These Whatcom schools will follow health officer‘s recommendation for remote learning
Bellingham, Ferndale, Mount Baker and Meridian schools will follow the Whatcom County Health Officer’s recommendation to public school superintendents and private school administrators that they plan for remote learning for the start of the school year due to the new coronavirus pandemic.
Other districts are meeting soon to discuss the recommendation.
“I do not feel it is safe to open schools in September for traditional classroom learning,” Dr. Greg Stern is quoted as saying in a news release Tuesday night, Aug. 4, from the Whatcom County Health Department.
“I expect that our current infection rate and its ongoing increase will not slow or reverse enough to allow for safe operations this fall. Given this, and the lead time needed to prepare for school operations, I strongly recommend schools prepare for remote learning to start the school year,” Stern said.
Considerations for the upcoming school year include rising case counts and growth in community spread of COVID-19.
“Students who go to school could become infected, bringing the virus into their home and potentially infecting family members or other people in their social circles,” according to the news release.
The Bellingham Public School District will follow the recommendation to start the school year with remote learning, according to a Wednesday, Aug. 5, message from Superintendent Greg Baker. When learning resumes, the district will be in stage one of its newly created five-stage plan for gradually reopening schools, the message read.
Baker cited the rate of COVID-19 cases, recommendations from public health officials and logistical challenges as reasons the Bellingham district decided on remote learning. He said the uncertainty in the coming months made an in-person option difficult to execute.
“This will create significant disruptions and challenges with predictability,” Baker said in the message. “Students and staff perform most effectively with a stable, consistent instructional plan where expectations for attendance and learning are implemented.”
Additionally, the start date for Bellingham Public Schools has been moved to Sept. 8 so staff have more time to prepare for remote learning. The scheduled last day of school remains unchanged despite the delayed start date, the message read.
The Blaine School District said in news release that it is reviewing the recommendation and will hold a special board meeting Wednesday at 6:30 p.m. The district intends to issue an update following the meeting.
The Ferndale School District will start the school year with remote learning, according to a news release. The district created hybrid options like many other districts and anticipates offering them when conditions improve, the release read.
“We are concerned that this continued closure adds another layer of hardship for our families but, given the recommendation from the Whatcom County Health Department, we see no other option but to reopen remotely,” said Ferndale School Board President Andrew McLaurin in the release.
Ferndale students will receive reopening surveys before the start of the school years to determine technology and other student needs, the release added. A final plan must be completed by Aug. 19.
The Lynden School District has yet to issue an update but said in a Tuesday message to the community that it would follow the Whatcom County Health Department’s lead if it recommended schools start with remote learning.
Meridian School District will follow the recommendation to begin the fall remotely, according to a Tuesday message to the Meridian community. Though they have decided on remote learning, the district still needs to solidify its plans in the coming weeks, the message read.
The Mount Baker School District will also start the school year with remote learning, according to a Tuesday message. School buildings and offices will still be open to staff who follow proper safety guidelines, the message read. Additionally, the district is looking at bringing small groups of children who require specialized instruction on campus as needed. More specifics will be shared during a community meeting scheduled for Monday, Aug. 10, at 7 p.m.
The Nooksack Valley School District has not issued an official statement on its reopening plans so far but should have an update soon, said administrative assistant to the superintendent Lindsay Hicks.
This story was originally published August 4, 2020 at 8:09 PM.
