Tahoma School District issued the following announcement.
The Tahoma School Board voted unanimously to begin the 2020-2021 school year remotely, during a special meeting tonight. Additional information about reopening will be sent to families next week.
Student and staff safety is paramount, so although students, teachers, principals, administrators and board members expressed the desire to see one another in person at the start of the school year, the district recommended that the first quarter of the new school year will be held in a remote-learning model. Health officials in King and Pierce counties endorse starting school remotely, given the recent rise in COVID-19 infections in our area. Several surrounding districts, including Kent, Renton, Auburn and Enumclaw, are beginning the year with remote learning.
Superintendent Mike Hanson said that administrators and board members were in the difficult position of having to decide between where they truly wish the district could safely be -- able to open school in person in September -- and the reality of needing to protect student and staff safety.
“These are tough decisions. We care deeply about our kids, and we want what’s best for them,” Hanson said.
Before voting on the proposal, board members listened to a presentation about the framework for the remote learning model, and asked questions.
“We want to be back in the classroom with our students,” Executive Director of Teaching and Learning Dawn Wakeley said, noting that she wished she had never heard of COVID-19. “But that’s not where we’re at.”
The remote model will include live, synchronous (happening at the same time) teaching instruction by Tahoma teachers for students in all classes. Hanson, Wakeley, and Board President Tami Henkel each acknowledged the challenge that this presents for some families. District teachers, staff and administrators are actively engaged in planning for ways to provide that content and to support families with parents who work during the time the live teaching will occur or have other scheduling challenges.
The content will be taught by Tahoma teachers and staff, and will include a variety of resources including Tahoma curriculum, digital applications and resources, hands-on manipulatives and kits, textbooks and other materials. Wakeley emphasized that although all students will need computer access, not all curriculum, content and assignments will happen in front of a screen. For example, students may work with math manipulatives, and will be asked to read (off screen), write, and work math problems on paper. They will also participate in P.E., specialized activities and electives that include non-screen time. District computers and devices to provide hotspot internet access will be distributed to families in need.
Wakeley, along with Rock Creek Elementary teacher Krissy Riggs, Tahoma Elementary Principal Jerry Gaston and Maple View Middle School Principal Bill Weis, emphasized that teachers and staff members they speak to are ready and excited to begin collaborating and brainstorming about the best, most creative ways to meet student needs during the fall.
Riggs said that as it always does, building relationships will play a central role in kindergarten and primary grades. “We’re going to forge relationships with our kids and families,” she said, noting that teachers and staff will use different and creative methods to do so. “We’re asking our families to partner with us.”
Gaston shared that for him, and for staff across the district, the spring and summer months have offered time to reflect on how we can improve, and innovative methods for helping students and staff connect, learn and grow. There are many complexities to each portion of delivering content and services remotely, but Gaston said he has confidence that together Tahoma will succeed.
Weis acknowledged that students, staff and families are all mourning what “normal” school looks like, and that unknowns create a little fear. “As teachers, we have to fill that void with knowledge and tools,” he said, noting that Tahoma has incredibly hard-working and thoughtful teachers and staff members.
Special Services Director Annette Whittlesey shared an update about planning for Special Education services and therapies, behavioral intervention services, the Transition program, preschool, ELL and other programs that have been happening concurrently with the district’s four reopening work teams. In several programs, the state plans to provide additional guidance to Tahoma and other districts soon.
In addition, Whittlesey gave the board an overview of supports that the Mental Health and Wellness reopening work team have been planning to help students connect during the first weeks of school, as well as to screen all students for any potential mental health or other challenges that indicate a need for counseling or other services.
Wakeley shared expectations in the areas of the amount of time students will spend on schooling each day, grading and attendance. More details will be provided next week.
Student Board Representatives advocated for the hybrid model, as well as for the opportunity to continue extracurricular activities in person if possible and for an eight-period schedule. Henkel thanked the students for sharing their thoughts with the board.
School Board Director Val Paganelli said that she believes this model will allow the district to zero in on providing an excellent remote learning model for each Tahoma student this fall, while also maintaining safety.
“I think it’s the right decision, but I have high expectations,” Paganelli said. “I think it’s our opportunity to show that we are Future Ready as a system.”
The board will meet again at 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday, July 28, for a regular business meeting. The agenda includes a second reading and possible approval of the purchase of curriculum resource, Edgenuity; a public hearing for the 2020-2021 Tahoma School District Annual Budget and more.
Original source can be found here.
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