Chelan grades 2-6 return to In-person learning

Editors Note: This letter to Lake Chelan School District families was sent out by the district on Nov. 2.

Parent/Guardian Guide- Safety Protocols for In-person Instruction can be found at:
English- https://app.eduportal.com/documents/view/771047, Spanish- https://app.eduportal.com/documents/view/771050

Dear Lake Chelan School District Families,
Once again, thank you for working with our schools and doing all you can to keep your families safe.
Grades 2 - 6 Returning In-person Nov. 9
We began with the first phase of our Hybrid A.M./P.M. Instructional Model on Oct. 19.  Today (Oct. 30) marks the end of the second week and reports from parents and staff have been positive as we continue to enjoy the presence of our students in classrooms. During my visits to various classrooms at MOE and the Pre-School, I have been both impressed and appreciative of the commitment of both students and staff to practice the mitigation strategies and protocols that have been established.  It is an absolute joy to see first-hand, students in classrooms engaging in learning with their teachers!  
Phase-In Plan for In-Person Instruction
The Chief Medical Officer of the CDCH (Chelan Douglas Heath District) recently approved the return of our next cohort (grades 2-6) for in-person instruction on Nov. 9.  Letters have been mailed out to parents assigning their student(s) to either the A.M. or P.M. Cohort groups. We will also be calling parents to inform them of specific pick-up and drop off times for their students. Middle School Principal Brian Wood will be hosting a Zoom meeting for 6th grade parents this Monday, Nov. 2, at 6 p.m. to provide health and safety expectations along with schedule information and daily routines.  The zoom link will be emailed out through Skyward.  If you do not receive the link, email Mr. Wood at woodb@chelanschools.org.
Initially, our phase in plan scheduled the return of grades 7-12 on Nov. 30.  Based on the advisement of the CDHD, we will be delaying the return of this group.  The earliest possible date for the 7-12 grade cohort is potentially the week of Dec. 7.  This will be dependent upon how things go with our 2nd through 6th grade students.  Needless to say, we will continue to work closely with our county health experts and lean into their guidance and expertise to determine when students can safely return for in-person instruction.  
Importance of community following Safety Guidelines
In order to continue phasing in our students for in-person learning, we need all of you to support the guidelines established by our health professionals. This is a heartfelt reminder of steps we all need to take – as a community – to keep ourselves and others safe during this pandemic.  As you consider interactions with friends, neighbors, and businesses throughout our community, as well as friends and relatives during the upcoming holidays, please continue to follow the advice of public health officials and encourage your children and teens to do the same.
Get Your Flu Shot
Please consider getting a flu shot, this is highly recommended by health officials, especially this year. Mark Johnson, former Navy Doctor and current physician at Confluence Health in Wenatchee specializes in infectious disease.