Dear Parents and Families,

We are excited to get kids back in school and are reaching out to ask for your help in explaining new school rules to your student(s) that are in place to keep students and staff safe. Please read this entire letter, as it contains important information about changes to bus pickup times, safety rules, and daily reports you will have to fill out before your students comes to school each day. We are going to need your help and cooperation to make this a successful transition.

Starting Monday, October 19 Pre-kindergarten through second grade students will return to in person “hybrid” learning. Third through fifth grade students will start hybrid learning on October 26. Middle and high school students will start hybrid in person learning on November 9.  While it is our intent to get students back in school as soon as possible, please be aware that these dates are subject to change based on community health conditions.

Before students arrive at school, it is critical that parents fill out the daily health attestation for your student. When done before students arrive at school, it will speed up the process of getting students into the school and to their classrooms in a timely manner. If your child displays any symptoms that might indicate they are sick, please keep them home and let your school know.  You can attest to your student’s health on Skyward or on a printed form. For more information click here.

Safety signage about wearing masks, washing hands and social distancing are posted throughout schools to help remind students about safety expectations. We are confident that our students will do a great job wearing face coverings and practicing physical distancing. If your child comes to school without a face covering, your school will provide one.  Detailed guidelines for appropriate face coverings and other safety protocols can be found on the district website.  Your help reinforcing and supporting these expectations with your children will be of great value to the success of our transition back to in-person learning.

Another big change involves our bus pickup times. In an effort to minimize the amount of time students arrive before school, these times have changed. To view new bus pickup times click here , then click the green “bus routes” button. If you are dropping your student off at school, please do so about 10 minutes prior to class starting.  It is important that students do not gather on playgrounds or in other areas before school starts.

The federal government extended the summer meal program so that all children from birth to age 18 are eligible to receive free meals. Both breakfast and lunch will be provided if your child wants one. On the days your child is not in school, the district will continue providing meals at six schools and at four community locations.

We are limiting visitors to school as much as possible, but know there will be times you need to see us in person. You are welcome to visit school, but we would appreciate it if just one parent came into school at a time. Please wear a face covering and practice safety protocols when visiting school.

If you have questions, please reach out to your school or email infoteam@longviewschools.com.

The first week of hybrid learning will be a time of transition as our kids get back to in person learning. Please be patient with yourself and those around you. We will get through this together.

Respectfully,

Dan Zorn, Superintendent
Longview Public Schools