Lake Washington School District's Superintendent Update For March 10

Press release from the Lake Washington School District:

March 10, 2021

Dear LWSD Secondary Families:

"I write this letter to you at this time to share updated information about our plans for secondary in-person learning. Throughout the last year we have worked to keep our students at the center of our decision making, knowing that specific considerations must also be made for health and safety, and staff and family interests. We have been responsive to the ever-changing requirements, guidance and conditions. Each change has had different levels of impact on the organization given the nature of the specific matter. This work could not be done without our dedicated staff. I want to thank them for their commitment to students during this school year.

With the announcement of the vaccine being prioritized for school district staff and educators, it is essential that we evaluate our implementation of learning services for secondary students. As with each change in guidance, shift in conditions or executive action; we reflect on our implementation of processes, procedures and learning models.

The announcement of the vaccine prioritization for school district staff and educators is a different type of change. This public policy change announced on Tuesday, March 2, by President Biden and Governor Inslee, intended to prioritize the return of students to school buildings. This creates a significant obligation for school districts to evaluate current learning models. This action by the President and Governor prioritizes educational services and, specifically, in-person educational services. The increased prioritization of vaccine distribution for school district staff speaks volumes for the expected actions of school districts across the country. This announcement requires us to ensure that our actions align with that level of responsibility.

Given that, we have asked the Lake Washington Education Association (LWEA) to enter into negotiations regarding an In-Person Hybrid Model. We can open our schools in a manner that is safe and healthy for students and staff following all Public Health mitigating measures that have been implemented and revised per public health guidance throughout the last year. Department of Health guidance for reopening school was released in August 2020 and was updated on December 16; this guidance was not contingent on the provision of vaccine. Our decision to maintain our remote schedule for secondary was based on student and staff continuity within classes and the major disruption/damage changing schedules would have in the middle of second semester. The prioritization of all educational staff in the vaccine program allows for the majority of staff to safely work and teach on campus and in-person with students.

We are in the process of finalizing the current In-Person “Support Model” negotiations which will provide secondary schools the parameters and conditions for LWEA members to serve students in smaller groups to address academic, organizational and social/emotional support. This will allow us to continue bringing students back for in-person learning in smaller groups. The In-Person Support Model will provide parameters and conditions for LWEA members to support activities such as transition and culminating events. Finally, this model will help us transition to an In-Person Hybrid Model.

It is important to know that an In-Person Hybrid model does not equate to a specific schedule. A Hybrid model means a schedule that includes in-person, synchronous remote and asynchronous remote. As one example, we have neighboring districts that are currently negotiating a Secondary Hybrid model that schedules students on campus one day per week.

In our work to develop and bargain an In-Person Hybrid Model I want to be clear about a few parameters we have set for this model:

1. Secondary students will keep their courses and teachers in almost all cases
2. Families have the option to opt their child into an In-Person Hybrid schedule
3. Students opting to remain remote for the duration of the 2020-21 school year will continue to participate in remote teaching and learning

Additionally, we will be analyzing the need for required staff accommodations.

A few of our immediate action items and targets include:

• Launch family survey by end of this week to seek feedback on placement in an In-Person Hybrid Schedule, student needs and open feedback
• Meet with the LWSD Student Advisory to determine student survey options/questions
• Finalize In-Person Support Model within the next two weeks for implementation as soon as possible
• Finalize In-Person Hybrid Model to announce to families prior to Spring Break
• Finalize negotiations related to the In-Person Hybrid Model for implementation in April

I understand the unique challenges with announcing this change after we recently announced that all students would retain their remote schedule and that we would be bringing secondary students to campus in smaller groups for the remainder of the school year. I also recognize the busy time that Spring is at all our schools and, particularly, our secondary schools. We have an opportunity to welcome our students back to our secondary campuses this school year as a launch into the 2021-22 school year.

Throughout this year, we have had to gather our resolve to continue moving our work forward for students. Education systems are deeply complex which leads to challenges when change is required. The time of year for this change also leads to challenge. Even with the complexity and challenges, our students continue to voice the need for peer and social connection that only a school schedule can provide.

Our students need us – they need hope that things will get better.

We have the opportunity to provide hope."

Respectfully,
Jon

Dr. Jon Holmen, Superintendent
Lake Washington School District

This press release was produced by the Lake Washington School District. The views expressed are the author's own.