Coupeville Schools Superintendent Steve King
Coupeville schools, in whatever form they operate this fall, will open six days later than originally planned.
The first day was set for September 8, but has been moved to Sept. 14 to allow staff members and teachers extra time to prepare for a return to education in the age of coronavirus.
“This will give our district almost two weeks of formal training and preparation so that we can be successful in launching the school year,” Coupeville Schools Superintendent Steve King said in an email sent to parents.
Oak Harbor schools, which were set to start Sept. 3, are also moving to a Sept. 14 start.
While most large school districts across Washington state have publicly announced a move to 100% online learning to start the fall, King has previously said Coupeville will announce a decision Aug. 7.
In his email to parents, the superintendent included a survey, seeking input on four education models.
“I will start by saying that this is all very complex and is a very difficult decision,” King said. “I can tell you that all four models I am giving you and our community members can all be delivered in compliance with the state guidelines for opening.
“If we have students in person we can sanitize and disinfect our schools on a daily basis, we can do health screening, and we can set up classrooms with students six feet apart.
“We also are committed to providing training for whatever model we reopen with.”
King also noted feedback may influence future decisions on how Coupeville phases back into school, if there is a complete online start, either by local decision or state mandate.
So far, Governor Jay Inslee and Superintendent of Public Education Chris Reykdal have left the decision in the hands of local superintendents, but, with COVID-19 cases surging, the decision may come down from the head office.
For now, Coupeville is broaching four plans:
Everyday Reopening Model:
Modified schedule (Middle School/High School 8:00 AM-1:30 PM, Elementary 9:30-3:00)
Teacher planning periods will take place outside student school day to maximize teaching force/reduce class size.
Students will lose specialist time at elementary and some electives at secondary, allowing a few elective and specialist teachers to operate as school substitutes to ensure subs are available for sick teachers.
Lunches will be delivered to classrooms, with no school assemblies in order to avoid large gatherings.
Large spaces such as gyms and the CHS Performing Arts Center will be utilized as additional classroom space.
Outdoor learning will be emphasized for classes, with PE taking place outdoors on a daily basis.
K-3 Everyday & Hybrid Model:
K-3 will be in class Monday-Friday.
There will be two options for grades 4-12 — in school Monday-Tuesday, online Wednesday-Friday, or online Monday-Tuesday, in school Wednesday-Thursday, online Friday.
Students in 4-12 will be assigned additional work for remote learning days, with teachers available each Friday for virtual check-ins with students and/or family.
K-12 All Hybrid Model:
Two options – in school Monday-Tuesday, online Wednesday-Friday, or online Monday-Tuesday, in school Wednesday-Thursday, online Friday.
Remote or Distance Model:
Online Monday-Friday.
All students will start school year with remote or distance learning, then be able to transition back to in-person education when it is decided it is safe to hold school.
Likely that schools would transition from this to a hybrid model first, before returning to traditional full in-person school day.
In this model, Coupeville will provide more distance learning training for teachers and parents, and will work with local organizations to assist families with essential workers with childcare.
For families who don’t want to return their students to in-person school, the district is also working with Spokane Virtual Learning to create a version of its program which would be provided by Coupeville teachers.
If that option is chosen, a student is locked-in, and can’t return to in-person learning during the 2020-21 school year.
For more info on the program, pop over to:
https://www.spokaneschools.org/svl
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