District Update
September 24th, 2021
COVID-19 Communication Protocol
We would like to be as transparent as possible about how we are communicating with families and staff about COVID-19.
The district nursing staff is in constant communication with the Skagit County Public Health regarding COVID-19 cases in our schools. Decisions on who needs to quarantine is made by the county in coordination with the district.
The school principal and/or district leaders will communicate directly with impacted families or staff members of confirmed COVID-19 cases or those who are confirmed close contacts. As part of this process, the district will communicate about length of quarantine and how to shift to remote learning.
If you do not receive such a notification, it means that your student has not been identified as a close contact and does not need to quarantine.
The health, safety, and well-being of our school community remains our top priority. We are following sound protocols aligned with Skagit Public Health guidance to ensure we are doing everything we can to protect the health or our school community. We also want to take this opportunity to remind everyone of the importance of wearing masks, physically distancing from others, and regularly washing your hands.
The primary symptoms of COVID-19 are:
• Fever (defined as subjective or 100.4°F or higher)
• Cough
• Loss of sense of taste and/or smell
• Shortness of breath
• Fatigue
• Headache
• Muscle or body aches
• Sore throat
• Congestion or runny nose
• Nausea or vomiting
• Diarrhea (defined as two or more loose stools in 24 hours)
If your child or anyone in your household develop(s) any of the above symptoms, all unvaccinated household members should stay home, contact a provider for medical evaluation and testing, and notify childcare/school/work/etc.
Please visit the COVID-19 Information page on our website for the latest updates on the COVID-19 dashboard. We will not communicate specific information to families unless they are impacted. We also have established a COVID-19 email address (covidquestions@swsdonline.com) and direct phone line (360) 855-3841.
We sincerely appreciate all your help and support as we work together to mitigate risks and ensure the learning process continues in our school community.
COVID-19 Hotline
For more information about COVID-19 protocols in the district, including the district dashboard, please visit our COVID-19 Information website.
Email: covidquestions@swsdonline.com
Phone: (360) 855-3841
ThoughtExchange
Superintendent Mickelson asked community members this question:
What are the most important things you would like me to know about our district and community as I start my first year as Superintendent?
Six hundred and fifty community members participated in the exchange, which asks folks to answer the question and then to rank thoughts posted by other participants.
The top six themes were:
- Access to high quality education for ALL students
- Educating the whole child means a variety of programs, including arts, music, sports, and technical classes.
- Clear, open, and frequent communication
- Partnership with and visibility in the community
- Improved internet access
- Student Safety
Dr. Mickelson said these top themes spoke volumes about the priorities of the Sedro-Woolley School District community.
Here are the specific statements from where the top six themes were pulled:
1. That all students have access to high quality education. These are our next generation leaders, physicians, community members, laborers, and many other professions. They need to be fully educated.
2. We need a variety of topics, music, art, sports, and technical classes. Because there are more than one way to reach and hold student interests. More than one way they can shine and succeed.
3. Communication I believe that clear and frequent communication about district issues would make our district more effective.
4. Retain the connection with the community. Keeping the kids connected with the members of community builds a sense of pride.
5. We need the arts and music back at every K-6 building. We were told there would be equity when the programs were cut and that hasn’t happened. Please make it happen.
6. Open communication. Retaining the trust of the community through open communication is important.
7. While our district provides many great programs, I would love to see art and music back in all elementary schools. Art and music are equally important compared to other required content as they foster creativity, a characteristic necessary for 21st century learners
8. I hope the internet becomes easier to obtain in the rural areas of our district. It was very hard for many students during our remote time without good internet service.
9. Open-ness, being available, seeing you in the community at school events Shows you genuinely care
10. There is going to be a large gap this year. Some children were home schooled, some private, some no help at home. Our teachers and paras need to find a way to bridge this gap.
11. Keeping our students safe at school from bullying is extremely important. We have a diverse community, and every student deserves to feel safe at school.
12. Safety of children
Superintendent Mickelson will continue to follow her entry plan to listen, be engaged in the community, and develop opportunities to work together to learn the priorities of the communities. She will take into consideration the insights provided through the ThoughtExchange as she facilitates district efforts to identify a path for student learning for all moving forward.
Elementary school menu change for next week
Poinsettia plants donated to horticulture program
SWHS Trap Shooting team takes 1st Place in Stanwood
The Sedro-Woolley High School's Trap Team took first place at the September 23 competition in Stanwood.
Top scorers - all three shooters broke 23 of 25 targets;
1) Hunter Nelson
2) Shawn Holdeman
3) Bodee Belanger
Placement is based on additional round scores.
"We had a lot of improved scores our second week," said Advisor Jill True.
SWHS Class of 2022 Senior Photos Due Nov. 1st
National Honor Society spirit shop is open
National Honor Society announces 21-22 officers
President: Natally Celaya-Martinez
Vice Presidents: Emersen Wagner (Assistant to the President) and Natalie Lahr (Parliamentarian)
Secretary: Keara Fellers
Treasurer: Nicole Hulst
Social Media Coordinators: Arlene Jimenez-Nava and Emma Maddox
Events Coordinators: Emery DeJong and Katie Helgeson
Farewell to the outgoing 2020-2021 senior leaders: Ekaterina Matsko, Katie Backstrom and Amelia Vaith.
Students to take Healthy Youth Survey in October
We will be taking the Healthy Youth Survey this October! Students have been taking the Healthy Youth Survey since 1988. The number of students has grown nationally from only a few thousand students to over 230,000 a year! The survey is voluntary and anonymous. It asks students questions from a range of topics including their feelings around school community, relationships, use of tobacco, alcohol, etc.
Results from the Healthy Youth Survey will help us to better understand our students and to provide them with the services they need.
If you have any questions about the purpose of the survey or survey procedures:
Call toll-free 1-877-HYS-7111
Email: healthy.youth@doh.wa.gov
Information about the Healthy Youth Survey can be found at: www.AskHYS.net
SWHS 2022 Parent Group needs parent volunteers
The Class of 2022 Senior Parent Group is happy to announce that the graduation night trip is set! The group is excited to bring this trip together for the Senior class and really needs parent support and help. Senior parents, please join the SWHS Class of 2022 Parents Facebook group. You can also join the group's e-mail list by sending an e-mail to jhulst90@gmail.com.
Prescription Drug Take back
Masks required for entry at large outdoor events
We truly appreciate your cooperation in wearing the masks except while actively eating or drinking, regardless of vaccination status. Your cooperation will keep us in good standing with Skagit County Public Health and allow us to continue to host sporting events.
Community Prevention and Wellness Initiative (CPWI) Community Survey 2021
This 10-15 minute survey is completely anonymous.
ONLINE SURVEY ENGLISH
Sponsors sought for Fall Sports Programs
The Lady Cubs Basketball Team has advertising spots available in the 2021-2022 Fall Sports Athletic Programs, which will be distributed at home games.
Please email Danny Crosby for more information.
Box Tops are now digital
SWHS counselors to highlight suicide prevention
The team wants students to know that there are safe adults in their building (and other counselors in various district buildings) who are available to talk to about mental health and suicidal ideation.
SWHS counselors will be setting up a table in the cafeteria on Wednesday, Sep. 29 with suicide prevention information in hopes of being visible and approachable during lunchtime.
The SWHS counseling team has also worked with United General Hospital District 304 to procure posters to display the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline around the school building.
Chromebooks & Hotspots
The district has started to issue $250 fines this past week. These fines can be paid at the student's current school.
Why do these Chromebooks need to be returned?
1. Every school needs these available for upcoming state testing.
2. If we have classrooms or schools that need to shift to virtual due to quarantine, we need Chromebooks available for those students.
3. BEFORE we can test or shift to virtual, we have to be able to clean, repair and update the Chromebooks that have been checked out.
4. There is a shortage of Chromebooks for replacing the missing laptops.
5. It would cost a substantial amount of money to replace all of the Chromebooks that are still checked out. This money will have to be shifted from other budget areas.
If you have a Chromebook and need a way to return them, please contact your child's building administrator. These laptops need to be reimaged and updated BEFORE they can be used for this school year.
For questions about the Chromebook return, please email techhelp@swsd101.org or call 360-855-3587.
Concessions are open
Still hiring for multiple positions
We know a lot of families are looking for work that follows their students' school schedules! We offer competitive pay and many of our open positions are great for those looking for part-time employment!
Please visit https://www.swsd.k12.wa.us/domain/24 to fill out an application!
SWSD employees support United Way
United Way programs supports all of our communities in Skagit County by feeding food insecure families, helping house homeless youth, helping new mothers and their babies, and much more.
A single investment in United Way of Skagit County is an investment in our Skagit County youth.
CMS History Club
There will be a CMS History Club seventh-grade introduction Zoom meeting at 6:30 p.m. on Sept. 29.
SWHS Athletics Ticket Information
Tickets can now be reserved at: https://swhscubsden.com/event-tickets
Attendees must reserve tickets so the high school can follow capacity restrictions for events at SWHS. Also, a helpful reminder that masks must be worn by all spectators for indoor events and are REQUIRED for outdoor events that exceed a 500 person capacity.
SWHS students who qualify for the free/reduced meal program also qualify for free SWHS ASB cards. With the ASB card, students will gain free admission to events and that student’s family will qualify for up to 5 free passes to events as well. If you have not completed the consent form, please do so as quickly as possible. Once ASB cards are purchased, there will be no refunds on those cards.
Reminder: All elementary and middle school students must be accompanied by an adult at all high school events. Please do not drop off children at the games unchaperoned. Please also remind students they should follow the same behavior codes as school.
Mental Health Resources
Voter Information
The General Election will be held on Nov. 2.
COVID-19 Safety Measures
All students who choose to learn in-person are required to wear face coverings while indoors to protect the health and safety of our staff and students. We are also implementing enhanced personal hygiene and a degree of physical distancing among students to the extent possible.
UPDATE: To allow our community to attend, the district must require masks for large outdoor events with 500 or more people in attendance. Please mask up to help our student athletes continue to play.
Sedro-Woolley School District is following the safety measures required by the Department of Health in the K-12 COVID-19 Requirements.
Please note, there is not a COVID-19 vaccination requirement for students currently in Washington state. We would encourage those 12 and older to talk to their health-care providers for vaccination recommendations.
Wednesdays Start Late!
Free & Reduced Meal Applications
While breakfast and lunch will continue to be offered at no cost to students in the 2021-2022 school year thanks to waivers issued by the United States Department of Agriculture, families are strongly encouraged to apply for free and reduced price meal benefits to be eligible for other discounts and offers that will support your child's educational experience.
Students who qualify for benefits may also be eligible for discounted rates on:
- District technology fees
- AP tests
- SAT/ACT tests
Applying and qualifying for meal benefits can also help students in these ways:
- Financial aid (FAFSA, EFC - Expected Family Contribution)
- Scholarship opportunities
- Free wireless hotspots (Emergency Broadband Benefit Program)
Participation in the Meal Benefits Program helps support students, staff, and qualifies the Sedro-Woolley School District for federal funds:
- Fresh Fruit & Vegetable Program Eligibility
- National School Lunch Program Equipment grants
- Teacher Loan Forgiveness
- Fulfills required Race/Ethnicity Data Collection
- ESEA Programs: Title I, Part A; Title II, Part A; Title V
Please help students access all of the perks by filling out the Free & Reduced Meal Applications during back-to-school events or online.
Rental assistance available through county
Calendar
September
Hispanic Heritage Month; Library Card Sign-up Month
25 - Public Lands Day
27 - School Board Meeting 6 p.m.
29 - All Schools - One hour late start for professional development
29 - MP Fall Picture Day
29 - EVG 3rd Grade Open House
October
National School Principal Month
2 - National Custodial Worker’s Recognition Day
3–9 Fire Prevention Week
5 - CEN Individual Pictures
5 - EVG Individual Pictures
6 - All Schools - One hour late start for professional development
8 - SAM Individual Pictures
9–15 SWHS Homecoming Week
9 - Deck the Den, Buff Puff/Powder Puff games (Tentative; depends on district approval)
11 - School Board Meeting 6 p.m.
11–15 SWHS Homecoming Week
12 - All Schools - One hour late start for professional development
12 - Sedro-Woolley RISE Meeting, 3 p.m.
12 - SAM parent group meeting
12 - LY Parent Group Meeting, 6 p.m.
13 - LY Picture Day
13 - SWHS Homecoming Pasta Feed/Lip Sync/Coronation (Tentative; depends on district approval)
14- MP Booster Club Meeting (Location TBD)
11–15 National School Lunch Week
18–22 National School Bus Safety Week
18 - Free/Reduced meal benefit from SY 19-20 and SY 20-21 expires today
19 - Free/Reduced students without a meal application for 21-22 SY will be changed to paid (USDA waiver is providing free meals this year; all other benefits such as fee reductions will end unless applications are renewed)
20 - All Schools - One hour late start for professional development
21 - Great Washington ShakeOut
21 - CL Broadway Night
25 - School Board Meeting 6 p.m.
27 - All Schools - One hour late start for professional development
28 - Combined CMS band and choir concert, 7 p.m. (Tentative; depends on district approval)
31 - Halloween
November
1 - SWHS senior pictures due for yearbook
2 - Election Day
3 - All Schools - One hour late start for professional development