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Op-Ed

Thurston schools working on details so students can safely return to class in the fall

By The superintendents of Thurston County’s public school districts
A classroom at North Thurston’s Lydia Hawk Elementary School sits idle on March 16 during the state-mandated COVID-19 closure. Thurston County’s school superintendents warn parents and students that schools will not be able to operate the way they have in the past when they reopen in the fall.
A classroom at North Thurston’s Lydia Hawk Elementary School sits idle on March 16 during the state-mandated COVID-19 closure. Thurston County’s school superintendents warn parents and students that schools will not be able to operate the way they have in the past when they reopen in the fall. Steve Bloom Olympian file photo

Earlier this month, the state Superintendent of Public Instruction, working in collaboration with the Department of Health and the Department of Labor and Industries, began formalizing standards schools must meet to open next fall.

The school districts in Thurston County are committed to providing a high-quality, in-person, learning environment while meeting the health and safety standards set by these agencies to support our students and staff.

To reopen, all schools will have to meet the following operational requirements for all students and adults:

  • Complete a wellness screening process each day;

  • Wear cloth face coverings on site;

  • Wear cloth face coverings on the bus;

  • Maintain 6 feet of distance between students in classrooms;

  • Wash hands more frequently.

In addition, all schools must be cleaned and disinfected throughout the day and after school. To keep our employees safe, school districts must accommodate employees who are at higher risk for severe illness for COVID-19. Further, schools must establish protocols for immediately responding to a student or staff member who tests positive for COVID-19. Districts will work with the Thurston County Health Department on next steps.

We are absolutely committed to reopening our schools safely. Given the requirements listed above, we believe it is important for our community to understand that schools CANNOT operate in the same way that we did before the COVID-19 public health crisis.

The physical distancing requirements to reopen our schools will likely result in fewer students served at the same time. In most cases, an average classroom accommodates approximately 15-20 students.

There are many other issues that we will be working collaboratively with our community to resolve before fall. We know that the safety of our children and staff is the priority and we will do everything we can to ensure that priority is maintained while providing face-to-face instruction to our students.

Bryon Bahr, Rainier School District

Joe Belmonte, Tenino School District

Debra Clemens, North Thurston Public Schools

Sean Dotson, Tumwater School District

Kim Fry, Rochester School District

Patrick Murphy, Olympia School District

Brian Wharton, Yelm School District

Greg Woods, Griffin School District

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