Kelso Public Schools
Longview Public Schools
Mary Beth Tack
Dan Zorn
Superintendent
Superintendent
In-person learning is best for kids
Coming soon: Full-time, in-person learning
ast month, informed by research and startling data, Gov. Jay Inslee signed an Emergency Proclamation for the Children and Youth Mental Health Crisis in Washington. The proclamation states, “hospitals and health professionals who specialize in the treatment of children indicate that many of Washington’s children and youth are experiencing a significant mental and behavioral health crisis as a result of the ongoing pandemic, which has been exacerbated by continued isolation, difficulty engaging with virtual learning, and lack of regular inperson interaction with educators, school personnel, mentors and peers.” Some of the data shared in the emergency proclamation includes:
n March 19, the Centers for Disease Control issued new guidance for schools as it pertains to physical distancing in schools, and the Washington State Department of Health has recently endorsed the changes. This paves the way for schools to open for full-time, in-person instruction. Based on the changes the district announced that we will bring elementary students back full-time five days a week and secondary students back full-time four days a week starting April 19 unless infection rates rise to levels that exceed the guidelines advised by the health department.
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At Sacred Heart Children’s Hospital in Spokane: Acute care admissions to Inpatient Adolescent Psychiatric Unit increased 73% in 2020 as compared to 2019, and acute care admissions to General Pediatric Floor for behavioral health issues increased 68% in 2020 compared to 2019
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Seattle Children’s Hospital reported that, unlike before the COVID-19 pandemic, it is now normal for one to two children to be admitted every night at Seattle Children’s for attempted suicide
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Mary Bridge Children’s Hospital reported that the 14-day medical admission rate for mental health reasons increased approximately 67% from March 2020 to February 2021; and 60% of patients admitted to medical wards for mental health reasons are age 15-18—40% of these patients are age 14 and younger
The data in this proclamation shares what we already know: in-person learning is best for not only academic success, but also for the general health and well-being of our youth. It is with good reason that the proclamation requires all public K–12 schools in Washington to provide each student with the opportunity to learn in-person at their school, for no fewer than two days per week, by April 19. As of March 1, just 40.9% of Washington K-12 students were receiving in-person instruction each week. Here in Kelso, the safe return to in-person learning has been our goal from the beginning. Our K-2 students have been receiving consistent in-person instruction since Sept. 28, grades 3-5 since Oct. 26, and grades 6-12 phased in from Jan. 25 until all grades were in-person two days a week on Feb. 8. This has been made possible thanks to the great work of the Kelso School District staff and our collective vigilance in following health and safety regulations. As part of our on-going goal of the safe return to full in-person learning, we continue the dedicated practice of our mitigation factors; which now includes free COVID-19 tests at each school. Any teacher, staff, or student showing symptoms on the CDC For more Kelso Schools, see page 19 18 | Kelso Longview Business Connection | April 2021
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You might wonder why elementary students will return fulltime five days and week and secondary students full-time only four days per week. Over the course of the pandemic hundreds of students have chosen to remain in full-time remote learning. At the elementary level, where one teacher can teach all subjects, the district was able to dedicate teachers at each grade level to support remote learning. At the secondary level teachers are specialized, so each subject is taught by a different teacher. This means secondary teachers are serving both in-person and remote students at the same time. It is important that one day per week is set aside for middle and high school teachers to connect with remote students and support their learning. The district has worked diligently to make sure safety measures are in place to allow students and staff to return for more inperson learning. The changes include increased fresh air flow in buildings coupled with more effective air filters that can trap virus particles. Students and staff have been wearing masks, washing hands and maintaining proper physical distancing. Custodial staffing has been increased to allow for additional cleaning at every school. In addition to those safety measures, a large number of school employees will be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 by April 5 and we offer voluntary COVID-19 testing for students and employees at each of our schools to help control the spread of infection. With all of these conditions met, the district is in a good position to bring students back full-time. This past year has been challenging for our entire community and has been particularly challenging for our students, educators and parents. Nothing can replace in-person instruction where students can interact with their teachers and peers, where For more Longview Schools, see page 19