October 30, 2020\r\n
\r\nDear Ridgefield Families,
\r\nEarlier this week, Education Service District #112 shared a joint press release on behalf of nine Clark County School Districts, including Ridgefield. You can read that press release here. In short, the press release indicates that Clark County School Districts have been working with Clark County Public Health to determine the feasibility of bringing back our kindergarten learners for in-person instruction.
\r\nWe are living in unprecedented times, with many competing challenges. Mitigating the spread of COVID-19 is a public health priority; however, merely shutting things down to limit spread can have unintended consequences that impact public health. As I have recently shared with you, COVID school closures impact our students’ social/emotional health. The toll it is taking on our students, especially our youngest learners, is concerning.
\r\nRidgefield has worked closely with eight of our neighboring school districts and Clark County Public Health. Together, we have decided to expand in-person services to kindergarten students. Dr. Alan Melnick, Clark County Public Health Director, and county health officer states, “Bringing small groups of kindergarten students in to classrooms for in-person education is a cautious and incremental approach that fits within state health department guidance.”
\r\nThe Ridgefield School District is committed to bringing our kindergarten students back for in-person instruction and doing so safely and sensibly. In-person education for kindergarteners will begin on Monday, November 30. This is the first day of the second trimester for elementary schools.
\r\nShortly, the District will send out a kindergarten-specific Trimester Two learning mode survey. This survey will include details on the learning day and allow families to select the learning mode that best suits their needs. As promised, families will continue to have the option to remain in Ridgefield Remote.
\r\nTuesday, November 3, is Election Day. If you have not already done so, I encourage you to vote. Your voice matters; make it heard! If you are curious, tracking your ballot is easy here in Washington. Click on this link to follow your ballot’s progress to “accepted” status at the Clark County Elections Office. For your convenience, the RACC has a secure, official Clark County ballot dropbox.
\r\nNot that we need 2020 to last any longer than necessary, but daylight savings ends this coming Sunday, November 1. Please don’t forget to set your clocks back one hour before you head to bed.
\r\nAs always, stay well and remain #RidgefieldResilient.
\r\nSincerely,
Dr. Nathan McCann
\r\nSuperintendent\r\n