We need to follow the safe path forward that is being set by many classrooms across Washington. My husband, Gov. Jay Inslee, has visited schools in Buckley, Puyallup, Spokane, Bellevue and Pasco. He interacted with students and teachers who are thriving. One shared that being in-person is 1 million percent better than online. The courage of educators on the front line of reopening in Arlington, Moses Lake and Eatonville, among others, has shown that in-person learning can operate safely and effectively for all involved.
The latest data from reopening plans submitted to the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction shows that 497,000 students were in in-person learning before March 1. That’s roughly half of school students who still don’t have an option for in-person instruction right now. While the reopening plans show that another 323,000 students will be offered an in-person option in April and May that will still leave a large proportion of students (about one-third of middle schools students, and one-third of high school students) with no option for in-person instruction before June.
There have been very few in-school transmissions, and these have been managed to prevent further spread. This is a testament to the dedication and professionalism of the educators who first took this leap of faith and used innovation to adopt protocols that have demonstrated conclusively that in-person learning can be done safely while delivering quality instruction. From teachers to bus drivers, to cooks and nurses, all classified staff has stepped up to make this possible. This courage and determination are models for administrators statewide, who must provide educators with the resources necessary to make safe education a reality.
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