Federal Way Public Schools News
February 12, 2021
Hello Staff, Families, and Community,
After hearing feedback from some families sharing there was a lack of clarity around the impacts of selecting the fully remote or hybrid option for their child, we announced a change in the date for the first of our scholars to return to hybrid instruction. Our hybrid model will now begin on March 8. This extension allows us to make adjustments to schedules, transportation, class lists, and other elements of the transition. This includes our earliest learners in preschool through first grade, select special education students, and Employment Transition Program, for parents who've selected hybrid/in-person instruction.
We're also offering another opportunity for parents of grades PreK-5, secondary scholars in the Functional Core Program, and the Employment Transition Program to confirm their final choice of 100% or hybrid/in-person learning. Families have until Friday, February 19 to confirm or change their choice. Families who choose remote learning or do not provide a choice will remain in 100% remote learning for the rest of the school year.
After we collect confirmation from parents on their final selections for hybrid or 100% remote, we will use this data to establish AM/PM in-person learning assignments, class rosters, teacher assignments and bus schedules. We anticipate having this information available by March 1, 2021. More information about these two instructional models is available on our website at www.fwps.org.
As a reminder, moving to offering two models - 100% remote and hybrid - will result in some teacher reassignments. The reason is we must adhere to social distancing guidelines and class size limitations and respond to parents’ choice of the model and staff accommodation requests, which means we have to rebalance classrooms. We know this isn't ideal, and we'll support our scholars and families during this transition.
We also have an update about return dates for other elementary grades. Currently, we are planning for scholars in grades 2 and 3 to return to classrooms on March 22 and scholars in grades 4 and 5 to return on March 29, 2021.
Next week, the hybrid model staff and family guides, and a "Day in the Life of a Scholar" video will be provided to support our staff, scholars, and families with a successful transition back to campus. Each school will also host a Zoom meeting on Thursday, February 18 to outline the hybrid model and address common questions, rather than hosting district-wide Zoom meetings on February 24, as previously shared.
We continue to collaborate to make the instruction for our scholars the best experience possible, and the remote learning and hybrid model and guides continue to reflect the valuable feedback of scholars, parents, teachers, school support staff, family liaisons, principals, nurses, maintenance and operations, union partners, and others. I'm proud to be part of Team Federal Way!
We know that no matter what instructional model staff and families choose, the options available are not ideal. Navigating school in the midst of a pandemic means we make the best choices we can, recognizing there will need to be some compromise until we're fully back in person.
As we approach this holiday weekend, please stay safe and warm.
Sincerely,
Dr. Tammy Campbell, Superintendent
School Meals Program Expands to 7-Day Meal Kits!
Starting Wednesday, February 17 the School Meals Program will be expanding from 5-day meal kits to 7-day meal kits!
Meal service times and locations remain the same. Keep a look out for new items on our menus by visiting www.fwps.org/Page/351!
Every Wednesday, parents may pick up free meals (breakfasts and lunches) for their children ages 18 or younger.
To help keep everyone safe and healthy, wear a face covering when picking up meals.
For more information visit: www.fwps.org/schoolmeals.
SCHOOLS CAN'T DO IT ALONE: THANK YOU TO OUR COMMUNITY PARTNERS!
Now more than ever, schools can’t do it alone. Our incredible community continues to do amazing things for our scholars by donating funds and supplies for our scholars and families!
Thank you to Molina Healthcare of Washington, We Love Our City, and Virginia Manning for your care and commitment to our scholars’ success.
Check out this video for some words from our community partners!
SCHOOL PICTURE DEADLINE EXTENDED TO FEBRUARY 28
This school year, FWPS is contracting with a vendor to remotely and safely collect images to be used for student identification, yearbook, and school pictures. This service will allow you to take several photos with your smartphone or desktop computer webcam and submit your favorite for your child’s school picture.
All FWPS parents should have received emails with instructions for submitting your child's photo. If you have not received this email, or have questions about the instructions, please contact info@classactportraits.com.
Please review the instructions provided in the email and submit your child's photo by Sunday, February 28. For more information, please visit www.fwps.org.
School To you
School to You material and supply pickup continues next week on a modified schedule.
Due to the President’s Day holiday, there will be no School to You delivery on Monday, February 15. If your stop is scheduled for this day, supplies will be distributed at your assigned bus stop on Monday, February 22.
Additionally, in preparation for our transition to supporting both hybrid and remote instructional models, Friday, February 26 will be the final day of School to You delivery.
Wednesday pick-up days will continue as scheduled for those who are remaining in 100% remote instruction. March pickup dates will be March 10 and March 24. Scheduled pickup times will be communicated by your school.
To help keep everyone safe and healthy, wear a face covering when picking up supplies at the bus stop and during scheduled Wednesday pick-ups at the school building.
No School February 15 in observance of Presidents Day
In observance of Presidents Day there will be no school, and the Educational Service Center will be closed to the public, on Monday, February 15, 2021.
School and district operations will resume Tuesday, February 16, 2021.
COVID-19 RATES IN OUR REGION
We continue to closely monitor the rate of COVID-19 infection in our region and in our district’s geographical area.
Based on the King County COVID data dashboard as of February 12 at 8 a.m. here is the most recent data:
- The King County COVID rate per 100,000 between January 24 - February 7 is 156, per the King County Key Indicators Dashboard.
- The Federal Way rate per 100,000 between January 27-February 10 is 303, per the King County Dashboard “Geography Over Time” by city.
There are health reporting areas within our district reporting higher or lower COVID-19 numbers than the overall Federal Way rate, ranging from 191-346. We also recognize that recent data from this dashboard may be incomplete, as noted on the dashboard.
CONSTRUCTION UPDATE
Construction on the new Lake Grove Elementary School is nearly complete! When scholars return to hybrid instruction in March, they will be welcomed into this brand-new building. Check out the video below to get an inside look into the finished school!
Federal Way Public Schools
Email: comments@fwps.org
Website: www.fwps.org
Location: 33330 8th Avenue South, Federal Way, WA, USA
Phone: 253-945-2000
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/fwps210/
Twitter: @FWPS210