Be Positive, Be Grateful, Be Involved, Be Flexible

We received some new plans for the shop project and will be reviewing them over the next week. We will be going out to bid in the near future.

• As part of our efforts to support a learning culture throughout the school, the administration team is starting a video series next week on Leading PLCs based on the book, Learning by Doing.
  
  
• On Monday, the Rural Alliance sponsored a morning training session. Much of the time was spent with Jeff Utecht learning about teaching and learning in this digital age. The presentation, along with several others, can be found on the Rural Alliance web page:

In an effort to continue to improve student learning, we have been increasing the number of students coming to school on Wednesdays over the past month. The ES will start bringing some students onto campus on Wednesdays as well, in the near future.

High schooler Miriam Gutierrez has been selected for Washington World Fellows, and she is one of fifteen 10th graders chosen from across the state.

The Fellowship is a program That combines study abroad and college readiness training to prepare students for leadership in their communities. Over this summer, if it is safe to do so, the fellows will study abroad for six weeks at the University of León in Spain, where they will earn college credit and live with local homestay families. Upon return, they will participate in two years of leadership programming, including SAT/ACT preparation, college application support, and opportunities to engage with the State Legislature.

Alex Eppel, Upward Bound Coordinator for the HS, nominated Miriam.

"I nominated her because she is a bright young woman who is motivated, introspective, willing to engage in new ideas, pushes herself beyond her comfort zone, and is always polite and respectful. Even though she comes from a Spanish speaking family, she wants to improve her command of the language and explore the Spanish world beyond her horizons. It is a pleasure to support her as she pursues her ambitious goals."

I met with the PSE labor management group on Wednesday. Items discussed were the change of PSE chapter president (I will miss working with Joy Timm, but am also excited to work with the new president, Ken Weese), COVID leaves, vaccinations, and bargaining the full contract this year.

I am very sad to share that Donna Weitman passed away on Wednesday after a battle with cancer. She was able to be at home with her family when she passed. Donna was a teacher at Tonasket Elementary since August of 1990, and many in our community had children go through her classes. Some of our staff were even in her classes as children. Those who worked with her knew her as a great colleague, one with a "can do" attitude and one with deep care and concern for the welfare of her students. She will be dearly missed. I’ve been amazed at the stories that have been shared on how Donna has touched the lives of so many of us and people we know. Our thoughts and prayers are with her family and friends during this difficult time.

• Anyone in the B1 phase can start scheduling vaccines with the hospital now.
  - 70 and older
  - 50 and older that lives with young children
  They can sign up at:

All education employees, school board members, substitutes, and school volunteers age 50 and over are in the next phase, B2. The link below shows the different groups. B2 includes high-risk critical workers 50 or older who work in congregate settings, including K-12. I consider all of our employees, "high-risk critical workers.”

We have received guidance from WIAA that we are in Phase I and are able to start back with indoor athletic practices for our off-season for low and moderate risk sports, which should go through February 13th. Click below to read the guidance.

• Board Policy (BP) and Procedure (P) updates:

1. 2410 BP/P Graduation Requirements

2. 3225 BP/P School-Based Threat Assessment