Toutle Lake School District

September 22, 2021

 

Toutle Lake School District Staff/Parents/Guardians and Students –

 

The purpose of this letter is to provide information regarding the District’s initiation of a COVID-19 testing center. The reasoning behind this decision is four-fold:

     1) WIAA will be requiring unvaccinated junior high and high school basketball players, cheerleaders, wrestlers and coaches to test twice weekly once their season begins;

     2) Unvaccinated staff members with a religious or medical exemption will need to test weekly beginning on or around October 18^th;

     3) Testing programs are critical for identifying cases of COVID-19 in our schools, preventing the spread of the disease, and keeping our students and staff at school whenever possible; and

     4) The District received a grant for funding the staffing for this program, as well as free testing supplies.

 

Some very important facts about this program follows:

1. Parental consent must exist before a student would be tested. Click here to see Consent Form.
2. The primary test used will be BinaxNow. It is a rapid antigen test, self-administered, observed by a trained staff member, with results available within 15 minutes. It is much less intrusive than the tests that many of us have experienced, with this one using a shallow nasal swab put into each nostril (about one-half inch).
3. In the future, the District may begin making a PCR/molecular test available to staff and students if they are interested.
4. The District is required to report all positive results to the Department of Health.
5. There is no charge to the staff, nor to the students, for the testing services.

Feel free to send any questions that you may have to me via email at bgarrett@toutlesd.org; and I will respond in a timely manner as possible.

 

Thank you for your continued support of our staff and student body.

 

Sincerely,

 

Bob Garrett

Superintendent

_________________________________________________________________________________________
August 28, 2021

 

Dear Parents/Guardians and Students -

 

“Are we there yet?” How often do we hear children asking that question when we are traveling on a journey? Quite often, I think – but to be honest, I have been asking that same question to myself as we take our journey through this COVID-19 pandemic. I have been so anxious to “reach the end” and with continued teamwork, I think we might just get there!

 

I continue to be very grateful that I “get to – not have to” serve the community of Toutle Lake School District as its superintendent. I am grateful that I get to work with the awesome staff members that are so committed to help your children grow, find purpose, have a sense of belonging; and know that they have a safe place to go where a group of kind, caring, and dedicated people will do all that they can to meet their needs right where they are!

 

I am also grateful for our school board members, who give selflessly to create the best school district possible. My gratitude also goes out to the families and students of this great community – while we may have our differences, we all want the same thing – that is, what’s best for our youth!

 

While I know that I shared this story about three years ago, I think it is even more applicable now. I am again reminded of the lessons that we can learn from a flock of flying geese.  Angeles Arrien has shared the following insights regarding geese flying in a V-formation:

1. As each goose flaps it wings, it creates an uplift for others behind it. There is 71 percent more flying range in V-formation than in flying alone. Lesson: People like us who share a common direction and sense of purpose get there more quickly.
2. Whenever a goose flies out of formation, it feels drag and tries to get back into position. Lesson: It is easier to do something together than alone.
3. When the lead goose gets tired, it rotates back into formation and another goose flies at the head. Lesson: The “leader” does not have to do all of the leading all of the time. Each of us has skills and talents that are valuable, and we should be willing to lead when needed.
4. The geese flying in the rear of the formation honk to encourage those up front to keep up their speed. Lesson: Encouragement is motivating. We need to make sure our “honking” is encouraging, not discouraging.
5. When a goose gets sick or wounded and falls, two geese fall out and stay with it until it revives or passes on. Then they catch up or join another flock. Lesson: We may all need help from time to time. Let us stand by one another in difficult times as well as good ones.

 

May the school year of 2021-22 be one in which we “fly as geese.” We will arrive at our destination in an easier and quicker fashion, leading when we are needed, and encouraging and supporting one another. And the entire village, particularly the children, will reap the benefits!

 

Sincerely,

 

 

Bob Garrett

Superintendent 

The Emergency Broadband Benefit is an FCC program to help families and households struggling to afford internet service during the COVID-19 pandemic. This new benefit will connect eligible households to jobs, critical healthcare services, virtual classrooms, and so much more. Please click here for more info and to apply.

The Toutle Lake High School has partnered with NFHS to install Pixellot cameras in the Basketball Gym and in the Football Stadium to allow for watching games live and watching past games. There is a monthly or annual membership available. Please click here to view the flyer which has instructions on where to go to sign up.

For snow routes please click here. For information regarding school closures or alerts click here. Don't forget to add your email address on flash alert when you check for closures so that you can be automatically notified in the event of a closure or alert.