Schools begin plans for six-week closure

With all schools in Washington closed from March 17 through April 24 due to COVID-19, Whitman County school districts have begun plans to continue food service, education and more.

COLFAX

Colfax will offer breakfast and lunch for students starting Thursday to be delivered to certain spots in-town and along rural bus routes.

In-town locations include Jennings Elementary School, from 8 a.m. to 10:30 a.m., and the following from 8 a.m. to 8:15 a.m .: Ace Hardware, Pearson Farm and Fence, the St. Patrick's Catholic Church parking lot on Main Street at the top of the hill, Lookout Park on Thorn Hill, Hauser Heights and 10th Street. Also, the Siesta Motel, just before 8:30 to 8:45 a.m.

On the rural bus routes, a Colfax school bus will deliver to regular bus stops between 8:30 and 9:30 a.m.

The food is described as "grab-and-go" – bagged, breakfast and lunch, to be picked up and taken away. Classified staff and bus drivers are helping with the food program.

As far as education, the district will deliver materials for "review and extended learning" with the food.

Textbooks will be available to pick up Wednesday or Thursday – as of Tuesday, the day had not been set.

The district has also put a Khan Academy link on its website.

"From beginner reading to AP calculus," said Jerry Pugh, superintendent.

The materials with the food deliveries sent by the district will be focused on review and retention, so when kids return, they are at the same level as when they left.

"No new concepts introduced or anything of that nature," Pugh said.

Plans to offer daycare are also forming.

The Colfax school board will meet again Monday, March 23, at 7 p.m. at the district office board room.

OAKESDALE

The Oakesdale School was set to begin its closure program Wednesday to have its 15-member staff in the building Monday through Friday of each week.

Teachers will take educational packets to students on four daily bus routes, which also will deliver breakfast and lunch.

"We're providing meals and work everyday," said Jake Dingman, superintendent. "School is carrying on. The kids need to be prepared when they come back. And we need to prepare them for next year."

Each weekday during the closure, an Oakesdale teacher and a bus driver will deliver packets and pick up packets from students – at specific locations for a duration of time and then go house-to-house if needed.

Teachers will then return to school, eat lunch, evaluate the turned-in packets and prepare for the next day.

"It's not time we ask for, but time we have. Use it," said Dingman.

Also, transportation and maintenance man Kevin Young was to start a deep clean of the school Wednesday.

"Basically, our summer routine. Every surface will be scrubbed down," Dingman said.

Oakesdale held school on Monday with teachers addressing each class on what was to come.

"Our high school kids are pretty disappointed," said Dingman. "They understand the significance of why we need to do this, but also understand what they're missing out on. Our younger kids say 'Hey, this is a break!' So they think."

The packet pick-up and delivery will be in place of a solely on-line program as not every student has access. Also Monday, each student went home with a stack of materials.

"Textbooks, workbooks, Chromebooks, library books," Dingman said.

Grades 6-12 in Oakesdale already had the Chromebook laptop computers to take home while K-5 previously used them only at school.

Social distancing will be practiced by staff at the school.

"As much as possible," Dingman said.

The state Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI) has waived all requirements for free-and-reduced breakfast and lunch, making all of it free.

COLTON

Colton Schools will begin a pick-up food service to start Thursday, with students required to come to the school to get the food. Buses will also deliver to what is now two families in rural areas and the rest in town.

The school will also offer childcare at the school building to the community on an emergency basis – for parents who have exhausted all other options.

As far as teaching, Superintendent Paul Clark said a school-wide K-12 Colton response is expected by Tuesday morning, March 24.

Teachers are already in contact with students, he indicated, and kids in grades 6-12 took their Chromebooks home.

"It's not really assignments per se, but it's put out by a teacher," said Clark. "By next Monday, Tuesday, we'll probably be running packets on buses. We want to give everyone the same opportunity."

On Tuesday of this week, Colton staff tended to plants growing in the greenhouse – the 2020 FFA plant sale scheduled for May 1 as part of the Colton-Uniontown Fair.

It was still on as of Tuesday.

"As the governor said, our goal is to keep learning going, keep eating going and keep childcare going," said Clark. "We are a family business. That's what schools are. These are pretty bleak times. But the strength of our community is very evident right now."

GARFIELD/PALOUSE

The Garfield and Palouse educational and sports co-operative works to make plans for the coming weeks.

An un-used "snow day" was taken Monday and on Tuesday staff at the middle school in Garfield and the high school in Palouse put together optional packets of enrichment material for students, which would not be graded or part of the official curriculum.

"Strictly optional, strictly enrichment," said Palouse Superintendent Calvin Johnson. "For now, it's not part of their grade, just if parents want it."

For food service, a full grab-&-go (bag) service at both schools is to start March 23 with the districts' accommodating for any need this week as well.

"We'll take care of those who need it, one way or another," said Johnson.

The districts are still seeking hard numbers of interested families to help refine the food service plan for next week, and the weeks to come.

Educational plans are aimed to be equitable for each student – as far as ability to get packets, on-line access and more.

Johnson indicated further educational plans were to be put up on the Garfield/Palouse website Tuesday evening.

"We're still planning," he said.

ST. JOHN/ENDICOTT

Suzanne Schmick, superintendent of St. John Endicott schools, released a statement Monday to all families in the St. John/Endicott School District stating that from Tuesday through Friday this week, the district will reach out to staff and organize support for families during the time without school. This may be in the form of educational resource packets or online practice support ideas.

A school closure family survey was sent out to get a better idea of what each student will need.

This survey aims to gather information on which students have internet and computer access as well as if the student would need a bagged lunch during the week.

It also asks if one or both parents are medical providers or first responders and if they would potentially need childcare.

"We don't want any student to be without an opportunity to keep learning," Schmick said in her letter to parents. "Our local internet providers will assist families in making this happen if we are made aware of your needs."

The survey also asks if the school district was to provide online learning, would the student need a district-issued 1-on-1 Chromebook to access online educational materials.

Schmick plans to make educational resources and lunches available the week of March 23.

"I so appreciate your patience as we complete our planning time this week," Schmick wrote. "We will continue to keep you updated."

LACROSSE

The LaCrosse School District will start a meal delivery system March 23 for students.

"We are in the process of getting the meal service set up," said Doug Curtis, LaCrosse School District superintendent. "We will be delivering right to the students by using the bus drivers."

Along with meal services, it is planned that the school district will administer educational services to students through both online and in physical (paper) educational packets.

Rosalia

The Rosalia School District will begin a meal service for students March 23.

The service will offer deliveries to the physical address of the student, to be made between 9 a.m. and noon, depending on how many signed up for the service. After the first run next Monday, a more accurate time will be set up for future deliveries.

The service is for kids who go to Rosalia Schools and their younger siblings.

Students will each receive two bags, one with breakfast food and one with  lunch food at the same time. 

Someone will need to be present to receive the food for the day.

Food will not be left on doorsteps.

The service will not run during spring break April 6-10.

Parents of Rosalia students will be updated with new information through a robocall system or the school website.