We are excusing all student absences and keeping students enrolled unless we know they’ve moved. Possible accommodations for absent students may include expanded make-up policies, extended deadlines, or reduced numbers of assignments. Grades will be delayed for absent students as needed. We must accept that learning will not be as robust through this crisis.

The trimester for elementary and high school students is near complete and students will still get their report card/grades.  If students have missing assignments for excused absences, teachers will work those students on a case-by-case basis. Students may receive an Incomplete if they’ve been absent for an extended period of time. 

High school students should be communicating with their teachers through email to complete work they have missed during the second trimester.  This would be a perfect time to get caught up!

Per the Governor's orders, all schools and school-related events have been canceled. This includes the use of our facilities by outside users.  North Whidbey Middle School's track will continue to be open to the public during our extended closure.

Governor Inslee announced schools would be closed from midnight March 16 through midnight April 24.  The current plan is that school will resume as usual starting on Monday, April 27.

The school district will be communicating with families throughout the closure and if information changes through the closure expect to hear from Oak Harbor Public Schools, your principal, and your teachers.

We are being told that school will end on June 19. That means we will only be making up one school day at the end of the year. 

The optional learning opportunities are just that, optional, but we really encourage students to take advantage of them.  There will be no required lessons or homework. However, it’s important for students to continue on their educational journey and practice academic skills, so grade-level learning opportunities are available for families.  These will be updated weekly on the district website with samples of a proposed daily routine.  

Anyone who has come in contact with someone who has COVID-19 will be asked to self-quarantine until they are tested and cleared. Public Health advises that you call your primary care physician if you think you need to be tested. They ask that you not go to the ER unless you are experiencing respiratory distress. Testing availability is expanded but still limited and not all providers have them. This is why you should call first. Turnaround time on results has improved to about 24-36 hours. Public health investigators will reach out to anyone they suspect has been in direct contact with a confirmed case.

The legislature took action to give the State Board of Education the flexibility to waive graduation requirements as needed. We have been told that there will be flexibility and accommodations to allow our students in the Class of 2020 to graduate on time. But, we don’t have all of the details yet. Graduation is still scheduled for Saturday, June 13.

All state assessments (like the SBA) have been canceled for the rest of the school year.  This includes all tests at all grade levels and for all students.

Starting Monday, March 16, for the safety of both our volunteers and our students we are suspending our volunteer services for those individuals working directly with students.

Our district is following the recommendations of our various government health agencies and making changes as new guidance emerges. We are communicating at least daily with public health officials for updates. We are reviewing daily briefings from a variety of educational and public health agencies.  

This past week, we increased our efforts to keep our students and staff safe and healthy. Here are a few examples:

1. We added three full-time custodians dedicated to sanitizing.
2. Today, we are finishing the upgrade of the sanitizing spray in all classrooms to a CDC recommended solution. 
3. Staff members are directed to regularly sanitize frequently touched surfaces. 
4. Buses are sanitized before and after each route.
5. Staff members are sending students with flu-like symptoms to the health room. Nurses evaluate the students and any students with flu-like symptoms are sent home.
6. Staff members were directed to not come to work if they are sick and are also being sent home if they show signs of the flu. 
7. Staff was instructed to provide extra time for students to wash their hands throughout the day, placing an emphasis during those times before breakfast and lunch and reminding, especially our younger students, the proper washing technique. 
8. Students and staff are urged to avoid physical contact (other than the occasional elbow bump greeting).
9. Packaged fruits and vegetables will be served. 

Based on the Governor’s briefings, this is what we know so far:

1. District closures will likely last at least 6 weeks.
2. State funding will continue to flow so that districts can continue to pay employees during a closure period.
3. The Governor has directed districts in those counties to make school lunch available (similar to the summer lunch program) and asked districts to do what they can to provide childcare to healthcare workers and first responders. 
4. Graduation requirements may be modified or accommodated.
5. Mandatory statewide testing is expected to be suspended for all districts.
6. Almost all missed days are expected to be waived so that school will end by June 19. 
7. Districts are not expected to provide online learning during a closure. However, almost all districts that have closed are providing ungraded, supplemental learning activities for use at home.