Seattle Public Schools, the state's largest district, announced the academic year will start two days later, on Sept. 4, to allow more time for teachers to train.
Last week, the school board announced plans to start the school year with full remote learning. Teachers will now have six days of training on best practices for remote learning and racial equity.
Students in 1st to 12th grade will start their distance learning on Friday, Sept. 4. Kindergarten and pre-school classes will start the following week on Tuesday, Sept. 8.
The school board approved the distance learning plan on Aug. 12 and sent their decision to the state for approval. The school board determined that Seattle Public Schools meet the basic requirements to move forward with remote learning.
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The district has posted an open letter to families about the fall learning plan, which includes recommendations for reopening.
Seattle public schools closed all buildings on March 12 as part of their coronavirus response but maintained food support for students.
Several weeks ago the state’s Office of Superintended of Public Instruction released standards that districts must follow in order to submit a reopening plan.
Among the requirements, districts must have a way to perform “daily health screening plan,” ensure that classrooms have “six feet of physical distancing” and provide a plan for grading and taking attendance.
On Wednesday afternoon, Seattle board members reviewed Superintendent Denise Juneau's plan line by line and agreed to send that preliminary plan to the state. The board also ordered district officials to explore options for outdoor in-person learning.
As a single mom, Quanshie Maxwell is used to doing everything. She fears she’s reaching her limit.
“It terrifies me to know that my children are going to have to go to remote learning.”
Maxwell has five children that will likely be learning from home.
“To have to know that the responsibility of our children’s education is in our hands. I am a mom. I can teach my kids the only things I know how to teach them," Maxwell said. "But now, I am going to have to be the teacher, the nurse, the principal. I’m going to have to be everything and still turn around and be Mommy.”