Last week I indicated that Lake Washington was holding on our implementation of returning K-1 learners in-person as we continue to align our decision-making processes with the Washington Department of Health Decision Tree and the data reported by King County Public Health.

As promised in last week’s message, this week, I want to provide you with additional information about what the transition will look like when we do determine a date for students to return to school in-person. This transition will provide a timeline for transition, training, and implementation; and will take into account staff, student, and family needs to realign schedules and work.

As we continue to move through our processes to plan for in-person instruction, it has always been with the knowledge that our health and safety criteria would be one part of the decision. Late in July, I indicated that we would rely on local and state public health agencies to help guide our response to COVID-19. The Washington State Department of Health has outlined the rates of COVID in relation to educational settings and athletic/activity participation.

Key Message Information:

1. Elementary Conferences canceled and schedule modified.
2. COVID-19 trends show increase over two-week period with most recent data continuing to show higher rates of transmission.
3. 40% of families requested the remote school option while 60% of families requested in-person learning for their Kindergarten or First Grade student.
4. K-1 in-person model still on track to be communicated mid-October.
5. K-1 remote model continuing to be articulated to ensure meaningful connection with neighborhood schools and services.
6. District to allow requests for change in request for in-person and remote learning after in-person learning model is released.