District Update
January 7, 2022
Winter break afforded me a bit more time to read and reflect. One book that I read is called "Letters of Note: An Eclectic Collection of Correspondence Deserving of a Wider Audience." The letters, compiled by Shaun Usher, are a fascinating mix of topics, themes and insights. One of my favorites was a letter from E.B. White, author of Charlotte's Web and Stuart Little, to a Mr. Nadeau who sought White's opinion on what he perceived to be a bleak future for humanity.
As we journey into the new year, I hope White's beautiful letter below encourages you as much as it does me. May our 2022 be full of hope and many wonderful opportunities to collectively meet the needs of all our students! We are stronger together!
North Brooklin, Maine,
30 March 1973
Dear Mr. Nadeau:
As long as there is one upright man, as long as there is one compassionate woman, the contagion may spread and the scene is not desolate. Hope is the thing that is left to us, in a bad time. I shall get up Sunday morning and wind the clock, as a contribution to order and steadfastness.
Sailors have an expression about the weather: they say, the weather is a great bluffer. I guess the same is true of our human society — things can look dark, then a break shows in the clouds, and all is changed, sometimes rather suddenly. It is quite obvious that the human race has made a queer mess of life on this planet. But as a people we probably harbor seeds of goodness that have lain for a long time waiting to sprout when the conditions are right. Man’s curiosity, his relentlessness, his inventiveness, his ingenuity have led him into deep trouble. We can only hope that these same traits will enable him to claw his way out.
Hang on to your hat. Hang on to your hope. And wind the clock, for tomorrow is another day.
Sincerely,
E. B. White
Individuals impacted by November Flood events can now apply for Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Individual Assistance
President Biden declared a major disaster in the State of Washington, and ordered federal assistance to help those impacted by flooding and mudslides that occurred from November 13 to November 15, 2021. This action makes federal funding available to impacted individuals in Clallam, Skagit and Whatcom Counties, as well as the Lummi Nation, Nooksack Indian Tribe and the Quileute Tribe.
This process is handled entirely by FEMA and is separate from previous damage assessment information collection processes conducted by Skagit County. Those who submitted a damage assessment form to the County will need to resubmit directly to FEMA to be considered for assistance. If you did not submit a damage assessment form, but have damages related to the November 13-15, 2021 flood event, you are still eligible to apply for individual assistance from FEMA.
Impacted individuals can go to disasterassistance.gov or call 1-800-621-FEMA (3362) to apply. 1-800-462-7585 is also available for those who need TTY assistance.
You will need the following to complete your registration:
- Social Security Number (SSN) OR the SSN of a minor child in the household who is a U.S. Citizen, Non-Citizen National or Qualified Alien
- Annual Household Income
- Contact Information (phone number, mailing address, email address*, and damaged home address)
- Insurance Information (coverage, insurance company name, etc.)
- Bank Account Information (if you are eligible to receive financial assistance, the money can be deposited in your account)
*You will be required to provide an email address if you want to review the status of your application online. If you do not provide an email address, you will be required to contact FEMA to review your information and receive status updates.
“We want to say a big thank you to everyone who took the time to fill out the damage assessment forms, Governor Inslee, Reps. Larsen and DelBene, and Senators Cantwell and Murray, who all supported this request for a disaster declaration to the President,” said Sheriff McDermott, who also serves as Department of Emergency Management Director. “We know many are hurting, and we hope this assistance helps.”
If you have questions or need additional information, contact the Department of Emergency Management at 360-416-1850. You may also contact the FEMA Helpline directly at 1-800-621-3362. Helpline services are available from 4 a.m. to 8 p.m. PST, 7 days a week.
Adverse Weather
The 2021-2022 Emergency Communications Bulletin has been updated for this school year. Please review for changes.
This Newsletter has information on how to sign up for information and where to go for news.
As you will see in the documents, we make decisions about whether to have a two-hour late start or to cancel school as early as possible because we know how difficult it is for our families to juggle a last-minute call. Our transportation director and transportation coordinator both drive some of our more challenging bus routes starting at 3 a.m. We also typically consult multiple weather forecasts and also try to take staff commutes into consideration as well as teenage drivers when making the final decision by 4:45 a.m. Safety is paramount and we try our best to make the right call. Ultimately, in adverse weather, families make the final call on whether or not to send their children to school.
COVID-19 testing now available
Sedro-Woolley School District Health Services team has expanded access to timely diagnostic testing for SWSD students with symptoms of COVID-19.
The testing will be free of charge and will only be offered to ONLY students and staff showing symptoms. To schedule an appointment and complete pre-test paperwork, visit https://form.jotform.com/213156543945055. Testing will be available from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday through Friday on regular school days. All appointments will need to be scheduled, as drop-ins cannot be accommodated at this time.
We will have a drive-up, outdoor option for convenient access outside the front doors of the Admin Annex (201 N. Township, Sedro-Woolley, WA 98284). Once you have filled out the paperwork online and arrived, please do the following:
Park in the designated COVID-19 testing space located at the front of the building.
Call 360-855-4453 to let us know you have arrived and remain inside your vehicle.
Results take approximately 15 minutes to process and we will use the phone number given on the form to report the results back to you, as well as answer any questions you may have.
Health Services will then report all COVID-19 results – positive and negative – within 24 hours to the Health Department using the web-based reporting tool called US Digital Service’s SimpleReport.
Please note this is NOT the Test to Stay program. We do not currently offer testing for those who are NOT presenting with symptoms. As testing supply availability increases, we hope to expand the testing opportunities. We will be sure to keep you updated on any changes.
Dr. Mickelson reading to fourth grade students at Evergreen Elementary School
IEP Recovery Services
COVID-19 Information
The district nursing staff is in constant communication with the Skagit County Public Health regarding COVID-19 cases in our schools. Decisions on who needs to quarantine is made by the county in coordination with the district.
The school principal and/or district leaders will communicate directly with impacted families or staff members of confirmed COVID-19 cases or those who are confirmed close contacts. As part of this process, the district will communicate about length of quarantine and how to shift to remote learning.
If you do not receive such a notification, it means that your student has not been identified as a close contact and does not need to quarantine.
The health, safety, and well-being of our school community remains our top priority. We are following sound protocols aligned with Skagit Public Health guidance to ensure we are doing everything we can to protect the health or our school community. We also want to take this opportunity to remind everyone of the importance of wearing masks, physically distancing from others, and regularly washing your hands.
The primary symptoms of COVID-19 are:
• Fever (defined as subjective or 100.4°F or higher)
• Cough
• Loss of sense of taste and/or smell
• Shortness of breath
• Fatigue
• Headache
• Muscle or body aches
• Sore throat
• Congestion or runny nose
• Nausea or vomiting
• Diarrhea (defined as two or more loose stools in 24 hours)
If your child or anyone in your household develop(s) any of the above symptoms, all unvaccinated household members should stay home, contact a provider for medical evaluation and testing, and notify childcare/school/work/etc. Additionally, if you're awaiting test results for COVID-19, do not come to school until you have received confirmation of a negative test. Staying home when experiencing symptoms also helps our schools' close contacts and quarantine numbers. Following these everyday preventative actions helps reduce the spread of COVID-19 and other communicable diseases.
We sincerely appreciate all your help and support as we work together to mitigate risks and ensure the learning process continues in our school community.
For more information about COVID-19 protocols in the district, including the district dashboard, please visit our COVID-19 Information website.
Email: covidquestions@swsdonline.com
Phone: (360) 855-3841
Box Tops are now digital
SWHS Athletics Ticket Information
Tickets can now be reserved at: https://swhscubsden.com/event-tickets
Attendees must reserve tickets so the high school can follow capacity restrictions for events at SWHS. Also, a helpful reminder that masks must be worn by all spectators for indoor events and are REQUIRED for outdoor events that exceed a 500 person capacity.
Reminder: All elementary and middle school students must be accompanied by an adult at all high school events. Please do not drop off children at the games unchaperoned. Please also remind students they should follow the same behavior codes as school.