Peninsula Schools Decide To Continue Remote Learning In Fall

GIG HARBOR, WA — Students in the Peninsula School District will not be returning to their classrooms this fall, according to school officials.

Like many districts across Washington, Peninsula had been planning to resume in-person when the school year starts in September, but a recent surge of coronavirus cases and new warnings from Pierce County's top health official have pushed the district to reconsider.

"Based on the COVID-19 disease activity in Pierce County and our region, I do not feel it is safe to open schools in September for traditional classroom learning," Dr. Anthony Chen, Director of Health for the Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department said. "The situation could change, and I may change my recommendation at a later date. I am offering this recommendation at this time to respect our local school districts' needs to plan and make decisions to have time to implement."

Following Chen's lead, the district has announced that, when classes resume on September 8, they will be done remotely. However, school officials do plan to bring students back into classrooms if possible later in the school year, possibly with a six-stage transition beginning in January.

The district says they know some parents and students may be disappointed by the news, but that it was necessary to make sure everyone stays safe this fall:

"We ask for your understanding as we continue with plans for full remote learning to begin the school year. We are committed to sharing information with staff and families as soon as it becomes available.

We recognize these are unprecedented times and decisions about how to navigate school during the pandemic may represent relief for some and significant disappointment and hardship for others."

District officials also say they recognize that remote learning presents some unfair challenges to certain students, and that they are working to make a new remote learning program that is more equitable while also providing services to the students with the most significant needs. The new "Remote Learning 2.0 Guidebook" will be shared with teachers on August 3. On August 5 it will be shared with students, parents and the general community.

The Peninsula School District is not the only district choosing to keep classrooms closed this fall. Similar announcements have been made by the Puyallup, Seattle, Northshore, and Kent school districts.

Read the full announcement from the Peninsula School District.