10/19/20 MLSD Update

Dear Medical Lake School District families,

We were excited to see our kindergarten students back last week! I had the opportunity to visit their classrooms and they did a fantastic job learning while following safety protocols. We continue to have meetings and discussions with Dr. Lutz and his SRHD team about next steps. Dr. Lutz and SRHD have shared that they are committed to bringing in our youngest learners. Therefore, we are pleased to announce that 1st graders will start face-to-face instruction on Monday, October 26th.

The students who are currently in the Connect Plus Program will have the opportunity to return to in-person instruction or choose to stay in the connect Plus program. School personnel have begun the process of contacting parents in first grade to see what your preference is for your student. If you haven’t been contacted yet, please call your school.

I want to reemphasize that we will continue to evaluate the progress and success of students returning to school on a weekly basis and phase in additional grades as soon as possible. We have provided our phase in plan for your convenience. If you have any questions or concerns call your child’s school or email us at covid19@mlsd.org.

We are extremely grateful for your continued support and patience during this unprecedented time. We are truly excited to continue the process of phasing more students back into our schools.

• Developmental preschool already in session

• Kindergarten (Hallett) began on October 12th

• ----5 days per week, all day

• Initiate 1st Grade on October 26

• ----5 days per week, all day

• Evaluate phasing of additional grade levels monitoring weekly

• ----Phasing will advance starting with the youngest grades and advancing to older students

• ----Determination of full return (5 days/week) vs. a hybrid model (half students on A/B schedule) will be made based on capacity to meet social distancing requirements

• Provide one week of notice regarding phasing of additional grade level(s)
  

• Developmental preschool already in session

• Early childhood typical preschool began on Oct 12th

• ----M/W am/pm half days

• ----T/Th am/pm half days

• Kindergarten (MAE) began on October 12th.

• ----5 days per week, all day

• Initiate 1st Grade on October 26

• ----5 days per week, all day

• Evaluate phasing of additional grade levels monitoring weekly

• ----Phasing will advance starting with the youngest grades and advancing to older students

• ----Determination of full return (5 days/week) vs. a hybrid model (half students on A/B schedule) will be made based on capacity to meet social distancing requirements

• Provide one week of notice regarding phasing of additional grade level(s)

• Grades 6-12 will initiate reopening hybrid schedule (A/B half students) based upon weekly evaluation and DOH updates

Should you find that someone in your family would benefit from free mental health services (in-person or telehealth) in the weeks to come, please connect with one or all of the resources noted below:

• Email your school counselor

• Check out our MIND Your Health page

• Connect with a therapist @ mindyourhealth@mlsd.org

• Email Suzanne Greenhall, MLSD Family Therapist & Mental Health Coordinator @ sgreenhall@mlsd.org
  

• Email Tawni Barlow, Director of Student Services @ tbarlow@mlsd.org

On behalf of the entire MLSD Wellness Team, we wish you, your loved ones and friends, good health!

If you have questions, feedback or concerns please do not hesitate to reach out to us at our district email covid19@mlsd.org or contact your office staff within the school building your child attends.

Very best regards,

Tim Ames

Superintendent

Every Student, Every Day

Website: mlsd.org
Location: 116 3rd Street, Medical Lake, WA, USA
Phone: (509) 565-3100

As a reference, and should you find yourself, family member or friend in need of assistance as a result of extreme distress, please contact one of the community services noted below.

• 911

• Inland NW Behavioral Health 509.992.1888

• Sacred Heart ER – Psych Triage: 509.474.3131

• Suicide Prevention Helpline: 1.877.266.1818

• First Call for Help (Frontier Behavioral Health): 509.838.4428

• Washington Recovery Hotline: 866.789.1511