In response to the spread of coronavirus in Washington state, Gov. Jay Inslee announced March 13 all schools statewide will close for six weeks.
“This is a very fast moving and fluid situation,” he said. “It has spread from nine counties now to 15 today … A county by county approach to this epidemic is not sufficient.”
Schools will be closed starting March 17 and will remain closed through at least April 24.
Inslee had originally stated that schools in King, Pierce and Snohomish counties would be closed. On Friday, he expanded the closures to all K-12 public and private schools in every district across the state.
Inslee also announced he is restricting activity at all public and private universities, colleges, community colleges, technical schools and private schools through April 2.
“Critical services schools provide our students will need to continue during closures,” he said. “That includes nutrition assistance for any student who needs it as well as child care, particularly for health care workers, emergency personnel and low income families.”
In Jefferson County, there has been one confirmed case of coronavirus so far. Jefferson Healthcare has tested 56 patients. Nineteen tests have come back so far—all negative.
Schools in Jefferson County will continue to provide nutritional assistance and last-resort child care for families in need.
Port Townsend
Port Townsend School District will offer free breakfast and lunch for any students ages 18 and under who need it, said Sarah Rubenstein, director of communications at Port Townsend Schools.
These meals will be available every day from 9 to 11 a.m. at four locations: Salish Coast Elementary, Port Townsend High School, the Jefferson County International Airport, and the Cape George Fire Hall.
Any families who cannot get to these locations will be able to work with the school to determine delivery of meals to students.
Port Townsend Schools will also offer child care for parents who need to continue working, but don’t have a safe space for supervision of their kids.
“We just sent out a survey for families who need emergency child care,” Rubenstein said. “Once we know how many families that is, we will work directly with them to determine care.”
Inslee called on families to think of the schools as child care facilities only as a last resort.
“Every parent cannot simply say, ‘I can’t go to work anymore,’” added Superintendent of Public Instruction Chris Reykdal.
As for continuing their education, the governor’s order does not require schools to provide online education. Port Townsend School District will provide educational resources for families, but there will not be online schooling, Rubenstein said.
“We are dedicated to providing support for our 12th grade students to ensure they graduate on time,” she added.
Rubenstein said the school district appreciates the guidance given by state and county health officials, as well as the governor’s guidance.
“We’re dedicated to keeping our kids safe,” she said. “And everyone here at the schools is dedicated to doing everything we can to support our families.”
Teachers will still report to work. During the closure they will be providing family support, educational resources, child care and will also use the time for teacher training, Rubenstein said.
Quilcene
Quilcene School Superintendent Frank Redmon and his staff are currently communicating with the district’s families to determine the best ways forward.
“We know this raises all kinds of questions and implications, including child care needs for our staff and families, school meals, graduation and much more,” Redmon said in a March 13 statement. “We are working on plans to address a range of impacts, and we will be in constant communication as we work through these issues.”
The Quilcene School District is planning alternative models for the following services:
“We will continue our food service throughout the closure, starting on Tuesday, March 17,” Redmon said. “But we need to communicate with our families to determine the degree of need.”
Redmon’s goal is to have more specific details mapped out by Friday, March 20, but he noted this depends on the feedback he receives.
Chimacum
Chimacum School District released an alert on its website March 13 announcing the closures and asking parents to watch the website and Facebook page for more details.
Superintendent Rick Thompson said in an email to The Leader that the school is meeting and more information will be released soon.
Brinnon
After the governor's announcement, Brinnon Superintendent Patricia Beathard announced Brinnon Schools are working on plans to provide the following services:
"We recognize this closure creates many challenges, and our goal is to provide basic services to continue supporting our families and our community," she wrote in a press release. "We will provide updated information over the next several days."
The Leader will update this article with more information from school districts as they plan for the upcoming closure.
