Key Dates
Aug. 17: School Board Meeting
Aug. 20: Reopening Plans due to OSPI
Sept. 3: First Day of School
Sept. 9: First Day of Kindergarten
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In This Issue
- Distance Learning Update
- Computers for all K-12 Students
- Childcare
- Supplemental EP&O Levy
- Athletic Update
- CTE Mobile Innovation Lab
- Mental Health and Wellness
- School Board Highlights
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Update: Continuous (Distance) Learning 2.0
Our Instructional Taskforce comprised of teachers, principals, families, and district administrators are diving into student day details, schedules, and necessary changes to best support students in a full-time distance learning model. As this work continues, we are committed to sharing updates with families before a final plan is presented to the School Board for consideration on August 17.
Family Highlights:
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School Schedules: Drafts of school schedules are under review and being evaluated with union leaders. Actual school start and end times are still to be decided on, with the goal to provide a common, 6-hour day, district-wide schedule for fall.
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Instruction: Every day students will receive live instruction, social-emotional support, and skills practice. Students on Individualized Education Plans (IEPs) will begin to receive services on the first day of school.
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Grading: All students will receive grades as outlined in School Board Policy 2420 and 2420R.
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Predictable and digestible communication: Schools will standardize on a common newsletter template and communicate with families on a weekly basis.
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Technology Support: Family University, a collection of over 40 quick-tip videos and resources, provides training on District technology tools and platforms that support a full-time Continuous (Distance) Learning model for fall.
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Computers for All K-12 Students
To ensure equity and access for all students, a laptop computer will be issued to every K-12 student for use at home during Continuous (Distance) Learning 2.0. Students will receive the computer from their school prior to the first day of school.
- Distribution dates will occur Aug. 18 – Sept. 1. Safe distribution dates will be coordinated by school and communicated with school families.
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A Puyallup Protection Plan (P3) is available to reduce financial risk if a laptop is accidentally damaged. The plan is voluntary. If declined, the student will be responsible for the full costs for repair or replacement of the laptop. The Enrollment/Waiver Form is required, even if the coverage is denied, and must be turned in when the laptop is issued. Incoming students in grades 8, 9, 11, and 12, who kept devices over the summer, have until Sept. 30 to turn in the Puyallup Protection Plan form and pay for (or decline) coverage.
- Laptops will come with care instructions.
A limited number of hot spots will be available to check out at the schools to ensure students have access to the internet.
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Childcare Available: Right At School
The District will continue to partner with Right At School for childcare during the 2020-21 school year. The Right At School Distance Learning Camp will open for registration on August 10 for childcare beginning September 3.
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November Election: Supplemental Levy
At the August 3 Board meeting, the School Board unanimously approved placing a two-year Educational Programs and Operations (EP&O) Supplemental Levy on the November ballot. While the impacts of the shutdown resulted in modest savings, the District is projecting a significant budget deficit of $27.6 million over the next three years.
Local levies play a vital role for the district to fill the gap between state and federal funding and the actual costs of providing critical services to students. Levies fund essential staff, health/safety and security operations, educational and extracurricular programs, mental health supports, and year-round facility maintenance of Puyallup schools.
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PSD Fall Sports Delayed
In consultation with the Department of Health and athletic associations, all fall sports in the Puyallup School District will be delayed for the 2020-21 school year.
The pandemic presents our District and athletic associations with a myriad of challenges as we consider all components of re-starting athletics and activities. Our top priority in planning is providing safe, positive experiences through athletics for students and staff.
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High School Athletics: All fall sports (cross country, football, golf, girls soccer, girls swim & dive, boys tennis, volleyball, and competitive cheerleading) will move to the WIAA third season. The modified high school sports season calendar is as follows:
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WIAA Season 2: (Dec. 28-Mar. 7) Basketball, Bowling, Gymnastics, Boys Swim & Dive, Wrestling
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WIAA Season 3: (Mar. 1-May 2) Cross Country, Football (to start Feb. 17), Golf, Girls Soccer, Girls Swim & Dive, Boy’s Tennis, Volleyball, Cheerleading.
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WIAA Season 4: (Apr. 26-June 27) Baseball, Fastpitch Softball, Boys Soccer, Girls Tennis, Track & Field, Dance/Drill
Junior High Athletics: The Puyallup Athletic League (PAL) continues to work with District leaders on a configuration of sport offerings that will include a modified sports season schedule for the 2020-21 school year. When available, modified sport schedules will be posted at www.SPSL.org/PAL.
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Say Hello to 'Millie!'
It will be used for career exploration in Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Math (STEAM) related fields. The lab will visit schools where individual classes will visit the lab on a field trip. The lessons will be tied to grade-level curriculum and the core academic courses.
It is geared for next-generation science standards and makes connections between future careers and technical education pathway programs. For example, there will be lessons on space exploration, natural disasters, and DNA & genetics.
The lab was purchased with CTE funds targeted to support CTE Programs.
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Mental Health and Wellness
Concern over this new virus can make children and families anxious. It is important to remember that children look to adults for guidance on how to react to stressful events. The pandemic also presents an opportunity for adults to model problem-solving, flexibility, and compassion.
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School Board Highlights: Aug. 3, 2020
Regular Board Meeting and Draft Budget Hearing #1
Board Policies Update:
- Policy 3225 - School-Based Threat Assessment
- Policy 3231 - Student Records
- Policy 3413 - Student Immunization and Life Threatening Health Conditions
- Policy 4311 - School Resource Officer
- Policy 5201 - Drug-Free Schools, Community and Workplace
- Policy 5281 - Disciplinary Action and Discharge
2020-21 Draft Budget Hearing #1:
A draft 2020-21 budget was presented with a second public hearing on the budget scheduled for the August 17 School Board meeting. The public is invited to comment on the proposed budget during the hearing. Board action on the recommended budget is expected at the Aug. 17 board meeting.
Reports
Approved
- Educational Programs and Operations Supplemental Levy
- Boundary Revision with Bethel School District
Next Board Meeting (virtual):
- August 17 (agenda/link posted prior to meeting)
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Puyallup School District does not discriminate in any programs or activities on the basis of sex, race, creed, religion, color, national origin, age, veteran or military status, sexual orientation, gender expression or identity, disability, or the use of a trained dog guide or service animal and provides equal access to the Boy Scouts and other designated youth groups. The following employees have been designated to handle questions and complaints of alleged discrimination:
• Civil Rights Compliance Coordinator: Char Krause, [email protected], (253) 435-6295
All individuals may be reached at this address:
Puyallup School District 302 2nd Street SE Puyallup, WA 98372
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