"I could have used another week of winter break!" - 4th Grade Student from Hillcrest

We hope you had a wonderful Winter Break and a terrific week of distance learning. This week we tested 887 staff members for COVID-19 and are happy to report zero positive cases! This means we will welcome students in grades PK-6 back to campus for Hybrid Learning, beginning Monday, Jan. 11.

Also on Monday, the School Board will be voting on a new reopening decision matrix for grades 7-12. The matrix was approved by Island County Public Health and includes the return of 7-12 students to campus the week of Feb. 8, provided we meet all of the metrics and criteria for reopening. The matrix is based heavily on the new Decision Tree and Updated K-12 Guidance from the Washington State Department of Health. If the plan is approved by the Board, communication will be sent to families on Tuesday, Jan. 12.

As part of the state requirement, each family will complete a state-mandated health attestation at home each day with your child before sending them to school or onto the bus. Families with students in grades 7-12 will receive their letters, flowchart, and agreement form sent to their homes after a hybrid learning plan is announced.

It's national news! By now you know the inspiring story about North Whidbey Middle School mother, April DiDonna, who has been sharing love to her customers in Oak Harbor. This place is truly magical thanks to people like April!

Tomorrow is National School Resource Officer Appreciation Day! We just couldn't wait to celebrate with Officer Andreano. We are so grateful for his leadership and the energy he brings to this role. He connects with our students and always has a smile on his face. We love our close partnership with the Oak Harbor Police Department, and we are thankful to have Officer Andreano in our schools!

Fourth graders at Oak Harbor Elementary are exploring our native salmon population. They are raising salmon eggs to a stage where they are able to be released into a local watershed this spring. Over the next couple of months, students will learn to assess water quality and make necessary changes to ensure salmon survival, as well as discover what salmon need to thrive and what we can do to encourage their success. Our students will be empowered to take action to protect salmon and their habitat through science-based decision making. How cool! Way to go, Explorers!