“It’s finally time,” said Xander.
Well, almost time. As a fourth grader, Xander gets to head back to class on January 14th in the Central Valley School District.
Kindergarten through third grades were phased in before winter break.
“I was praying before the school year started but my mom told me they’re probably going to do online and then I’m like ‘aw, come on,’” said Xander.
While fourth graders make their return in mid-January, fifth graders will actually have to wait a little longer. Sixth graders are scheduled to return on January 14th, as well, pending the Spokane Regional Health District’s approval.
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Students learning virtually still wait for in-person return; what school districts are planning
December 15, 2020 8:47 PM Elenee Dao
SPOKANE VALLEY, Wash. – Winter break starts Monday for kids across the Spokane area, but what happens after the new year is still not clear.
With districts phasing in more students, then stopping that altogether, families aren’t sure how to plan ahead.
Some are upset that some kids are back in school while others aren’t.
That’s the case for Xander Merkley, a fourth grader in the Central Valley School District. He’s been stuck at home learning online while his three other siblings get to go to school in person.
Updated: 11:43 AM PST December 15, 2020
SPOKANE VALLEY, Wash. West Valley School District could be bringing fourth and fifth graders back to classrooms as soon as January, according to a new plan from the district.
Fourth and fifth graders would return to school in two different cohorts, according to the plan. Half of fourth graders would return to school on Jan. 14, and the other half on Jan. 15. Half of fifth graders would return on Jan. 21 with the other half returning on Jan. 22.
The school district has paused all efforts to bring students in middle school and high school back to classrooms.
The West Valley School District said its working closely with the Spokane Regional Health District and Department of Health to monitor infection rates. Plans could be modified as health recommendations change for Spokane County.
KXLY
December 15, 2020 6:23 AM Erin Robinson
SPOKANE VALLEY, Wash. The West Valley School District is set to bring fourth and fifth-grade students back into classrooms in mid-January.
According to an update from the district, students will return with a hybrid model, which has been approved by the Spokane Regional Health District.
Fourth grades students in cohort A will begin on January 14 and cohort B will start the following day. Fifth grade students will return in their cohorts starting on January 21 and 22.
The district said secondary schools are also working on creating hybrid schedules to support the return of middle and high school students. A date has not been set, but the district is planning along with the help of the health district.