North Thurston says in-person learning will expand for all hybrid learners on May 17
High school hybrid learners returned to classrooms four days a week on Monday, and now preschool, elementary and middle school hybrid learners will do the same beginning May 17, according to North Thurston Public Schools.
During the original hybrid learning plan, students received two days of classroom instruction, combined with two days of remote instruction at home. There also are students who continue to do 100 percent remote instruction.
Olympia and Tumwater school districts previously announced that expanded in-person instruction for hybrid learners would begin on Monday.
North Thurston Public Schools announced the expanded in-person learning on Friday and revisited the topic and other subjects during a joint meeting of the school board and Lacey City Council on Tuesday.
In response to a question from Deputy Mayor Cynthia Pratt, Troy Oliver, assistant superintendent of school leadership. said a higher percentage of high school students have chosen the remote-only option. About 35-40 percent of high school students are remote only, compared to 20-25 percent of elementary students, Oliver said.
Lacey Mayor Andy Ryder asked whether vaccines will be required at some point to return to school.
“I am not aware of those conversations, although I assume that’s occurring at the state and national level,” said Superintendent Deb Clemens. “Information hasn’t been shared with us regarding a particular decision.”
She said two vaccines are close to being approved for people as young as 12. Currently in Washington state, those 16 and older can get the Pfizer vaccine; Moderna and Johnson & Johnson vaccines are approved only for those 18 and older.
Both Clemens and Lacey City Councilman Lenny Greenstein, who contracted the COVID-19 virus and spent time at Providence St. Peter Hospital late last year, encouraged people to get vaccinated.
Although area school districts are expanding in-person instruction, that could be shut down if COVID-19 cases continue to rise.
Thurston County Health Officer Dr. Dimyana Abdelmalek warned superintendents on Monday that if case rates exceed 200 per 100,000 population, or test positivity is greater than 10 percent, she will act.
The latest state data indicates the county saw a rate of 194.8 new cases per 100,000 people over the two-week period from April 13-26. This is about two and half times greater than the most recent low of 77 new cases per 100,000 over the two-week period from March 4-17.
“If Thurston County reaches either of these thresholds, I will send a letter to the Superintendents and Heads of Schools alerting them to this fact and each school district will need to plan implementation of the (state Department of Health) guidance,” she writes. “I anticipate each school district will transition to be in alignment with the guidance appropriate to the high levels of COVID-19 transmission.”
This story was originally published May 5, 2021 at 5:45 AM.
