Families –

Thank you so much for your patience, perseverance and understanding over the past 10 months when COVID-19 closed our schools and classrooms and dramatically impacted all of our lives. Throughout this time, it cannot be understated that the district’s number one priority has been, and continues to be, the safety of our students and staff. We have been meeting continually with our employee groups and the Snohomish Health District to make sure we have robust plans in place that follow the latest guidance as we continue to bring our students and staff back to campus.

I hope you were able to join us at our Thursday, January 7, Virtual Town Hall. For those who were unable to attend, it was recorded, and you can watch it by clicking here. Below are highlights of the information that was shared.

Pre-K through 2nd grade in-person learning schedule (transitional):

• Pre-K through 2nd grade students will be returning to an 8:30 a.m. - noon, Monday through Thursday in-person schedule that will include on-site lunch.
• In the afternoon, after students have returned home, they will continue their learning remotely with small groups, office hours, and specialist time (PE, music and library).
• On Fridays, learning will occur from home and will consist of a one-hour remote learning session in the morning followed by specialist time and independent instruction. The student day will end at noon.
• Transportation will be available for those students who want to ride the bus.
• This pre-K through 2nd grade schedule will remain in place as a transition until students in grades 3-6 return (see below). At that time, the school day will be the traditional full-day schedule (ex. 8:35 a.m.-3:15 p.m.).

Learning choice decisions:

• Decisions will be in place through the end of the 3rd quarter (April 2, 2021). At that time the district will have a process for switching placement if so desired by the family.

In-person learning guidelines:

• Students will be spaced 6-feet apart.
• Students and staff will be required to wear face coverings.
• An online daily attestation (symptom check) must be completed each day a student, staff member or other individual plans to be at school/on campus. For those individuals who do not complete the online attestation before arriving at school/on campus, a health screening including temperature check will be completed when the individual arrives on campus.
• Health and physical distancing guidelines will be enforced.

100% online learning model:

• For those who do not want to participate in the in-person instruction, we will continue to offer our current 100% online learning model for those families choosing this option.
• Free breakfast and lunch will continue to be available for those students and families participating in our daily meal program.

Teacher placement:

• We know that the possibility of switching teachers will have an impact on our students, families and staff. As a district we need to know which model families choose so we can adjust. It is our desire to keep as many students as possible with their current teachers.
• Families will be notified of teacher placement in late January.

Return dates for in-person instruction:

• Pre-K and 2nd grade will begin on Tuesday, February 2. (Note: There is no school on Monday, February 1, as it is a non-student day.)
• Kindergarten and 1st grade will begin on Monday, February 8.

Grades 3-6:

• Consistent with state guidelines, the district will monitor the on-site transition of our pre-K through 2nd grade students and our ability to limit transmission in the school environment. We are hopeful we will be able to bring back students in grades 3 – 6 later in February.
• When students in grades 3-6 return, they will return to in-person learning in a hybrid (ABAB) learning model. The school day will be the traditional full-day schedule (ex. 8:35 a.m.-3:15 p.m.)

Middle and high school:

• We are in constant discussion about the return of our secondary students. It is the intent of the district to bring back secondary students as soon as we are safely able to do so.

More information and resources:

• District re-opening information and resources
• Safe Re-Opening District Handbook
• Re-opening FAQs (and answers)
• Daily screening & attestation information
• Virtual town hall recordings

Thank you for all you do to help your students stay engaged. These are important decisions and your partnership is appreciated as we work towards providing additional learning options/opportunities for our students. In the coming weeks, you will regularly hear more from us as we share additional details and continue our path forward.

Serving you proudly,

Kent Kultgen

Superintendent