School districts make plans to continue education and feed students
The Mead School District’s leaders worked through the weekend to address child care, access to meals and providing educational opportunities to students through its closure, according to Superintendent Shawn Woodward.
”We’re all hands on deck right now in those three areas,” Woodward said.
The district is mobilizing to provide child care service for children of first responders and medical personnel, while limiting large gatherings of students in any one place.
”We’re just trying to figure out the logistics on that,” Woodward said.
To continue food service, the district plans to set up hubs throughout the district where meals can be picked up. Locations of the hubs and pickup times will be announced at a later date.
The conversation around supporting education continues to evolve, but Woodward said the district is exploring how to loan Chromebooks to students who do not have a computer at home, as well ensure internet access to those who may not already have it.
Teachers and staff spent the weekend putting together optional enrichment packets for students.
”We held school today, and whoever showed up today was going to go home with something,” Woodward said.
All districts plan to issue regular updates during the closure, via their websites, social media or direct emails to families.
Here is a district-by-district rundown of plans as of Monday afternoon:
At Spokane Public Schools, provision for day care will begin soon at 10 sites with priority for children of first responders and medical workers. Groups will be limited to 25 students. Academic support will be through paper materials or online, with more details forthcoming this week. Teachers had materials for students to take home Monday or access online. Grab-and-go meals will be distributed every day beginning Thursday.
At Central Valley School District, only K-5 children with parents who are first responders or in the medical field will receive priority, with service beginning March 23 at sites to be announced. Breakfast and lunch will be available beginning Tuesday. The district announced 10 sites, with more to come. Homework packets and other details will be provided “in a later communication once specifics have been determined.”
The West Valley School District is in the process of refining plans for child care for the children of first responders and healthcare providers. However, YMCA child care at Pasadena or Seth Woodard elementary schools will continue for those already enrolled. Grab-and-go breakfasts and lunches will be available beginning Tuesday afternoon at Pasadena Park, Seth Woodard, Ness and Orchard Center elementary schools. School staffs are working on academic support plans.
On Sunday, East Valley School District Superintendent Kelly Shea issued a statement promising to “focus to find ways to support our students and families during this closure (meals, child care, learning activities, etc.). Shea planned to send more communication Monday night.
In the Cheney School District. plans have been finalized for breakfast and lunch, which will begin on Wednesday. Specific meal pick-up locations and times will be communicated separately in the coming days. A child care plan is still being developed. Academic updates on “optional learning resources” will be sent out as resources become available.
In the Medical Lake School District, where a staff member tested positive last week for the coronavirus, Superintendent Timothy Ames said the district will issue an update on Thursday. No other information was available on the district’s website.
The Deer Park School District plans to offer day care for children, ages 3-13, of health services personnel and first responders, with details to be provided soon. Free grab-and-go lunches will be provided beginning Tuesday from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at each school. Preschool families can get lunches from either Deer Park Elementary or Arcadia Elementary. Academic options are still being weighed, the district said Saturday.
All Nine Mile Falls School District buildings were closed Monday. Students will be able to get their personal items at a later date.
In the Riverside School District, free child care will be provided beginning Thursday for preschool through fifth-graders in families of medical field workers and first responders. Sack breakfasts and lunches will be provided simultaneously beginning Wednesday at off-school sites. An academic plan will be rolled out on March 23, the district says.
Families in the Freeman, Liberty and Great Northern school districts are encouraged to check the districts’ respective websites for further information.