Sumner-Bonney Lake Schools Cancel Classes Thursday And Friday

SUMNER, WA — The Sumner-Bonney Lake School District has cancelled classes for the remainder of the school week.

Classes were first cancelled Tuesday, due to the Sumner Grade Fire, one of several large wildfires causing problems in Pierce County this week. As of the latest report, that fire has grown to more than 800 acres and forced hundreds of homes in the Bonney Lake area to evacuate.

In response to the ongoing concerns the fire is posing, the district has announced that they will not be resuming classes Thursday or Friday, and are instead urging families to focus on their own well-being:

"Our hearts are with the many staff, students and families who have been evacuated from their homes and the countless more who are on alert for a potential evacuation.

We’re choosing to focus on the well-being of those in need. Because, well, that’s who we are. We teach our staff and students to be servant leaders, with hearts that have impact beyond a google classroom and that go into our community.

This isn’t a teaching moment we envisioned, but there’s learning happening apart from any scheduled curriculum. We hope to begin school soon, stronger than ever."

The district says they hope to have more information to release by Sunday, but until then they're asking parents to keep an eye out for any other potential updates.

Despite the closure Wednesday, Sumner High School was able to put together literal tons of food to help families who have been forced out of their homes by the fires. They will continue to serve those in need on Thursday.

The district will also be offering free meals to children 18 or younger on Thursday and Friday as well. Students or their parents can pick up meals any time between 11:30 a.m. and 1 p.m. at Daffodil Valley Elementary, Liberty Ridge Elementary, Mountain View Middle School or Sumner Middle School.

Related: South Sound Wildfires Cause Closures, Evacuations, Power Outages