Dear Kibler Elementary Families,

Byron Kibler Elementary currently has five staff members who have tested positive for COVID-19 within a 14-day period. 

At this time zero “close contacts” due to contact within the building have been identified and the source of these cases remains inconclusive. Positive individuals have been contacted and provided information and recommendations related to their quarantine period.

You generally need to be in close contact with a sick person to get infected. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) definition of close contact is “someone who was within 6 feet of an infected person for a cumulative total of 15 minutes or more over a 24-hour period starting from 2 days before illness onset (or, for asymptomatic patients, 2 days prior to test specimen collection)”. 

In collaboration with our local health department, and out of an abundance of caution, the district will close Kibler Elementary, starting January 22, 2021, for a ten-day period. Kibler will resume in-person learning on February 1, 2021. Grades 3-5 at Kibler Elementary will begin in-person learning in the hybrid model on February 1, 2021. This closure will allow us time to properly disinfect the building and make certain we have correctly contact-traced all cases and identify the potential source of transmission. During this time, remote learning will continue. 

If your student attends the Kibler campus for special services or other small group instruction they will not be allowed on campus during the closure and may receive services via zoom or by other remote methods. Teachers and/or Specialists will reach out to families with more detailed information. 

Affected areas will be closed off, cleaned and disinfected following CDC and Washington State Department of Health guidance. 

Closure decisions such as these are made based on individual situations and in partnership with our local health authorities after following proper protocols and contact tracing. 

What you can do: 

Continue to physical distance, wear facial coverings, and wash hands. 

We will continue to monitor this situation closely and provide updates as needed. If you have symptoms consistent with COVID-19 (cough, fever, shortness of breath) please isolate yourselves and contact your healthcare provider immediately. If you have any questions, please contact your school principal. 

For more information, you may refer to our website: https://www.enumclaw.wednet.edu/district-departments/health-services/covid-19-updates or the Washington State Department of Health “What to do if you were potentially exposed to someone with confirmed coronavirus (COVID-19)” document, available online at: https://www.doh.wa.gov/Portals/1/Documents/1600/coronavirus/COVIDexposed.pdf   

Estimadas familias de Kibler Elementary,

La Primaria Byron Kibler actualmente tiene cinco miembros del personal que dieron positivo por COVID-19 en un período de 14 días.

En este momento, no se han identificado "contactos cercanos" debido al contacto dentro del edificio y la fuente de estos casos sigue sin ser concluyente. Se ha contactado a personas positivas y se les ha proporcionado información y recomendaciones relacionadas con su período de cuarentena.

Por lo general, es necesario estar en contacto cercano con una persona enferma para infectarse. La definición de los Centros para el Control y la Prevención de Enfermedades (CDC) de contacto cercano es “alguien que estuvo a 6 pies de una persona infectada durante un total acumulativo de 15 minutos o más durante un período de 24 horas a partir de 2 días antes del inicio de la enfermedad (o , para pacientes asintomáticos, 2 días antes de la recolección de la muestra de prueba) ”.

En colaboración con nuestro departamento de salud local, y por precaución, el distrito cerrará la escuela primaria Kibler a partir del 22 de enero de 2021 por un período de diez días. Kibler reanudará el aprendizaje en persona el 1 de febrero de 2021. Los grados 3-5 en la primaria Kibler comenzarán el aprendizaje en persona en el modelo híbrido el 1 de febrero de 2021. Este cierre nos dará tiempo para desinfectar adecuadamente el edificio, asegúrese de Hemos rastreado correctamente todos los casos e identificamos la fuente potencial de transmisión. Durante este tiempo, continuará el aprendizaje remoto.

Si su estudiante asiste al campus de Kibler para servicios especiales u otra instrucción en grupos pequeños, no se le permitirá ingresar al campus durante el cierre y puede recibir esos servicios a través del zoom u otros métodos remotos. Los maestros / especialistas se comunicarán con las familias con información más detallada.

Las áreas afectadas se cerrarán, limpiarán y desinfectarán siguiendo las pautas de los CDC y del Departamento de Salud del Estado de Washington.

Las decisiones de cierre como estas se toman en función de situaciones individuales y en asociación con nuestras autoridades de salud locales después de seguir los protocolos adecuados y el rastreo de contactos.

Lo que puedes hacer:

Continúe a una distancia física, use cubiertas faciales y lávese las manos.

Continuaremos monitoreando esta situación de cerca y brindando actualizaciones según sea necesario. Si tiene síntomas que concuerdan con COVID-19 (tos, fiebre, dificultad para respirar), por favor aisle y comuníquese con su proveedor de atención médica de inmediato. Si tiene alguna pregunta, comuníquese con el director de su escuela.

Para obtener más información, puede consultar nuestro sitio web: https://www.enumclaw.wednet.edu/district-departments/health-services/covid-19-updates o el Departamento de Salud del Estado de Washington “Qué hacer si potencialmente expuesto a alguien con coronavirus confirmado (COVID-19) ”, disponible en línea en: https://www.doh.wa.gov/Portals/1/Documents/1600/coronavirus/COVIDexposed.pdf

Dear ESD Families,

We are excited to transition our K-2 elementary students to the hybrid learning model on Monday, January 11, 2021. Enumclaw School District has worked extremely hard over the past several months to ensure that we have implemented the proper health and safety countermeasures to keep our learning community as safe as possible as students return to in-person learning. For detailed information on how we have adapted our operational practices please review the Return to School Handbook and the Health and Safety Plan available on our website. Below is additional information regarding the hybrid learning model:

Daily Health Survey Attestation:
All staff and students are required to complete a daily health survey. Families/Students will complete the health survey through Family Access in the morning before each in-person school day begins. All elementary students will receive a temperature screening upon arrival to school. Students who do not have a health survey submitted will be required to complete a health screening in addition to the temperature screening. 

Please visit our website for a video walk-through on how to complete your student’s health survey for their in-person learning days: Attestation Walk-Through Video

Elementary Students: Learning Model, Cohort Group and Teacher Assignments
Prior to Winter Break, elementary teachers and administrators communicated student cohort, teacher and learning model assignments. Hybrid students have been assigned to a student group (A or B). In the hybrid model, elementary students will attend two days a week in person (Group A- Monday/Wednesday  Group B- Tuesday/Thursday) and continue to receive at-home learning for the other three days. At-home learning may include take-home assignments or other methods of asynchronous delivery and may not include a weekly learning module. If you have questions regarding your student(s) Learning Model, Cohort (Group A or B) or Teacher Assignment please contact your school directly.

Secondary Students (grades 6-12):
The link to register secondary students for the remote learning model closes today at 4:00 pm today. If you would like your student to participate in the hybrid learning model NO ACTION IS NEEDED. Remote Learning Registration Link to Family Access

Masks/Face Coverings:
Face coverings are required on all campuses and busses for students ages 5 and up. Face coverings are encouraged for children ages 3-4. Please ensure that your student has a mask/face covering (one or more if necessary) to wear throughout the day during their two in-person learning days. Physical distancing will also be required while your student is on school district property. 

Please contact your school building or the district office with any questions. 

Thank you,

Shaun V. Carey

Dear ESD Families,

I am aware that it is not necessary to continue to convey how difficult and complex this situation has become as a result of this global pandemic. I know our students, our staff and our families are aware of what is occurring in our community, our state and our nation. I recognize there are strong emotions and varying opinions on how Enumclaw School District should proceed with opening schools for in-person learning during this challenging time. My hope is you hear and understand my intention to be genuine and transparent in our communication and processes with regards to this virus. 

Three weeks ago, we communicated our K-2 students would transition to the hybrid model on November 30th. Since that time, much of the landscape has changed....again. We have faced significant challenges as we continue to experience COVID-19 cases in our staff and our students as a result of the heightened community transmission. Given these changes and what we expect to see as a result of the upcoming holiday season, we feel this transition is better timed to take place in January.

• Enumclaw School District will postpone the transition of K-2 students on November 30th. 
• Enumclaw School District will instead transition K-2 students to the hybrid model on January 11th and grades 3-5 on January 25th. 
• Our 6-12 students will transition on February 1st. 

In light of all that has changed, we acknowledge the need for our K-5 families to revisit their decision to participate in either the hybrid or remote learning model. If you would like to change your request, complete and submit the form linked below to request a change to your preferred learning model to begin in January. This form must be submitted no later than December 1st. The form only needs to be completed by families requesting a change. Any requests received after December 1st to change the preferred learning model will only be accepted based on space availability. If you do not wish to change your learning model, no action is necessary.

Form To Request a CHANGE in Learning Model

This pause allows for the opportunity to reconfigure our remote and hybrid classrooms. We shared in our previous letter, new teacher and classroom assignments would be communicated to our families on November 20th. Because of this opportunity to re-submit your decision, these new assignments will not be communicated until January. 

In order for ESD to offer and operate two separate learning models (fully remote and hybrid), changes in staffing assignments and classroom rosters will occur based on the number of students participating in each model. When those numbers change, the configuration of the classroom is also subject to change. ESD has a set number of teaching staff, in order for us to support the fully remote option for students, several of our teachers have been reassigned as remote teachers. Due to these logistical constraints, families will need to commit to this decision for the remainder of the school year thus making a second entry point in the Spring not possible and assignments will remain until the end of the year.

In the coming weeks, ESD will continue to use information from each of the areas pictured in the graphic below, as well as any verified and proven strategies from other school systems. We will continue to look to the departments of health, OSPI, and the

Department of Labor & Industries for guidance and recommendations as we meet with these entities on a regular basis. We continue to learn and expand our understanding of the transmission of COVID-19 as it relates to schools. In the past weeks, our district has met with other districts that have successfully brought back students to in-person learning to learn from their experiences and success regarding safety and the learning environment for students and their staff. 

This past week ESD invited the Department of Labor and Industries to visit our buildings and evaluate our safety procedures and practices to ensure our ability to keep our learning community as safe as possible. We will continue to align our practices with their recommendations. We continue to explore and advocate for potential opportunities for on-site community testing through the county and/or other private entities. 

As we have stated in previous letters to you, as a system, we understand the challenges remote learning creates for many of our families. We recognize having students back on our campuses allows us to more effectively address social and emotional learning, students’ overall mental health and provide more equitable education for all of our students. The inability to meet the varied needs of all of our students in this environment weighs heavy on our collective hearts. Although this decision delays the 6 days of in-person instruction that would have taken place before the holiday break, our planning and implementation of new processes and procedures will continue and we are confident that our district will be prepared and poised to open successfully in January. 

Shaun

ESD Families,

As we continue our planning and preparation for the transition of our K-2 students to the hybrid learning model on November 30th, we want to share the following information with you:

• In order for ESD to offer and operate two separate learning models (fully remote and hybrid), changes in staffing assignments and classroom rosters will occur.  Hybrid students are currently being assigned to a student group (A or B) based on student last name. As an initial guide, students with last names beginning in A-K will be assigned to Group A and students with last names beginning in L-Z will be assigned to group B. Principals will be making adjustments to these groups based on classroom sizes. All K-5 elementary families will receive communication from their school regarding their assigned student cohort (A/B) and teacher assignment by November 20th. 

• As a reminder from our previous communication, in the hybrid model, elementary students will attend two days a week in person (A- M/W or B- T/Th) and continue to receive at-home learning for the other three days. At-home learning may include take-home assignments or other methods of asynchronous delivery and may not include a weekly learning module.

• Families that have registered and been confirmed to remain in full remote learning will receive their remote teacher assignment by November 20th.

• Parent/Teacher Conferences previously scheduled for November 19-24th will not take place. However, progress reports will be issued to families on November 18th. As always, our teachers are available via phone and email for any questions and concerns you may have regarding your students’ participation and progress as a learner. 

• November 25th is a remote learning day only for all students. Internet cafe and in-person small group instruction will not be available for students. 

• To allow for additional students on campus we strongly encourage our families and our community to follow the safety guidelines including; face coverings, proper hand hygiene, and appropriate social distancing. This transition requires the collective effort of our community to lower local transmission rates and allow for our students to be in school and stay in school! 

We appreciate your patience and support as we continue our preparation for this transition. 

I extend my sincere hopes that this message finds you as well as possible. I know that many of you are feeling the weight of these unprecedented times. The work we (my leadership team and I) have done over the past several months is some of the most difficult work that we have done in our collective careers in education. The past several months have not been easy nor comfortable, however, they have been necessary and vital as we continue to do what is best for our students, our staff and our community.

Enumclaw School District continues to follow the guidance and recommendations provided by the departments of health, OSPI, and the Department of Labor & Industry. As the months have passed, we as a nation have continued to learn more and more about the transmission of COVID-19. The recommendation to school districts continues to be to open schools if it is safe to do so and the minimum requirements for social distancing, face coverings, screening, and L&I/DOH guidelines can be met. The science of what we know about COVID-19 is ever-changing and expanding. As new research and information become available we have considered what this could mean for schools and for our students. The most recent research indicates that schools are not drivers in increasing transmission rates. Nationally, where schools have gone back in person and followed the recommended safety guidelines (including states with much higher rates) approx. 3% of schools have reported 5 or more cases; only 1% of schools have reported 10 or more cases.

Given what experts in the field understand about the virus both locally and nationally at this time and what we have learned from other districts and other states, the climate has shifted. We have had our wonderful staff and many small groups of students on campus without transmission of the coronavirus in our schools. Our Pre-K and Birth to Five Center students have been successfully providing in-person instruction for four full weeks without a case.

Although our transmission rates are still over 75/100k/14 days, considering all of this information, we will no longer be using the DOH Decision Tree as the only metric for reopening. We have learned from other school districts that schools can reopen safely and successfully amongst higher rates than we are currently experiencing; following the procedures and practices we have in place. Our focus remains on the health and safety of our students, our staff, and our community as a whole. We continue to follow the health and safety guidelines to keep our buildings safe for our learning community and to provide for safe in-person instruction for our students and our staff.

As a district, we understand the challenges remote learning creates for so many of our families. We acknowledge the effects this type of learning has on many of our students’ abilities for social and emotional learning and their overall mental health. While some of our students have done well in a remote learning model, we understand that many have not. We recognize full remote learning impacts our efforts to provide equitable education for all of our students.

Considering all of this information, Enumclaw School District is planning to transition to Phase 5 of our gradual reopening plan on November 30th. Understanding this is a courageous and unprecedented step for our district, ESD will begin this transition with our K-2 students on November 30th.  After 14 days, our students in grades 3-5 will also transition to the hybrid model, on December 14th. This gradual approach to Phase 5 allows for a slow and cautious introduction of more students to ensure our schools’ capacity to manage new processes such as symptom screening, running isolation rooms, and ensuring cohorts can be maintained per the K-12 guidance as recommended by the King County Department of Health.

As we continue our planning and implementation efforts, additional information regarding secondary students and Phase 6 will be communicated in the coming weeks.

There are no words to effectively communicate how incredibly grateful I am to the staff for their continued hard work. Our staff have been adaptive, creative, and have remained committed to providing students with the highest quality education possible. I am also incredibly appreciative of the support provided by our families over the past several months.

As we move forward, we call upon our community to remain diligent in continuing to follow the guidelines for face coverings, hand hygiene, and appropriate social distancing. Our commitment is to keep our students in school, participating in in-person instruction and this requires the support and partnership of the entire community of Enumclaw and Black Diamond. Together, we can accomplish this for our students!

Earlier this month, we shared information on our transition into Phase 4 and the return of our pre-K students. We also shared our plan to begin our hybrid model for K-5 students on our targeted date of October 26, after monitoring the 21+ day look back period. During this look back period, there continues to be an increase in positive COVID-19 cases both locally here in Enumclaw and Black Diamond and in King and Pierce Counties.

The current 14-Day Case Rates per 100,000 are as follows:

Enumclaw/Black Diamond: 109.9 per 100k/14 days

King County: 92 per 100k/14 days

Pierce County: 99 per 100k/14 days

We are monitoring these numbers on a daily basis. Washington State Department of Health has provided a Decision Tree for Provision of in Person Learning, which clearly lays out that if the transmission rate is in the high range (greater than 75 cases/100K/14 days) they strongly recommend that schools use the distance learning model. 

As of today, these numbers continue to climb and given the current trends, we anticipate that Enumclaw/Black Diamond will not securely return to “moderate” by the 26th of October. School districts across both counties have been encouraged to pause on reopening plans.

Enumclaw School District will not be transitioning K-5 students to a hybrid model on October 26th.  

While we are taking a pause in the transition, we are not pausing in our planning and restructuring to be able to move to the hybrid model.  We do not have a specified date when K-5 students will transition to the hybrid model, however, we want to be ready to do so when the numbers allow for it. 

It is still our goal to bring these students back as soon as safely possible. We will communicate a timeline for this as soon as it is determined. We want to give families as much advance notice as possible once we have established a return date.

This is a tremendously complex situation, but we continue to work out all of the details that are necessary to ensure we can meet the needs of students and staff.  This work will allow us to be prepared to transition to the hybrid model when the COVID-19 case rate data allows us to safely do so.

We appreciate your support and patience as we continue through this very complicated process. We very much would like to see our students returned to their schools, however, we remain committed to maintaining and supporting the health and safety of our students, our staff, and our communities.

Dear ESD families,

We have begun in-person learning at our Birth to Five Center for our Developmental Preschool and ECEAP students. We are so grateful for the opportunity to have these students in their building with their wonderful teachers. We are looking forward to our K-5 students being able to return to their schools in the coming weeks. In light of this transition into Phase 4, Enumclaw School District will continue to monitor local and county transmission rates over the following 21+ days to determine the impact of their return. If the rates remain steady in the moderate range of the DOH Decision Tree (attached to this email), ESD will move forward with the implementation of Phase 5. At this time, our target date for K-5 to begin in our hybrid model is October 26th. This targeted date is subject to change if current rates and circumstances shift during this time. 

When we bring back our K-5 students in a hybrid model, students will be assigned to a student group (A or B) based on student last name. Students with last names beginning in A-K will be assigned to Group A and students with last names beginning in L-Z will be assigned to group B. These groups are subject to adjustment based on classroom sizes. To request a permanent change in your student(s) group assignment please contact your school directly. Changes in group assignment for students and families based on family structure, childcare, and learning cohorts may be made, however, these requests will be reviewed on an individual case basis and changes will be dependent on space availability.

K-5 elementary students will attend two days a week in person (A- M/W or B- T/Th) and continue to receive at-home learning for the other three days. At-home learning may include take-home assignments or other methods of asynchronous delivery. Hybrid Model students/families should not expect a weekly remote learning module.  

In preparation, we will be working to shift and allocate resources to support both of our learning models in the coming weeks. We would like our families to understand, in order to operate two separate learning models, changes in staffing assignments and classroom rosters will occur. We appreciate your patience and understanding as we restructure our system and prepare for this transition. We remain committed to communicating these changes to our families as soon as the information becomes available.

I recognize that this continues to be a trying time for our students, families and the community as a whole. I am confident that we will persevere through this challenging period and emerge from these times stronger and more successful than ever before. Thank you for your continued support of the Enumclaw School District. 

Shaun V. Carey

Dear ESD families,

Enumclaw School District is entering into Phase 4: Our Developmental Preschool students will begin in-person learning on Monday, October 5, 2020

Our Birth to Five students will begin in-person instruction on Monday, October 5th. 

Enumclaw School District will continue to monitor local and county transmission rates over the following 21 days to determine the impact of their return. If the rates are unchanged or continue to trend downward, ESD will move forward with the implementation of Phase 5. We will continue to communicate information with our families as we move forward. 

Friday, October 9, 2020 is a Professional Development Day for our teachers. There will be NO SCHOOL on that day.

Today is the last day for our K-5 families to register for fully Remote Learning when we transition K-5 to Hybrid:

Our families received an email last week stating the following:

We are planning for phase 5, in which we will be bringing back K-5 students in a hybrid model. If you are planning for your K-5 student(s) to participate in this Hybrid Model there is no further action needed.

If you are uncomfortable with sending your student(s) back to school at this time we will be continuing to offer a fully Remote Learning option. We recognize that making these decisions is very difficult and personal for each of our students and families. 

It is important to know that the number of students participating in either the remote or the hybrid model determines our staffing needs and assignments.  Therefore, students who choose remote learning will be assigned to a remote learning teacher(s) and should anticipate remaining in that model for the remainder of the school year.  

If you would like your student(s) to participate in the fully Remote Learning option for the remainder of the school year, please click on the below link and follow the directions for signing up your student(s) by Thursday, October 1st.

Click here to register your child for remote learning.

• If you don't have a Family Access account, please submit an application at https://www.enumclaw.wednet.edu/families-communities/family-access

• If you have trouble logging into your Family Access account, please contact your school's office.  Contact information is also located on the above web page.

Return to School Handbook:

Attached is the revised Return to School Handbook in English and Spanish. Corrections have been made to page 10 regarding the number of hours an ill person, without known exposure to COVID-19, must stay home after a fever has resolved. 

Shaun V. Carey

Dear ESD Elementary Families,

We recently received new guidance from the Tacoma-Pierce and King County Health Departments which shows that our region has transitioned from the high level to the moderate level of COVID-19 infection.  We are planning for phase 5, in which we will be bringing back K-5 students in a hybrid model. Students will be assigned to a student group (A or B) based on family last name and will attend two days a week in person (M/W or T/Th) and continue to receive at-home learning for the other three days.  If you are planning for your student(s) to participate in this Hybrid Model there is no further action needed.

If you are uncomfortable with sending your student(s) back to school at this time we will be continuing to offer a fully Remote Learning option. We recognize that making these decisions is very difficult and personal for each of our students and families. 

It is important to know that the number of students participating in either the remote or the hybrid  model determines our staffing needs and assignments.  Therefore, students who choose remote learning will be assigned to a remote learning teacher(s) and should anticipate remaining in that model for the remainder of the school year.  

If you would like your student(s) to participate in the fully Remote Learning option for the remainder of the school year, please click on the below link and follow the directions for signing up your student(s) by Thursday, October 1st.

Click here to register your child for remote learning.

In addition, attached is the Return to School Handbook which highlights many of the ways we are modifying our operational practices to keep our staff and our students safe. 

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Estimadas familias de ESD Elementary,

Recientemente, recibimos una nueva guía de los Departamentos de Salud de Tacoma-Pierce y del Condado de King que muestra que nuestra región ha pasado del nivel alto al nivel moderado de infección por COVID-19. Estamos planeando la fase 5, en la que traeremos de regreso a los estudiantes de K-5 en un modelo híbrido. Los estudiantes serán asignados a un grupo de estudiantes (A o B) según el apellido de la familia y asistirán dos días a la semana en persona (L / M o M / J) y continuarán recibiendo aprendizaje en casa durante los otros tres días. Si está planeando que sus estudiantes participen en este Modelo Híbrido, no se necesitan más acciones.

Si no se siente cómodo con enviar a su (s) estudiante (s) de regreso a la escuela en este momento, continuaremos ofreciendo una opción de aprendizaje remoto. Reconocemos que tomar estas decisiones es muy difícil y personal para cada uno de nuestros estudiantes y familias.

Es importante saber que la cantidad de estudiantes que participan en el modelo remoto o híbrido determina nuestras necesidades y asignaciones de personal. Por lo tanto, los estudiantes que opten por el aprendizaje a distancia serán asignados a un maestro (s) de aprendizaje a distancia y deben anticipar permanecer en ese modelo durante el resto del año escolar.

Si desea que sus estudiantes participen en la opción de aprendizaje remoto durante el resto del año escolar, haga clic en el enlace a continuación y siga las instrucciones para inscribir a sus estudiantes antes Jueves 1 de octubre.

Haga clic aquí para registrar a su hijo para el aprendizaje remoto.

Además, se adjunta el Manual de regreso a la escuela que destaca muchas de las formas en que estamos modificando nuestras prácticas operativas para mantener a nuestro personal y nuestros estudiantes seguros. 

 

Dear ESD PreK and 6-12 Families,

ESD continues to plan for our students’ gradual return to our school buildings. Today, all of our elementary families received an interest letter to help us determine which of our K-5 families prefer to remain in our fully remote learning model when we implement our K-5 Hybrid Learning Model. Obtaining this information is a necessary next step to determine our future implementation of Phase 5. When we are in a position to plan for Phase 6, our secondary families (6-12) will receive a similar letter.

Attached is the Return to School Handbook which highlights many of the ways we are modifying our operational practices to keep our staff and our students safe in the Hybrid Learning Model. 

Thank you for your support and patience as we continue to work to bring back all students.

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Estimadas familias de ESD PreK y 6-12:

ESD continúa planificando el regreso gradual de nuestros estudiantes a nuestros edificios escolares. Hoy, todas nuestras familias de primaria recibieron una carta de interés para ayudarnos a determinar cuáles de nuestras familias K-5 prefieren permanecer en nuestro modelo de aprendizaje completamente remoto cuando implementamos nuestro modelo de aprendizaje híbrido K-5. Obtener esta información es un paso siguiente necesario para determinar nuestra futura implementación de la Fase 5. Cuando estemos en condiciones de planificar la Fase 6, nuestras familias de secundaria (6-12) recibirán una carta similar.

Se adjunta el Manual de regreso a la escuela, que destaca muchas de las formas en que estamos modificando nuestras prácticas operativas para mantener a nuestro personal y nuestros estudiantes seguros en el Modelo de aprendizaje híbrido.

Gracias por su apoyo y paciencia mientras continuamos trabajando para traer de regreso a todos los estudiantes.

Now that Enumclaw School District, along with other districts, has started school remotely, there has been speculation about when schools will reopen for in-person learning. 

We received new guidance from the Tacoma-Pierce and King County Health Departments which shows that our region has transitioned from the high level to the moderate level of COVID-19 infection. ESD continues to plan for a gradual return for our students.

ESD will continue to monitor data, practice safety protocols, and develop transition plans. Currently, we are entering Phase 3 of the attached graphic with a variety of small groups receiving in-person instruction and/or support based on individual student needs. We anticipate transitioning into Phase 4 in the coming weeks. 

Prior to moving to Phases 5 or 6, ESD will be utilizing a 21+ day lookback period to monitor transmission rates and determine readiness for additional students as recommended by the DOH.  In planning for phase 5, elementary families can anticipate a survey in the coming week to determine interest in returning to school in a hybrid model or sign up for continued remote learning. 

We remain hopeful that the positive trend of reduced infections will continue. We want to encourage all residents of Enumclaw and Black Diamond to continue to wear their masks and observe social distancing standards to ensure the rates allow for the gradual return of our students.  

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Ahora que el Distrito Escolar de Enumclaw, junto con otros distritos, ha comenzado la escuela de forma remota, se ha especulado sobre cuándo volverán a abrir las escuelas para el aprendizaje en persona.

Recibimos una nueva orientación de los Departamentos de Salud de Tacoma-Pierce y King County que muestra que nuestra región ha pasado del nivel alto al nivel moderado de infección por COVID-19. ESD continúa planificando un regreso gradual para nuestros estudiantes.

ESD continuará monitoreando datos, practicando protocolos de seguridad y desarrollando planes de transición. Actualmente, estamos ingresando a la Fase 3 del gráfico adjunto con una variedad de grupos pequeños que reciben instrucción y / o apoyo en persona según las necesidades individuales de los estudiantes. Anticipamos la transición a la Fase 4 en las próximas semanas.

Antes de pasar a las Fases 5 o 6, ESD utilizará un período retrospectivo de más de 21 días para monitorear la tarifa de transmisión y determinar la preparación para estudiantes adicionales según lo recomendado por el DOH. Al planificar la fase 5, las familias de primaria pueden anticipar una encuesta en la próxima semana para determinar el interés en regresar a la escuela en un modelo híbrido o inscribirse para el aprendizaje remoto continuo.

Mantenemos la esperanza de que continúe la tendencia positiva de reducción de infecciones. Queremos alentar a todos los residentes de Enumclaw y Black Diamond a que continúen usando sus máscaras y observen los estándares de distanciamiento social para garantizar que las tarifas permitan el regreso gradual de nuestros estudiantes.

Dear ESD families,

Based on the feedback from our surveys, we understand that having additional options for childcare for our families is important. Although we are unable to bring all students back on campus, we are grateful to be able to provide our families with the following list of, small group, community childcare options that will provide additional support to families and students with online learning this Fall. 

ESD is partnering with Right At School, a high-quality educational provider who offers a safe place for children of essential workers and struggling parents to bring their kids to help fill a critical gap in childcare during COVID-19. Starting this Fall, Right at School will be providing Distance Learning Camps at Westwood Elementary and Southwood Elementary, available to all Enumclaw families.

For those families who wish to participate in the distance learning camp program, it will be available from 8am - 4pm, 8am-12pm, or 12pm-4pm every day remote learning is in session. Once school transitions to a Hybrid/Traditional model,  before and after-school care will also be available to our families.

Families will be able to work with Right at School to create flexible monthly schedules to support their families' busy lives. Just create your own monthly schedule choosing 1, 2, 3, 4, or 5 days per week. Drop-in care as well as punch cards are also flexible options, and Right at School will be available during breaks, non-school days, and summer. 

Right At School provides families flexibility in enrollment options. Right At School will follow all DOH health guidelines, including small cohorts and social distancing. Students will have support to access their online learning, a healthy snack, engage in dynamic fitness activities, student-driven projects, team building, and leadership development. 

Right At School is hosting a "Virtual Family Information Night" to provide an overview of their programs, to answer questions, and to interact with you. 

Date: Monday, August 24, 2020 
Join Zoom Meeting: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84301514196?pwd=RFV6c2ZRVnpOMzVCSnVrSFFLSjB4UT09
Time: 6 pm - 7 pm. 

We encourage you to visit Right At School's website, https://rightatschool.com/districts/enumclaw-wa/, for more information about their organization and dynamic curriculum. We look forward to enhancing the educational experience of our students and families through this exciting partnership. 

Enumclaw and Black Diamond Adventures, a local partner, is offering full-day childcare and distance learning support from 7am - 6pm at their Enumclaw location (3333 Griffin Ave) and Black Diamond Elementary. ​Enumclaw and Black Diamond Adventures are offering facilitation of distance learning by education professionals, contactless sign in/out, focus on time outdoors when possible, indoor gym, fun & educational field trips, encouragement of social development balanced with COVID-19 precaution. Please email registration@enumclawadventures.com for pricing and more information.

The Country Playhouse Club, another partner located in Enumclaw, is offering care and support for online learning for ages: 5 - 12 years old. For more information on pricing and registration please contact Director, Lindsey Boles, at 360.825.5252.

The City of Enumclaw is extending the Camp Commotion Fall schedule to provide day camp and online learning supports for students K-6, Monday-Friday from 8-4 pm. For more information on Camp Commotion or registration please contact Julie Reddaway at:

phone: 360.615.5620, email: JReddaway@ci.enumclaw.wa.us. 

As we begin the year in remote learning and as we transition to hybrid and in-person learning models in the future, we hope that these resources may offer additional support and options for our staff and our families. 

Serving as a partner in educating OUR students,

Dr. Shaun V. Carey

Enumclaw School District Family,

Let me be the first of many other educators to welcome you to a new school year! In a few days, I will celebrate my 28th “first day of school” as an educator. Although this year will begin as no other year has begun in my career, I remain excited to meet our students, interact with our families, and provide the best possible educational experience for our students despite the unique set of circumstances that we are forced to navigate.

Two months ago, when I accepted the offer to serve as the superintendent for the Enumclaw School District, my only concern was how would I continue the legacy of excellence established by the great superintendents who served this district before me. While this question still remains somewhere in the back of my mind, the challenges of these times have created a number of other concerns that have dominated my waking hours.

The on-going COVID-19 pandemic and accompanying health and safety concerns necessitate that we BEGIN the year in a remote learning environment. I say “begin” the year in a remote learning environment because I believe as the year progresses, we will shift to the hybrid learning model we originally planned for in early July, and ultimately shift to our traditional school model prior to the end of the school year. I choose to believe this as more than wishful thinking and trust that each of us will do our part to make this a reality.

Until we reach this learning environment “milestone,” our teachers and support staff will continue to prepare for the robust, remote learning environment our students will experience in just a few short days. These first several days will focus on building classroom and schoolwide community, which includes activities designed to get to know one another, understand how students will be expected to engage in the learning, and practice many of the processes and procedures taught to all students in a traditional learning environment.

Please trust me when I say we understand that we are being expected to do more than just pickup where we left off. We have gained insight from the experiences of last Spring, used the past few weeks and months to engage in meaningful professional development, and are poised and prepared to deliver learning opportunities that rival or surpass those expected in our familiar, traditional setting.

I work with an amazing leadership team who, given their long-standing connections to the community, are assisting me in making the best decisions for our students. These decisions always begin with “what would I want for my own school-aged child(ren)?” In answering this question, we then look for guidance from our local and state health departments, the department of labor and industries, and our governor’s office for the latest “best practices” in safely operating our schools and school programs. This has been our lens from the very beginning, and it will remain our lens as we move forward.

Finally, I must acknowledge again that the start to this school year presents hardships for each of us. Our community, our working parents, our teachers, our support staff, and most importantly our students will not go unimpacted. I ask that we all do everything we can to support each other during this time of challenge and opportunity for growth. Thank you for being a partner as we work through this difficult time.

Serving you as a partner in educating OUR students,

 

Dr. Shaun V. Carey 
Superintendent of Enumclaw School District

Please see the information on Food Services, and Chromebook Help information is below.

Chromebook Needs
Grades 6-12: New students that attend Enumclaw High School, Enumclaw Middle School, or Thunder Mountain Middle School who need a Chromebook may pick one up at their school. 

Elementary:  Families who have requested a Chromebook through our survey have been contacted for a pickup time.  

Families with elementary students who have need for a Chromebook, please contact your school's office.

 

Chromebook Help
Repairs - Grades 6-12:  Students in grade 6-12 may bring their Chromebook to their school’s main office to get repair or checkout a loaner.

Repairs - Grades PreK- 5:  Families of students in grades PreK-5 may bring their Chromebook to the Enumclaw School District Technology Office, located at 2929 McDougall Avenue (just behind the district office) for repair or to checkout a loaner. Hours:  M-F 8:00 a.m.- 11:00 a.m.  and 1:00 - 3:00 p.m.

Help with your Chromebook:
For help accessing your child’s learning, logging into Google Classroom, etc. please contact your child’s teacher. For technical help, you may bring your Chromebook in for repair, as described above. 

 

Hotspots
We have had many responses (currently over 300 requests) from our survey in July for hotspots. Because we have many more requests than we have hotspot devices available, we will not likely be able to fulfill every response with an individual hotspot. If you do have an internet access need, please contact your school so that if hotspots become available, we are able to communicate with you. 

We are currently checking out our available hotspots in the following process:

Phase I:  Families with no internet access at all.  We are currently using our available hotspots to checkout to these families.

Phase II:  For families who have indicated that they have some internet access, but need additional support, we are in the process of working with King County and Verizon to get additional devices.  We will reach out to families who have requested a hotspot if they become available.

At-School Internet Access:  For families who live in areas where a hotspot will not work or who are waiting for a hotspot, each of our schools is in the process of scheduling on-site “Internet Cafe” locations and hours for very small groups of students to come to the school site to access their online learning materials on a scheduled basis. 

Chromebook Pickup Information

Thank you to all of our families that have responded to our Chromebook survey sent out earlier this summer with requests to check out a Chromebook for your student(s).

All families that submitted their request to check out a Chromebook, on or before  8-19-20, will be contacted directly by our Technology Department by Friday, Aug. 21 with detailed information regarding your pickup date, time, and location. You will be contacted via the email address you provided in our survey. If you submitted your request prior to 8-19-2020 and you do not receive an email from our tech team by 5:00 pm on Friday, August 21st, please contact our Technology Department.

If you missed the opportunity to submit your request using our survey, you can still submit your Chromebook request. The survey is available in English and Spanish on our website: https://www.enumclaw.wednet.edu/teaching-learning/2020-2021-school-year

Our Technology Department will work to fulfill all additional requests as our Chromebook supply permits.  Chromebook requests submitted after 8-19-2020 may not be filled before the first day of school, but we will communicate directly to the email you provided, as soon as we're able to fulfill your request.

Enumclaw School District is exceedingly grateful for your partnership in supporting our students' learning as we begin the new school year. For any questions regarding student devices or hotspots, please contact our Technology Department directly at 360-802-7135.

Enumclaw School District Families,

I am happy to be able to share detailed information with you today about the work the ESD team has been doing over the past months. 

As you are aware, based on our survey feedback we have developed a model that provides flexibility and consistency for each family's unique needs.  This means our primary means of delivering instruction will be weekly modules with video and audio that will allow families to access learning when it works best for them. We also heard from our secondary students and families that managing six classes in a remote learning environment is very difficult.  In order to better support our students and allow them time for deeper learning in each course, our secondary schools will be moving to a quarterly schedule that requires students to only take 3 courses at a time. Students will still meet all requirements for a successful pathway to graduation. 

Our staff will use a new common digital learning format to provide a consistent learning experience for all students in Kindergarten through high school. Our wonderful staff have been participating in professional development opportunities over the summer to ensure a quality remote learning experience for all students. As part of this experience, daily attendance will be required for all students.

In order for our families to plan their upcoming weeks’ learning, teachers will upload their weekly learning module to their Google classroom every Friday afternoon and in order to provide outstanding customer service and support to our families, staff will dedicate time each day to respond to parent/guardian questions or concerns. Our goal is to always respond to students/families within a 24 hour time period.

Below is additional information on the remote learning model:

How will learning be delivered?

• Weekly Learning Modules will be uploaded by their teacher(s) into Google Classroom for the coming week every Friday afternoon for all K-12 students.

Common features of our remote learning

• Learning activities will be based upon grade level learning standards and skills.
• Learning will include synchronous (online together) and asynchronous (done independently) learning experiences each day.
• The week’s learning will include both video content and written learning assignments.
• Classes will include opportunities for individual support and small group help with the teacher. 
• An attendance ticket will be uploaded into Google Classroom daily and will need to be submitted by the student or parent/guardian by 2pm each day.
• Standard grading, assessment and feedback will be provided, based on student work.
• Individual teachers will design and customize the learning components for their students’ age, the learning content, and individual student needs.

Why is our learning designed in this way?

• Flexibility:  Learning and working remotely looks different from student to student and family to family.  Flexibility in scheduling is important. 
• Wellness:  Research shows that the ability to manage how much and how often students are expected to be on video calls at any point is important for overall wellness in a remote learning situation.  

Learning Support Resources

• All students in grades 6-12 will have a chromebook checked out to them for their learning needs.
• Our goal is to provide a chromebook to every elementary-aged student/family who has expressed that need.
• We are working with individual families who have expressed a need for internet access and will be providing support such as a wireless hotspot or access to a school internet location on a scheduled basis
• All necessary learning support materials will be provided for your student to be able to complete their learning activities.  

 

Weekly Learning at a Glance:

 

 

 

 

 

Shaun V. Carey

The purpose of this communication is to share information about our remote learning model that will be implemented this Fall. This tool was developed over the summer based on survey feedback from families, students and staff. The number one request from families and students was for us to provide a consistent and predictable delivery format that allows for easy wayfinding and navigation for both students and parents.

Below is a link to a video that will share a planning and delivery tool for remote learning. All staff will utilize this tool to assist in the delivery of remote learning to all students K-12.

In addition, you’ll find a series of frequently asked questions to give more information about our remote school opening as well as links to complete a survey if you have internet access or student chromebook needs for your student to access their remote learning.  

Watch a short video to see an example of how our remote learning will be delivered to students. 

Internet Access Survey: 

Complete a survey about your needs for internet access.  Please respond by Aug 4, 2020

Chromebook Survey:

Complete a survey about your needs for a student chromebook for your PreK-5 student (all students in grades 6-12 are provided a chromebook each year, so there is no need to request one here).  Please respond by Aug. 4, 2020.

El propósito de esta comunicación es compartir información sobre nuestro modelo de aprendizaje remoto que se implementará este otoño. Esta herramienta fue desarrollada durante el verano en base a los comentarios de las encuestas de familias, estudiantes y personal. La solicitud número uno de las familias y los estudiantes fue que proporcionáramos un formato de entrega consistente y predecible que permita una fácil orientación y navegación tanto para los estudiantes como para los padres.

A continuación hay un enlace a un video que compartirá una herramienta de planificación y entrega para el aprendizaje remoto que se desarrolló durante el verano. Todo el personal utilizará esta herramienta para ayudar en la entrega de aprendizaje remoto a todos los estudiantes de K-12. Tenga en cuenta que la versión que verá en este video está orientada más hacia la escuela primaria superior hasta la secundaria. Estamos en el proceso de adaptar este módulo para la entrega exitosa de aprendizaje remoto y una fácil navegación para nuestros alumnos más jóvenes.

Además, encontrará una serie de preguntas frecuentes para brindar más información sobre la apertura de nuestra escuela remota, así como enlaces para completar una encuesta si tiene acceso a Internet o necesita un Chromebook para que su estudiante acceda a su aprendizaje remoto.  

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1NavJ5tv5WOnm5zxJznOE8yhBY81EJqk6/view

Encuesta de Acceso a Internet: 

Haga clic aquí para completar una encuesta sobre sus necesidades de acceso a Internet. Responda antes del 4 de agosto de 2020

Encuesta de Chromebook:

 Haga clic aquí para completar una encuesta sobre sus necesidades de un Chromebook para su estudiante de Pre K-5 (todos los estudiantes en los grados 6-12 reciben un Chromebook cada año, por lo que no es necesario solicitar uno aquí). Responda antes del 4 de agosto de 2020

Preguntas Frecuentes:

¿Se tomará asistencia regular durante el aprendizaje remoto? 

Si. La asistencia diaria será un requisito para nuestro aprendizaje remoto este otoño.

ESD parents and families,

The landscape of reopening schools in the fall has shifted dramatically over the past several days. As was stated in our communication on Tuesday, we have continued to work with King, Pierce and WA State Department of Health officials, OSPI and the Department of Labor & Industries to monitor positive cases and infection rates of COVID-19.  We continue to adjust our instructional models for the new school year ahead, with a focus on ensuring the health and safety of our students, our staff and our community. Our district has been in communication with the department of health officials and district superintendents from across the Puget Sound region over the past two days. Today, the superintendents of districts in Pierce County were strongly advised by public health officials that it is not safe to return to in-person instruction in the Fall at this time. 

Enumclaw School District, in partnership with neighboring districts, will begin school this Fall with a 100% remote online model. We know there is no replacement for students experiencing learning with others and from teachers in a face-to-face setting, however, our focus remains on the health and safety of our students and our staff. 

Enumclaw School District would have preferred to start the year with in-person instruction and although we are a smaller community, many members of our community travel across the region on a regular basis and we are not isolated from the transmission rates in neighboring cities. 

We recognize that this is not the situation that any of us imagined we would be in and it is sad and disappointing for all of us. We are hopeful that by making this decision now, this will allow us to focus our efforts on implementing a high quality remote learning program for our students and will allow parents time to plan. More information regarding the online learning model will be shared with you in the coming week and will be available on our website: https://www.enumclaw.wednet.edu/teaching-learning/2020-2021-school-year

As a community, our hope is that we can work together to follow all established guidelines so that we can get back to in-person instruction as soon as safely possible.

The Enumclaw School District

Our team continues to work on plans for the start of the 2020-2021 school year. Our leadership has been in regular contact with health and education officials to determine the best options for the health and safety of our students and our staff. Currently, our preliminary plan for reopening school buildings includes full-time in-classroom instruction for grades PreK-5,  a full day A/B/A/B hybrid model for grades 6-12 or a K-12 full-time online option. 

In addition, as you may be aware, positive cases and infection rates of COVID-19 are increasing in our region, and around the state and nation.  We will continue to monitor the data and adjust our work in response to guidance from the Department of Health, The Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction and the Department of Labor and Industries. As a result of this ever-changing landscape, we, along with other districts in our region, are also preparing for the possibility of starting the school year 100% fully remote.

More detailed information will be sent out Thursday, July 23, on all three of the above options as well as information regarding a timeline for registration for the full-time online option. 

We will continue to monitor all information and will adjust our work accordingly in response to any guidance changes. We understand that this is a difficult time for our students, families and staff and we will continue to work collectively and intentionally to get through this time together.

https://www.enumclaw.wednet.edu/teaching-learning/2020-2021-school-year

The purpose of this survey is to seek your feedback on possible models for opening school in the fall for students in grades 6-12. As previously shared, we are planning for PreK - 5 to return to a regular daily school schedule following all health and safety guidelines.

For students in grades 6-12 we are currently considering two different A/B rotation models. We will ensure families with more than one student in grades 6-12 remain on the same schedule. We are asking for your feedback to help us in our decision making.

As you consider the advantages and disadvantages of each model below it is important to note that both models allow for the following:

- the ability to meet all health and safety requirements
- breakfast and lunch provided to students
- bus transportation, including a mid-day run if necessary
- flexibility to allow extra time and support for students with unique needs such as, IEPs, 504s, AP students, ELL, Highly Capable etc.
- flexibility to reduce student workloads during any specific grading period (for example students could take fewer courses within a grading period while     still meeting all academic requirements by the end of the year)

If you have a student(s) in grades 6-12 and you did not receive the survey please email Miranda Newell at miranda_newell@enumclaw.wednet.edu

June 25, 2020

Dear Families,

The purpose of this lengthy letter is twofold:

1. Share survey results
2. Provide you with our initial plan for September 2020
    

Survey Results

Thank you so much for taking the time to fill out the survey we sent out last week!  Between students, staff and community members, we received over 2,000 responses.  Our leadership team and I have spent time reviewing each one.  There were some overall themes that I will mention to you briefly here.  There were also individual thoughts connected to your specific family that we are not able to include in this note, but these comments will make our overall system better in planning for the future.  Again, thank you!

Major themes

• The vast majority of responses indicated a desire to open schools for all students as soon as possible.
• If all students are not able to return at one time, a “A/B” rotational schedule is preferred over a phase-in model of certain grades while other grades remain at distance learning.
• Distance learning should remain an option for families not comfortable returning to school.

We did hear from some of you that you are not comfortable with the Department of Health requirement of wearing face coverings.  The decision for wearing face coverings is not a local one and at this time is a requirement for both staff and students in order to return to school.   As we all have experienced during the past three months, requirements can change and we will keep you apprised if changes to this requirement occurs.

We have taken your feedback and have begun to work with our student enrollment and staff allocations as well as physical spaces within our schools to develop a model that meets requirements outlined by the King County Department of Health and the state of Washington. 
 

Initial Plans for September 2020

Based on survey feedback and our ability to meet Department of Health requirements, our current thinking includes a model having:

• Preschool will follow a regular schedule for their program
• Grades K - 5 will return to a full day model
• Middle and high school students will return in a A/B rotational format.  
• A K-12 distance learning option will also be provided.

September 2020 will be different than last spring, but it will also be different than September 2019.  There are many logistical challenges of meeting health standards/requirements that my team and I have immediately begun to process.   Your child’s daily routines and procedures will look and feel different than the school we are all used to.  Having them back in school, though, is a huge gift that we look forward to, even in this different looking model.  

As we do this, we ask that you begin to have conversation as a family, particularly if you are wanting to register for a distance learning environment.   We will be sending a communication to you the week of July 6-10 with more detailed information and directions on how to register for K-12 Distance Learning, should you decide not to return to a school campus in the fall.  

This past weekend State Superintendent of Public Instruction, Chris Reykdal released the following informational video that addresses four critical areas in opening schools.  I thought this may be helpful.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WotQhMrVzZw&authuser=1

Thank you again for your thoughtful feedback to our survey. 

In Partnership with you,
Mike