Hope Return-to-School Plan for January 2021

Hope Return-to-School Plan for January 2021

Thank you to all of our families for your care in keeping students home with any COVID-19 symptoms, opting into online learning even if in-person is an option, and not socializing outside the home. We have had a low number of people with symptoms and tests we are tracking over the past two ½ weeks since Thanksgiving. These results are encouraging!

On the other hand, with families anticipated to spend time with loved ones on Christmas, combined with continued high COVID rates, we must remain careful about our January return-to-school plan to ensure the safety of students and staff. We are concerned about exposure over the holidays, and ask that all in-person families quarantine for at least 10 days prior to their return to school date.

As we have discussed various return-to-school options as a staff, we continue to place a high priority on our youngest learners, as they struggle the most with virtual learning. Accordingly, the Hope Board of Directors has approved a January staggered return-to-school plan explained below, which will be dependent on the rates of COVID spread around the community and internally at Hope. Please note this plan could adjust if COVID rates continue to remain high. In addition, we have heard Governor Inslee may share additional pandemic details related to schools this week, so the plan could be adjusted if needed related to his guidelines.

Dec 21-Jan 1 Jan 4, 2021 Jan 5-8, 2021 Jan 11-15 Jan 19…
PS-Grade 1 Break No school In Person In Person In Person
Grades 2-3 Break No school Full Virtual In Person In Person
Grade 4 Break No school Full Virtual Full Virtual In Person
Grades 5-8 Break No school Full Virtual Full Virtual Hybrid

In order to allow 10 days of quarantining beginning on December 26, 2020, Monday, January 4 will be a no school day. This is a change from the original schedule and will not need to be made up as we have extra teaching days built into the Hope schedule already.

Beginning Tuesday, January 5, 2021, preschool, kindergarten, and grade 1 will resume in person learning, while grades 2-8 will operate in a full virtual model. We realize this could be difficult for families needing childcare but we feel the benefit of allowing additional quarantine days after Christmas is important. Teachers for grades 2-3 will share more about the school day structure for that week in their communications with families.

On Monday, January 11, 2021, grade 2 and grade 3 will transition back to the in-person model. Grades 4-8 will remain virtual. After MLK Jr. Day on Tuesday, January 19, 2021, grade 4 will transition to in-person learning and we hope to have grades 5-8 transition back to a hybrid model as well.

If you have questions, please call the school office at (206) 935-8500 or email Hope principal Kristen Okabayashi at kokabayashi@hopeseattle.org. Thank you for your ongoing support in keeping all of us healthy and safe.