Back-to-School
The Moses Lake School District is committed to keeping staff and students in a face-to-face learning environment. We are following all guidelines as suggested by the Department of Health.
In the event your child becomes sick or is quarantined due to exposure:
- Teachers will communicate with students to determine whether or not they are healthy enough to complete classwork. If a student is too sick to participate, teachers will provide adequate time to make up assignments.
- Assignments/lessons/activities may be shared on Google Classroom and/or paper and pencil activities may be made available for pickup.
- A Chromebook may be checked out to your child (if they don’t currently have one checked out).
- Various modes of communication will be used to stay connected with students and their families, including the Remind app, email, and phone calls.
- Teachers will use their professional judgement in regards to assignment completion and/or due dates. Flexibility and clear communication is essential to your child’s success.
In the event that your child’s entire class gets quarantined:
- If the teacher is healthy enough to continue teaching responsibilities, Chromebooks will be checked out to all students, and best practices for Remote Instruction will be implemented.
- If the teacher is NOT healthy enough to continue teaching, independent learning activities will be provided for the duration of the shut down.
Thank you so much for your continued support and understanding.
Sincerely,
Kristi Hofheins
Remind
FREE MEALS CONTINUE THIS SCHOOL YEAR
Breakfast and lunch will be provided to all students in 2021-22 at no charge through special funding from the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Regardless if your student qualifies for free or reduced-price meals, all families are encouraged to complete a Free & Reduced Meal Application. This program provides critical funding that benefits all students and is not limited to just meals!
For specific school information such bell schedules or messages from your principal, please visit the school website. School websites may be found by clicking on "Schools" in the blue menu bar at the top of this page.
Are students required to be vaccinated?
Are staff required to be vaccinated?
This proclamation does not apply to students. The COVID-19 vaccine is not required for students. The proclamation also does not replace the requirement for all staff and students to wear masks or face coverings in schools and on school buses. Please note that this announcement will not delay our return to school buildings this fall.
Some of the key elements of the proclamation are outlined below:
- The Moses Lake School District and our Board of Directors do not have local control over this matter. We are legally required to follow the Governor’s directive. Employees may obtain a medical or religious exemption.
- There is not an option to undergo regular testing for COVID-19 instead of receiving a vaccination or exemption.
- Employees will need to provide proof of vaccination. Attestation is not an allowable substitute for vaccination.
- Vaccination is a condition of employment in the proclamation. Only a medical or religious exemption will substitute for the vaccine requirement.
Again, this proclamation does not include vaccine requirements for students. We are sharing this information so families understand some of the health and safety requirements in place for the 2021–22 school year.
FAQs in this document: https://www.k12.wa.us/sites/default/files/public/communications/2021docs/FAQ-COVID-19-Vaccine-Requirement-for-K-12-School-Employees.pdf
|
Vaccine |
Series Dose Requirement |
First Dose no Later Than |
Second Dose |
Completed Series |
Fully Vaccinated |
|
Pfizer |
2 doses, 21 days apart |
09/13/21 |
10/04/21 |
10/04/21 |
10/18/21 |
|
Moderna |
2 doses, 28 days apart |
09/06/21 |
10/04/21 |
10/04/21 |
10/18/21 |
|
Johnson & Johnson |
Single dose |
10/04/21 |
N/A |
10/04/21 |
10/18/21 |
Are students and staff required to wear face coverings?
YES. At this time, WA state law requires facial coverings for students and staff while indoors and on school busses, regardless of vaccination status. Plan to send your child to school with at least one clean mask every day. While safety guidelines continue to evolve, anticipate these additional mandatory measures to remain in place: 3 or more feet of physical distancing to the greatest extent possible; regular cleaning and disinfecting; and updated processes for responding to and reporting cases of COVID-19. Masks will not be required outdoors and vaccinations are not required for students. You may read the most recent requirements we follow from the DOH and OSPI here.
Why is there no Remote Learning option for K–5 students?
We are committed to providing a safe and high-quality education for all students. Local and state data from the past year shows us that remote learning does not provide the same results as quality, in-person learning.
In short, we know there is no substitute for in-person learning, especially for our youngest learners. Remote learning was always considered a crisis response and never a permanent educational solution. Therefore, MLSD will open the 2021-2022 school year with in-person education as the sole option for K–5 students.
The safety standards put in place last year allowed us to provide year-round, in-person learning with minimal disruptions. MLSD will continue to work closely with the GCHD to monitor community spread and to ensure that staff and student safety remain our top priority.
What will 'snow days' look like this year?
How may I contact district staff?
District staff names, titles, departments, and emails are available under the 'Staff Directory' button in the blue menu bar at the top of the page. If you cannot find what you are looking for, please email the public information officer at cmclaughlin@mlsd161.org.
Where is Board of Education policy located?