December 18, 2020

“Healthy Holidays and Safe Celebrations”

Hello Wapato School District Families & Staff,

With Thanksgiving behind us and Christmas and New Year’s Day just around the corner, I’d like to take time to express how very thankful and grateful I am for the Wapato School District Family.  2020 has definitely been one for the history books.  We have faced challenges like we have never experienced in our lifetime.  Thank you for your continued partnership with us during these unprecedented times.

Thank you also for supporting and engaging in your student’s education.  Wapato Schools have provided Chromebooks to all students and Hot Spots (internet connectivity) to those who had connectivity needs.  Our Wapato School District Team continues to work hard, increasing our skills specific to online learning.  We are constantly collaborating with each other trying to find better strategies to engage and teach our students.  Teaching and learning through a Distance Learning or Hybrid In-Person model is difficult.  Nothing can replace daily, face-to-face, in-person instruction.  Unfortunately, due to the impact of COVID-19 on the availability of staffing, we find ourselves back in a full Online Teaching and Learning model at this time.  We will continue to use the remote Distance Learning model through at least January 15th, with the goal to return to Preschool thru 8th Grade to Hybrid In-Person instruction on Tuesday, January 19th.

In the meantime, I need you, we need you, to help us.  We need you to help us ensure that your child (or grandchild, nephew, or niece) fully engage in their learning by logging on and participating in each of their assigned classes.  We need you to help us by encouraging and ensuring that your child is attending class regularly and completing their assignments.  We also ask that you encourage them to reach out to their teacher during class time and/or during the teacher’s office hours.

As we break away for a couple weeks for Winter Break I would like to remind us all that the coronavirus is still prevalent and cases continue to rise.  We must continue to follow the guidance of our health care professionals by masking up, washing our hands, practicing physical distancing, clean and sanitize regularly, and conduct daily personal health screenings.  If you are experiencing any COVID-like symptom(s) or have been exposed to a positive COVID individual, please stay home.

This pandemic will not last forever, but in order to rid ourselves from this virus we all need to do our part.  We will get through this together.

Thank you and have a safe and healthy Holiday Season!