Dear Darrington Students, Staff and Community:
Wednesday, Gov. Inslee announced new measures to slow the spread of COVID-19 in Washington State. After prohibiting gatherings of 250 people or more, Gov. Inslee then asked all school districts in King, Pierce and Snohomish counties to immediately plan for probable emergency school closures.
These school closures could be immediate and long-lasting. We are learning now that the extent of a long-term closure could go well beyond spring break—approximately four- to six-weeks with reassessment after that time. The governor will hold a press conference this morning at 9 AM, at which time he is expected to address mandatory school closures.
We have been working with the Snohomish Health District and Snohomish County to plan for a possible closure related to the COVID-19 outbreak. Based on current information, families should now begin preparing for a possible school closure, one that might possibly last six weeks or longer. Our major priorities surrounding a prolonged school closure are:
o Providing meals to students
o Providing educational resources and supports to students and families
o Exploring childcare options for impacted families
COVID-19 has disrupted our normal routines and way of life. The state is taking unprecedented steps to protect lives. 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