August 14, 2020

Dear Parents and Families,

 

Things are moving very rapidly as we are only three weeks away from the start of school. As I mentioned in an earlier letter, classes will officially start on September 8 this year.

On Monday, August 10, the school board voted to start the year in full remote learning for all grades. The board also approved our return to school plan. You can see the return to school plan on district web site at www.longviewschools.com.

The district is sending out a package of information through the mail next week. The package will include a Guide to Remote Learning, information about Chromebooks, internet access, meals and more. Please be looking in your mailbox later next week for this information.

A couple of questions we keep being asked are: 1) if we move from remote learning to in person instruction can families keep their child in remote learning and 2) how quickly will we move from remote learning to in person instruction?

Any family that wants to keep their child in remote learning when we return to in-person school will be allowed to do so. It is important we remain flexible and understanding of the different challenges families face and offering remote learning to those who need it makes sense.

We will continue to monitor the county data related to COVID-19 transmission rates, be in regular consultation with county health officials, and in discussion with other local school districts regarding the timing for returning our students to our schools.  We will begin the transition to in-person learning as outlined on pages 8 and 9 of our District’s Reopening Plan under the guidance of the State Department of Health, when it is deemed safe to do so.  When we move from remote learning to hybrid, in-person instruction, it will likely happen with about a one-week notice. Both parents and employees need some time to prepare to transition from remote learning to a hybrid model. At the same time, we want to get our kids back in school as quickly as is feasible.

If you have questions please contact your school principal or me. Stay safe and thank you for supporting our schools.

 

Respectfully,
Dan Zorn, Superintendent
Longview Public Schools