SY 2021-22
Updates on School Year 2021-22 Plans
Posted on 06/29/2021

Is it too soon to be excited for the first day of school? We can't help it; we're eager to welcome back all students on September 1.

As we get ready for next year, we want to make sure our students are supported academically, socially, and emotionally. Our Recovery Summary details how we’ll provide this support. You’ll see a focus on student well-being, academic success, and school climate.

These strategies outlined in that document were based on input from students, staff, and families this spring. Did we miss anything? Please let us know here.

As a reminder, during the upcoming school year:

  •  Schools will operate on our previous start/end time schedules. Meals will be served at schools according to these schedules, and buses will run on their normal routes.

  • We will observe the state's physical distancing recommendations. As directed by the Department of Health, these recommendations will not prevent us from offering full-time, in-person learning.

  • We will observe the state's requirement for face coverings in K-12 schools.

State health requirements for school will be updated as safety guidance changes. We'll keep you informed about how these updates will affect our schools. In the meantime, enjoy your summer!

June 17: Celebrating, and looking ahead

Congratulations on ending the school year strong! Thank you for your support and understanding over the past year, as we adjusted to hybrid learning and found ways to help students, staff, and families reconnect and establish new routines.

Even as we prepared for the end of this year, we were already thinking about the start of next year. It's sure to be different in many ways, and we know you are eager to know more about what it will look like. As we shared this spring, our schools will reopen in September for full-time, in-person learning.
  • Schools will operate on our previous start/end time schedules. Meals will be served at schools according to these schedules, and buses will run on their normal routes.
     
  • We will observe the state’s physical distancing recommendations. As directed by the Department of Health, these recommendations will not prevent us from offering full-time, in-person learning this fall.
     
  • We will observe the state’s requirement for face coverings in K-12 schools.
The state Department of Health’s requirements for schools will be updated this summer as safety guidance changes. (Updates are expected to further relax current restrictions.) We’ll keep you informed about how any changes will affect our schools.

Beyond physical health and safety measures, we used the input we received from students, staff, and families to develop detailed strategies for academic and well-being supports and resources that will help students recover from the effects of the pandemic. Above all, we will focus on building relationships, to learn each student’s strengths and needs. Our teachers and support staff will tailor instruction to meet students where they are. And we’ll offer increased mental health support, access to tutoring, and transition supports. We'll share more about these strategies later this month.

There are lessons to be learned from this year, and we can use them to move forward—better and stronger. Thank you, again, for a remarkable school year. Have a great summer!

May 20: Good news about next year!

Last week, the state released new health and safety guidance for K-12 schools. This is good news! Above all, the new guidance allows us to fully reopen for in-person learning in the fall.

The state will continue updating its guidance for schools as state and federal safety guidance evolves, but here’s what we know right now:

  • This fall, we will offer full-time, in-person learning for all students. Our schools will operate according to our previous start/end time schedules.

  • We will also offer a virtual academy (K-12) through Barker Creek Community School and a homeschool option (K-8) through our Parent Partnership program for families who choose it. If you have not done so already, please call us at 360-662-2570 to register or to learn more.

  • We will not offer a hybrid option beyond this spring. Families will need to choose between fully in person, virtual academy, or homeschool for next year.

  • We will observe the state’s physical distancing recommendations. As directed by the Department of Health, these recommendations will not prevent us from offering full-time, in-person learning this fall.

Over the summer, updates to state guidance are expected to reduce restrictions even further. We will keep you informed about how these changes will affect our schools. We are eager to welcome students back on their normal schedules this fall!