreciate our awe-inspiring past, present, and future. We know that by working together, we accomplish great things!

KUSD Reopening Plans for 2020–2021

• AZ Dept of Education FAQ
• Distance Learning Plan Update
• KUSD COVID-19 Waiver, Release, and Assumption of Risk Form
• KES Distance Learning Handbook
• KMS Distance Learning Handbook
• MVHS Distance Learning Handbook
• Onsite Learning Opportunity Summary
• Onsite Support Plans
  • 5% Return to School Plan - KES
  • 5% Return to School Plan - KMS
  • 5% Return to School Plan - MVHS
• Return to School Mitigation Plan in Response to COVID-19 KUSD
• Return to School Mitigation Plan - January 2021
• State of AZ Executive Order 2021-04

Message from the Superintendent

February 5, 2021

School year 2020–21 has been one of consistent daily struggle for school employees, students, and families. The school district operates daily with information and guidance from policymakers, lawmakers, and tribal, state, and federal orders. The orders are either public health-related or policy-related. The difficulty is in applying the policy and directives to the local conditions surrounding all COVID-19 related information. Decision-making is for now and for what may or may not happen next. Examples include state assessment, Onsite Learning Opportunity, and the positivity rate of COVID-19 with the influence of the vaccination. 

State Assessment

The AZ Department of Education (ADE) has not issued any waiver for the state assessments such as AzM2, AZELLA, and other required assessments. The ADE expects school districts to administer the assessment. Recent guidance provided at a meeting from the ADE makes it clear school districts are to plan for assessment and plan on how it will be done safely. State assessments are required to be onsite and in person. The district is required to communicate often with parents on the status of the state assessment and the requirements of the assessment. KUSD 27 will plan to make the opportunity available for students to take the state exams. Be reminded these requirements may change, be amended, or provide some local flexibility in the administration of the assessment. Uncertainty is the condition in which the district has been operating for the majority of this school year.

Onsite Learning Opportunity

The district will consider allowing some students to come on campus for Onsite Learning Opportunity. The Onsite Learning brings a limited number of students to campus to learn in a safe and comfortable environment with support from school employees. There is no face-to-face instruction. We provide the students adequate space in the school gymnasiums and continue to receive instruction virtually with their regular classroom teachers. We provide Academic assistance, counseling, and social services if requested. We provide meals and transportation for those students that wish to participate. The district requires permission from a parent through the Parent Acknowledgement Form. CDC protocols are in place to provide a safe learning environment. Due to ongoing conditions and uncertainty of the COVID-19, the district mitigation plan is updated and amended as new conditions arise. The district mitigation plan is available on the district website.

Vaccine

More than half of all district employees received the COVID-19 vaccine. The vaccine provides protection against the virus for the employees. At this time, there is no vaccine approved for children under 16 years old. The data indicates the positivity rate of COVID-19 is on a significant downward trend for the Kayenta Service Unit. It should also be noted the Kayenta Service Unit often has the highest percent of the vaccines injected. The Kayenta Health Center has done a tremendous job protecting the community. The vaccine, the downward trend of the positivity rate, and the CDC protocols contribute to the overall safety of employees and the potential of bringing students onto campus beginning March 22, 2021. Your school will be contacting you to provide information about onsite learning. Of course, due to uncertainty of the virus, we will base all decisions on current data. President Joseph Biden nominated Dr. Miguel A. Cardona to serve as the U.S. Department of Education Secretary. Because of the nomination of Dr. Cordova, it is unclear if there will be a federal waiver for state assessments. We expect direction and guidance to be issued from the Biden administration once the new Secretary of Education is confirmed. It must be noted the Biden administration and the incoming Ed Secretary both have a goal of getting students back into the classrooms. This, too, is another uncertainty the district leadership and governing board operate under while making decisions in the best interest of the whole student.

It has been nearly one year since the education and learning of our students changed. As always, we appreciate your patience and understanding. 

Sincerely,

Lemual B. Adson

Lemual B. Adson
KUSD 27 Superintendent