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I want to update you on our plans for a return to school buildings for those students and families choosing a hybrid model, and the continuation of online instruction for those students choosing to stay online. Before I do, I want to thank everyone who has committed long hours over a number of weeks to thoughtfully develop a plan that could be implemented at every school based on their unique spaces, capacity, staffing, and student needs; together all things are possible. 

As I shared in my Thursday Thoughts, given our current parameters, elementary schools will use the AA/BB model for K-5 students. On the Elementary Daily Schedules page, you will see that the A group will receive in-person instruction in school buildings on Monday and Tuesday and online instruction on Thursday and Friday. The B group will engage in online learning on Monday and Tuesday and move to in-person learning on Thursday and Friday. Synchronous instructional time for students who remain 100% online will generally remain the same. This instructional time is intended to be equal to the amount of in-person instruction for students who choose hybrid. Wednesdays will remain the same for all students. Elementary principals will provide families with all details, including any possible class and teacher assignment changes, in the coming days. 

By the beginning of next week, I plan to have an update on the return to school buildings for our secondary students. Staff will also send out the Grade 6-12 Intent to Return form to families next week as we continue to plan forward.

Bridge Weeks begin on Monday for many students in K-3 who will be participating in hybrid learning. Elementary principals have been working with the Bridge Week planning team, Navigators and District administrators to create a fun experience that will help students become acclimated to the environment with COVID-19 safety protocols in place. By now, families should have received Bridge Week information from their principals. It looks like we’ll have a little rain and cool temperatures, so let’s all remember to dress comfortably and warm for these outdoor activities. Due to the accelerated return to in-person learning, grades 4 and 5 will move from 100% online directly to hybrid instruction. 

All students and staff who plan to enter a school or District building will be required to complete a daily Health Check form.

I also want to share that Governor Inslee’s move to Phase 3 has allowed for increased numbers of spectators at some athletic events. You can learn more on this athletics webpage where you will find the opportunity to watch some games that will be livestreamed.

Please remember that our success in this move back to the buildings, onto the fields, in the stands, etc., is dependent on all of us. These successful transitions will require all of us to continue practicing COVID-19 safety protocols for the health and safety of our entire community. As the weather warms and vaccines are more available, we must remain both disciplined and vigilant if we are to avoid the infection spikes we are seeing in other places.

Enjoy this joyful first weekend of spring!

To say 2020 has been a challenging year for our students, families and staff would be an understatement. It is difficult to find words to express how grateful we are for the support, trust, patience and commitment we have received from our PVSchools community as we work to provide the best possible education for our students while navigating the COVID-19 pandemic. In spite of the challenges we face, our goal will always be the same, to safely transition our students and staff to in-person learning as soon as possible.

After many conversations, in-depth reviews of the data and careful consideration, we will start the second semester using the virtual online learning model that is currently in place. We will continue this mode of learning while carefully monitoring the spread of the virus. We are committed to returning to in-person learning when students and staff can occupy our campuses with minimal health risk. With the vaccine on the way, along with public health mitigation protocols, we remain optimistic about the future for our students. While we anticipate this will allow students to return to in-person learning sooner, we understand community spread may require us to continue our virtual online learning model through the third quarter.

As I continue my listening tour, I learn more each day about the need to improve instruction while addressing student social and emotional needs. In addition, we acknowledge plans must be made for the spring and summer to address learning deficiencies that have been revealed during the pandemic. We are committed to spending the time and resources needed to address these items when we return from the winter break.

Last Saturday all our district-wide athletes participated in the Lift for Life Cancer Fundraiser. All benefits were donated to the American Cancer Society. Thanks to all who participated and contributed!