Pateros school board discusses fall opening options

PATEROS – The Pateros school board of directors discussed options to reopen school on Sept 1, following guidance from the state Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction at its regular meeting held by Zoom on June 29.

The state Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI) Chris Reykdal released a 58-page District Planning Guide for Washington K-12 schools to reopen this fall, following feedback from more than 120 representatives from across Washington State, including school superintendents, teachers, families, students, and business and other community leaders. The guidance takes into account public health requirements from the Washington Department of Health (DOH), as well as recommendations from educators and school systems that have successfully reopened in other parts of the world.

OSPI staff members served on a Reopening Washington Schools Workgroup that met virtually on May 13 and again on June 2 to help plan the reopening of Washington’s schools in the fall of 2020.

School superintendent Greg Goodnight shared his ideas for an Alternative Learning Experience (ALE) to accommodate those parents who choose distance learning at home for their children.

“If approved, the Pateros Alternative School (PAS) would be available for full-time or part-time online educators primarily to students that live within the school district,” said a meeting recap from Executive Assistant Linda Ehlenbach. “Proposed curriculum options will be posted on the website (pateros.org) for review.

Goodnight explained the district’s planning process including plans for a sick room outside the school at the Chris Street house that will be renovated with CARES Act funding to provide an isolation room and monitoring area.

“The district also has plans for social distancing for breakfast, lunch, and recess,” said Goodnight. “The distancing for some grade levels appears problematic.”

Goodnight said he is hoping for new guidelines reducing distancing to three rather than six feet per the American Pediatrics Association.

In other business the board approved the hire of Jimmie Rogers, Jr. as the new K-12 music/band teacher. The board also approved the fall coaching staff:

• Junior High Girls Basketball: Tom Asmussen and Jessica Simmons
• Junior High Football: Erik Romero and Brandon Butler
• High School Volleyball: Chloe Piechalski and Melanie Williams
• High School Football: Marcus Stennes and Shane Kelly
• High School Soccer: Jesse Villalobos
• High School Cheer: Erika Varrelman