School Districts Close Due to COVID-19

Updated Message to HCS Families from Horizon’s CEO

We have made the difficult decision to close Horizon Charter Schools temporarily in light of the California Public Health Department’s announcement to transition from containment to mitigation to slow the spread of Novel Coronavirus 2019/COVID-19 and the closure of all schools in the two largest districts Horizon serves — Placer County and Sacramento County — which includes our sponsoring district, Western Placer Unified School District.

School will be closed from Monday, March 16, 2020 through and including April 3, 2020. Horizon’s Spring Break is set to begin April 6 and conclude April 10. School will reopen April 13.

The closure affects all Horizon Charter Schools students and classes. This includes: homeschool, independent study, and virtual learning families; Roseville Learning Center students; and Lincoln Montessori students. In addition, all study trips, events, and in-person meet-ups, as well as core and elective classes offered through Horizon’s educational partners are cancelled until April 13.

While we still have many things to consider regarding the day-to-day operation of the school, to ensure the safety and well-being of all Horizon staff, they are being asked not to be in the workplace during the closure. Staff will continue to be on paid status.

The following is a letter sent today to all Horizon Charter Schools families and staff. We will post new updates as needed. Thank you for your patience and understanding as we work together to help stop the spread of this disease. We hope you all remain healthy and safe.

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Dear Horizon Charter Schools Community,

The California Public Health Department announced on Tuesday, March 10, 2020, that they have transitioned from containment measures to community mitigation measures to slow the spread of Coronavirus/COVID-19. The intent was to protect those who are most vulnerable to severe illness and allow the health care system to prepare resources to take care of severely ill patients.

The public health crisis, created by the Coronavirus/COVID – 19, is not something that any of us could reasonably have expected to happen, and we are in uncharted waters as we work to prevent the spread of the illness. We have been following the guidance of public health experts on how we can keep all who are part of our school community — students, staff, family members, visitors, and community partners — safe in the midst of a growing health crisis. We are now at a point where the balance has shifted and the appropriate path is to close school.

We are taking this step to keep our school communities safe.

Beginning Monday, March 16, 2020, Horizon Charter Schools will follow the lead of our sponsoring district to close school from March 16, 2020 through and including April 3, 2020. Our Spring Break will commence on April 6, 2020 and conclude on April 10, 2020. School will open once again for students on Monday, April 13, 2020.

Questions and Answers:

Q: What will learning look like for my student(s) while school is closed?

A: Learning Resources will be released for students early next week.

Q: Will these days need to be made up at the end of the year?

A: No.

Q: Is the school taking attendance?

A: No, however, remember students should stay safe and away from others.

Thank you for your kind patience during this sensitive time of transition. May good health and safety follow you and your families!

Dr. Cynthia D. V. Wood, Ed.D
Superintendent/Chief Executive Officer
Horizon Charter Schools
2800 Nicolaus Road, Suite 100
Lincoln, CA95648

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For more information about COVID-19 and its impact on Horizon Charter Schools, please see our post from March 9, 2020.