Fast Five
November 1, 2022 - Staff Update
A Note From Tim
The theme that has been on my mind and in my heart this year is BELONGING. My vision for South Kitsap is that everyone would feel they are valued, connected, appreciated and seen for who they are and the work they do. We are a big organization, but that doesn’t mean we can’t all belong. A culture of belonging starts with each one of us. Some things we can do to help make others feel they belong are:
- Creating positive relationships with others that are based on trust, love, and respect.
- Being purposeful each day to support an inclusive and equitable learning environment.
- Believing in other people and their ability to improve.
- Being open to new ideas that will move us closer to achieving our vision.
- Simply saying “thank you” creates a sense of safety, connection and community.
I am committed to taking intentional actions to make others feel that they belong in South Kitsap. I encourage you to join me.
COVID-19 Update
Effective November 1, 2022, Governor Inslee terminated emergency proclamations regarding COVID-19. What does this mean for K-12 schools and the South Kitsap School District? SKSD will continue to follow our infectious disease prevention strategies as part of everyday operations.
- SKSD will continue to promote handwashing and respiratory etiquette.
- SKSD will continue to follow safe cleaning and disinfecting practices and maintain ventilation to DOH standards.
COVID-19 Vaccinations
- Although COVID-19 vaccinations are recommended by CDC, the American Academy of Pediatrics, and DOH, being fully vaccinated is no longer a requirement for staff and volunteers.
- Vaccination is the best protection from becoming severely ill or having long-lasting health impacts due to COVID-19. Contact your primary care clinic or visit Vaccinate WA to locate COVID-19 vaccines.
Feeling Sick?
- SKSD will continue to offer COVID-19 self-tests for home use and provides on site COVID-19 rapid testing at all our school campuses for those who become ill while at school.
- Students, staff and visitors with new onset of respiratory or gastrointestinal symptoms such as cough, fever, sore throat, vomiting, or diarrhea, or other symptoms of COVID-19, should not attend school; they should stay home and get tested for COVID-19. Follow the DOH What to do if a Person is Symptomatic flowchart.
- Students or staff who come to school with or develop newly onset symptoms of COVID-19, should be immediately isolated, asked to wear a well-fitting and high-quality mask while in the building, be encouraged to get tested for COVID-19, and be sent home.
- Students and staff who test positive for COVID-19 should notify their school as soon as possible and take the steps outlined in the DOH What to do if you test positive for COVID-19 guidance.
- Regardless of vaccination status, individuals who are potentially exposed to COVID-19 should take the steps outlined in the DOH What to do if you were potentially exposed to someone with COVID-19 guidance.
Mask Use
- Mask use continues by choice in SKSD.
- In accordance with the Secretary of Health’s Mask Order, health and treatment rooms are considered a health care setting where masks must be worn.
SEBB Annual Open Enrollment
The School Employees Benefits Board (SEBB) Program’s annual open enrollment begins Monday, October 31, 2022, and ends Monday, November 21, 2022.
Open enrollment is your opportunity to make changes to your health plans and enrollment. Annual open enrollment changes are effective January 1, 2023. This means that even if you make changes during annual open enrollment, your enrollment will stay the same through December 31, 2022.
During annual open enrollment you can:
- Change your medical, dental, and vision plans.
- Add or remove dependents.
- Attest to the spouse or state-registered domestic partner (SRDP) coverage premium surcharge for 2023, if required. The SEBB Program will mail a letter in late October at the address on file to those who cover a spouse or SRDP and are required to attest. You can also log into SEBB My Account to determine if you are required to reattest.
- Enroll in the Medical Flexible Spending Arrangement (FSA), Limited Purpose FSA, or Dependent Care Assistance Program (DCAP) through Navia Benefit Solutions.
- Enroll in medical coverage if previously waived.
- Waive your medical coverage if you are enrolled in another employer-based group medical, a TRICARE plan, or Medicare.
Learn more about the changes you can make on the SEBB open enrollment webpage and in the Intercom newsletter
How to make changes:
- Logging in to SEBB My Account starting October 31, or
- Submitting a School Employee Change form and any other required documents
- The 2023 forms will be available on the Health Care Authority’s website under Forms and publications on October 31
Get Help with Your Online Open Enrollment Changes:
- Open Lab: Nov 3, 3:00-6:00 PM, SKHS Computer Rooms 202B and 202E
- Open Lab: Nov 4, 9:45-noon, IT Computer Lab (DO campus)
- Open Lab: Nov 10, 3:00-6:00 PM, SKHS Computer Rooms 202B and 202E
- ***Bring your plan choices and SEBB My Account Log-in info with you.
If you have questions about your enrollment or SEBB account, please contact the Payroll Office at PayrollStaff@skschools.org
Bond Steering Events - Get Involved!
The Bond Steering Committee is hosting a series of events to share information and gather feedback. The entire community is invited to listen, learn, and share feedback about the highest priority school sites in the South Kitsap School District rebuilding plan.
Cedar Heights Middle School, Olalla Elementary, and South Colby Elementary are identified for replacement using local school bond and state funding dollars. All of the events below will have the same format including a presentation, time for discussion, and opportunities to share input.
Please attend a date and location that works best for you!
- November 1, 6pm at South Colby, Cedar Heights, or South Kitsap High School
- November 3, 6pm at Olalla, John Sedgwick, or South Kitsap High School
- November 10, 6pm at Sidney Glen, Marcus Whitman, or South Kitsap High School
Inclement Weather Procedures
Each year we remind families of how we communicate during inclement weather. Forecasting the weather for school closures is not an easy task. Our community is large enough that snow may accumulate in one area and not in other areas. SKSD officials put a great deal of effort and thought into determining whether to delay or cancel school. Of course, parents make the final determination when sending students to school during inclement weather.
View the Inclement Weather newsletter here
When are decisions made?
SKSD officials do their best to make the decision by 5:30 am.
No news is good news!
If no report is made, school will begin at regularly scheduled time.
When will my bus come?
Bus routes follow the same schedule as school start times. If school is 2 hours late, the bus route will pick up approximately 2 hours later than regular pick up time.
How is communication sent?
SKSD uses ParentSquare to send out all alerts via email, SMS, and Voice. To ensure you receive SMS messages along with email and phone blasts regarding school closures, delays, or other emergencies, please make sure your information is up to date in Skyward.
Follow Us Facebook @ SouthKitsapSchoolDistrict
Twitter @ SouthKitsapSD
District Website: www.skschools.org
Charitable Giving
Support Service Organizations via Payroll Deductions. Forms due November 10
The SKSD Charitable Giving Campaign is underway and United Way is one organization that may be included in SKSD staff payroll deductions.
Here are some ways United Way supports Kitsap County Schools:
- By bringing the Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library to young children who otherwise may not have books in their homes.
- By making the “Ready for Kindergarten” calendars available to families with young children. (Available to be printed online at: www.unitedwaykitsap.org/ready-kindergarten-calendars)
- By supporting the “Kids and Cops” program that provides vouchers to help law enforcement officers make positive connections with youth.
- By recognizing, in conjunction with the Kitsap Foundation and the Suquamish Tribe, the need to reduce intergenerational poverty and creating Kitsap Strong to help all of us better understand the trauma of children growing up with Adverse Childhood Experiences. Kitsap County school districts continue to benefit from the educational resources available through Kitsap Strong.
- By promoting Graduate Strong – an outgrowth of Kitsap Strong – to help children really understand and take advantage of educational opportunities until they reach an economically productive goal. Many county 9th graders have experienced the “Welcome to Your Future” decision making exercise.
- By housing and supporting 2-1-1, we help families get immediate answers to questions and find emergency support for utilities, rental and mortgage assistance and food insecurities.
- By working with the Kitsap County Health Department to keep our fingers on the pulse of COVID variations or any other potential epidemic as it emerges in our community. This collaboration makes notifications quick and accurate.
- By supporting the Access to Baby and Child Dentistry (ABCD) program, we put children from low income families on a path to good oral health. A child with a toothache cannot concentrate in school.
- By keeping track of and offering volunteer opportunities throughout the county. Volunteer work always enhances a resume. Volunteer opportunities and available volunteers can be found on our Volunteer Kitsap website: www.volunteerkitsap.org. United Way’s annual Day of Caring takes place on the 4th Friday in June. Hundreds of county residents participate in projects to support our county’s nonprofit programs.
Upcoming Dates
- November 1 Bond Steering Events at South Colby, Cedar Heights, and South Kitsap High School
- November 2 School Board Meeting
- November 3 Bond Steering Events at Olalla, John Sedgwick, and South Kitsap High School
- November 10 Bond Steering Events at Sidney Glen, Marcus Whitman, and South Kitsap High School
- November 11 Veterans Day, No School
- November 23 Early Release, No Late Start Wednesday
- November 24-25 Thanksgiving Break, No School