BSD COVID-19 Update

IMPORTANT INFORMATION. PLEASE READ ALL OF THIS MESSAGE.

Dear Bremerton School District staff and families:

We have greatly appreciated your patience and support as we have navigated this unprecedented situation with COVID-19.

We have been following the guidance of our local and state health authorities to stay open as long as possible. In light of the closure of all public and private K-12 schools in King, Pierce and Snohomish counties, and Governor Inslee’s request for all remaining school districts across the state to prepare now for closures in their regions, we have made the difficult decision to close schools in the Bremerton School District.

All Bremerton School District schools will be closed beginning Monday, March 16. At this time, we plan to remain closed through Friday, April 24, 2020.

We recognize that this will have an impact on our students, our families, our staff, and our community. While educating our students is our primary mission, we also provide critical services and support to numerous families in our area.

Our district leaders have been working hard developing contingency plans for a possible school closure. As part of our planning, we are preparing to:

• Provide remote educational resources for students and families to access

• Offer food options for students who rely on meals from our school nutrition program

• Provide childcare for those parents who work in healthcare and emergency services at the very least

We are working to finalize our plans with the goal of implementing these programs as soon as possible.

We realize that this closure brings many questions and concerns. We don’t yet have answers to all of your questions. We will continue working with state and local partners, and we will communicate information with you as it develops. Please check our website frequently as we will update the information there regularly, and we will continue to communicate via email/text message and social media.

We have been working hard to respond to every parent call and email the past two weeks. However, we do not have the capacity to do so right now. We have created a question form for “general” parent questions and concerns. This will help guide our communication. Thank you for your understanding.

The Bremerton School District is committed to supporting our children and community through these unprecedented times. Thank you for your support.

Sincerely,

Dr. Aaron Leavell

Superintendent

Bremerton School District

We know there are many questions regarding reporting to work and preparations for closure. We will be sending out detailed information to you very soon, and we will continue to provide updates by email throughout the coming days. Please ensure you are checking email regularly. Thank you for all you do for our students, our families, and the community.

The Bremerton School District complies with all federal and state rules and regulations and does not discriminate on the basis of sex, race, creed, religion, color, national origin, age, honorably discharged veteran or military status, sexual orientation including gender expression or identity, the presence of any sensory, mental, or physical disability, or the use of a trained dog guide or service animal by a person with a disability in its programs and activities and provides equal access to the Boy Scouts and other designated youth groups. This holds true for all students who are interested in participation in educational programs and/or extra-curricular school activities. Inquiries regarding compliance and/or grievance procedures may be directed to the District’s Title IX/RCW 28A.640 Officer and ADA Coordinator, Garth Steedman, at 360.473.1031 or garth.steedman@bremertonschools.org or the Section 504 Coordinator, John Welsh, at 360.473.4400 or john.welsh@bremertonschools.org. Mailing address: 134 Marion Avenue North, Bremerton, WA 98312.

BSD COVID-19 Update (Distributed 3/13/2020)