Correction from Oct. 1 issue In an article in the Oct. 1 issue titled “In-person learning to slowly return in Medical Lake,” the writer incorrectly wrote that “populations studying from home include special needs students” due to a mistype. Those populations are studying in-person.
MEDICAL LAKE—The district unveiled its plan for an Oct. 12 return to in-person learning Monday, roughly two weeks after its initial announcement that some students could return to the model.
The district’s plan falls into two phases. The first phase is for preschoolers through 5th grade, with the second phase being grades 6-12.
Preschoolers and kindergarteners at Michael Anderson and Hallett elementary schools will be the first to return in-person Oct. 12. Developmental preschool has already been in-person, but now all preschoolers can return in a hybrid model at Hallett. Kindergarteners will be in-person five days a week.
The district will evaluate more grades arriving in person on a weekly basis based on health guidelines from the county. Grades 3-5 won’t be considered until all preschool, kindergarten, 1st and 2nd graders have safely returned in-person.
After preschool and kindergartners return for a week, the district will evaluate whether 1st grade can arrive. If so, families will be given at least a week’s notice. The same process will occur for each subsequent grade.
Secondary schools, which include grades 6-12, fall under Phase 2 and appear to still be a ways from returning in-person.
“This past week we have been in the planning stages to bring more students back for in-person instruction based on the new guidance from Dr. Lutz at the Spokane Regional Health District,” superintendent Tim Ames said in a report from the district to the public. “This new guidance specifically allows local school districts to start bringing back our youngest learners who represent preschool through second-grade students.”
The district is following similar return to in-person plans of other school districts in the county, including Spokane, Cheney and Central Valley.
Families will still have the option of having their students learn from home through the Connect + program.
“School personnel will be contacting parents in the next few days to see what your preference is for your student,” Ames said.
Students returning in-person won’t affect populations already studying in a physical classroom, which includes special education, students with learning disabilities and students who don’t have a secure-enough Internet connection to succeed academically from home.
The school board approved the re-opening plan at a special board meeting Oct. 1.
Drew Lawson can be reached at drew@cheneyfreepress.com.
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