Re-opening schools safely
On Dec. 16, Gov. Jay Inslee released new, less stringent state COVID-19 standards and urged the return of young students for in-person instruction.
We know that in-person teaching and learning is best for both students and educators, and educators want nothing more than to get back into schools with our students, but it must be safe.
WEA will continue to advocate with our locals to fully implement the mandated state Labor and Industries (L&I) workplace safety requirements – ensuring they are in place wherever in-person learning is occurring. These include things like adequate personal protective equipment, appropriate distancing, good ventilation, an active and trained safety committee in each building, effective plans for contact tracing, testing and clear communications regarding protocols for what happens when a case is detected in school.
We support our local unions’ efforts to work with districts to create safety plans and communicate them effectively to our members, students and families. Districts must commit to meeting these requirements and seek out the appropriate expertise, develop the capacity and commit resources to ensure the safety of the entire school community. Safely operating in-person schooling in a pandemic requires the trust and confidence of educators, students and families that being in a school is safe.
'Whether you are already working in a school or classroom with students or are facing the prospect of returning to an in-person setting, you and your students deserve the full protections that L&I mandate.'
— Larry Delaney, WEA President
Schools are part of our community and, as such, we must all take the steps necessary to contain the virus spread by wearing masks, socially distancing and limiting gatherings.
Key changes in reopening
The Department of Health (DOH) guidelines changed in December. It is important to note that they are not requirements and not enforceable.
- Reopen for all students when the number of cases in a region are fewer than 50 cases per 100,000.
- If cases are between 50 and 350 per 100,000 residents, the new standards encourage districts to open elementary and middle schools.
- In regions with more than 350 cases per 100,000 residents, the new standards say elementary school students can go back to school in groups of 15 or fewer.
- School districts must meet requirements outlined in the updated state Health Department's K-12 Schools 2020-21 Guidance and the state Labor and Industries (L&I) health and safety requirements before reopening.
Read the governor's proclamation.
