Late April is return date for WWPS K-8
By Terry Murry on Thursday, April 1st, 2021 in Columbia Basin News More Top Stories
WALLA WALLA – Walla Walla Public Schools is targeting a transition to full-time, in-person learning for elementary and middle school students currently attending with the AM/PM hybrid model. Preschool students will continue half-day sessions with their current classmates. The district is considering full-day sessions for preschool students who are struggling. High school students will remain in the current hybrid model through the remainder of the school year. Full-day accommodations for struggling high school students.
“This decision did not come lightly as the school board deeply reviewed the opportunities, logistical considerations, and student, staff, and parent feedback,” Superintendent Wade Smith said.
A class-schedule audit performed by staff revealed that 55 classes currently have traditional class loads of more than 30 students. A majority of the classrooms at Walla Walla High School can only accommodate approximately 25 students at the three-foot distance requirement. In addition, to implement full-day programming at the high school the district would have to immediately hire a large number of temporary staff and reschedule a large number of high school students to different classes and/or teachers.
Specific details of the reopening will be communicated at a later date. “There is critical planning that needs to occur at the building and program levels to ensure a supportive and seamless transition for students,” Smith said.
