COVID-19 Updates

June 11. 2020

Dear Families,

This afternoon State Superintendent Chris Reykdal released “Reopening Washington Schools 2020:  District Planning Guide.”  This document shares global guidelines for the approach of all school districts across the state.  He announced that all schools will reopen in the Fall, in some fashion.  Even though it may be an in-person model, our county will likely be subject to additional health regulations.  

Our major takeaways from the document include:

• Districts will need to follow Department of Health guidelines which will vary by county and require all schools to meet physical distancing requirements that will somewhat limit face-to-face instruction. 
• Districts will work with their students, families, staff and health authorities to develop a plan for reopening that meet the health guidelines.  These plans will be unique to each  district and may include:
  • Split or rotating schedules with continuous remote learning
  • Phased-in opening with some continuous remote learning
  • Continued remote learning

As you remember from my note to you on Tuesday,  we have been proactively working to ready our staff and system for whatever structure we might use to open school (see below).  Using the three-legged stool approach that we outlined in this letter, the coming weeks will focus on the third leg of the stool, the structure for school next year.  

Next week, we will provide each of you with a short survey that will gather your input to help us begin the process of building our plan for the Enumclaw School District.  We’ll use that input to guide our in-person instructional model.  We envision that we would again be seeking your feedback throughout the coming weeks as we make progress in the development of the Enumclaw School District plan.

Our value is to prioritize face-to-face instruction as public health conditions allow, instituting physical distancing and other preventative practices to keep students and staff safe.  

In Partnership with you,

Mike

 

Text from Parent Letter 6.9.2020

Leg #1:  Professional Learning for Staff:  We wanted our staff to be prepared to be fluid with what the fall might bring (ranging from complete distance learning on one end to fully back in school for everyone on the other end, with lots of choices in between). Throughout the last three months, staff members have been engaged in their own professional learning to build their knowledge to be fluid in this blended learning environment.  Over 200 staff and administrators have engaged in a professional learning series of classes to teach remotely more effectively. 

Leg #2:  Essential Learning and Skills:  We are in the process of further refining the essential learning and skills for our students at grade levels and within content areas. Prioritizing the most important learning standards in a distance learning or a hybrid situation is critical to the success and continued learning progress of our students and the public school system.  We are completing this work now.

Leg #3:  Structure for School:  This is what most systems (and the news) are talking about when it comes to opening schools in September (outlined above).  It was important to us to build a foundation (during the past three months) in which we could adapt to any structural parameters/guidelines given to us (and the other 295 school districts in our state).  Later this week, OSPI is now supposed to release guidelines for school districts on the parameters for September.  We feel it is important to hear these parameters.   

June 9, 2020

Yesterday, the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI) was set to release guidelines for the reopening of public schools in the state of Washington.  It was our intention to share this information with you today.  OSPI has delayed the release of these guidelines until the end of this week.  In lieu of the guidelines, I wanted to give you an update of our preparation for this release of information.

Our district has been working hard "behind the scenes" preparing for what September might look like.  We want our system to be ready to:

1. Return to school as we did in September 2019
2. Return to school in some sort of hybrid model (maybe a reduced number of days per week in order to reduce the number of students in a classroom at one time).  There are many hybrid options that various states and countries around the world are considering.
3. Remain in a distance learning structure.

We have termed our work as the three-legged stool approach, meaning you need all three legs of the stool in order to sit on it without falling over!!  :)

Leg #1:  Professional Learning for Staff:  We wanted our staff to be prepared to be fluid with what the fall might bring (ranging from complete distance learning on one end to fully back in school for everyone on the other end, with lots of choices in between). Throughout the last three months, staff members have been engaged in their own professional learning to build their knowledge to be fluid in this blended learning environment.  Over 200 staff and administrators have engaged in a professional learning series of classes to teach remotely more effectively. 

Leg #2:  Essential Learning and Skills:  We are in the process of further refining the essential learning and skills for our students at grade levels and within content areas. Prioritizing the most important learning standards in a distance learning or a hybrid situation is critical to the success and continued learning progress of our students and the public school system.  We are completing this work now.

Leg #3:  Structure for School:  This is what most systems (and the news) are talking about when it comes to opening schools in September (outlined above).  It was important to us to build a foundation (during the past three months) in which we could adapt to any structural parameters/guidelines given to us (and the other 295 school districts in our state).  Later this week, OSPI is now supposed to release guidelines for school districts on the parameters for September.  We feel it is important to hear these parameters.   

Once we hear about the guidelines from the state, we will communicate with you again about the next steps in our work to reopening schools in September.  If the guidelines are strict in nature, we will be in communication to share them with you.  If they are more open-ended allowing for local decision-making within the parameters, we will be reaching out to you for your input.

In Partnership with you,

Mike

April 6, 2020

Dear Families,

In the last hour, Governor Inslee announced that P-12 schools across our state will not return to a “brick and mortar” learning environment for the remainder of the 2019 - 2020 school year.  This is my 35th year as an educator and I know you join me with the many feelings and emotions we are all experiencing at this very moment in time as a result of this announcement. This is news, that just a few weeks ago, we would not even consider fathomable, which makes it so important for all of us to acknowledge these feelings and emotions.

After hearing his words just a short time ago, I feel compelled to reach out to our large Enumclaw School District family.   I know you each have your smaller family story and how this monumental decision impacts each of you. Tonight, I would encourage you to sit as a family and have a conversation about this news and what it means for you.  

In the days and weeks ahead, we will work together in supporting the learning and emotional needs of our collective children.  This is a challenge our large school district family will do naturally and incredibly well.  Our Enumclaw High School team will work with our Senior Class of 2020 and their families towards a different kind of closure to their P - 12 experience in the Enumclaw School District.  Our plans for continuous learning, grab and go breakfast/lunch program and child care for first responders and health care workers will now continue through June 19, 2020.  

More than anything, what I want you to know is that our 570+ staff members join you in loving and caring for each of your children, always, but in particular as we navigate this unexpected spring of 2020.

Be well,

Mike

Dear families:

We are now in the middle of  week #3 of our extended statewide closure of our public school system.  We find ourselves in awe of how many have supported our system in responding to the needs of students and their families as a result of our extended statewide closure.

Meals for Students

Our food services department is making and serving about 700 breakfast and  lunch “grab and go” bags each day (total of 1,400 meals each day!) using our transportation department to get these bags to many locations around our district. 

Child Care

We have created, established and implemented child care for families of health care workers and first responders. 

Continuous Learning

Our teaching staff has worked tirelessly shifting from a face-to-face instructional method to a distance learning method in an incredibly short time period.  We are refining our skills and getting better at this each day and each week….and we are committed to continuing to improve in providing continuous learning for all students.  Our teachers are working each day, from a distance, to collaborate with one another, to connect with students and to prepare and monitor learning for their students.  

Over the past two weeks, our staff has worked to transform the “brick and mortar schoolhouse” learning model into something very different for our students in a way that reinforces our commitment to continuous learning.  Through the power of technology and ingenuity, we have seen a range of creative ways to stay connected to our students and to develop tools and routines to keep student learning moving forward.  With this necessary foundation in place, we will be shifting from an optional enrichment model to providing continuous and on-going learning for our students which includes essential learning skills, teachers logging progress of student work and attendance taken weekly based on student participation and work.  

Google Classroom will continue to be our district’s platform for delivering learning to students digitally, while we provide alternatives for those who do not have electronic access.  Our amazing technology team members have put plans in place to provide a district-issued chromebook to each district family who needs one. A survey has gone out for families to reserve a chromebook and communication will be sent to them early next week about checkout times and locations. 

You may have seen a few of the many examples on social media of the creative ways that our staff and students are continuing to stay connected to one another and continuing to keep learning moving forward.  We are excited to launch a community-wide literacy initiative tomorrow that every child AND adult in our community can rally around in the coming days and weeks. Watch for more details coming your way about Read Together, Learn Together and consider how you will help us come together around reading 10 million minutes for our students by June 19th!

In closing, below is a note I wrote to all our staff in the Enumclaw School District on Sunday as I have for the past 17 years.  I thought you might enjoy reading this week’s letter. If you would like to receive these letters each week, please just send me your email. 

Be well,

Mike

#everydayisalearningday

It has been a whirlwind two weeks for public educators across our state, but we think we are doing quite well!  ...maybe a bit tired!  

Once again, I feel compelled to share another learning from my parents.  As I wrote in last week's Sunday Evening News, it was my parents who taught me to love working in the garden.  They taught me to name plants, sow seeds and grow flowers, fruit and vegetables. It was my mom, however, who loved the trillium.  She said the trillium, to her, was a symbol of hope.

 Last week, I shared that Britt and I spread 12 yards of bark on our flower beds.  Look what I found today! ....a trillium emerging through the bark! It was a beautiful site to see.  I could hear my mom's words, "The trillium is a sign of hope."

 As we move into week #3 of our extended school closure, we all begin to shift away from the newness of the closure into a time of feeling the depths of what "extended" means.  Our students and families are feeling this with us. Their thoughts and questions will most likely become more complex and specific to the needs of their child and family and you may be feeling that they are beginning to lose a bit of hope.  In our responses, we can provide words of compassion, of understanding, of empathy.....of hope. I am grateful to each of you as I know you do this naturally everyday. Together, as public school educators in the Enumclaw School District, we have the ability to be that "emerging trillium" at just the right moment for our students and families.

On Friday evening, our Superintendent of Public Instruction Chris Reykdal released a video.  It's been widely shared on Facebook since its release. Below is the link. I would ask you to spend 12 minutes watching this and letting his words to our community, parents, teachers and students (particularly seniors) be like the emerging trillium...a united symbol of hope.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=tQf8i05V3Ls

I am so grateful for how you have connected with your students.  I have seen example after example of how you are making continuous learning connections.  I see and feel such joy in the videos and language. Thank you. I am in awe of you. Britt and I continue to keep each of you in our thoughts, sending you much love for strength and good health during this time.

 

March 23, 2020

Dear Families,

In his address to Washingtonians tonight, Governor Inslee announced a “Stay at Home..Stay Healthy” order.  In order to follow Governor Inslee’s order, our school district office will be closed to the public. Our school district will be able to continue providing “grab and go” breakfast/lunch bags and child care for first responders and healthcare workers.  Our school staff will also continue connecting with your children virtually and providing supplemental learning during this time period. Your building principals and teachers will continue sharing specific information about on-going learning.  

Playgrounds and Fields

Joining the cities of Enumclaw and Black Diamond, Enumclaw School District has closed all fields, playgrounds, sports courts, and other outdoor recreation areas during this time. 

I spent a bit of time just now attempting to find the right quote about uncertainty and I couldn’t find the “right one” so I’m going to give it a try myself.  Here’s what I would like you and your families to know. We want you to feel that even though we are not able to have school or have our school and district offices open, our school district staff cares deeply about each and every one of you.  If you are healthy, we hope you remain healthy. If you are ill, we hope you recover soon. We can’t wait to open our doors to all of you and when we do, it will cause us to have a whole new feeling of joy to once again be together. 

Be well,

Mike

Our staff will continue to respond to your inquiries via email or phone.  Below is a chart of contacts to our school district departments and buildings.  For specific staff members, please go to https://www.enumclaw.wednet.edu/our-district/staff-directory/?const_page=30

Below is a chart of contacts to our school district departments and buildings.  

3/20/20

Dear Families,

We understand the importance of frequent communication during this time and we would like to provide you another update. Please visit our website and follow us on social media for even more information.

 

Learning

The primary platform that our teachers will be using to provide learning activities online to students will be Google Classroom.  All K-12 students in our district already have an account that you are able to access.  

Many students will be comfortable accessing their Google Classroom(s), but our younger students may not have used this platform yet.  The resources attached below will provide you step-by-step instructions for how to sign in for the first time.  

Click here for a Step-by-Step to Access Google Classroom
Click here for a Video Example of Signing Into Your Student’s Google Classroom

We look forward to continuing to stay connected to our students and to help them keep their learning moving forward during this time away from school.  If you have questions or need support accessing your student’s Google Classroom account, feel free to contact our technology support at one of the following numbers:

360.802.7129  Enumclaw School District Technology Helpdesk

360.802.7816  Enumclaw School District Instructional Technology Support Teacher

 

School Building Closure

As we look for strategies to further promote safety and welfare for our staff and students, beginning Monday, March 23, all school buildings in the Enumclaw School District will be closed to students and staff, with the exception of J.J. Smith (our location for providing childcare) and Enumclaw High School (our location for making breakfast/lunch bags).  

You will still be able to connect with our school staff via phone or email.  We would advise you to communicate in both ways if you have needs. If for some reason you do not receive communication back from a school staff member regarding your request, please call our district office at 360.802.7102 and we will assist you in making the connection.      

Our school district office at 2929 McDougall Avenue will remain open at this time but we are strongly encouraging you to contact us via phone or email if you have questions in order to limit contacts.  

We appreciate your ongoing support.

Dear Families,

Below you will see an informative update on key areas of our system while we are on this extended closure.

Food Services

Today was our first day for distributing Grab and Go breakfast/lunch bags.  We served 380 bags! As a reminder, we will be distributing these bags Monday - Friday from 11:00 - 12:30 at the following locations:  

Enumclaw High School
226 Semanski Street S,
Enumclaw, WA 98022

Enumclaw Library
1700 1st St,
Enumclaw, WA 98022

Black Diamond Elementary
25314 Baker St,
Black Diamond, WA 98010

Westwood Elementary
21200 S.E. 416TH
Enumclaw, WA 98022

Byron Kibler Elementary
2057 Kibler Avenue
Enumclaw, WA 98022

Cedarbrook Mobile Home Park
31108 3rd Ave
Black Diamond, WA 98010 

Cumberland Fire Station* between 11:00- 11:45 am

Selleck* (Across from the old Selleck school) between 11:45 - 12:30 pm

*Cumberland and Selleck will be delivered by bus so times may vary slightly

 

Childcare

We have connected with our families that completed our childcare survey.  Childcare for those families will begin next week. The Governor has asked each school district to do this for families of first responders and healthcare workers. If you are a first responder or healthcare worker and are still in need of childcare for your school-age children, please email Miranda at miranda_newell@enumclaw.wednet.edu.

 

Supplemental Learning

During the past three days, our staff has been busy preparing learning opportunities to deliver to students to help them stay connected and to keep their learning moving forward. Today, all building administrators held virtual meetings with their staff members.  During these meetings, principals provided staff with training and resources for online learning tools that will be used during the coming weeks.  

For the remainder of this week, our teachers will be working together virtually to design and deliver quality ways for your students to stay connected to their teachers and to remain academically engaged. 

What To Expect Next:

• By Friday of this week, you can expect more communication from your building principal with details about how your student will be able to stay connected and access learning digitally or in hard copy.

• On Friday, you will receive specific instructions on how to access Google Classroom, the platform our K-12 teachers will be using to deliver online access to learning activities during this time.    

• Next week (March 23-27) you will receive the first set of learning activities from your student’s teacher(s).  

 

Story Time with the Suit Guy

Join us on Facebook each day for live Story Time with the Suit Guy! Superintendent, Mike Nelson will be sharing incredible picture books with you! Make sure you follow Enumclaw School District and that you are signed up for Facebook notifications for when we go live! Videos will be posted on our Facebook playlist and at the following link on our website afterward for you to view anytime!

https://www.enumclaw.wednet.edu/our-district/superintendents-message/story-time-with-the-suit-guy

Dear Families,

Food Service

Our incredible food services team will be creating daily breakfast/lunch combined sacks for children age 0-18 as well as Special Education students up to age 21. We are launching this service on Wednesday, March 18th, at three locations:  Black Diamond Elementary School, Enumclaw High School, and King County Library in Enumclaw. These breakfast/lunch sacks can be picked up between 11:00 and 12:30, Monday - Friday from March 18 - April 24. Students or families in outlying areas can also call Tracy Holyan at 360-802-7715 to request delivery.  

 

New locations have been added! 

Breakfast/Lunch sacks will also be available for pick up at Westwood Elementary School 11:00 - 12:30 pm, Cumberland Fire Station* between 11:00- 11:45 am, and Selleck* (Across from the old Selleck school) between 11:45 - 12:30 pm, Monday - Friday from March 18 - April 24. *Cumberland and Selleck will be delivered by bus so times may vary slightly.

• If you are on the Backpack Program we will have volunteers with weekend food bags at each of the lunch locations on Fridays from 11-12:30. If you are unable to make it to any of these locations and would still like your weekend bag please contact Janeen Trepus 253-740-9434 or at janeent@rfwellnessfoundation.org.
• The POM food bank will be available Wednesdays from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.  They will have a drive-through style service in the back alley and will hand out pre-packed bags of food through vehicle windows.  If you are new, you can drive through and will be asked to fill out a one-page form.
• The Enumclaw Food Bank will be open Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday each week from 9:00 - 11:45 am.

 

Childcare

ESD is currently finalizing plans to support our first responder and healthcare worker families with childcare. You can expect more information on this as it becomes available.

Here are some possible next steps for your family if you are still in need of childcare. 

• We are working in partnership with the Plateau Ministerial Association.  If you are a member of a local church in our area and are not able to find childcare for your family, please contact your church. By reaching out to your congregation, your church team may be able to partner you with another member of your church willing to provide the support you need.

• The city of Enumclaw, in partnership with the Enumclaw School District, is in the process of organizing interim childcare through Camp Commotion at J.J. Smith.  Camp Commotion has been offered during the past several summers. ESD will share this information with you as it becomes available. 

• Several college students who have been sent home due to college closures and high school students have expressed a desire to babysit during this time.  If this is an option you would like to pursue, we are working with community volunteers to facilitate this communication. Please contact Lu Blair at 253-261-9365.

 

Supplemental Learning

ESD teachers will provide weekly, optional, enrichment opportunities for all students beginning March 23 through April 17th. We will ensure that all students can access this opportunity either electronically or by retrieving hard copy versions available for pick-up at each school. Our goal is to assist families in continuing to move their student’s learning forward. Until these opportunities are available next week, Our instructional staff have created and vetted a list of FREE, optional, learning resources to utilize during the extended closure. This can be accessed at the following link on our website: www.enumclaw.wednet.edu/teaching-learning/supplemental-learning

 

Registration for EHS

This is an update regarding registration for classes at Enumclaw High School for the 2020-2021 school year.  

Last week students received the Course Selection Guide and a colored course selection worksheet for the 2020-2021 school year. 

Previously, students were instructed to register for next year's classes this week.  However, with the closing of Enumclaw High School from now until April 24th, registration will be different. 

• If your student has completed the colored course selection worksheet, please feel free to drop off the completed course selection worksheet at the Main Office beginning Wednesday, March 18th between 8:00 AM and 3:00 PM. 
• In the event that your student and/or you are not able to bring the completed worksheet in, an email will be sent to your student’s Gmail account after Wednesday with instructions on other ways to submit next year's registration. 

Please let your student’s counselor know if you have any additional questions about registration.

Dear families:

In the past hour, Governor Inslee has issued several new restrictions. As a result of these restrictions, Enumclaw Schools will begin their closures tomorrow and will resume on April 27th.  

As always, we will continue to keep you updated with information. 

In partnership with you, 

Mike Nelson

Superintendent

Dear Families,

This note is to give you an update on our next steps to provide information about our system.  

Food Service

Our incredible food services team will be creating daily breakfast/lunch combined sacks for children age 0-18 as well as Special Education students up to age 21. We are launching this service on Wednesday, March 18th, at three locations:  Black Diamond Elementary School, Enumclaw High School, and King County Library in Enumclaw. These breakfast/lunch sacks can be picked up between 11:00 and 12:30, Monday - Friday from March 18 - April 24. In addition, the District is working on a system to deliver meals to the Greenwater and Selleck areas.  Next week, the District will be contacting families directly in these areas to determine interest and to establish a schedule. Students or families in these outlying areas can also call Tracy Holyan at 360-802-7715 to request delivery.  
 

Childcare

For the past several days, we have outreached to the city of Enumclaw, local daycare centers and the Plateau Ministerial Association seeking partnership in providing a list of possible childcare opportunities.   We are discovering our local daycare centers are either at capacity or are considering the need to close. 

Enumclaw School District is issuing an electronic survey to all families to help us determine the level of immediate need for childcare supports. If you are a family that has been impacted in this area please complete the survey here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfGxO6o4k8F1-JfAaIph9eQWzLz9nVJXCGa2t3172h462N3lg/viewform?usp=sf_link

Here are possible next steps for your family if you are still in need of childcare. 

• We are working in partnership with the Plateau Ministerial Association.  If you are a member of a local church in our area and are not able to find childcare for your family, please contact your church. By reaching out to your congregation, your church team may be able to partner you with another member of your church willing to provide the support you need.
• The city of Enumclaw, in partnership with the Enumclaw School District, is in the process of organizing interim childcare through Camp Commotion at J.J. Smith.  Camp Commotion has been offered during the past several summers. Registration information will be available on Monday and ESD will share that information with you at that time. 
• Several college students who have been sent home due to college closures and high school students have expressed a desire to babysit during this time.  If this is an option you would like to pursue, we are working with community volunteers to facilitate this communication. Please contact Lu Blair at 253-261-9365.
   

Supplemental Learning

We would like to begin by stating that our high school seniors are a high priority. We want to ensure that they have all necessary requirements for a successful pathway to graduation.  We appreciate your patience as we receive more information and guidance from our state. We fully recognize how important it is for you to have this information. In our current situation, we are still moving forward with all senior activities that will occur after April 27. 

At this time, ESD teachers will provide weekly, optional, enrichment opportunities for all students beginning March 23 through April 17th. Our mission is to serve students equitably. We will ensure that all students can access this opportunity either electronically or by retrieving hard copy versions available for pick-up at each school. It is our hope to assist families in continuing to move learning forward. You can anticipate more detailed communication in the coming week, including school office hours for material pick-up, as we work through this unprecedented situation.  
 

Additional Resource

Plateau Outreach Ministries (POM)

POM will be providing case management and financial assistance appointments over the phone.  Phone appointments will be scheduled during the times of their regular service hours: Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday from 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.  Patrons should call 360-825-8961 press 3 to schedule an appointment. If you receive a voicemail, leave your name and a good phone number to have someone call you back. 

The food bank will be available Wednesdays from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.  They will have a drive-through style service in the back alley and will hand out pre-packed bags of food through vehicle windows.  If you are new, you can drive through and will be asked to fill out a one-page form.

Please Note: All school buildings will be closed on Tuesday, March 17, 2020, for administrative planning, please direct your calls to the District Office, which will remain open. School buildings will re-open for phone calls on March 18, 2020.

During the past few days, I have become increasingly aware of how amazing the Enumclaw School District community truly is!  There were times I barely uttered the words, “We need…” before I received a text or email that offered the exact support that was needed.  We hope this letter demonstrates a glimpse of how hard-working, caring and supportive our Enumclaw School District community is. Even during moments like the one we are currently experiencing, it’s hard not to feel blessed.

 

In Partnership with you,

Mike

Dear Families and Students,

As you know, we are facing an unprecedented public health crisis. We understand that the past weeks have been stressful as the situation evolves on a daily basis.

Enumclaw School District has kept our schools open as long as possible, as recommended by state and local public health authorities. We know that in addition to education, schools provide vital support to our communities and that school closure has a major impact on our families. 

Governor Inslee has now ordered the closure of all schools in King, Pierce, and Snohomish counties.

On Tuesday, March 17, our schools will close through April 24th.  At this time, schools will resume on Monday, April 27, 2020. 
 

What this Means for Students

Beginning Tuesday, school will be closed for students.  At this time, the last day of the school year will remain June 19, 2020.  We would like students to collect learning materials and personal items they might need while schools are closed. Please help us to remind and encourage your children to collect any items from their school they may need. 

We understand that this raises questions and impacts several areas including childcare needs for our staff and families, school meals, graduation and much more. We are working on plans to address these and will be in continuous communication as we work through this. We appreciate your patience and understanding.

We are finalizing plans to support our families during the closure in the following ways:

• Providing food services to our students who qualify for free or reduced-price meals
• Providing childcare for our First Responder/Healthcare families (as requested by the governor) who need to continue working during this closure. (ESD is working in partnership with our existing childcare providers, faith organizations and the City of Enumclaw to explore options on providing this service)
• Providing support to our 12th-grade students to ensure they complete graduation requirements.  
• Providing enrichment learning opportunities for students while they are away from school.

We intend to communicate with you again tomorrow with an update on the items above and more. We will be in continuous communication with you during this closure, as a declaration to close schools for this length of time has never occurred in our state.
 

Public Health Guidance

We encourage you to continue to follow existing guidelines to protect your own health. The Centers for Disease Control recommends:

• Wash hands with soap and water for 20 seconds; use alcohol-based sanitizer if no water is available
• Avoid touching eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands
• Avoid close contact (within 6 feet) with those who are sick
• Stay home if sick
• Cover a cough or sneeze with a tissue, throw the tissue in the trash, and wash hands
• Clean and disinfect frequently touched object and surfaces
   

Healthcare Resources

Here is a resource for families who may want to see a doctor but don’t have one and/or those who need to enroll in public or low-cost health insurance.

Community Health Access Program (CHAP) is a telephone assistance program serving King County residents by connecting them to health insurance, health care services, and other resources. CHAP services are free and confidential.  They can also connect you to free or low-cost medical providers and also assist with enrolling you in public or low-cost health insurance For more information, phone 1-800-756-5437 or email CHAP@kingcounty.gov
 

Stay Connected

As part of our response, we will be sending frequent updates with information and resources via email, our website, and social media channels. We want to express our appreciation for the patience of our ESD community as we work through the daily challenges COVID-19 has presented us.

https://publichealthinsider.com/2020/03/11/public-health-guidance-for-schools/

Throughout the COVID situation, our district leaders, along with all others from the Puget Sound region, have been participating in regular online meetings to learn important updates from King County Health Department and Pierce County Health Department.  Following today’s meeting and in response to information shared by our Governor at today’s press conference this morning, we are now taking steps related to non-school events in responding to the Governor’s message.   

Effective immediately, we are implementing the following in regards to our facilities:

• Outside Group Use of Facilities:  We will be suspending all use of our facilities by outside groups. 
• Childcare:  In support of the request made by our governor to school districts, our current childcare providers will continue providing services in our facilities.
• School-sponsored events:  School-sponsored events for the community (such as evening concerts, plays, etc.) will be suspended.
• Non-parent school volunteers/school visitors:  In addition to the suspension of events as described above, we will eliminate access to all volunteers and visitors in our schools, with the exception of parents/guardians of our students.  

At today’s press conference, the Governor asked school districts in King, Pierce and Snohomish Counties to immediately begin to prepare for an extended closure of all school districts in these counties  We have been asked, and are beginning to plan for ways we could support in two key areas:  

• providing a way for limited access to daily meals distributed to students in our community and
• exploring options for accessing childcare support for children of first responders and healthcare workers

This continues to be an ever-changing event and we expect to continue receiving updates and guidance from the health department and state government agencies.  We will continue to keep you updated with key information.

Dear families:

As we come to the end of the week, our cabinet and I wanted to take the opportunity to share some information with you. This morning, our cabinet was able to participate in a conference call that involved the King County Dept. of Health, OSPI, and all school district teams from the Puget Sound region. As a result of this meeting and other multiple meetings earlier this week, we have revamped our website to include a section on COVID-19. As we receive information, we will continue to update our website. When you visit our website (www.enumclaw.wednet.edu), you will see a "page pop" with a link directly to information on COVID-19. It is our plan to continue updating our website throughout the weekend as necessary. If there is any information critical for you to know, impacting the Enumclaw School District, we will directly contact you via email or phone.

Wishing you all a restful and calm weekend.

Mike Nelson

Superintendent 

https://www.kingcounty.gov/depts/health/news/2020/March/5-suspected-covid.aspx

Schools are large, public settings with plenty of social interaction and everyone is concerned about how children will be affected. Health officials from Public Health – Seattle & King County and the CDC weighed recommendations for schools very carefully. The available data about COVID-19 cases has shown that children and youth have not been high risk groups for serious illness from this virus. COVID-19 infection in children tends to be more like a common cold or a mild fever.

We know that schools are doing the important work of educating our children. We don’t want to disrupt that unless there are known coronavirus exposure risks. We also know that school closures have other impacts on working parents. In addition, school closures can be disruptive and costly for families, and we consider both the potential benefits and negative consequences of closures when we make recommendations.

Public Health is not recommending closing schools at this time. If there is a confirmed case of COVID-19, Public Health will work with the school and the district to determine the best measures including potential school closure. As much as possible, children should be allowed to carry on with their education and normal activities.

Please see https://www.kingcounty.gov/depts/health/communicable-diseases/disease-control/novel-coronavirus/protection.aspx for this article and more information.

The Enumclaw School District is proactively monitoring the spread of the Coronavirus.  We have been a part of state webinars on this subject and will continue to be a part of any training or information offered by our State Department of Health.  The Department of Health is an agency that all school districts across our state will work with very closely during this time.  Below are a few links we were provided that you might find helpful in better understanding the Coronavirus.  

More than anything, we all need to remain vigilant in covering sneezes and coughs, frequent handwashing and staying home when ill.

Thanks for your amazing partnership during this time.

https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019 

https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html

 https://www.doh.wa.gov/Emergencies/Coronavirus

https://www.colorincolorado.org/coronavirus-resources-schools - multilingual resources

OSPI Letter to Superintendents