WFIS News
Updates on our Legislative, Policy and Committee work
Unhealthy air quality guidance for schools
It is challenging to balance both COVID-19 and wildfire smoke guidance as they can contradict one another.
Immense smoke from Western wildfires – cloth masks won’t help
Unfortunately, the cloth and surgical face masks that block respiratory droplets and help slow the spread of the novel coronavirus don’t provide much protection against wildfire smoke.
OSPI debate goes virtual on September 17
The Washing State Wire has announced it is hosting a virtual debate between the general election candidates for Superintendent of Public Instruction. The 2020 OSPI General Election Debate is scheduled for Tuesday September 17th from 7-8pm and advance registration is...
Updated Immunization Guidance for K-12 Schools from WA Department of Health
Yesterday OSPI sent joint guidance from DOH and OSPI to all public school superintendents. In the guidance applicable for the 2020–21 school year and K–12 programs only, DOH and OSPI state: In light of the pandemic, if a student cannot meet the immunization...
Pierce County adds private schools to COVID-19 school cash bailout. It’s only fair
THE NEWS TRIBUNE EDITORIAL BOARD The constant twists and turns of the COVID-19 crisis are more than South Sound schools bargained for, more than they budgeted for and certainly more than they can afford to navigate on their own. When summer vacation ends in a few...
It’s unsafe for most of Washington students to return to school buildings this fall, state says
Unlike the spring, when Inslee mandated school closures first in several counties, and then statewide, these recommendations aren’t binding. Inslee said he is concerned schools that open too quickly could spur outbreaks or worsen community spread but is confident most districts will follow the new guidance. He said he decided against local or statewide mandates because school boards in Washington have traditionally had authority to make such decisions.
State Board of Education notice on safe return to school plans
Public and private schools in Washington are developing plans for a safe return to school this fall so they can deliver the best possible educational experience to their students. All schools will follow safety guidelines of official state and local health agencies. While following the same guidance, each school and community is different so schools may make different decisions on opening and on how to teach and interact with students.
Despite COVID-19, some Puget Sound schools prepping for in-class learning this fall
“The health departments have been doing extraordinary jobs in keeping us informed on how and what to do in these scenarios. Luckily, private schools have some agility and size that allows them to make those determinations within their buildings” stated Suzie Hanson, executive director of the WA Federation of Independent Schools.
The Risk That Students Could Arrive at School With the Coronavirus
NY Times article by James Glanz, Benedict Carey and Matthew Conlen July 31, 2020 As schools grapple with how to reopen, new estimates show that large parts of the country would likely see infected students if classrooms opened now. Millions of families face an...
Classrooms in Crisis: Helping Students and School Staff Readjust
“School systems can’t avoid the responsibility of relieving fear and anxiety as much as possible when students come back,” he says. “We have to be careful about how we do this. We have to put the best practices in that will protect kids and staff members, but also help ensure that this is a place teachers want to come to teach, students want to learn, and parents won’t worry about their kids in school.”