Today the Washington State Department of Health provided a series of guides to give community members information regarding the COVID-19 outbreak. The third guide provides answers for people who are experiencing the symptoms of COVID-19.
WA DOH Guidelines: What if you have a confirmed or suspected COVID-19?
Earlier today the Washington State Department of Health has provided a series of guides to give community members information regarding the COVID-19 outbreak. The first guide provides answers for people who are dealing with a confirmed or suspected case.
Meal Service Closure Updated Times, Info
To combat food insecurity during the COVID-19 outbreak, Darrington School District will provide breakfast and lunch service to any youth in need (through age 18) during the closure. Grab-and-Go meals will be available for youth outside the cafeteria weekdays from 11:30am-12:30pm. Due to state regulations ADULT MEALS ARE NOT AVAILABLE. Thank you for your patience and understanding.
Resources for Parents During School Closures
For resources from Washington Family Engagement for parents during school closures, please click here
School Closure Information
Dear Darrington Students, Staff and Community:
Following Gov. Inslee’s mandate, Darrington Schools will be closed as of 3 PM today. At present we have been given a date of April 27 to resume operations. The course of the COVID-19 outbreak will determine when we are allowed to return to school.
This morning I was on a conference call with OSPI Superintendent Reykdal. He outlined five key objectives for schools during the closure. These are, in order:
1) Providing meals to students
2) Continued work, salary and benefits for school employees
3) Child care for families of first responders and health care providers
4) Assuring that the Class of 2020 graduates
5) Providing educational resources and supports to students and families
At Darrington School District we take these objectives seriously. As we move in this new direction, we are already taking steps to assure that meals are provided for students and that work continues (though in a different form) for our staff. We are exploring with community partners how to provide child care for first responder/health care families. Our teachers have sent home the first set of educational resources and supports today. I met with the Class of 2020 today, and I promised them that we will help them complete their studies, and that they will graduate at the end of this year.
Building and district offices will be open from 9am-1pm during the closure. Grab-n-Go meal service will be available weekdays from 11am-1pm outside the cafeteria. Teachers will continue to send work home to students during the closure.
My thoughts and prayers are with those who have lost their lives in the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as the families impacted by this terrible illness. I want to recognize the toll that this has taken on students, families, and the staff. We ask for your continued patience and understanding as we work through this crisis. Please look for updates on our website, Facebook, and via email.
Stay well,
Dr. Buck Marsh, Superintendent
Meal Service During Closure
Food insecurity during the COVID-19 outbreak is a primary concern of the District and state government . As a result we have been authorized by the state to provide breakfast and lunch service to any youth in need (through age 18) during the closure. Grab-and Go meals will be available outside the cafeteria weekdays from 11am-1pm, starting tomorrow, March 17.
OSPI: Talking to Your Children About School Closures
Attached are resources from OSPI on talking to your child about school closures (click here).
Schedule and Closure Reminders
Monday, March 16, is our last day of school before the mandatory statewide closure directed by Gov. Inslee. Here are a few reminders:
Monday, March 16, is a 1 hour late start day. With anxiety over the closures, the recent time change, and all that is going on, I wanted to remind you of this.
By Monday, the first round of educational resources and supports should be distributed to parents and students (either in backpack mail or electronically). Additional packets will be sent out in the coming weeks. Teachers will be available to communicate via email to provide assistance.
On Tuesday we will begin providing lunch service for school age youth who are in need during this crisis. We will distribute more information on this program Monday.
Please remind your student to bring all personal items (including medications) home on Monday, if they have not already done so. We will conduct a deep cleaning of schools during this time. In addition, access to school facilities will be restricted due to the governor’s order.
All activities, clubs, sport practices, and meetings, as well as public use of school facilities, will be restricted during the emergency closure. Please make plans for your student’s transportation after school (either walking, pick-up, or school bus). All students are expected to go home at the end of the day.
Nothing we do in schools could adequately prepare this for this unprecedented statewide closure. Over 1.2 million students will be out of school statewide starting Tuesday. During the interim our mission will be to continue to provide food service, educational resources and supports, child care for first responders and health care workers, and continued employment for staff during this crisis. We will work with the authorities to keep our students and community safe, and will communicate news as it becomes available via our website and social media.
Below is a quick guide on the symptoms of COVID-19. Please practice the guidelines of proper hand washing, social distancing, covering coughs and sneezes, and staying home if sick. Please stay safe, watch for signs of illness and take care of yourselves and one another. Let’s work together to keep Darrington safe and healthy.
Sincerely,
Dr. Buck Marsh, Superintendent
OSPI News Release on School Closures
More information from OSPI on the mandatory six-week closure of schools across Snohomish, King, and Pierce Counties can be found here:
School Closed March 17-April 24
Dear Darrington Students, Staff and Community:
At 2 PM today, Gov. Inslee announced the mandatory closure of all school districts in Snohomish, King, and Pierce counties, including Darrington School District. This closure will begin following the end of the school day on Monday, March 16. The closure is scheduled to run for six weeks, with the next regularly scheduled school day on Monday, April 27.
We will continue to work with county and state authorities throughout this closure, and cooperate with all guidelines related to the COVID-19 outbreak. Based on guidelines provided by Gov. Inslee and the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction, our District will continue to offer the following services:
o Providing meals to those in need
o Providing educational resources and supports to students and families
o Providing child care for children of first responders and health care providers
COVID-19 has disrupted our normal routines and way of life. Our staff is working diligently on developing plans to provide continuing services listed above. We ask for your patience and understanding as we work through this crisis. Teamwork, optimism, and coming together as a community are the trademarks of life in Darrington. We will communicate updates in real time on our website, Facebook, and via email. Rest assured that we will not waver in our commitment to address the safety and welfare of our students, our staff, and our community.
Sincerely,
Dr. Buck Marsh, Superintendent