MEDICAL LAKE — If a return to in-person learning occurs in the Medical Lake School District next school year, health guidelines seem to mandate that it won’t be what students and teachers are used to.
That was the sentiment given by Superintendent Tim Ames during his report at the June 23 school board meeting. The information came in wake of discussions Ames and other Eastern Washington superintendents had with the Washington Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI).
According to Ames, OSPI is mandating that if there is in-person learning, everyone must wear a mask or face covering. Only teachers are allowed to wear face shields — children must wear cloth coverings.
Ames reported that a recent survey of parents, which received over 500 responses, largely supported the notion that many parents and students didn’t think masks were necessary to mandate. However, due to the OSPI’s guidelines, Medical Lake doesn’t have much of a choice.
The survey responses did support parents’ opinions that daily cleaning and disinfecting processes should be taken.
Most parents and children want a return to in-person learning, according to Ames. However, a smaller population prefers the online environment for safety or personal reasons. Therefore, Ames said he hopes it is safe enough to offer both in-person and online learning next year and give families a choice between the two.
Ames also shared that school principals will be testing how to social distance in the schools by examining classrooms. OSPI reportedly told superintendents that physical distancing will be necessary.
OPSI also told superintendents that requirements for schools don’t necessarily align with state re-opening guidelines, laid out in four phases by Gov. Jay Inslee. For example, Spokane County is currently in Phase 2, which allows for groups of up to five to congregate. However, students in schools would have to be physically distanced, regardless of whether the current phase allows otherwise.
Ames noted that there was confusion about the fact that social distancing will likely be required in schools, but not on buses, per the superintendent’s meeting with OPSI.
The board also approved several action items Tuesday, most notably the summer school schedule and the federally-mandated increase of lunch prices by 10 cents for the 2020-21 school year. Lunch prices will go from $2.75 to $2.85 for elementary students, $3.15 to $3.25 for secondary students and $4.15 to $4.25 for adults.
The summer school schedule, as laid out by Assistant Superintendent Kimberly Headrick, is expected to run from July 27–Aug. 13 for 3-4 days per week while following Washington Department of Health summer school guidelines.
Medical Lake High and Middle schools will offer multiple subjects, including English/language arts, math, social studies and science, in a hybrid format. There will be three staff members at the high school.
There will also be a hybrid format for summer school at Hallett and Michael Anderson elementary schools. There will be weekly learning themes to try and make the environment more fun for students, according to Headrick’s report. Each building will have two staff members. Special education will also be a hybrid program and have three staff members.
Drew Lawson can be reached at [email protected].
Reader Comments(0)