Fire Updates for the 2007 Witch Fire ~ Oct 21, 2007 - Oct 26, 2007
Voice and email messages sent to parents

Click here for messages sent to employees

Message sent to parents  the morning of October 22, 2007

Last night all employees and parents were notified that school was cancelled for today and that updates would be provided as soon as possible.

This is to remind you that all Poway schools, including our pre-schools and ESS, as well as all school related activities, have been cancelled for today. If you are a parent and employee, all transportation department employees, including drivers, mechanics and dispatchers should report to work unless prevented to do so by personal necessity.

For the remainder of the week, we will continue to provide staff and parents with additional updates and timely reminders regarding the status of our schools. For those wishing to do so, you may continue to access our District website for updates.

Thank-you,
Deputy Superintendent John Collins

SPANISH VERSION:

Este es Superintendente Adjunto John Collins, con una actualización de Poway Unified School District. Anoche todos los empleados y sus padres fueron notificados de que la escuela fue cancelado por hoy, y que se actualiza tan pronto como sea posible. Esto es para recordarle que todas las escuelas de Poway, incluyendo nuestros centros de educación preescolar y ESS, así como todas las actividades relacionadas con la escuela, han sido canceladas para el día de hoy, si son padres o trabajadores del distrito. Todos los empleados de servicio de transporte, incluyendo conductores, mecánicos y despachadores debe informar a los trabajos menos impedido de hacerlo por necesidad personales. El resto de esta semana, vamos a seguir proporcionando el personal y los padres con más actualizaciones y oportunidades recordatorios sobre el estado de nuestras escuelas. Para aquellos que deseen hacerlo, puede acceder a nuestro sitio web para obtener actualizaciones del Distrito. Gracias.

Fire Update #2, Monday, 10/22/07
~Message sent to parents October 22, 2007

Hello. It is Monday, October 22, at approximately noon and this is Deputy Superintendent John Collins with another update from Poway Unified School District.

Please be advised that all Poway schools and school related activities, including preschool and ESS, have been cancelled for tomorrow and Wednesday of this week, October 23 and 24. At this time, all CIF practices and activities have been cancelled for today and tomorrow. In addition, the PUSD College Fair, scheduled to take place tomorrow, Tuesday, October 23, at Mt. Carmel High School has also been cancelled.

Updates will continue to be provided to all parents and employees through this Connect Ed service and by accessing the District’s web page.

During this difficult and challenging time, we offer our thoughts and concerns for you and your families.

Thank you and we will update you as soon as possible.

Deputy Superintendent John Collins

SPANISH VERSION:

Es lunes, 22 de octubre, aproximadamente a las 11:00 am y esta es otra actualización de Poway Unified School District's del Superintendente Adjunto John Collins. Tengan en cuenta que todas las escuelas de Poway y actividades relacionadas, incluyendo la preescolar y EES, han sido canceladas para mañana y el miércoles de esta semana, 23 de octubre y 24. En este momento, todas las practicas de CIF y actividades han sido canceladas por hoy y mañana. Además, La Feria del Colegio PUSD , que se celebrará mañana por la noche, el martes, 23 de octubre, en el Monte. Carmel High School también ha sido cancelada. Las actualizaciones seguirán prestando un servicio a todos los padres y empleados a través de Connect Ed y accediendo a la página web del Distrito. Durante este difícil momento, ofrecemos a nuestros pensamientos y preocupaciones de ustedes y sus familias. Gracias.

Fire Update #3, Monday, 10/22/07,4:30 pm

October 22, 2007 regarding the Poway Unified School District. As a reminder to all parents and employees, all of our schools, the preschool and ESS programs will be closed tomorrow and Wednesday of this week. In addition, all school related events including the PUSD College Fair and CIF practices and activities have been canceled throughout San Diego County through Wednesday, October 24. We will continue to provide you with additional updates which can be accessed through this Connect Ed service and the District’s web page.

Thank you and take care. 
Deputy Superintendent John Collins

SPANISH VERSION:

Buenas tardes, este es Superintendente Adjunto John Collins, una vez más, con una actualización para el día de hoy, 22 de octubre de 2007 en relación con el Distrito Escolar Unificado de Poway. Como un recordatorio a todos los padres y empleados, de todas nuestras escuelas, los programas de preescolar y ESS se cerrará mañana y el miércoles de esta semana. Además, todos los eventos relacionados con la escuela incluyendo la Feria del Colegio Guinea-Bissau y CIF prácticas y actividades se han cancelado en todo San Diego hasta el miércoles, 24 de octubre.

Seguiremos prestando con actualizaciones adicionales de los que se puede acceder a través de este servicio Connect Ed y el Distrito de la página web.

Gracias y cuidar.

Fire Update #4, Tuesday, 10/23/07, 5 pm
Message sent to parents

This is a message on Tuesday, October 23, from Poway Unified School District Superintendent Don Phillips with information for parents and students of our schools.

Due to the terrible fires which have swept through our community, all Poway Unified schools and all schools in San Diego County will be closed for student attendance through the entire week.

Also, all school activities, including Extended Student Services, Adult Education and ROP classes, and all CIF sports, practices, competitions, and tournaments have been cancelled through the entire week and week-end.

I know many families of our school community have suffered tragic losses to their homes and personal property and that many have been displaced by the widespread evacuations.

I want to share my deep personal concern and care for our students, parents, employees, and community members affected by this terrible natural disaster.

I’ve been moved by the spirit of giving and outpouring of support from so many of our families in this time of personal loss and need.

I have confidence that our entire school community will recover quickly. We look forward to opening our schools as soon as possible.

Information regarding student attendance for next week will be communicated to you as soon as it is known.

Thank you.

Message sent to parents October 26, 2007

This is a message on Friday, October 26, from Poway Unified School District Superintendent Don Phillips with information for parents and students of our schools.

Good Afternoon.

This is Don Phillips, superintendent of Poway Unified School District, and it is Friday afternoon, October 26.

I hope this message finds you and your family safe. We are deeply saddened to have learned that more than 20 staff members and 340 students have lost their homes during the terrible fires.

After a disaster or a major loss, the best thing for students and the community is to return to normal patterns as soon as possible. Because of this, all of the Poway Unified Schools, including ESS, preschool, and transportation services will re-open on Monday, October 29.

Our maintenance crews began cleaning as soon as fire danger had passed and will continue working over the weekend; other staff returned on Friday.

Next week will be a full week of school for students. Parent conferences and professional development days are canceled. All CIF practices and tournaments are canceled through Monday. Depending on local air quality, these events may resume as early as next Tuesday, October 30.

We look forward to welcoming our students back to school.

We recognize that it will take time for the community to fully recover after these fires. We will have our teachers and support staff in place to support your children and their learning on Monday morning.

Thank you.

SPANISH VERSION

Buenas Tardes.

Este es Don Phillips, superintendente del Distrito Escolar Unificado de Poway, y es viernes por la tarde, el 26 de octubre.

Espero que este mensaje se encuenten bien usted y su familia. Nos entristece profundamente que se han enterado de que más de 20 miembros y 340 estudiantes han perdido sus hogares durante los terribles incendios.

Después de un desastre o una pérdida es importante, lo mejor para los estudiantes y la comunidad para volver a pautas normales tan pronto como sea posible. Debido a esto, todas las escuelas de Poway Unified, incluyendo la EES, preescolar, y los servicios de transporte se volverá a abrir el lunes, 29 de octubre.

Nuestros equipos de mantenimiento de limpieza se inició tan pronto como paso el peligro de incendios y seguirá trabajando durante el fin de semana; Otros miembros del personal regresaron el viernes.

La semana que viene será una semana completa de la escuela para los estudiantes. Conferencias de los padres y el desarrollo profesional días son cancelados. CIF todas las prácticas y torneos son cancelados hasta el lunes. Dependiendo de la calidad del aire local, estos eventos pueden reanudar tan pronto como el próximo martes, 30 de octubre.

Esperamos poderle dar la bienvenida a nuestros estudiantes, cuando vuelvan a la escuela.

Somos conscientes de que llevará tiempo para que la comunidad se recuperen completamente después de los incendios. Tendremos nuestros profesores y personal de apoyo en lugar para apoyar a sus hijos y su aprendizaje el lunes por la mañana.

Gracias.

Message sent to PUSD Employees 
October 23, 2007, 5:30 pm

This is an update on the status of our schools and facilities. I know that we will pull together through the challenges ahead.

All Poway Unified Schools and all schools in San Diego County will be closed for student attendance for the entire week, remaining closed through Friday. Additionally, all school-related activities including preschool, Adult Education/ROP classes, ESS, and all CIF practices, competitions, and tournaments are cancelled.

Unless you are contacted by your supervisor, you should not report to work this week. The District will be contacting employees whose services are needed earlier in order to prepare for the re-opening of schools for students.

You will be contacted when you are to report back to work.

Additionally, employees whose personal property has been severely damaged will be provided up to 10 days of paid administrative leave without loss of pay or deduction from other accrued leave.

These very devastating fires have caused grief and tragic loss for many of our school community. I believe our strong spirit of mutual support will serve us well. We will work together to help each other and our school families to recover and return to normal.

Thank you
Bill Chiment, Associate Superintendent

Message sent to PUSD Employees October 22, 2007, 1 pm

It is Monday, October 22, at 1:00 p.m. and this is Poway Unified School District Associate Superintendent Bill Chiment with an important announcement for all Poway Unified School District employees. Because of the continuing dangers from the fires and high winds, the Poway Unified Schools will closed Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday, October 22 through 24. Transportation Department employees, including drivers, mechanics and dispatchers should continue to report to work on Tuesday, October 23, unless unable to do so because of evacuation or personal necessity. All other employees should not report to work unless contacted by their supervisor. Updated information will be sent to you and will be available on the Poway Unified website (www.powayusd.com).

During this very difficult time, we offer our thoughts and concerns for all those affected by the fires.

Associate Superintendent Bill Chiment

Message sent to PUSD Employees the morning of October 22, 2007

It is Monday morning October 22. As a result of the fires and high winds, the Poway Unified Schools are closed on Monday, October 22. Transportation Department employees, including drivers, mechanics and dispatchers should continue to report to work unless unable to do so because of evacuation or personal necessity. All other employees should not report to work unless contacted by their supervisor. You will be receiving timely notice of the school operations for the remainder of the week and information will be available on our website.

Associate Superintendent Bill Chiment