Yelm Community Schools
August 17, 2021
MESSAGE FROM THE SUPERINTENDENT
We are so excited to start the 2021-22 school year on our regular five day per week schedule. September 8, our first day of school, brings great excitement and opportunity for our students. We cannot wait to work with them in-person again.
Below you will find significant information about how schools will operate to start the year. Some COVID protocols remain from our experiences last spring, but some have been removed as well.
Our commitment to you is to communicate information as it changes across the state. As COVID cases trend down, we hope the state will continue to ease mitigation efforts in schools. Until that time, we will work hard to prevent the spread of cases in our schools.
We also want to stress the importance of accessing your school’s website for information. Please make this your first stop in locating accurate information about your school. This will be your best resource!
Health Acknowledgment
Not required to attest daily
Keep child home if COVID-like symptoms exist
Call school to report any absence
Please complete the Family Access acknowledgement of at home health checks in September
Masks/Face Coverings
Required of all staff and students indoors and on buses, regardless of vaccination status
Not required outdoors, regardless of vaccination status
Students will take multiple mask breaks throughout the day and during meals
Schools will have additional masks available
We will continue to educate students on the DOH guidelines
Physical Distancing
Keep at least 3 feet between students in classroom settings
In all other settings, we will try for 6 feet distance wherever possible
We will continue to educate students on the importance of distancing
Frequent Hand Washing
After meals, trips to the restroom, recess and outdoor activities
Avoid sharing any items with other students
Use hand sanitizer if soap and water are not available
Ventilation
- New HVAC systems at YMS, Mill Pond, Prairie and Fort Stevens
- Increased frequency of changing HVAC filters
- Fans in areas of need
- Staff encouraged to open doors and windows
COVID TESTING OPTIONS
We will have PCR testing available staff or student with symptoms
Rapid testing will be available by request for any staff or student (asymptomatic)
MS and HS athletes twice weekly for wrestling and basketball
“Test to Stay” option if a staff or student is unvaccinated and in close contact with a positive case. The frequency of testing will be determined by TCPHSS. A series of negative test allows the student to attend classes only, but not co-curricular activities, sports, or school events.
Meals
- Meals will once again be free to all students
Schools will have to record when a student receives a school breakfast or lunch
Meals will be served from school kitchens, so there will be hot meals during the week
Schools will designate where students eat based on the space available
Transportation
Masks are required on buses
Buses will be filled to capacity
Windows on buses will be open for ventilation
Parent drop off, walking or bicycling is encouraged
Bus routes will be posted in Skyward Family Access starting August 31
Vaccination Clinics
- In partnership with RiteAid, Pfizer vaccines will be available for ages 12+
- Online registration required (YMS Code - TKISH; YHS Code - RDYTU)
- Need 25 registered per hour to operate the clinics on Sept 20 from 3-5 p.m. at YMS and Sept 29 from 3-5 p.m. at YHS
- Check our website for details and additional clinic dates
Calendar Highlights
Sept 8: First Day of School Grades 1-12
Sept 9: School Board Meeting 6pm
Sept 13: First Day of Kindergarten
Sept 15: First Late Start (typically every Wednesday)
Sept 20: First Day of Preschool
Sept 23: School Board Meeting 6pm
Stay Connected
Email: communications@ycs.wednet.edu
Website: www.ycs.wednet.edu
Location: 107 North 1st Street, Yelm, Washington, USA
Phone: (360) 458-1900
Facebook: facebook.com/ycsnews
Twitter: @YCSNews
Yelm Community Schools does not discriminate in any programs, activities or employment opportunities on the basis of sex, race, creed, religion, color, national origin, age, veteran or military status, sexual orientation, gender expression or identity, disability, or the use of a trained dog guide or service animal and provides equal access to the Boy Scouts and other designated youth groups. The following employees have been designated to handle questions and complaints of alleged discrimination: Civil Rights: Julie Mondry, 360-458-1900, julie_mondry@ycs.wednet.edu; Title IX Coordinator: Lisa Cadero-Smith, 360-458-6120, lisa_cadero-smith@ycs.wednet.edu; and 504 Coordinator: Shannon Powell, 360-458-6124, shannon_powell@ycs.wednet.edu. Address: 107 First St N, PO Box 476, Yelm, WA 98597.