Battle Ground Public Schools

Superintendent’s message about the coronavirus

March 11, 2020

Dear families of Battle Ground Public Schools,

Today’s news about the coronavirus is certain to raise both questions and the level of concern among our families for the safety of our students and staff. I want you to know that I share this concern. I also want to answer some of the questions we have received about our plans should we have to close schools, and about our procedures for preventing the spread of the virus.

As you may be aware, the World Health Organization declared today that the coronavirus has reached the level of a pandemic (spread worldwide), and Governor Inslee asked school districts in Washington to make preparations should schools have to close. In light of this news, I want to reassure our families that we, as a district, are taking every precaution to protect the health of our students and staff. We are working directly with and following the guidance of our local health agencies, including Clark County Public Health and the Washington Department of Health.

Not only are we regularly cleaning surfaces that are frequently touched by hands, but we are encouraging handwashing and good hygiene and asking our families to follow new guidelines for how long to keep students at home following a respiratory illness with a fever. In our cafeterias we have eliminated sharing tables, we have asked transportation to regularly clean the buses, and we are considering field trips on a case by case basis.

Today, Governor Inslee provided specific direction to the most impacted counties of King, Snohomish and Pierce. He also asked districts across the state to make preparations for extended school closures should it be a necessary step to slow the spread of the coronavirus. Battle Ground has been working on plans to address a range of impacts, including looking at options for providing meals at specific locations in the district, should our schools have to close.

For the past few weeks, we also have been exploring the options available to us for continuing education should we have to close schools. While we would love to send every student home with a device and continue their education online, it isn’t that simple. We provide education and support to all students in our district so that all students can engage and be successful. In our district, many of our families cannot afford Internet access at home, some families live in areas where Internet access is not available, and some students require supports that cannot be provided through an online education. Because we cannot provide distance education that would be equitable to all students, we would not attempt it in our district. However, in the event of an extended school closure, we would work to provide families with supplemental educational resources and activities that students could do at home.

Battle Ground schools will continue to take direction from public health and the state regarding school closures for health concerns. If we are asked to close schools, we would make up those days through June 19. We have been advised that remaining missed days would be waived by the state if the district continues school at least until June 19. The state Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction is also recommending that graduation dates should not change; and at this point we would follow this recommendation.

Thank you for your partnership in keeping our students safe. We cannot do the important work of educating our youth without you. As our partners, we ask that you observe the new 72-hour guidelines for how long to keep your children at home when they have a fever and other symptoms of respiratory illness. You can also help by talking with your children about washing their hands often and sneezing and coughing into tissues. Parents can also start making plans for childcare should your child get sick or schools have to close.

This information and other tips for preventing the spread of the coronavirus are on our coronavirus information webpage. We update this page as new information becomes available and make a note at the top of the page about significant updates.

We know this is a stressful time in all of our lives, and we are working to do what we can to mitigate the impact on our families.

Thank you and stay healthy,

Mark Ross
Superintendent
Battle Ground Public Schools