Toutle Lake School District Students and Parents: November 20, 2020
Unfortunately, due to the increase in Covid-19 cases in Cowlitz County, our 7–12 grade students in our face to face program (with some exceptions for students with special needs and/or having no internet access) will have to shift back to remote learning (Continuous Learning 2.0) on Monday, November 30.
Students in grades K-6, in our face to face program, will continue in our hybrid model, as they have been since the beginning of this school year. We are hoping that that will remain the case until at least our semester break. It is possible that we may have to roll back some or all of our elementary students sometime in December.
This decision is prompted by data released (or that will be released) from Cowlitz County Health and Human Services (CCHHS).
-On November 9, 2020 CCHHS issued the following statement, “If rates remain in the high range for three (3) consecutive weekly reports, we will recommend that the most recently-added groups of students return to remote learning, until rates decrease and remain in the moderate range for three (3) consecutive weekly reports. If rates remain high we will recommend that further groups of students return to remote learning over time.”
-On November 16, 2020 Cowlitz County released data that highlights that we are in the HIGH level of COVID-19 activity for the second straight week, at 207 new cases/100,000 population/14 days from 10/28 – 11/10.
-On November 23, when the next data set is released, we will be in the HIGH for the third consecutive week.
We understand that our students have benefited from having the opportunity be on campus. When we return to a MODERATE Covid-19 Activity Level (set by the Washington State Department of Health) for an extended period of time, we will once again be able to bring 7–12 grade students back on campus. We look forward to that day.
We understand the hardships that this may cause. If there is anything that we can do to help during this time, please do not hesitate to contact someone in one of our offices. School breakfast and lunches are free for all students throughout the end of the school year. These meals can be picked up for students not on campus. We are once again starting our food pantry program. We can also try to connect students and families with community resources that can help in difficult situations. If you or someone you know could benefit from these programs please reach out.
Sincerely,
Bob Garrett
Superintendent
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November 16, 2020
Dear Parents and Guardians,
With over 400 students now receiving in-person instruction in our hybrid model (and over 200 students attending our TLSD Virtual Academy), the work of our Reopening Committee has been completed. Our faithful Reopening Committee members have served for just a little bit over four months, tackling a multitude of issues – attestations, screenings, food services, transportation, social distancing, technology, continuity of delivery of instruction, cohort considerations, and safety and hygiene to name a few.
Our appreciation goes out to each of the members of our Reopening Committee – Mark Benson, Chris Byrd, Rexanna Chrisler, Jill Cloke, Penny Cox, Courtney Eytcheson, Jamie Foster, Oliver Foster, Judy Frandsen, Linda Hynning, Jerry Johnson, Robert Kell, Robyn Kilponen, Stephanie Larsen, Annie Lender, Amanda Nicholson, John Nicholson, Kirk Reinbold, Sherry Schwinn, Heather Schoonover, Daryl Spinneberg, Robin Spinneberg, Barbara Streeter, Robin Toms, Janell Wheatley and Ira Wohl. Thank you to one and all for your dedication and commitment to the youth of Toutle Lake School District!
Prior to last week, Cowlitz County had experienced four consecutive weeks of being in the moderate at-risk category with respect to the number of new cases of COVID-19 during the prior 14 days per 100K population. As most everyone knows, our numbers began spiking last week and we now find ourselves in the high at-risk category. Should we have three consecutive weeks in the high at-risk category, we will be in direct consultation with Dr. Krager from our local health department to obtain his latest opinion on our status.
It is possible that we may have to pivot from our hybrid model to 100% remote (for some of our students and possibly even for all of our students.) Time will tell and we will notify families as quickly as possible should that be the case.
In the meantime, sometime this week families will be receiving a skyward message asking them to inform their child’s building principal if they plan to change instructional models (from the Virtual Academy to hybrid, or vice versa) at the semester break. While the last day of the first semester is not until January 27, we need to begin planning now for our second semester.
Lastly, we have tweaked our website to make it a bit more “user friendly” when it comes to finding information in regard to COVID-19. On our homepage, just hover over the tab entitled “Health Services” and then on “COVID-19 information.”
Should you have any questions and/or concerns, we encourage you to reach out to us here at the schools. We are here to serve and are committed to assisting everyone through these challenging times!
Sincerely,
Bob Garrett
Superintendent