November 29, 2021
Toutle Lake School District Staff/Parents/Guardians and Students –
Here is trusting that everyone had a safe and enjoyable Thanksgiving vacation. While I personally have many things to be grateful for. I am particularly grateful for the opportunity to have served as your superintendent of schools for the past three years. I have been inspired by the patrons of Toutle Lake and their unwavering commitment to the support of our staff and student body, as well as that of the Board and staff’s commitment to the support of our youth. And that has been “quite the feat,” given the craziness caused by the COVID-19 virus!
Even though I was fully vaccinated, I unfortunately tested positive for COVID earlier this month. It drained me of a great deal of my energy, and it is taking longer than I wished to regain my strength. Given that I am not getting any younger (I will turn 72 in a couple of months) and my wife and I will be welcoming our ninth grandchild into the world in late December; I have decided to resign from the superintendency and spend more time with family, as well as hopefully do some traveling. I will finish out this school year and assist the Board in any way possible with their search process for their next superintendent.
As you probably know, we had a school board election earlier this month. We would like to thank Ron Cryderman for his unselfish service as our board member representing Director District 3. And at the same time, please join me in welcoming Lisa Mathes, as our newest school board member.
On another note, while many of us would like to shed the requirement of wearing masks, we simply cannot do that yet. If you visit the school, even for just a few minutes, please put on a mask before entering the buildings. In addition, all spectators are required to wear a mask while attending any and all of our indoor extracurricular events. Your cooperation is appreciated, and will allow us to continue providing a safe venue for one and all.
Due to the upcoming Christmas vacation, the Board has rescheduled its regular December school board meeting to be held on Thursday, December 16, beginning at 5:30pm. Please note the change to both the date and the start time. And as usual, the meeting will be held in the high school library, with both in-person and virtual options of attendance available. As has often been the case, the agenda will include another opportunity for community members to express its opinion about how we might best utilize the federal ESSER (Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief) funds, as we attempt to address the academic impact of lost instructional time on our students.
Until later, on behalf of the entire district, we wish everyone a blessed holiday season!
Sincerely,
Bob Garrett
Superintendent
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October 19, 2021
Toutle Lake School District Staff/Parents/Guardians and Students –
I am writing to provide an update with respect to recent developments and changes here at TLSD. We have finally reached and passed the day of October 18th – the date that all school employees had to be fully vaccinated or be in possession of an approved exemption (medical or religious).
While the last two weeks have been a bit stressful for many, I am happy to say that all of our regular certificated and regular classified staff have reached that milestone of being in compliance with the vaccination mandate. We still have some substitute employees for whom we are hoping to receive documentation. Until they submit the necessary documents, they will not be able to work at the school.
With respect to volunteers at school, we have been delaying a final decision due to the fact that the mandates apply to them as well. By the end of the month, we hope to begin considering requests from those who would like to volunteer, provided they are fully vaccinated or are in possession of an approved exemption.
As you know basketball season is right around the corner, and compared to the fall sports, the safety protocols will increase. Any player who is not fully vaccinated, will need to be tested within 24 hours of the start of a competitive event. The same is true for any non-vaccinated coach or support staff. Spectators will be required to wear a mask at all times while indoors. Players will need to do the same, unless they are on the court in a competitive event.
On a more positive note, we are happy to inform you that I will be recommending to the School Board that they approve the hiring of Shayna Lindquist, as a new elementary teacher for us. We are excited to have someone of Shayna’s caliber joining our staff!
The next school board meeting will be Tuesday, October 26th beginning at 7:00pm in the high school library. In the meantime, take care.
Sincerely,
Bob Garrett
Superintendent