Hello West Valley Families,
As you know we have been following the recommendations of the Spokane Regional Health District regarding the safety of continuing to have school. At a press conference this morning, Health Director Bob Lutz recommended that we keep our schools open. A few hours later, Governor Inslee released a proclamation of a Statewide K-12 closure.
We are bound by the governor’s mandate to close school beginning Tuesday, March 17, 2020, through Friday, April 24, 2020. The logic for the long closure is to separate students and staff for a long enough period of time to stop the transmission of the virus.
We understand the hardship closing school places on families. At this time there are many unknowns and many things to work through, but what we do know is:
- The Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI) has cancelled all state testing for the 2019-20 school year
- At this time, graduation timelines will remain in effect
- Breakfast and lunch will be provided for students (details to follow)
- We have been directed to find a way to provide day care for families of first responders and health care providers
OSPI has mandated that we find a way to provide educational services to our students during this time away from school. We have one week to develop a plan and report to OSPI how we will proceed. They have instructed us that “school employees will still be working” although we do not yet know how this will look.
We will continue to update you, through our regular channels, as we know more. Our website, www.wvsd.org will be updated with the most recent information about our district closure as well as COVID-19.
Thank you, in advance, for your cooperation and support as we navigate this global pandemic.
Dr. Sementi
Superintendent