Piñon Unified School District

Pinon Unified Community, PUSD will operate on an early release schedule on Wednesday, September 1 due to muddy bus routes and the possibility of more rain throughout the day. Buses will run on the “mud route” schedule and on main roads only. Thank you!

Greetings PUSD Community, The weather forecast predicts possible heavy rains for northern Arizona over the next few days. PUSD is monitoring the situation and we will update you on any changes to our daily schedules as needed based on the road conditions of our bus routes.

PES and PAMS COVID Positive Cases: August 16-17, 2021 Good Day Pinon Unified Community, On the afternoon of Monday, August 16, Pinon Middle School was notified that a student tested positive for COVID-19. On Tuesday, August 17, Pinon Elementary was notified that a younger sibling of the PAMS student also tested positive for COVID-19. Contract tracing was conducted by PES and PAMS staff and all students and staff that are considered a “close contact” or “an exposure” were notified to be monitored and have a medical exam. The school building areas were cleaned and sanitized. Confidential or identifying student information cannot be shared but everyone involved as a possible exposure has been identified and were notified by the schools. IHS may also be conducting contract tracing and notifications. There is no action for you to take at this time if you did not receive a call directly from the school office. PUSD has protocols in place for students that become ill during the school day that include isolation, parental notification and contact tracing. District policy requires that students must have a medical clearance document from a health care provider before they will be allowed back into class. This is to protect the health and safety of everyone on campus. So far this year, PHS had one positive COVID case and PES had one positive case. In both situations, there were no other confirmed positive cases from any close contacts on campus. Everyone involved in those cases has been medically cleared to return to school. We ask your assistance to ensure that your child does not come to school if they have any signs or symptoms of illness, or may have had a possible exposure to COVID-19 or other illness. Please talk to your child about the importance of wearing their mask at school and keeping social distance during the day. Please consider vaccination if you or your child are eligible and have not received it. Please continue to wear your mask in public places and practice social distancing and other safety measures. We can continue to have a safe and healthy school year but we all need to do our part to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

Pinon Unified Community, On the afternoon of Wednesday, August 4, Pinon Elementary was notified of a student that tested positive for COVID-19. The student was screened upon entering the school. The student was taken by a guardian to Pinon Clinic and received a rapid COVID-19 test. The test result was positive. Contact tracing was conducted by the PES staff and all students and staff that are considered a “contact” or “exposure” were notified to be monitored and tested. The classroom and other areas of potential contact were thoroughly cleaned and sanitized. Confidential or identifying student information cannot be shared but everyone involved as a possible exposure has been identified and notified by the PES staff and IHS will also conduct contact tracing and notifications as necessary. The three schools in PUSD have protocols in place for students that become ill during the school day that include isolation, parental notification and contact tracing. We ask your assistance to ensure that your students DO NOT come to school if they have any signs or symptoms of illness, or may have had a possible exposure to COVID-19. If students are identified that have symptoms of illness during the school day a parent will be contacted to pick them up and we will not allow them back on campus until they have a medical clearance. Update on PHS positive student case from Friday, July 30: All students identified as a contact were tested for COVID-19 and the test results were NEGATIVE. The safety and mitigation measures at the schools do work to prevent the spread of illness and do keep students safe. We need everyone in the PUSD community to do their part to keep students safe at school. Please consider vaccination if you are eligible and have not received it. Please continue to wear your mask in public places and practice social distancing and other safety measures, especially when traveling off of the Navajo Nation.

Pinon Unified Community, a reminder: Before attending our campuses during this time please remember to: *Complete the daily student health assessment *Stay home when sick *Wear a face covering at all times when on campus or when indoors in other public settings *Maintain physical distancing whenever possible *Wash hands regularly, and use hand sanitizer Daily Student Health Assessments: 1. Does your child currently have a fever (temperature above 100.4) or had a fever in the last 24 hours? 2. Does your child have: *A new cough or shortness of breath *Headache *Body Aches *Loss of sense of taste or smell *Chills *Sore throat *Diarrhea *Vomiting *Congestion or runny nose 3. Is anyone in your home currently being isolated for COVID-19 due to a positive test or COVID-19 symptoms? 4. Have you been in close contact (closer than 6 feet for more than 15 minutes) with someone who has been diagnosed with COVID-19? **If you answer yes to any of the four questions above then your child should remain at home. Please call the school office to report the absence. We can maintain a healthy and safe school environment if we all work together!

Good Day Pinon PUSD Community, On Friday, July 30, Pinon High School was notified of a student that tested positive for COVID-19. The student was screened upon entering the school and had no symptoms. Symptoms developed later in the day and the student was taken by a family member to Pinon Clinic and received a rapid COVID-19 test. The test result was positive. Contract tracing was conducted by PHS staff and all students and staff considered a “contact” or “exposure” were notified to be monitored and tested. The PHS areas were cleaned and sanitized. Confidential or identifying student information cannot be shared but everyone involved as a possible exposure has been identified and notified by the PHS Office and IHS is also conducting contract tracing and notifications. The three schools in PUSD have protocols in place for students that become ill during the school day that include isolation, notification and contact tracing. We ask your assistance to ensure that your students do not come to school if they have any signs or symptoms of illness or may have had a possible exposure to COVID-19 or other illness. Please consider vaccination if you are eligible and have not received it. Please continue to wear your mask in public places and practice social distancing and other safety measures. We can have a safe and healthy school year but we all need to do our part.

Yá’át’ééh Pinon Unified Community! Our school year is off to a great start and we thank you for your support as we resume on campus learning. Parents and caregivers, we are asking for your help to maintain a safe and healthy environment for all students and staff. We ask that you do the following wellness check on your student every morning before sending them to the bus or bringing them to campus. Before coming to school: An adult in the home should screen students for the symptoms below, should self-report any symptoms to the school office, and must keep students at home if symptoms are present. Students will have the opportunity to make up work missed due to symptoms of COVID-19 or other illness. Students MUST NOT come to school if they exhibit any of the following symptoms: *fever of 100.4 degrees or higher, or chills; and *shortness of breath or difficulty breathing; *muscle aches; *sore throat; *headache; *congestion or runny nose; *cough; *vomiting; *diarrhea; or *new loss of taste or smell. PUSD also encourages everyone age 12 and older to be fully vaccinated as soon as possible. Thank you for your efforts to keep our school community safe!

Yá’át’ééh, If you have a child that is eligible to enroll in Kindergarten and you would like for them to be exposed to the Diné language, enroll your child in the Kindergarten Diné immersion classroom at Pinon Elementary School. The Kindergarten Diné immersion will be taught by Ms. Justina Jones and students will be instructed 90% in the Diné language throughout the entire day. Students enrolled in this class will have the opportunity to participate in Specials classes such as Computers, PE, Navajo Language, and Navajo Culture. In addition, caretakers will be provided support to encourage Diné language use within the home and the community. Classes for caretakers will be offered in the future. If you are interested and would like to know more information, please contact PES Principal at 928-725-2201 or Diné Studies Program at 928-725-2178.

Greetings! Based on current conditions, Pinon Unified will have it's first day of school on Tues, July 27. Buses will run on the "mud route" schedule posted on the PUSD website and the PUSD Facebook page. Both on-campus and online students will be in session. Happy First Day!

Greetings Pinon Unified Community, The transportation bus route schedules are shown here for the regular bus routes, the after school activity bus routes, and the "mud route" schedule used when road conditions require remaining on the main roads.

Greetings Pinon Unified Community! First Day Delay--There will be NO SCHOOL at PUSD on Monday, July 26 due to monsoon rains and road conditions in the area. This applies to both on campus and online classes. More updates will follow. Have a great day!

Good Afternoon Parents and Guardians, The new school year is around the corner! Pinon Unified School District's Enrollment Fair is happening Wednesday, July 7 to Friday, July 9, 2021 at the High School Gym from 10am to 12pm and 1pm to 2pm, daily. You may return and submit paper enrollment packets and online enrollments onsite. Please remember to bring your required documentation, such as Updated Immunization Record, Current Proof of Residency such as: NTUA Bill, Phone Bill, Chapter House Verification, and if applicable, updated Guardianship documents, such as Power of Attorney. If you have any questions, please contact your child's school. Ahe'hee!

In accordance to Arizona Executive Order (EO 2021-04), Pinon Unified School District will be returning to full in person instruction for grades Preschool to 12th Grade for SY2021-2022. Pinon USD will be working with Navajo Nation and the Center for Disease Center on safely returning our students back to school.

Chinle Service Unit will host the COVID-19 school-based vaccination event on Thursday, June 10, 2021 from 9:00 am to 3:00 pm at PUSD to offer second doses of the COVID-19 vaccines to individuals, ages 12 years and older, who received their first doses of COVID vaccines in May 2021. Youth, ages 12 to 17 years, require the consent of a parent/guardian. All COVID-19 vaccinations are voluntary. Note: It is crucial for patients to complete both doses of the Pfizer and Moderna vaccine for the best protection against COVID-19. COVID-19 vaccinations are also available at Chinle SU health facilities. The Pinon Health Center drive through is open on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday from 8:30 am to 4:30 pm (closed from 11:30 am to 1:30 pm) and Thursday from 1:15 pm to 4:30 pm. Frequently asked questions about COVID-19 vaccines, including information on vaccine safety, are available from the CDC at: www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/faq.html. For more information, contact Chinle Service Unit Vaccination Information Line at (928) 674-7980.

A message from Pinon Clinic and IHS: The COVID-19 vaccine is now available for individuals, ages 12 years and older. Youth, ages 12 to 17 years, must be accompanied by an adult. Chinle Service Unit will host a COVID-19 school-based vaccination event on Thursday, May 20, 2021 from 9:00 am to 3:00 pm at PUSD Bus Loop Loading Zone. For the convenience of our patients, our COVID vaccine events are drive-through. All patients should remain in their vehicles and wear a facemask at all times. Extended wait times are possible. All COVID-19 vaccinations are voluntary. Note: It is crucial for patients to complete both doses of the Pfizer and Moderna vaccine for the best protection against COVID-19. COVID-19 vaccines are safe and effective. COVID-19 vaccines were evaluated in tens of thousands of participants in clinical trials. The vaccines met the Food and Drug Administration’s rigorous scientific standards for safety, effectiveness, and manufacturing quality. Frequently asked questions about COVID-19 vaccines, including information on vaccine safety, are available from the CDC at: www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/faq.html. For more information, contact Chinle Service Unit Vaccination Information Line at (928) 674-7980.

Yá’át’ééh Pinon Unified Community, Navajo Nation is conducting two surveys: one for parents/guardians and the other for Pre-K - 12 students. The Parent/Guardian & Student Survey was developed to capture information on personal preference/choice for Fall 2021 classroom format, including additional queries on the quality of education at this point. All input will guide imperative educational decisions moving forward. LINK: https://s.surveyplanet.com/rBHJSPM5h The Pre-K to 12 Student Survey was also developed to capture personal preference/option for Fall 2021 classroom format, including additional queries related to their experience at this point. All feedback will also guide imperative educational decisions moving forward. LINK: https://s.surveyplanet.com/BrzZ29DxT The window for this survey will be open until May 14, 2021.

The Emergency Broadband Benefit Program will provide a discount of up to $50 per month towards broadband service for eligible households and up to $75 per month for households on qualifying Tribal lands. Eligible households can also receive a one-time discount of up to $100 to purchase a laptop, desktop computer, or tablet from participating providers if they contribute more than $10 and less than $50 toward the purchase price. As of May 12, 2021, eligible households will be able to enroll in the program to receive a monthly discount off the cost of broadband service from an approved provider. For more information check out the website GetEmergencyBroadband.org.

Pinon Health Center will host the COVID-19 community vaccination event on Saturday, May 08, 2021, from 9:00 am to 1:00 pm – For first and second dose COVID-19 vaccines. No appointment is needed. The COVID-19 vaccine will be available for individuals, ages 16 years and older, in all priority groups. All visitors should remain in their vehicles and wear a face mask at all times. Wait times are possible. Bring snacks and drinks. Be mindful of elders needs. The Chinle Health Care Facility, Tsaile Health Center and Pinon Health Center also provide COVID-19 vaccinations Monday through Friday. The CDC recommends to not receive the COVID-19 vaccine within two weeks of receiving other vaccines. Due to the severe health risks associated with COVID-19 and the fact that reinfection with COVID-19 is possible, you should be vaccinated regardless of whether you already had COVID-19 infection. If you were treated for COVID-19 symptoms with monoclonal antibodies or convalescent plasma, you should wait 90 days before getting a COVID-19 vaccine. Talk to your doctor if you are unsure what treatments you received, or if you have more questions about getting a COVID-19 vaccine. For more information, contact Chinle Service Unit Public Information Officer at (928) 674-7980.

📆 💻 ✏ LAST DAY OF SCHOOL - MAY 14, 2021 📆 💻 ✏ School year 2020-2021 calendar indicated that May 28 is the last day, which included 10 extra days in case of mud/snow days. We did not use any of those days, therefore May 14 is officially the last day of school. 🥳🥳

Greetings Pinon Unified Community! Please see the attached important announcement from Pinon Health Center regarding COVID-19 vaccination schedules.