Pandemic Plan elevated to Stage 3

Update by Superintendent Dr. Wade Smith:

As you may have already heard, Governor Inslee announced today the pending closure of all public, charter and private schools for 6 weeks in the counties of King, Snohomish, and Pierce, in an effort to slow the rapid spread of the COVID-19 pandemic. This state closure directive does not affect Walla Walla Schools at this time. However, this decision does affect 43 school districts and over 600,000 students, over half of the state’s student population. The districts impacted in the three western counties are instructed to implement closure no later than Tuesday, March 17.

As shared during the press conference, impacted districts are beginning efforts to ramp up services, educationally and nutritionally, to support students and families during this seminal event. Throughout the press conference, which included Superintendent of Public Instruction Reykdal and Secretary of Health Wiesman, strong guidance for all districts to take progressive safety measures to slow the statewide spread was repeatedly emphasized.

To date, we still do not have a presumed positive case of COVID-19 in a Walla Walla resident. Recent cases in Umatilla County, Columbia County, and other eastern Washington communities, in addition to further details outlined this afternoon, confirm the likelihood that it is a matter of time before the virus begins affecting our own community.

As a result, Walla Walla Schools will be implementing Stage 3 of our Pandemic Response Plan effective tomorrow, Friday, March 13. In addition to the preventative measures we have already taken, the following actions will be initiated to ensure we keep students, staff and our community safe during this virus pandemic. 

Stage 3 safety measures include:

• Enhanced social distancing of students in line with CDC guidelines will be implemented (e.g. ensuring all educational activities refrain from any physical touching between students, postponing daytime assemblies, and continually reinforcing student distancing measures).

• Postponing all after school and weekend events/activities (e.g. athletic contests, concerts, drama productions, after school assemblies, and other student events/activities). Note: This does not impact WWPS athletic, club or co-curricular practices.

• Effective Friday at midnight, we will be postponing outside community use of our indoor facilities for public events and gatherings (e.g. events occurring inside our schools that require facility use agreements for non-district users). Note: This does not apply to our daily, youth service partners and their current student support programs (e.g. Camp Fire, Millennial Soccer, 21st Century) or scheduled community use of outdoor facilities.

At the advice of Governor Inslee and Superintendent Reykdal, Walla Walla Schools continues to prepare for the possibility of an extended school closure directive. My colleagues and I are working tirelessly to ensure we are well prepared for all plausible circumstances, with learning contingencies and accommodations to meet the needs of all students. My pledge to you is to communicate regularly and often throughout this health crisis.

Thank you for helping us maintain a safe and secure learning environment for our Walla Walla educational community. Please visit our website at wwps.org or contact me with any questions you may have.

Respectfully,

Wade Smith, Ed.D.
Superintendent
Walla Walla Public Schools