Dear Parents,
Hard to believe it’s already mid-November and next week is Thanksgiving. Seems like just yesterday we had our Back to School event.Time sure flies when you’re learning!
COVID – Back to school plan: I am pleased to share that we now have all of our students back in school for in-person learning at least two days a week. The Board reviewed our return plan on Monday evening and have approved the following adjustments to the plan:
- TK – 2nd grade will continue four days a week until further notice. Wednesdays remain a fully remote learning day.
- 3rd – 5th grade will continue meeting two days a week. They will start four days a week on Tuesday, January 26 if virus numbers are low and after confirming with the health department and school board. The class will move to the multi-purpose room to ensure there is enough room for this larger class of 21 for social distancing. Wednesdays are currently, and will continue to be, a fully remote learning day.
- 6th – 8th grade will continue meeting two days a week. They will start four days a week on Tuesday, January 26 if virus numbers are low and after confirming with the health department and school board. They will be able to maintain social distance within the classroom. Wednesdays are currently, and will continue to be, a fully remote learning day.
- We will continue to have students and staff complete a health screening prior to arrival at the school, wear masks, maintain social distance and wash hands frequently at school. Each classroom gets a deep clean twice a week as well as a daily cleaning.
Cold and flu season – we have had several students out sick recently with what appears to be colds. As a precautionary measure, many have been tested for COVID and fortunately the results so far have been negative. We will let you know ASAP if that changes. Communication is key – please contact the office if and when your child will be out sick for any reason so we can discuss a return plan for your child.
The holidays – next week officially kicks off the holiday season with Thanksgiving. There is no school on Wednesday, November 25, Thursday, November 26 and Friday, November 27.
Two days ago, Governor Inslee announced new statewide guidance (read here) and restrictions that went into effect at midnight last night and will remain in effect through Monday, December 14. Childcare, healthcare and K-12/higher education are exempt from these restrictions and will continue to follow the previously stated guidance. More information on the cases throughout the state can be found here, and the differences between Washington and Oregon restrictions can be found here.
We want you to stay healthy, so please continue to stay safe: wear a mask that covers your mouth and nose while out in public, maintain 6’ physical distance between you and others, practice good hygiene by washing/sanitizing your hands frequently, stay home if you are ill, and limit your interactions with those outside your household.
This holiday season will be different, just as 2020 has been different. We must all work together to keep virus counts low in Skamania and to keep our students safe while at school.
Thank you for all you have done to support our students and staff in 2020. I am so proud of the Skamania community and how we have come together to get our students back in classrooms.
Sincerely
Dr. Ralph Pruitt, Superintendent