Our work group focused on reopening in a hybrid model has been meeting weekly for four weeks. We've wrestled with and settled questions around instructional models, schedules, and procedures. We are well on our way to being ready to deliver our instruction using a model in which classroom sessions are taught in person and simulcast through Google classroom to students who are participating online. Over the summer Ms. Benedict ran a pilot test of this model using a small group of math students split into two cohorts. Our experience suggests that this is a viable - albeit challenging - way to deliver instruction. It will provide the option for students to participate entirely online if they feel they need to and will also provide flexibility in the event that a teacher or group of teachers needs to be out due to health concerns. We're also learning from our grade school colleagues who are deploying this model in a small number of their classrooms. We're hopeful to get kids back in the building sooner rather than later, although we fully understand the need to proceed according to the sound guidance the district is receiving from Cowlitz County health officials and others. 

The current round of athletics practices is wrapping up this week and a new set of team practices is set to kick off. Scott and Paul have done a fantastic job building our health and safety procedures and training the coaches. In turn, the coaches have taken our COVID precautions very seriously. I've stepped onto the field several times over the past few weeks and have been very impressed with the diligence of both coaches and players in terms of following physical distancing, cohorting, and mask requirements. So far, we have had no COVID-related cases that have arisen on our teams. This bolsters my confidence that we have implemented sound procedures which are able to keep our kids safe even as they engage in strenuous activities. The payoff in terms of joy and enthusiasm for our kids is huge, not to mention the inherent value in getting teenagers outside running off all that energy. It's my hope and recommendation that we continue these practices until strong, definitive countervailing recommendations emerge from our Cowlitz County health officials. 

It's hard for me to say enough good things about the excellent work of all of our para educators. These are the folks who work with our most vulnerable kids, and it's our most vulnerable kids who are most at risk in an online environment. Tuesday through Friday, many of our para educators and office staff are involved with bringing small cohorts of students on campus for intensive academic assistance. That same team meets every Monday to review academic data, update the team on the status of specific students, and identify new students who might need to be added to our list. I'm happy to say that it's working in many cases. Lost kids are being pulled in and moved along the path to success. As a case in point, at our staff meeting yesterday I suggested that we cancel bubble groups one day so we could have a pre-Thanksgiving celebration. The PASS team wouldn't hear of it and the entire staff rallied so we could do both at the same time. We need those kids here every day we can get them, they said. It was an inspiring moment. 

Case counts are rising in Cowlitz which is, of course, a worry for all. Anticipating a possible delay to our hybrid start date, we're preparing to repurpose (but not reschedule) our small group times to focus on our struggling students. Our current academic results indicate a larger-than-usual number of students who are not doing well and this indicates the need for some changes in approach over the second half of the semester. I am more than confident in the heart and grit of our staff. At this point, we lack only experience in this hall-of-mirrors COVID world of online education. What we need most is imagination - and perhaps a 25th hour in the day. I know for sure that we're running the right race. Lastly, I want to thank all the board directors for your service. Leading a school district through a global pandemic is definitely what you signed up for. Thanks for sticking with it!