COVID-19 SCHOOL CLOSURE – FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQ’S)

Why are schools closed? Due to the COVID-19 statewide emergency, Governor Jay Inslee provided an executive order closing all school districts statewide from Tuesday, March 17th.  This decision was made in order to protect the health of all citizens of Washington State.  The 2020-2021 school year will be starting virtually and will begin allowing in-person learning once the guidance from the Department of Health states that it is safe to do so.

Has the 2020-2021 school year been adjusted?  Yes.  A new calendar is available at:

https://4.files.edl.io/5afd/08/04/20/155830-42c4ff95-0cc3-4c38-a625-d8f536e3672b.pdf

Will meals be provided for students during this closure? Yes.  The scheduled distribution plan will be announced prior to September 8, 2020.

What about state testing? OSPI had canceled all state testing for the 2019-2020 school year.  Testing information for 2020-2021 will be announced soon.

https://www.cheneysd.org/apps/pages/index.jsp?uREC_ID=1704565&type=d&pREC_ID=1926925. 

How can we help our children understand what is going on? As more information is learned and shared about the spread of COVID-19 (Coronavirus), you may notice your child experiencing a wider range of emotions such as worry and fear. With the closure of schools some children might also experience sadness and frustration at not being able to interact with their friends and school staff on a regular basis. There are many steps you can take to support your child during these uncertain times. Here are some ideas for families:

• Reassure your child that all feelings are normal
• Make time to talk with your child about their feelings and questions
• Limit screen time and access to social media
• Pay attention to what your child is watching and reading and for how long
• Model positive self-care strategies, your child is learning how to manage their emotions from the caring adults in their life
• Provide honest information that is age-appropriate and avoid sharing assumptions about who is sick with COVID-19
• Work with your child to develop a consistent “new” daily routine

A few helpful resources:

• Talking with children about Coronavirus Disease 2019: Messages for parents, school staff, and others working with children
• COVID Factsheet
• Helping Children Cope
• Talking to your children about school closures
• Managing Anxiety and Stress

Last updated September 1, 2020