• Superintendent's Message Banner

    En Español

    April 30, 2020
    Hello Class of 2020,

    I hope you are hanging in there. These are crazy times. First, I wanted to say how sad it is to not be spending the first week of June with you at graduation. I was looking forward to seeing each of you, hearing your speeches, cheering, and celebrating such an important milestone in your life. I know this is not an easy time for you, and I really want to say that I am sorry that all this has happened in your final semester at school. We are doing everything we can to somehow make this manageable for you. I wanted to thank those of you who have written to me about graduation and other senior activities. Right now, it looks like we are only going to be able to do a virtual graduation because of the rules around COVID-19 pandemic. But we are working to plan other types of reunion activities in the late summer or during next year's winter break that allows you and your classmates to get back together again.

    Some of you might know that I am originally from New York City and I was there during the 9/11 terrorist attacks. It was a scary, strange and uncomfortable time but we got through it and we will get through this one too. If you need anything like a chromebook, internet access, food, some counseling or any kind of help, please let me know and I will respond immediately.  You guys are an amazing group of students. 

    I have had a few calls with students and a number of seniors have shared with me it is not easy keeping up with the online work. We will make sure your teachers hear that. Most colleges and universities have told us that you will not be penalized for your work this semester. We are working to finalize our grading policy so that no student can be really hurt academically during this time.

    With that said, the last two months of school can normally be a time for "senioritis" when seniors check out a little or find themselves with less motivation than before. I ask you to do your best to stay focused and get your work done over these last weeks of school. Can you believe starting next week, there are only four weeks of school left before senior graduation week?  Crazy. Anyway, don't let it all slip over these last four weeks. If you are having trouble keeping up, don't be afraid to speak and ask for some help from your teachers, counselor, Principal or whoever you trust most at your school. We want you to succeed!

    You have done so much in the classroom, on the sports fields, in the arts, in your clubs and around your campuses. My job is to make your school life and school studies as interesting and engaging as they can be so again, don't hesitate to reach out if you need anything. My email is matthew.duffy@wccusd.net. At the end of the day, we all need to stay healthy and safe and not take any chances with our health, so let's focus on that and hope we can get back to regular life as soon as possible.  

    See you guys soon.

    Matthew Duffy
    Superintendent