WW, M-F plan for reopening schools
By Terry Murry on Thursday, January 7th, 2021 in Columbia Basin News More Top Stories
WALLA WALLA – The Walla Walla Public Schools Board of Directors and administration are working with staff to adjust its reopening plan based on updated guidance from the Washington Department of Health. WWPS says the new guidance paves the way for preschool through fifth grade students to resume in-person learning later this month.
The plan would be an AM/PM hybrid learning schedule beginning Jan. 25. Students in preschool and transitional kindergarten programs at the Walla Walla Center for Children & Families could begin in-person hybrid learning as soon as Jan. 19.
Under the state-aligned plan, students in self-contained special education programs, SEATech students, and a limited number of students in high school career and technical education and laboratory science programs will also be permitted to attend in-person lab sessions later this month. Also, a select number of students in sixth through 12th grades who are struggling academically will also be allowed to come into schools for in-person distance learning with additional staff support.
The district is awaiting new guidance, expected sometime this week, from the Washington Interscholastic Activities Association regarding athletic practices and activities.
MILTON-FREEWATER – In a letter to parents, Milton-Freewater Unified School District students could begin returning to school on Monday for limited in-person learning. The plan allows small groups of students to attend classes for no more than two hours a day. It also welcomes in students who have special needs or cannot access online education back into the classrooms.
The district employed limited in-person learning when the school year began. However, an uptick in COVID-19 cases forced the schools into distance learning. When the schools open their doors on Monday, it will be to the same students who were involved in that program in the fall.
The school board is scheduled to meet on Monday and Duff wrote to parents that the result of that school board meeting could mean all students could return to a hybrid schedule by Feb. 16.
Duff warned parents that the above information is based on the most current information available, and could change if new information comes to light. He said the safety of the students and staff is the district’s paramount concern.
