Dear families,
We continue to watch the developments in the coronavirus situation. We are doing our best to adjust our decisions based on new information and keep you informed. We acknowledge that this is unchartered territory for us all, and we thank you for your patience.
Prepare for Possible Early Releases
We are monitoring our staff absences daily. If we do not have enough substitutes to cover staff absences in a school, the school may need to release students early. Please be prepared for a potential day-of schedule change, including child care plans. We will notify you of an early release by email, text and robocall.
Conferences Canceled
Based on developments over the weekend, we have decided to cancel spring conferences. Our initial thinking was that conferences involve small gatherings, and therefore align with Public Health recommendations to avoid gatherings of 10 or more. Public Health has also advised reducing face-to-face contact as much as possible. We have decided to err on the side of caution.
School Events & Athletics
We are revising the 5:00 p.m. end time for after-school events and activities. We are extending the time to 6:00 p.m. This will allow custodial staff enough time to clean schools while reducing the impact on families who depend on after school childcare. This is in effect Monday, March 9 through March 20.
Volunteers
We love and appreciate our volunteers. However, in an effort to limit the number of people visiting our schools, we are suspending volunteers in our schools. This includes parent/guardians and community members. Type 3 volunteers who work in partnership programs will still be allowed to run programs and activities. This is in effect Monday, March 9 through March 20.
Remote Learning
We will not offer remote learning options should we have to close schools. This decision aligns with OSPI guidance and is rooted in our commitment to equity and ensuring all students have an equal chance at success.
Remote learning is not an equitable option because:
- Highline serves a diverse community with varied access to technology. We cannot ensure all students have access to digital devices and the internet at home.
- Many of our families work. When schools are closed, we cannot ensure all students have an adult at home to support their learning.
- We cannot provide all students with disabilities their federally-mandated free and appropriate education via distance learning.
- We have not provided all of our principals and teachers the proper professional development needed to lead and execute remote learning.
Absences
If you decide to keep your child home, the absence will be excused. To excuse your student, either:
- Call the school office each day to excuse their absence.
- Or, when you call the office, let staff know your student will be absent and give a date when your student will return. If you wish to keep your student home past that date, call and let the school know.
If you do not call to report your student absent, the student is automatically marked unexcused.
Mount Rainier High School
A Mount Rainier High School student had contact with a person who has tested positive for COVID-19. The student will be in quarantine for 14 days and will not be at school. The school was cleaned over the weekend. We are closely following the guidance of public health authorities in this situation, as they are the experts in keeping our community as safe as possible during a disease outbreak.
Chinook Middle School
We want to give you an update on a Chinook student who had been advised by their doctor to go into quarantine. It has been confirmed that there was, in fact, no contact with COVID-19.