Tonasket School District

Weekly Update ~ 9/24/2021

"Focused on Learning and Linking Learning to Life"

Be Positive

Be Grateful

Be Involved

SCHOOL DISTRICT GOALS:

Capital Project Update

  • The elementary modular building is still not in yet. We hit a major snag when we found out that the main city water lines were mislocated, and now the entire building site needs to be redone. We are working with the parties involved to rectify this problem.

  • The shop project is still on track to start in late October or early November.

Powerful Teaching and Learning

With staff and students sick and having to quarantine because of exposure, we are consistently managing teaching and learning with students here and at home. Our staff continues to do a great job being flexible and going above and beyond to make this work.

Stewardship

The School Board received feedback on a response to Governor Jay Inslee, Superintendent of Public Instruction Chris Reykdal, and Secretary of Health Dr. Umair A. Shah, on their mandates on masking and educational staff COVID vaccines. The board sent off a letter this week to the state leaders mentioned above and included the letters they received from staff, students, and the community sharing their thoughts on the mandates. Click here to read the letter from the board.

District Culture and Climate

Great job elementary students for filling up your Tiger Paw containers so quickly into the school year. So far there are eight classes that have filled their container by working hard at being:
Respectful
On Task
Always Safe
Responsible

College, Career, Life Readiness

Mrs. Mensik's Art 2 class visited muralist Andy Eccleshall while he was painting a mural of Calliope Hummingbirds on the north side of Jinnie's Place, 311 Whitcomb Ave. Andy Eccleshall also painted the mural on the CCC building in Tonasket. Okanogan Highlands Alliance commissioned this new mural. Andy answered questions and provided information to students on how they could pursue careers in art.
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Parent and Community Engagement

The next “Supt’s On” with the community is on Wednesday, October 6 from 6-7 PM for the English language and October 7 from 6-7 PM for the Spanish language session. I plan on talking about COVID, Critical Race Theory, and the upcoming levy.

Staff Updates

COVID management is a major driver in all areas of our work right now. Our community COVID rates continue to stay at a very high level which creates the need to do a lot of quarantining, contact tracing and testing. We have the opportunity to receive funding for staff support so will be advertising for a full-time, School COVID Testing Coordinator. This position will be funded through the end of July 2022.

Other

  • Positive COVID Cases for staff and students since the start of the school year 48

What Every Employee Needs to Know Reminders

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