Monroe School District issued the following announcement.
Dear Monroe School District staff & families,
We hope your summer break is off to a wonderful start. Even though we are only a few weeks into summer, we know that most of you are anxiously awaiting news of what school will look like in the fall and we'd like to share with you what we know so far.
We have a School Reopening Committee made up of administrators, educators, nurses, school support staff, and parents from each of our 10 schools. They began meeting last month and are diligently working to create recommendations for a reopening plan to present to the school board by August 10th. Their work, including meeting agendas, notes, recordings, and updates can be found on our website: https://www.monroe.wednet.edu/community/committees/school-reopening-committee
While there are still a great deal of unknowns, we do have certainty in the following areas:
Return to school
We are planning to welcome students and staff members back to our schools this September and our Reopening Committee is exploring what school schedules will look like. This may be a combination of in-person and online learning, or a phased-in reopening by grade level. We are also exploring an online learning only option for those families who do not feel safe sending their children to school.
Your input will be an essential part of this process. A family survey will be conducted later this summer to gain important feedback on proposed scenarios for the return to school. We feel that it's important for families to fully understand what the school year could look like so they are able to confidently share their insights.
Detailed information about school schedules will be shared once our Board of Directors adopts a recommendation in mid-August. This will also allow us to review and understand current pandemic rates and updated guidance from the Washington State Department of Health.
Screening
Students, staff members and visitors will receive a health screening before entering a school or district office. This is a requirement from the Washington State Department of Health. We will be working to create a process for these screenings to ensure they meet the requirements in a consistent and welcoming manner.
Masks and face coverings
Masks and face coverings will be required for all students and staff members. There are certain health exemptions available, and more information will be shared before we return to school. This is a requirement from the Washington State Department of Health and is not a local Monroe School District decision. There are many tips and resources online for helping your child adjust to wearing a face mask or covering, such as this one.
Physical distancing
Physical distancing will be required. We are working to create processes to meet these requirements, while also maintaining fun and engaging teaching and learning spaces for students.
Additional information about these requirements, and other important considerations, can be found in the Reopening Washington Schools FAQ document from the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction.
We know that this is a lot to process. As you work through your hopes and fears for the upcoming year, please remember that you help determine your child's attitude. We ask that you partner with us to set your child up for success by being positive.
Students' health and social-emotional needs are extremely important to us and by working together to support these needs, it is our hope that students will have a smooth transition as they return to school in the fall.
We look forward to providing you with additional updates and information as we work through this process. The health and safety of our students and staff members is of utmost importance, and we look forward to returning to school this fall.
Original source can be found here.
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