Riverview School District

Riverview Update on COVID-19 Reopening Plan

Last Updated: April 8, 2021

April 8, 2021

Dear Riverview Community,

The purpose of this communication is to provide updates and additional information to our Riverview Community.

Learning Updates
In Riverview, about 70 percent of students and families have chosen the In-Person Learning option, and 30 percent of students and families have chosen the Remote Learning option. In both models, we are committed to meeting all students’ needs as we partner with families. Please continue to communicate with your students’ teachers, counselors, administrators, and other staff as needed, so we can specifically address your children’s needs. 

Remote Learning
At the elementary level, Remote Learning students have their own dedicated teachers specifically to the remote learning environment. At the recent Reopening Advisory Committee meeting, we heard positive reports from parents, teachers, and administrators about how things were going. In general, parents reported that the children who had chosen to continue Remote Learning were more engaged than in the past, connecting with their new classes, and making progress in their learning.

To see the recent Reopening Advisory Committee Minutes, please click the link below:
https://files.constantcontact.com/f67bf2ee001/aaae9a9c-6f40-4f63-9567-91f5850c0e72.pdf

At the secondary level, we are pleased that in most cases, Riverview’s students choosing Remote Learning can continue learning with their existing classes and teachers. While many school districts around the country moved secondary Remote Learning students to different teachers and a separate online curriculum, we have been able to keep learning continuity intact for our students. Their current teachers have established relationships with their students and families. They also possess the expert content knowledge to best help students grow their skills as courses specialize and electives increase at the secondary level. We are thankful to our teachers and staff who have worked so hard to prepare for concurrent learning, our model in which Remote students and In-Person students receive instruction at the same time. Please be patient with the process as teachers adjust to this new way of delivering instruction. 

In-Person Learning
After a successful start, In-Person Learning enters its third month at the elementary level. While on an AM/PM model, students are experiencing small class sizes and a combination of small group and direct instruction. Students are already demonstrating skills in social emotional learning, as well as making gains in their academic progress.
Tolt Middle School has been open for In-Person Learning for over two weeks now. Students and teachers have transitioned well to this new environment, after a year of remote instruction. On Wednesday, April 7, Cedarcrest opened its doors for the first day of In-Person Learning for students and families that chose this option; and our Remote Learning students are learning right along with them!

CDC and State Guidance Updated for Traveling Out-of-State
The Center for Disease Control (CDC) released revised guidance on April 2, 2021, regarding domestic travel and international travel for fully vaccinated and unvaccinated individuals. Given recent evidence regarding the real-world effects of vaccination, the CDC now recommends that fully vaccinated people can travel at low risk to themselves. A person is considered fully vaccinated two weeks after receiving the last recommended dose of vaccine.

For domestic travel, fully vaccinated travelers do not need to get tested before or after travel unless their destination requires it. Fully vaccinated travelers are not required to self-quarantine. Those who are considered fully vaccinated must still wear a mask covering the nose and mouth, stay 6 feet away from others and avoid crowds whenever possible, while frequently washing their hands and using hand sanitizer.

Those traveling internationally face some additional risk for getting and possibly spreading new COVID-19 variants, per the April 2 CDC guidance. While the CDC recommends delaying international travel until you are considered fully vaccinated, those deemed as fully vaccinated should get tested 3-5 days after travel. Fully vaccinated individuals need not be tested in the United States prior to traveling unless their destination requires it. There is no need to self-quarantine after returning to the United States.

The CDC provides additional guidance for those considering travel, but who are deemed as unvaccinated. With Riverview School District’s Spring Break scheduled for April 12-16, we ask that families and staff consider this revised and current CDC guidance, as reducing the spread of COVID-19 is critical in keeping the virus away from our schools.

To read the updated CDC Guidance on Domestic Travel, please click below:
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/travelers/travel-during-covid19.html

For updated CDC Guidance on International Travel, please click below:
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/travelers/international-travel-during-covid19.html

Fast Facts

• 19.49% of Washingtonians have been fully vaccinated against COVID-19.

King County residents with documented vaccination by zip code

• Residents age 16+ who have started vaccination series - zip code 98019 (Duvall): 41.4%
• Residents age 16+ who have completed vaccination series - zip code 98019 (Duvall): 21.5%
• Residents age 16+ who have started vaccination series - zip code 98014 (Carnation): 39%
• Residents age 16+ who have completed vaccination series - zip code 98014 (Carnation): 21%

Data retrieved from King County Department of Health, updated at 8:09 am on April 6, 2021.

Substitutes Needed
The Riverview School District has an immediate need for substitutes in all areas. You can make a positive difference in the lives of Riverview students. We are currently looking for community members who wish to be substitutes in our schools.

Requirements to be a substitute in Riverview School District include:

• If you have a bachelor’s degree you can substitute as a teacher in a classroom.
• If you do not have a bachelor’s degree, you can still substitute in other areas in our schools.
• We are always looking for bus drivers, so reach out if interested.

If you are interested in being a substitute in Riverview, please contact Rhiannon Inman at (425) 844-4500 for more information. We will continue to provide future updates.

Spring Sports Schedule | Livestream
Cedarcrest Athletics is kicking off the Winter Sports Season (Season 2) this week, with the start of Boys Soccer, Fastpitch, Baseball, Track & Field. Boys and Girls Golf will begin following Spring Break. Many events will be livestreamed, with home stadium events livestreamed through the NFHS Network, and other select home events livestreamed through different platforms. Limited availability will be provided for home fans through ticket allocation.

To view the Winter Sports/Season 2 Schedule, please click below:

To sign up for a free NFHS Network streaming account, free through the end of the school year, please click the link below:
https://www.nfhsnetwork.com/schools/a724fa4afa

Thoughtexchange
One tool we use to gather feedback on how the learning experience is going in Riverview for students, families and staff members is Thoughtexchange. With Thoughtexchange, participants share thoughts on a particular topic and then log back in to rate the thoughts of others, using a 5-star scale. The process is anonymous, allowing for a free sharing of thoughts and ideas around a particular topic.

We will be sending this new exchange during the week of April 26 to all our families and staff, as well as students in grades 6-12. This information will help us continue moving forward for the remainder of this school, and also help us with ongoing preparations for the 2021-2022 school year.

More details will be coming soon, and we look forward to everyone’s participation once the Exchange is launched.

Sincerely,

Dr. Anthony Smith
Superintendent
Riverview School District

______________________________________________________________________

April 1, 2021

Dear Riverview Community,

TOLT MIDDLE SCHOOL REOPENING EXCITEMENT!
CEDARCREST REOPENING ON APRIL 7, 2021

As the Riverview School District continues its Reopening Plan, the excitement of students returning to school grows. After successfully reopening at grades K-5, over the past two months, we reopened successfully at Tolt Middle School last Thursday, March 25. Teachers began getting used to concurrent learning, where students in classrooms learn at the same time as remote students. Thanks to everyone - students, staff, and parents for their contributions toward making this work! District-wide, 70% of our students are returning to In-Person Learning and 30% of our students are opting for Remote Learning.

The following are some quotes we have heard from the first few days of In-Person Learning at Tolt Middle School:

• "I never thought I'd be so happy for my alarm to go off at 6:30 in the morning!"
• (on getting up and dressed for school): "It's feels... clean!"
• "So happy and so excited to be here!"
• "I'm just glad I can be back at school and see my friends..."
• "It's nice to be able to talk in person again with my teachers."

Up next is high school. Cedarcrest is finalizing plans for reopening on Wednesday, April 7. 

Members of Cedarcrest ASB worked with CTE Director/Assistant Principal, Scott Petersen, and created a video where they tour the campus and reintroduce Cedarcrest High School to all returning students. That video is available by clicking the link below:
Cedarcrest ASB Tour Video

Additionally, members of Cedarcrest Link Crew created a video welcoming all incoming Freshmen to campus. That video is available by clicking the link below:
Cedarcrest Link Crew Video to Freshman Class

To see a comprehensive look at all you need to know about Cedarcrest High School’s return to In-Person Learning, as well as information on the continuing of Remote Learning for those students who are participating, click the Learning Loop link below:
Cedarcrest Learning Loop

FAST FACTS

• Washington State Department of Health - As of today, 16.9% of Washingtonians have been fully vaccinated against COVID-19.

• Olympia, Wash. (AP) - Washington state is opening up COVID-19 vaccine eligibility to all residents, age 16 and older, starting on April 15, as announced by Governor Inslee on Wednesday, March 31.

QUESTION OF THE WEEK

Q: Will the current schedules K-12 change prior to the end of the school year?

A: No, schedules will likely stay the same for consistency of educational outcomes, and district-wide coordination of transportation and other services.

Note: We are already planning for the 2021-2022 school year. More information will be shared prior to the end of the current school year.

REMINDER TO FOLLOW THE THREE "RIVERVIEW W'S"

Watch your distance (usually 6 feet),
Wear a mask,
Wash your hands often.

See the Three “Riverview W’s” video, by clicking below:
https://vimeo.com/528058772

Sincerely,

Dr. Anthony Smith
Superintendent
Riverview School District

______________________________________________________________________

March 24, 2021

Dear Riverview Community,

The highlight this week is reopening of Tolt Middle School (TMS) on Thursday, March 25, for In-Person Learning! I am looking forward to welcoming the students as they arrive at TMS for their first day. We will continue to offer Remote Learning for families that choose to do so.

Cedarcrest High School will reopen on Wednesday, April 7, for In-Person Learning. We are equally exited to welcome our high school students back!

Our elementary schools and alternative programs began reopening on February 1. Thus far, In-Person and Remote programs are both going very well. Whether In-Person or Remote, it has been nice to visit teachers and classrooms and see how well our students are doing.

THE THREE "RIVERVIEW W'S"

I released a video (https://vimeo.com/528058772) to all middle and high school students, letting them know that we are excited to have them back at our schools. The other message was to emphasize the need to practice the Three Riverview W’s:

• Watch your distance (usually 6 feet),
• Wear a mask, and
• Wash your hands often.

We are doing a great job in our community and surrounding areas of using these mitigation strategies, as is evidenced by the local Health Reporting Area (HRA) declining numbers - now at 36.7 positive cases per 100,000 people. King County numbers are a bit higher at 104 positive cases per 100,000 people. For more information, see the graphs that follow:

TRAVEL ADVISORY UPDATES

On March 19, Governor Jay Inslee rescinded his November 2020 Travel Advisory and is now advising Washington residents, and those visiting our state, to comply with the Center for Disease Control’s current COVID-19 travel advisory guidance.

In the November advisory, the Governor advised that those returning to Washington from other states or countries should self-quarantine for 14 days after arrival and encouraged the avoidance of non-essential out-of-state travel.

The current CDC guidance is more comprehensive and specific than previously shared. The Governor’s Modified COVID-19 Travel Advisory, dated March 19, 2021, is linked below. With Riverview School District’s Spring Break scheduled for April 12-16, we ask that families and staff consider current CDC guidance, as reducing the spread of COVID-19 is critical in keeping the virus away from our schools.

To read the current CDC guidance, please click below:
Travel During COVID-19 (Updated: February 16, 2021)

To view Governor Inslee’s Modified COVID-19 Travel Advisory, please click below:
Modified COVID-19 Travel Advisory (Updated: March 19, 2021)

Sincerely,

Dr. Anthony L. Smith
Superintendent
Riverview School District

______________________________________________________________________

March 17, 2021

Dear Riverview Community,

The purpose of this communication is to provide several brief updates and additional information to our Riverview Community.

RETURN TO IN-PERSON LEARNING

I am excited that secondary students can now return to in-person learning, if they so desire, on an AM/PM model. Data received thus far indicates that just over 70% of our students will be returning to in-person learning, with around 30% continuing with remote learning. For the most part, students will be able to retain their current teachers. Teachers will be teaching sections of in-person students in the morning and teaching both in-person and remote students concurrently in the afternoons.

Tolt Middle School questionnaires have been returned by parents and students are being scheduled accordingly. Check out Tolt's new reopening video and what to expect, done by one of our TMS students! The first day of in-person learning will be Thursday, March 25.

Tolt Reopening - “Welcome Back to TMS” Video
https://vimeo.com/524410126/c2d5f85fb6

CEDARCREST FAMILIES: QUESTIONNAIRE DUE MARCH 21, 2021

Questionnaires have been distributed via Constant Contact and E-mail for Cedarcrest families to determine a choice of either In-Person Learning or Remote Learning. Please complete the questionnaire by Sunday, March 21, if you have a Cedarcrest student. The first day of in-person learning will be Wednesday, April 7.

Cedarcrest Questionnaire for Return to In-Person Learning/Remote Learning
https://forms.office.com/Pages/ResponsePage.aspx?id=jxXPPgHk5kiR0wxqNu55vgnZKaA5J1ZBjPjaHgM4aLFUMUM3Q0pSMTBTODBZUU5TUEdWMDhLS0hDSC4u

Cuestionario de Regreso la Escuela
https://forms.office.com/Pages/ResponsePage.aspx?id=jxXPPgHk5kiR0wxqNu55vgnZKaA5J1ZBjPjaHgM4aLFUQzBON1dNMlhaN1k5VVRCMEJWUkxMOEIzUS4u

Cedarcrest Learning Loop | In-Person/Remote Learning
https://loops.education/l/hd4uBxeG

CEDARCREST ATHLETICS INFORMATION

The Governor’s decision to move to Phase 3 in Washington, resulted in a WESCO league meeting to allow parents and some others to attend sporting events. The rules will be different for different indoor and outdoor sports. Information will be provided to student athletes and their parents by March 18 and distributed to the community soon afterward.

QUESTION OF THE WEEK:

Q: I have seen new temperature screening kiosks in videos shared by Cedarcrest High School and Tolt Middle School, which will be in place when students return to campus. Are those devices collecting and storing data of my child and, if so, where is the data being stored? 

A: At Cedarcrest High School and Tolt Middle School we have introduced temperature scanning kiosks to assist with our attestation process. These kiosks (“Meridian Kiosks”) are not connected to any third-party service or software and images taken of an individual’s eyes and forehead are not linked to any name or student identification. Most importantly, no data is stored in any software and there is no way to access any data on these devices.

RIVERVIEW REOPENING ADVISORY COMMITTEE

The Riverview Reopening Advisory Committee includes students, parents, and staff members. The committee has been meeting since September and has provided meaningful input, timely recommendations, and participated in visitations to 10 schools in 4 school districts, as we have consistently updated district and school plans for reopening. For the latest committee minutes, click the link below.

Riverview Reopening Advisory Committee Minutes | March 4, 2021
https://0c948875-447c-40c0-b06f-606446075b53.filesusr.com/ugd/4530a4_87cbf4f3ea644adfa665dbae10538235.pdf

Sincerely,

Dr. Anthony Smith
Superintendent
Riverview School District

______________________________________________________________________

March 3, 2021

_______________________________________________________________________

February 25, 2021

Dear Riverview Community:

The purpose of this communication is to provide important updates to our Riverview Community, including the sharing of information from the Riverview School District School Board meeting on February 23, 2021.

On Monday, March 1 we will be welcoming back our 4th and 5th grade students, returning to In-Person Learning, across the Riverview School District! We likewise are excited for our 4th and 5th grade Remote Learning teachers and students to connect and continue moving forward with their learning for this school year.

With the return of 4th and 5th graders, Riverview moves into Plan B/Phase 4 of the Riverview COVID-19 Reopening Plan.

An Update from Superintendent, Dr. Anthony Smith

Book/Supply Drops Update
We have been fortunate to provide book and supply drops through the commitment of our wonderful Transportation team. As we phase-in additional grades and students to In-Person Learning, we will unfortunately need to end our book/supply drop program.

Riverview recognizes the importance this program has had for our Remote Learning students and families and will be working on plans for students to receive books and supplies in the future. Those plans will be communicated by schools soon.

This decision does not come lightly, as our drivers have greatly enjoyed their interactions with students and families.

Transportation will fulfill our last scheduled drops for the following schools during the first week of March:

• March 3, 2021 – Cedarcrest High School
• March 4, 2021 – Cherry Valley Elementary
• March 5, 2021 – Stillwater Elementary

Thank you for your support and understanding in this transition.

Black History Month
With February recognized as Black History Month, the Riverview School District has committed to honoring the work and accomplishments, as well as the stories of Black people throughout American history. Throughout our work in Riverview, we are focused on highlighting the diverse perspectives, authors, contributions, stories and experiences in our curriculum and district throughout the year.

With thanks to a recent grant approved by the Riverview Education Foundation (REF), the opportunities to learn the stories of Black people and Persons of Color are becoming more available to students than ever before, as more than $25,000 in books were purchased for placement in all of our elementary schools, including Eagle Rock Multi-Age and the Riverview Learning Center.

The picture below (provided by Cherry Valley Elementary librarian Gretchen Harmon) represents a small sampling of the books now available which reflect our students, communities, and nation.

Equity Work
As part of Riverview’s ongoing commitment to Equity, Access, and the implementation of Inclusionary Practices across the district, Riverview staff has received professional development time with Huda Essa, a nationally recognized author, speaker, and consultant. Essa has worked with all levels of our organization, and her message of building achievement and community through culturally responsive practices, has become an integral part of our Strategic Planning process.

Trainings have included topics such as the negative impact of unintentional, unconscious bias; developing a culturally responsive lens; advancement of a culturally proficient continuum in schools and community and developing practical and effective culturally responsive instruction.

The next step will be working on adopting an Equity Policy by June, 2021.

Strategic Plan
On January 14, 2021, the Riverview School District Strategic Plan was presented for review to the School Board of Directors during a Board Work Study. The Plan was formally approved by the School Board on February 9, 2021.

Riverview’s newest Strategic Plan, encapsulating 2020-2025, is the fifth iteration of the Plan and was completed by department directors, following input from participants at the Strategic Plan Community Forum, held virtually in November 2020, and consultation with the School Board Directors, the Superintendent, students, staff, and community members.

The process for updating the Strategic Plan first began in August 2019 with an anticipated implementation in the spring of 2020. When the Strategic Plan Community Forum was delayed eight months, this allowed time for Riverview Superintendent, Dr. Anthony Smith, to develop and lead four separate focus groups in October and November 2020. The groups included meeting with students and parents, and with students and parents of kids in need of services and support (including IEPs, 504 Plans, etc.).

This iteration of the Strategic Plan accounts for new five-year goal metrics to be achieved by 2025. Clear and direct objectives were added, focusing on reducing Achievement Gaps for student groups who need additional and targeted support. District equity work is prominently featured in the Strategic Plan, as is an increase of Equity, Access, and Inclusionary Practices throughout the document.

Following the Community Forum, department directors revised tasks and objectives and restructured timelines for reporting progress on completing tasks to the School Board. After review and consideration, the Riverview School District School Board of Directors officially adopted the 2020-2025 Strategic Plan on February 9, 2021.

A copy of the 2020-2025 Strategic Plan is available by clicking the link below:
http://www.rsd407.org/districtinfo/strategicplan/2020-2025%20Strategic%20Plan%20FINAL.pdf

Cedarcrest Athletics Update
After the successful return of Sport Pod Conditioning for student-athletes, Cedarcrest Athletics returned to practices on Monday, February 22, 2021 for the Fall Sports season.

The revised Fall Season runs from February 22, 2021 – April 2, 2021 and includes Football, Volleyball, Cross-Country, Girls Soccer, and Cheer.

JV and Varsity Volleyball open the season on March 2, 2021 at Mountlake Terrace. JV and Varsity Girls Soccer host Mountlake Terrace on March 3, with Cross-Country hosting a meet against Shorecrest that same day.

Varsity Football begins on March 6, with the Red Wolves traveling to Cascade High School, and JV Football begins March 8 with the Red Wolves hosting Cascade.

To see schedules for all Fall Sports teams, please click the link below:
http://chs.rsd407.org/sports/docs/Copy%20of%202021%20Fall%20Sports%20Schedule.pdf

_______________________________________________________________________

January 29, 2021

Dear Riverview Community:
We are so excited to have our Kindergarten and First Grade students returning on campus, starting on Monday, February 1, 2021!

Our elementary schools and programs are moving into the next phase of our Riverview COVID-19 Reopening Plan - “Plan B/Phase 2: K-1 On-Site.”

In addition to providing details related to K-1 students returning, we also have new and updated Transportation Routes to share and an update on the status of book and supply drops.

PLAN B/PHASE 2: K-1 ON-SITE BEGINS MONDAY, FEBRUARY 1, 2021

Beginning on Monday, February 1, 2021, Riverview School District will be operating in Plan B/Phase 2, which allows our Kindergarten and First Grade students to return to campus. Additionally, we have families who are continuing with Remote Learning. Teacher assignments for our K-1 students have been sent to families by their building principals earlier this week.

If you are unclear as to the status of your Kindergarten or First Grade student, please contact their school at your very earliest opportunity.

Plan B/Phase 2: K-1 On-Site consists of the following:

• Students in Grades K-1 will attend school, on-site, for a half-day in either the a.m. or p.m.
  
• Students in Grades K-1 will attend the other half of the learning day in our Remote Learning model.
  
• Students in Grades 2-12 will continue learning in our Remote Learning model
  (Plan A / Phase 1).

To see updated a.m. and p.m. schedules and additional information, please click the link below:
https://www.engage.rsd407.org/reopeningb2

Students and families attending Eagle Rock Multi-Age Program and the Riverview Learning Center’s PARADE program have had their schedules previously provided by their building principals.

Students in grades 2-5 will receive their class placement information approximately one week prior to their phased-in return to In-Person Learning.

As a reminder, the current schedule for elementary students returning to In-Person Learning has K-1 students returning on February 1, 2021, grades 2-3 tentatively returning on February 16, 2021, grades 4-5 tentatively returning on March 1, 2021, and secondary students tentatively returning on March 15, 2021 (grades 6-8) and tentatively returning on March 29, 2021 (grades 9-12).

TRANSPORTATION ROUTES

Thanks to our amazing Transportation team, we have updated Transportation Routes to share with our Riverview Community. Click the image of your school to find your updated routes, bus number, bus colors, and pick-up and drop-off times.

TRANSPORTATION VIDEO

Click the link below to watch a video from our Transportation team on things to remember when riding the school bus!
https://vimeo.com/504583632

BOOK/SUPPLY DROP UPDATES
With our K-1 students returning to campus, beginning Monday, February 1, 2021, there will be no bus delivery for book/supply drops next week. Please reference prior communication from your student's school for in-person book/supply pick-up times.

Once we have a clear picture of how our transportation routes are working, we will provide further communication on how book/supply drops will resume in the coming weeks.

We are so excited to see the first phase of students return to campus on Monday, February 1. We also want to acknowledge the hard work and dedication our students, staff, and families have shown in support of our Remote Learning program. As we move through this phase and those to follow, please reach out to your buildings with any questions you may have, or contact the district through the Engage website, via email, at stayengaged@gmail.com.

_________________________________________________________________________

January 27, 2021

Dear Riverview Community:
The purpose of this communication is to provide further updates on preparations for the phased-in return of students to In-Person Learning, starting with our K-1 students on Monday, February 1, 2021.

ELEMENTARY SCHEDULES | PRINCIPAL NOTIFICATIONS
The daily schedule for K-1 students attending Carnation Elementary, Cherry Valley Elementary, and Stillwater Elementary is now posted on the Engage - Riverview 407 website. Further communication regarding schedules will be provided by schools directly to their families.

To see current schedules, click the link below, then select Option "2" on the phase wheel to see information regarding Plan B/Phase 2 - K-1 On-Site.
https://www.engage.rsd407.org/reopening21phases

Families attending Eagle Rock Multi-Age Program and the Riverview Learning Center’s PARADE program will have their schedules and additional information provided by their building principals.

Students in grades 2-5 will receive their class placement information approximately one week prior to their phased-in return to In-Person Learning.

As a reminder, the current schedule for elementary students returning to In-Person Learning has K-1 students returning on February 1, 2021, grades 2-3 tentatively returning on February 16, 2021, grades 4-5 tentatively returning on March 1, 2021, and secondary students tentatively returning on March 15, 2021 (grades 6-8) and tentatively returning on March 29, 2021 (grades 9-12).

TRANSPORTATION ROUTES
As our Transportation team continues to design new routes to accommodate students and families who require Transportation for the return to In-Person Learning, new routes and bus schedules will be available by the end of this week.

UPDATES TO FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Updates have now been made to the Frequently Asked Questions section of the Engage - Riverview 407 website. Please click below to see the latest, up-to-date information regarding a return to In-Person Learning, ongoing Remote Learning, Health and Safety Protocols, Transportation and more.
https://www.engage.rsd407.org/faq

COVID-19 SUMMARY | KING COUNTY AND LOCAL HEALTH REPORTING AREA
The Riverview School District receives daily updates regarding the positive case count per 100,000 residents in both King County and our local Health Reporting Area (HRA). As part of this communication, we wanted to provide the most recent data available, as of January 26, 2021, including two-week averages of “total number of cases per 100,000.”

Daily COVID Summary | 1/27/2021
Data as of 1/26/2021

Data is based on Key Indicators of COVID-19 activity in King County. Numbers reflect the total rate of positive cases in King County for the last 14 days per 100,000 residents.

Data is based on local Health Reporting Area (HRA), which encompasses the areas of Bear Creek/Cottage Lake/Carnation/Duvall and surrounding areas in unincorporated King County. Numbers reflect the total rate of positive cases in our local HRA for the last 14 days per 100,000 residents.

• King County Two Week Average: 318.5
• Local Health Reporting Area Two Week Average: 167.16

Data retrieved from King County Department of Health, updated at 11:00 am on January 26, 2021.

IMPORTANT UPDATES FROM PUBLIC HEALTH - SEATTLE KING COUNTY (PHSKC)
Last week, our Superintendent, Dr. Anthony Smith, and Director of Student Services, Molly Lutz, met with COVID-19 School and Child Care Task Force representatives with Public Health - Seattle & King County. PHSKC provided answers to specific questions regarding reopening, vaccines, and why public school districts are considering returning to school now, as opposed to previous months.

Q1: What is the number for reopening schools? What is the number that would cause us to close schools and go back to remote?

Elementary:
Even with high rates of transmission, the DOH (Department of Health) framework suggests that you consider phased-in, in- person learning in groups of 15 or fewer students for pre-K through grade 5 and those with the highest needs. Prioritize Pre-K through grade 3, and students in any grade with disabilities, students living homeless, and those farthest from educational justice. If schools can demonstrate the ability to limit transmission in the school environment, add grades 4-5.

You would not roll back after that point. You would simply follow the guidelines from Washington State DOH, including safe mitigation strategies, and then, if it is going well, add grade band(s) every two weeks. We would not add a grade band(s) if King County numbers move above 350 consistently and our local numbers climb significantly at the same time. In order to add grade bands, the average should be flat or decreasing as compared to 350 cases per 100,000 population for a two-week period of time.

Middle School and High School:
To reopen comprehensively (option of some form of in-person learning for all students) the recommendation is that the number of King County cases per 100,000 population needs to be at or below 350 and flat or decreasing for a district determined period of time.

You would not roll back after that point. You would simply follow the guidelines from WA Department of Health, including safe mitigation strategies.

Prior to reopening comprehensively, prioritize students with disabilities, students living homeless, and those farthest from educational justice for a return to in-person learning.

Q2: What is the difference between August and now, and why are we looking at reopening now?

There is no particular level for “now it is safe.” Mitigation strategies done well and effectively, which we know a lot more about now than we did in August, are proving to be statistically effective for schools that have reopened throughout our region and state. Because school is a more controlled environment, we have not seen outbreaks in schools and very little to no transmission in schools. Public Health - Seattle & King County supports the DOH framework that assists schools with the decision to return to in-person learning. Now, the mitigation strategies are mandated by the Governor, whereas before December 16, they were guidelines. DOH encourages local health officers and school administrators to work together to evaluate the public health considerations regarding in-person learning during the COVID-19 pandemic, while at the same time using the school DOH framework.

Administrators are ultimately responsible for establishing appropriate education services.

Q3: What about vaccines for educators?

When available, vaccines can lower the risk, but a vaccine does not replace the effectiveness of the mitigation factors. It should not be a condition to return to school - the mitigation strategies are a mandate, with or without the vaccine.

(See Updated message from Public Health regarding return to in-person learning - PUBLIC HEALTH INSIDER, dated January 20, 2021)

When available, COVID-19 vaccination can help lower risk to school staff in addition to, but not as a replacement for, effective implementation of the COVID-19 safety guidelines required by the Governor. Currently, vaccine supplies are limited nationally and in Washington State. Vaccine prioritization guidance (and any changes thereto) for school staff will be made by the Washington State DOH. King County will facilitate local implementation of that guidance.

_______________________________________________________________________

January 22, 2021
The purpose of this communication is to provide updates on transportation, childcare and food service, as well as details on when elementary students and families can anticipate receiving class placement details and schedule information.

QUESTIONNAIRE DATA
Thank you to the overwhelming number of families who completed the questionnaire regarding In-Person Learning, Remote Learning, and transportation needs. For elementary families who did not complete the survey by the deadline, our elementary school secretaries and principals have been contacting families to inquire as to their decision on whether to attend school in-person or remain in Remote Learning.

Once the questionnaire closed Monday night, our Transportation team began building routes for students and families in need of busing services. Our IT team and support staff have been working on determining those students who indicated the choice of in-person or remote learning, while our school building staff members have been working hard on developing revised class rosters and staff assignments.

TRANSPORTATION | CLASS PLACEMENT | SCHEDULE INFORMATION
Based on questionnaire results, students in need of transportation services will be placed in the p.m. cohort, as this will allow for potential transportation options for our secondary students in the future. Elementary schools are making similar adjustments to honor the survey results from our families.

To balance class sizes and adhere to social and physical distancing requirements, students who did not request a need for transportation services may also be placed in the p.m. cohort. Opportunities are limited in adjusting cohort assignments. Therefore, we ask families to do their best to coordinate schedules around their newly assigned a.m. or p.m. cohort.

On Monday, January 25, 2021, class placement will be communicated by building principals, and the elementary school schedule will be available on the Engage – Riverview 407 website by the end of the day.

CHILDCARE
The Riverview School District will be continuing the All-Day Childcare Program as students begin returning to campus. Students participating in the childcare program will be assigned to the a.m. cohort. Hours of operation will be changing to 7:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. on Monday through Friday, beginning February 1, 2021.

We will continue to offer all-day childcare to families currently in the program, with students in grades 2 through 5, until they are phased-in to In-Person Learning. Space will be limited, and priority will be given to families currently in the program. Current childcare program participants will be notified by the All-Day Childcare Program staff in the coming days to confirm their involvement in the program.

To inquire about space availability, please contact your student’s elementary school for more information.

FOOD SERVICES
With the return of our K-1 students to In-Person Learning on Monday, February 1, 2021, the Food Services Department will be providing “Grab and Go” meals at school to take home.

• Students in the a.m. cohort will receive meals as they leave school. Meals will include a lunch for that day and a breakfast for the next day.
• Students in the p.m. cohort will receive meals as they leave school. Meals will include a lunch and a breakfast for the following day.
• On Tuesdays, students will be sent home with additional meals for Wednesday.
• On Fridays, students will be sent home with additional meals for Saturday and Sunday.

“Grab and Go” Meal Kits will be available for students not yet phased-in or have elected to remain in our Remote Learning program.

Meal Kits will continue to be available for pick-up on Tuesdays and Fridays and include breakfast and lunch items for multiple days. On Tuesdays, meal kits will provide items for Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday. On Fridays, the meal kits will provide items for Friday, Saturday, Sunday, and Monday.

Note: Beginning on February 1, 2021, meal pick-up times will be changing to Noon to 1:00 p.m. on Tuesdays and Fridays. Meal pick-up locations will be located at Carnation Elementary, Cedarcrest High School, Cherry Valley Elementary, Duvall Highlands MHC, and Stillwater Elementary.

Pre-orders are required for “Grab and Go” Meal Kits. To complete the Meal Kit Pre-Order form, go to the Engage website, select Food Services, click the "Pre-Order Meal Kits" button on the left sidebar or click the link below:

• Pre-Order “Grab and Go” Meal Kits

When ordering “Grab and Go” Meal Kits, please do not order kits for students who are attending In-Person Learning on campus. Federal regulations do not allow a family to pick up Meal Kit meals, while also receiving meals while attending school.

For students returning to In-Person Learning in grades K-1, the last day for “Grab and Go” Daily Meals will be Thursday, January 28, 2021.

All children in district boundaries, 18 years of age or younger, are eligible for free meals through the remainder of the 2020-2021 school year.

Our Food Services team will continue serving meals at all locations, following all CDC guidelines and Health Department recommendations for safety protocols, including wearing face coverings, gloves, and maintaining physical/social distancing regulations.

If you have any questions regarding “Grab and Go” daily meals and Meal Kits, please contact Food Services through the Engage website (stayengaged@rsd407.org).