Today begins the soil prep for the play field at Standard El. Soil amendments of gypsum, soil sulfur and compost will be added into the top 8” of soil and then aggressively water to leach the field for two weeks. We’ll soon have a premium, easily-maintained turf play area!

Yesterday was a great day! It was wonderful to see students back on campus. We appreciate all of our dedicated staff who put in many, many hours into making sure we had a successful reopening for our students. Thank you staff! #SSDWeCare

Staff are "all in" on preparing for the return of our students on April 6! We are grateful to have such caring and dedicated staff working together to get our classrooms ready. Today, our MOT "moving crew" are putting classroom furniture into our new classrooms at SES! #SSDWeCare

The underpass under N. Chester Avenue that children use to safely go to school has been completely refurbished! New paint on the railings and walls, and new Pebble Tec floor. All ready for students to return April 6! #SSDWeCare

Standard Elementary Modernization is nearly complete. Kindergarten area has pre-K and TK students back in school. One classrooms building is done and teachers are moving in. The second building will be completed next week, in time for students to return April 6! #SSDWeCare

Standard School District is planning to return students to school in a hybrid model beginning April 6, 2021. Parents/Guardians are invited to complete the Return to School Parent Survey at the following link: https://forms.gle/YMhnUtnkhnEmZNdw8 Return to School Parent Survey in Spanish at the following link: https://forms.gle/5wKeTLZyKs7ZfEh28

Congratulations to the staff at Standard Middle School for being selected as a 2020-2021 School To Watch! The Schools To Watch (STW) is a state program that focuses on school improvement efforts characterized by a continuous trajectory toward success. The reviewers of the program recognize the Standard Middle School for being developmentally responsive and socially equitable. The official STW reviewer, former Executive Director of the California League of Schools, Mr. Scott Steele, stated that he was impressed with the multiple student support programs in place, the extensive electives offered, and the caring and supportive culture of the campus. This is a very big honor for the staff at SMS, as well as validation and recognition of the many years of hard work the staff members have put in to create the plethora of student support programs, such as Circle of Friends, ATS, PBIS, MTSS, SSA, AAA Saturday, BOOST Club, etc. Standard Middle School is the only school in California receiving this initial recognition in 2020-2021. To maintain this recognition, SMS will need to reapply every three years. Well done, SMS!

Kudos to the hard working maintenance staff for assembling 32 new student benches, eight for each school. Each bench is custom colored and branded with school mascot to match new tables and trash cans. #SSDWeCare

Media headlines are misleading – schools are not reopening; they are transitioning to in-person instruction. We will continue utilizing Distance Learning as our instructional model for most students, continue to maintain in-person cohorts for special day classes, and continue to work with staff to bring back more cohorts of students on campus as can safely be implemented.

Congratulation to Mrs. Michelle McNamara, 3rd grade at Standard Elem, on her selection as 2020-21 District Teacher of the Year. School site Teachers of the Year are Mr. Clint McGill, Highland; Mrs. Sherry Shea, Wingland; and Ms. Caitlin Sanders, SMS #SSDWeCare

Board members toured the construction site at Standard Elementary School this morning. They were very pleased with the progress and how beautiful the school is turning out. #SSDWeCare

This is what celebrating 100 days of school looks like in Mrs. Lesnek’s virtual kindergarten class at Highland Elementary School! I have always loved the creative ways kids represent 100!

Standard Elementary School's new kindergarten play area looks great after the installation of the rubberized fall area. Progress continues despite COVID-19 related delays. #SSDWeCare

Wingland Elementary created this amazing 15 minute video, Silver Linings, illustrating the benefits of distance learning. I'm proud of our staff for stepping up to ensure students are receiving a quality education. #SSDWeCare https://youtu.be/AgWHgPmTNVI

FREE Covid-19 Testing – Kern County Public Health (KCPH) is encouraging individuals to get tested for COVID-19. Individuals can show no symptoms and still spread the infection. KCPH will be at Standard Park at 301 E. Minner St., (corner of E. Minner & Doyle Streets) on December 8, starting at 11am. Testing is FREE, no ID is required, and testing is done within minutes. No appointment necessary. If you have any questions, please call 211.

The new Stay Home Order will go into effect tomorrow, Dec. 5, but unlike the last state shut down, this time schools are exempted. Standard School District will continue to provide in-person instruction to students with disabilities in six established cohort classes.

Finally, after many years of Wingland staff and administration requesting modern air conditioning and heating in the cafeteria, I am proud to show evidence of the completed project! All new air conditioners, new conduit, new roof and new metal flashing. #SSDWeCare

SSD Board President Pam Jacobsen was recognized at the November meeting for her 10 years of dedicated service. In addition, Ms. Jacobsen was celebrated for her selection to the CSBA Nomination Committee and will interview and nominate candidates for Pres and Pres-elect of CSBA

The view of Standard Elementary from Chester Ave appears complete. It’s hard to believe this is the same cafeteria. The transformation is amazing.

Long-time Trustee Steven Ruettgers retires from Standard School District after 22 years of dedicated service to the Oildale community. His thoughtful leadership and respectful demeanor will be missed! #SSDWeCare

Distance learning, Highland Elementary style! Please check out this virtual tour of distance learning, created by Assistant Principal, Richard Conolly. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vOrBY6Cjpcw&t=2s

Standard Elementary modernization is making good progress! #SSDWeCare

Teamwork! That's how we do things at Standard School District! Kudos to our transportation team who work side by side with our nutrition team to ensure our students in Oildale are provided meals daily via pick up at school sites or delivered to multiple bus stops.

I'm sharing information on the new California Parent and Youth Helpline. This Helpline provides live interaction with trained professional via phone, text or chat. In addition, parents can sign up online for parenting support groups. Please see the attached fliers.

Standard Elementary Cafeteria and Kindergarten buildings are nearly completed. I am so happy with how it looks! #SSDWeCare

Sunrise over what is left of the Standard Elementary administration building. Zoom into the basement and note the old science dummy watching over the remains... creepy! #SSDWeCare

The last building standing for Standard Elementary is scheduled for demolition in the next few minutes. #SSDWeCare

I had to chuckle when I saw this cartoon today! All too real, unfortunately.

Standard Elementary modernization is moving right along. The new kindergarten classrooms are nearing completion. #SSDWeCare

Did you know you may complete the 2020 Census even if you rent your home? Learn more at 2020CENSUS.GOV #2020Census #SSDWeCare https://www.facebook.com/uscensusbureau/videos/2722022831349857/

June 1 through June 26, 2020 meal distribution will be from 10:00 AM to 11:30 AM, Monday - Thursday at Standard Middle School, and the bus stop at West Day and Park Meadow Drive.