Stock photo

Stock photo

Kent schools eye March 22 return for preschool through first grade

Hybrid plan with remote and in-person learning

Preschool, kindergarten and first graders could return to in-person learning on March 22 in the Kent School District.

“While we have been actively negotiating with our labor partners details of our safe return to in-person learning plan, our community’s COVID activity levels have continued to decline,” Kent Superintendent Calvin Watts said in a Monday, March 1 statement. “The eligibility and hope for enough supply for educators to be vaccinated are still three or more weeks away. Yet, we are pleased to report we are closer than ever on mutual agreements for a phased-in safe return for our students.”

Chris Reykdal, state superintendent of public instruction, told school districts in mid-February that if they want their new federal COVID-19 relief money, they need to submit reopening plans by March 1.

“Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, all team KSD members have remained committed to our shared goal for a safe return to in-person learning,” Watts said. “I am pleased to share that we have identified a tentative start date for hybrid learning for PreK, kindergarten, first grade and limited in-person services for students with an active Individual Education Plan (IEP) to start in-person learning on March 22.”

Watts did not give an update about when other grades might return to in-person learning.

Watts said bargaining teams are continuing to negotiate details of the elementary in-person and remote learning plan schedules.

“We know families need schedule information to make an informed decision before opting into in-person learning or choosing to stay in remote learning.” Watts said. “We are working together with labor partners to keep bell times for in-person instruction aligned with start times for remote learning. However, we must account for the impact that transportation and in-person health and safety protocols will have on in-person learning schedules. As soon as we have schedule information, we will share it with families, and we will provide a clear, detailed process for families to make a final decision for their learning model.

“We recognize this timeline is a disappointment for students who are looking forward to returning to school in person. We also acknowledge that there are many questions that all families still have, and we will be providing more details in the coming days and weeks.”

The district has submitted its application to the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI) for federal Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER) 2 Emergency Relief Funds. These funds can be used through September 2023 to address learning loss due to COVID-19, prepare schools for reopening, COVID-19 testing, and repair and upgrade projects to improve air quality in KSD buildings.




Talk to us

Please share your story tips by emailing editor@kentreporter.com.

To share your opinion for publication, submit a letter through our website https://www.kentreporter.com/submit-letter/. Include your name, address and daytime phone number. (We’ll only publish your name and hometown.) Please keep letters to 300 words or less.

More in News

File photo
Man sentenced in Federal Way rock throwing death

Judi Kilma retrieved a fist-sized rock after a man punctured one of the tires on Kilma’s bicycle.

t
Kent Police Blotter: March 11-25

Incidents include commercial burglary, DUI arrest

Flowers for slain trooper Chris Gadd begin to collect outside Washington State Patrol District 7 Headquarters on Saturday, March 2 in Marysville. (Ryan Berry / Sound Publishing)
Lynnwood man pleads not guilty in crash that killed WSP trooper

Raul Benitez Santana arraigned Tuesday on vehicular homicide charge in Trooper Chris Gadd’s death.

Captain Ron Mead and Corporal Alexis Robinson embrace during a memorial for Washington State Patrol trooper Chris Gadd on Tuesday, March 12 at Angel of the Winds Arena in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / Sound Publishing)
Man was reportedly driving 112 mph before crashing into Trooper Gadd

Charging documents reveal details of March 2 crash that killed Kentlake High graduate

t
Kent apartment shooting injures man, woman on East Hill

Incident began Sunday, March 24 as domestic dispute; woman’s brother gets involved and shots are fired

Chase Wilcoxson, father to Matilda, 13, and Eloise,12, places a family photo at the roadside memorial dedicated to his daughters, Buster Brown, 12, and Andrea Hudson, 38. Photo by Bailey Jo Josie/Sound Publishing.
Families forgive Kent suspect involved in fatal crash near Renton

High-speed collision March 19 killed four; families of victims call to make the roads safer

t
Kent mayor plans to keep fighting for sales tax to hire more police

State of the City address also touches on new restaurants, roundabouts and walking paths

t
Crews to begin work on $13.8 million final phase of 76th Avenue upgrade

Street to be raised above Mill Creek floodplain, paved with concrete; bridges to replace culverts

t
Smoke alarms help Kent family of five escape house fire

Firefighters rescue one male from roof in March 19 fire on East Hill

File photo
Victims identified in ‘mass casualty’ collision that killed four near Renton | Update

Detectives say the collision was caused by an 18-year-old driver.

t
Semi-truck rollover blocks Green River Bridge in Auburn

Traffic had to be diverted from State Route 18; heavy impact on Kent streets

t
Seattle church’s donation to cover asylum seekers bill at Kent hotel

Group to remain at Kent Quality Inn for two more weeks