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With the conclusion of the 2020-21 academic year approaching, school districts in Kitsap and Mason counties have informed parents about plans for the return of full-time in-person learning next fall.
On Thursday, the state Department of Health made it clear that full-time education in classrooms is the expectation for all schools. Updated DOH guidance for 2021 summer programs and the 2021-22 academic year makes full-time in-person learning mandatory for all interested students.
“We are releasing this guidance early to give the school districts in Washington the opportunity to put plans in place for a safe and successful 2021-2022 school year, said DOH Secretary of Health Umair A. Shah.
South Kitsap School District teachers, staff vote to delay return plan Jeff Graham, Kitsap Sun
South Kitsap School District s plan to return youngest students to the classroom on Monday is in doubt.
SKSD Superintendent Tim Winter, school board president Eric Gattenby and South Kitsap Education Association (SKEA) president John Richardson released a joint statement Friday morning that puts the district s reopening plan for next week in jeopardy, after members of the SKEA voted earlier this week to not return to school, citing COVID-19 safety concerns. Our return to campus timeline is set to begin on Jan. 11 for kindergarten, first, and second-grade families who have chosen the SK Flex model, the statement reads. The school board and district leadership agree that it is time to move forward. However, the South Kitsap Education Association (SKEA) held a meeting upon member request on Jan. 6 and members voted not to return to campus and remain in full remote l