2020-2021 School Year Reopening Plan

(This message was emailed to all families and staff on Wednesday, Sept. 23, 2020.)

District considering gradual return to in-person learning 

Renton School District Families and Staff,

As we prepare to complete the fourth week of the school year, I want to thank our students, families, and staff for their hard work, flexibility, and grace. While there were undoubtedly some bumps along the road, which is true for the start of any new school year, I am impressed and inspired seeing our students and teachers engaged in learning and want to recognize all that our staff and families have done to support this process.  

Although the school year started with remote learning, we continue to monitor county health metrics to determine the potential for providing in-person learning for our students. As of today (9/23), King County has an infection rate of 51 cases per 100,000 residents as shown by Public Health – Seattle & King County’s (PHSKC) key indicators of COVID-19 activity (data is updated weekly). This rate places the county in the moderate range for COVID-19 activity (25-75 cases/100K residents over a 14-day period). When a county reaches the moderate range, school districts can consider in-person learning for elementary students and students that receive special education services in an ILC classroom in accordance with the Washington State Department of Health’s Decision Tree for the Provision of In-Person Learning during the COVID-19 Pandemic.

Given the continuing decrease in cases, during my meeting today with representatives from PHSKC, they recommended that school districts consider having younger students be the first to gradually come back to in-person learning and implementing a phased approach to hybrid and in-person services so that schools, districts, and communities are not overwhelmed.

What this means for the Renton School District
Based on these recommendations, Renton School District staff are starting to develop plans for the potential return of our preschool and elementary students to in-person learning that prioritizes our youngest learners, uses a hybrid schedule, and phases in students by grade level.

Key to the planning process is knowing whether families intend to have their students return for in-person learning or prefer to stay with a remote learning option. To start, families with students in Preschool through 5th grade will soon receive a survey providing an opportunity to share their preference(s). 

Additionally, we are preparing for the eventual opening of school buildings by updating health and safety protocols, creating transportation plans, arranging meal distribution, and addressing a range of other necessary tasks and services. We will also continue conversations with employee groups regarding the potential return to in-person learning.

It is very difficult to predict the future during a pandemic. However, based on the current guidance from PHSKC, we are taking the first steps towards having students return to our school buildings. As we saw this summer, the context, data, and guidance can change quickly. Therefore, we must remain flexible as we move forward. No matter the decision, our guiding principle is, and will remain, the health and safety of students and staff.

We will continue to update you via email, our website, Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.

Thank you, again, for your commitment and hard work. 

Sincerely,

Damien Pattenaude, Ed.D.
Superintendent

Families of students in Preschool through 5th-grade:

Renton School District staff are starting to develop plans for the potential return of our preschool and elementary students to in-person learning that prioritizes our youngest learners, uses a hybrid schedule, and phases in students by grade level. We are still determining the hybrid schedule for elementary students. The hybrid schedule will be based, in part, on how many families choose to stay fully remote and how many choose to transition to in-person learning.

To inform our planning, it is important that we have information from all PreK-5 families on their interest to transition their student(s) to in-person learning or to stay in a fully remote model. Please complete the survey by Monday, Oct. 5.

To provide information, login to your Skyward Family Access account.

• If you know how to login to your account, click this link: https://www2.nwrdc.wa-k12.net/scripts/cgiip.exe/WService=wrentons71/fwemnu01.w
• If you are unsure how to login:
  • If you have an email in our system and have forgotten your login information, please click the link above, then click on “Forgot your Login/Password” to retrieve the information.
  • If you DO NOT have an email in our system, please contact your school for Login information.
• You can also visit this website for instructions: www.rentonschools.us/learning-and-teaching/student-information-services/skyward-family-access

In the Skyward Family Access site:

• You should see a message "An online Form is now available"; or, on the left side bar menu, click section labeled “Online Forms”
• Once the form appears Click “Fill out Online Form.” Families will need to fill out a separate form for each PreK-5 student.
• Once a survey for each PreK-5 student is completed, click submit survey

Together with the Renton Education Association (REA), we have designed daily schedules for elementary, middle, and high school. Our students will have access to live instruction daily, with predictable schedules and routines, and:

• opportunities to connect with teachers and classmates about academic content and for social/emotional connections,
• structured time and support for students who receive Special Education and/or ELL services,
• access to recordings of instruction so they may review again or at another time,
• opportunities to receive 1:1 small group support, as needed, and
• feedback on assignments and learning progress.

Access to Live Instruction will include:

• Short periods of instruction from a teacher to the whole or parts of the class.
• Students interacting with one another as a whole class or in small groups.
• Students working on assignments, receiving support from a teacher or paraeducator.
• Teacher “Office Hours”, where students are working independently, but students and/or families have access to ask questions and get support.
• Small group or 1:1 instruction.
• Other opportunities for students, families, and teachers to interact around academic and/or social emotional learning.

Daily School Schedules

Elementary Schedule 

At elementary, students will be divided into two sessions, either Group A (morning) or Group B (afternoon). This will ensure smaller groups during all instruction and provide families choice. The classroom teacher will facilitate live instruction for Group A in the morning and Group B in the afternoon as described below. Elementary school principals emailed families on Aug. 17  to ask for their preference for l Group a or B.

 

 

 

 

Middle School Schedule

Students will have access to live instruction and/or support each period.

 

High School Schedule

Students will have access to live instruction and/or support each period.

District's free meal service for all students extended through Dec. 31, 2020

All families will continue to have access to free breakfast and lunch meals through the end of the calendar year.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture has announced it has extended the free meal program through December 31, depending on federal funding. This allows us to continue serving free, nutritious meals to ALL children regardless of income: we will not charge for school meals through the end of the calendar year. Pre-order is still desired so that we can be better prepared for all who want school meals.

Breakfast/lunch meals:

• Breakfast/lunch meals offered on Mondays and Wednesdays 11-12:30
• Grab and Go meals (drive-thru or walk-up welcome)
• Parents can pick up without children present (must provide student names/ID numbers)
• Online pre-orders highly recommended
• Pick-up meals at any location (listed below)

September Menus

Pre-order meals:

• Wednesday, Sept. 2
• Wednesday, Sept. 9
• Monday, Sept. 14
• Wednesday, Sept. 16
• Monday, Sept. 21
• Wednesday, Sept. 23
• Monday, Sept. 28
• Wednesday, Sept. 30

Meals will be served at these schools and community locations:

• Benson Hill
• Bryn Mawr
• Campbell Hill
• Cascade
• Hazelwood
• Highlands
• Honey Dew
• Kennydale
• Lakeridge
• Maplewood
• Renton Park
• Sartori
• Sierra Heights
• Talbot Hill
• Tiffany Park
• Dimmitt Middle School
• McKnight Middle School
• Hazen High School
• Renton High School

Community sites (apartment complexes):

• Creston Point, 13445 Martin Luther King Jr. Way, Seattle
• Green Tree, 6900 S 125th St, Seattle
• Plum Tree Park, 200 SW 5th Pl, Renton
• Royal Hills, 3000 Royal Hills Dr SE, Renton
• Stonebrook, 12210 SE Petrovitsky Rd, Renton

These locations will remain combined with other school sites:

• Nelsen MS – Proximity to Cascade
• Renton Academy – Proximity to Cascade
• Risdon MS – Proximity to Hazelwood
• Lindbergh HS – Proximity to Renton Park
• Talley HS – Proximity to other sites
• Meadow Crest – Proximity to McKnight

You may qualify for free/reduced meals

• Eventually the federal program to provide all families with free meals will end (currently scheduled to end on Dec. 31, 2020). As a result of lost or reduced hours at work due to the pandemic, many families may now qualify for free/reduced meals. All families are encouraged to complete the application. We’ve created an online fillable form, so families do not need to print and return the form:

• Find the application on this website
• Find the application in your Family Access account

• Families who fill out the form in Skyward can simply submit it online. Those who access the form on this website must print, sign, and email the form to RSD.mealform@rentonschools.us. Families who do not qualify will begin being charged for meals as we start the new school year.

When is the first day of school?

All students start school on Wednesday, September 2. We will start the school year 100% online with in-home learning.

When will I learn who my teacher is?

Our teachers, contractually, return to work in late August. They will then begin work to create classroom lists. Class assignments, a daily class schedule, along with plans to meet your new teacher should be completed around the third week of August, and communicated to families by school principals.

How to request a Chromebook for in-home learning

As part of our in-home learning model, students and families are accessing classroom content online. We will distribute Chromebooks to families who need them at the end of August. If your student needs a Chromebook, please complete this form. Look for more information from school leadership later this month with details for your school. 

NOTE: At the elementary level, we will limit Chromebook distribution to one per family. We currently have a backlog of Chromebooks on order and will receive more devices in the early fall.

How will you support students on IEP/504 plans?

Following the state’s guidelines, we will deliver the services outlined in each student’s IEP to the fullest extent possible. IEP services in full remote model will look different than they do when we are following our typical in-building schedules. Students will begin the school year receiving in-home learning. Therapy services outlined in IEPs will be provided remotely as well.  IEP teams will convene remotely to discuss student progress and any changes needed.  If after making changes to instruction, services and/or supports, the team has data to suggest that the remote setting is a significant barrier to progress that cannot be overcome by additional services and supports, the team will meet to discuss in-person instruction. In-person instruction will only happen if it is safe to provide following current health and safety guidelines.

What support will you have for parents who are managing work schedules and multiple children at home?

We know distance learning will present challenges for many families. Our first few weeks of school will focus on building our students’ ability to access and use their devices and learning platforms independently. We continue to work to provide each student their own device to access classroom lessons and materials. We know this will take some time and practice. Teachers will also communicate with families on how to access Zoom links and manage learning platforms.

How are middle and high school students choosing their courses/classes?

Students selected courses (including electives) last spring as part of the annual registration process. Schools conducted this process slightly differently than in past years. Students make course selections based on interest and graduation requirements.

What is your plan to engage students who don’t do well with virtual/ video based learning or don’t have parents at home who can support them in that style of learning? 

Teachers will work with families to create communication plans to ensure that we are responding to student and family needs as best as possible. Teachers will help students learn how to navigate the computer-based learning materials to support increased engagement for students. Teachers will engage students in a variety of ways including whole class lessons, small group lessons and individual check-ins, increasing the personalization of learning for students. Independent learning will include online videos, independent reading and home/family experiences. 

How will you ensure students build the relationships with teachers they need to be successful online?

Just like any school year, our teachers will be working to develop a community in their learning environments in which students feel welcomed and valued.  We will work to establish norms and classroom expectations for learning and interacting with others, even in a virtual setting.  Teachers will engage students in small groups to build community with other students and get to know their students individually.

How will students socialize and interact with each other in their online classroom?

Teachers will spend the first few weeks of school creating school norms and learning expectations to promote a positive learning environment. Our teachers will be working to develop a community in which students feel welcomed and valued. Teachers will host a daily class meeting, in which students can learn about each other and build relationships. Lessons are designed to integrate student experiences that will promote students’ learning about their own identities and cultures while also learning about others.

What is the plan to make virtual kindergarten a fun, play-based learning experience? 

We will work to ensure our kindergarten and preschool students receive instruction that is developmentally appropriate and combines instructional practices that engage students in activities to promote learning joyfully.  We will limit the amount of time students spend on independent (asynchronous) computer-based learning activities and work closely with families to build play and hands-on learning opportunities in their homes. Teachers will deliver live (synchronous) lessons to engage students in meaningful and fun ways.

What is the district's decision-making matrix for considering in-person school? 

The state's Department of Health recently provided decision-making framework to assist local health officers and school districts in making decisions around resuming in-person instruction for public and private K-12 schools during the COVID-19 pandemic. This decision making tool is added to the Department of Health’s (DOHs) K-12 Fall Health and Safety Guidance and both will be updated as the pandemic evolves and additional science becomes available.

As Renton School District will begin the 2020-2021 school year on Sept. 2 with fully in-home learning, we’ve partnered with Right At School to provide fee-based child care services for our district students in kindergarten through fifth-grade.

The program will be offered at three locations spread across the district to make it convenient for families to use the service. Families can select any site that fits their need (you do not need to attend the site closest to your home). We will add an additional site if necessary. Current elementary school sites are:

• Hazelwood
• Maplewood Heights
• Sartori

Highlights of the program:

• Each site will be capped at 100 students (10 students to 1 adult); and students will have to follow health and safety protocols (including wearing a mask) while attending.
• Families are offered several attendance times during the day; and can select specific days of the week to attend. (Pre-registration for each day/week is required through Right At School.)

• Right at School staff will support students with in-home learning while attending childcare sessions. Students should bring their Chromebooks to Right At School sessions. Siblings will be grouped into learning spaces for opportunities to share a Chromebook.

• Pricing for the camps (weekly billing):

  • Morning Camp, 7:30-11:30 a.m., $30/Session
  • Afternoon Camp, 11:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m., $30/Session
  • All Day Camp, 7:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m., 55/Day
    • This price reflects a 35% discounted rate for all participants from regular rates (including free/reduced lunch and educators discounts).

Sign-up now at the camp of your choice:

• Sartori - https://rightatschool-sartori-elementary.jumbula.com/#/school-day
• Hazelwood - https://rightatschool-hazelwood-elementary.jumbula.com/#/school-day
• Maplewood Heights - https://rightatschool-maplewood-heights-elementary.jumbula.com/view#/school-day

For more information about this Right At School program, contact, Monique Sargent, Area Manager, monique.sargent@rightatschool.com 425.457.0319; Jennifer Scott - Area Manager - jennifer.scott@rightatschool.com 253.514.3165

Note:

• The fees paid by families for this program are used to pay Right At School employees who are working through the day to take care of children in the program (they are not school district staff).
• We do not have a free childcare program for essential workers for the fall. In the spring Governor Inslee directed school districts to create a free childcare program for students of essential workers. That program ended as the school year ended on July 19. There’s been no directive by the governor to start the program as we start the new school year.

How to access a Chromebook or other device

We will distribute Chromebooks to families who need them at schools through the end of August. If your student needs a Chromebook, please complete this form. Look for more information from school leadership later this month with details for your school.

NOTE: At the elementary level, we will limit Chromebook distribution to one per family. We currently have a backlog of Chromebooks on order and will receive more devices in the early fall.

What technology support is provided through the school year?

To help ensure students can fully engage in in-home learning, we will continue to provide Chromebooks or other devices for all K-12 students. WiFi hotspots are also available for some students, so they have the tools needed to learn from a distance. During the school year, students and families will have access to in-person technology support by appointment in alignment with safety and social distancing protocols. Find that support here.

Please visit the Technology For Student Learning page to find helpful tools for managing your technology, including:

• Chromebook help - what to do when you run into problems
• Guidelines for device care
• Information about digital tools

If you still need additional support, please reach out to your teacher by email, Google Classroom or Canvas.

Access In-Home Learning Digital Tools

Most Digital Tools can be accessed by students through the RSD Login Portal. Learn more about the tools available on our Digital Resources page.

Below are videos for how students and families can access some of our digital tools.  All of these videos have subtitles.  Students and families can change the language of the subtitles to meet their needs.

• Google Classroom (used in many classrooms grades K-12 for sharing assignments, resources and collaboration)
  • How Students access Google Classroom 
  • How Families access Google Classroom
• Canvas (used in many classrooms grades 6-12  for sharing assignments, resources and collaboration)
  • How Students access Canvas 
  • How Families access Canvas
• Zoom (for live video)
  • How Students access Zoom

For more details, watch this video from Canvas for an overview of the platform for students; and there are many tutorial videos available on the Canvas video page.  Also, this video from Google gives a good overview of Google Classroom, even though it is more aimed at teachers than students.

WiFi Options

While Renton School District has provided many of our students and families with hotspot internet accessibility, there is still a need by some families for internet service.

• Comcast - Internet Essentials is an affordable way for homes who receive public assistance to get online. The plan is available for about $10 per month. In addition, they are increasing speeds for all customers in response to emergency measures associated with the coronavirus, and new customers receive two months free.
  • Or call 1-855-846-8376 for English and 1-855-765-6995 for Spanish.
• Wave - Internet First: This program offers affordable home internet to qualifying households with service costs as low as $9.95 per month. Families are required to apply for this program, but if accepted, will automatically receive 60 days of free service!

2020-2021 School Year Sports Seasons

New guidelines from the Washington Interscholastic Activities Association (WIAA) and KingCo Conference offer a chance that Renton School District athletes could start participating in interscholastic league competition with a modified and shortened sports seasons in late December. The guidelines are possible only of if King County is in Phase 3 or higher of the governor’s Safe Start Washington plan. 

With those requirements in mind, here’s a possible high school athletic schedule for Renton Schools:

• Season 1: Sept. 7-Nov. 1- No interscholastic competition
• Season 2: Dec. 28-Feb. 28- Basketball, Bowling, Boys’ Swim & Dive, Gymnastics, Wrestling.
• Season 3:
  • Feb. 17- May 9- Football
  • March 1- April 25- Regular season Boys’ Golf, Boys Tennis (State events for these sports will take place at the end of season 4).
  • March 1- May 2- Volleyball, Girls Soccer, Girls Swim & Dive, Cross Country
• Season 4:
  • April 26- June 27- Girls Tennis, Fastpitch Softball, Track & Field, Baseball, Girls Golf, Boys Soccer
  • June 14-June 27- State events for Boys’ Golf and Boys’ Tennis  
    • NOTE:  WIAA is aware that the end dates for season 4 are after nearly all high school graduations. They will work with member schools/districts to come up with the best post-season plan for season 4 athletes/teams. 

NOTE:

• All dates are tentative as we continue to adjust our school year in response to COVID-19 pandemic.
• We will attempt to open registration at least four (4) weeks prior to any permissible WIAA sport-related activity.  Please continue to check the Renton School District website four weeks prior to the season start date.
• Due to shortened seasons, practices and contests could be scheduled on Saturdays and during traditional break periods such as Presidents Day and Spring Break.

MIDDLE SCHOOL SPORTS:

Middle school sports seasons will be communicated once Renton Schools is able to return to in-person learning.

July 22, 2020

Renton School District Families and Staff:

When first tasked with considering potential reopening plans for the 2020-21 school year, I shared that my guiding principle would be the safety of our students and staff. While I was, and remain, committed in my desire to get our students back into schools with as much face-to-face time as possible with their teachers and peers, any decision regarding the reopening of our school buildings needs to align with the guidance from our public health officials. 

On Tuesday afternoon, I met with officials from Public Health – Seattle & King County. During our meeting, they shared that they cannot imagine a way to open schools without the risk of significant transmission of COVID-19 based on the current trajectory of infections in King County.

It is for this reason that I have come to the difficult, but necessary, decision that the Renton School District will begin the 2020-21 school year on September 2nd with in-home learning only (please see below for improvements we are making to in-home learning). While I know that this is not ideal and that the decision will result in challenges for some families, I must prioritize the health and safety of our students and staff based on the current guidance from our public health officials.

At this time, we cannot predict how long we will remain in the in-home learning model. However, we will continue to monitor infection rates and rely on public health guidance to determine when we can reopen our school buildings to students.

As I shared last Wednesday, one of the lessons we should take from the spring is to expect change and the need to stay flexible. We should also never lose sight of the importance of remaining united as a community as we respond to this pandemic. While this is true for our broader community, it is particularly true for our students. They are counting on us. Working together, we can help our students and families to have the best start to the new school year as possible.

Sincerely,

Damien Pattenaude
Superintendent

Improvements to In-Home Learning & Communication

We are making improvements to our in-home learning plan, thanks to feedback from families and staff. Moving forward, our goal is to include more live instruction, small group support, and fewer learning platforms. In addition, school teams will collaborate with families to address the individual needs of students, specifically those who qualify for special education and English language learner services. We are working with our bargaining partners now and will soon provide more details on the specifics regarding in-home learning.

Technology for Students

We know that one important resource for in-home learning is technology. With the generous support of our community, our technology levy will allow us to provide all students in grades 6-12 with their own Chromebooks and will provide Chromebooks to any K-5 students who need them. If a family needs internet connectivity, the district will provide them with a hotspot. Information regarding distribution of technology will come from schools next month.

We will continue to update our families, students, and staff through email, phone, on this website, and social media sites including Facebook, Instagram, Twitter.

What is the district's decision-making matrix for considering in-person school? 

The state's Department of Health recently provided decision-making framework to assist local health officers and school districts in making decisions around resuming in-person instruction for public and private K-12 schools during the COVID-19 pandemic. This decision making tool is added to the Department of Health’s (DOHs) K-12 Fall Health and Safety Guidance and both will be updated as the pandemic evolves and additional science becomes available.

(This message was emailed to all families and staff on Wednesday, Sept. 23, 2020.)

District considering gradual return to in-person learning 

Renton School District Families and Staff,

As we prepare to complete the fourth week of the school year, I want to thank our students, families, and staff for their hard work, flexibility, and grace. While there were undoubtedly some bumps along the road, which is true for the start of any new school year, I am impressed and inspired seeing our students and teachers engaged in learning and want to recognize all that our staff and families have done to support this process.  

Although the school year started with remote learning, we continue to monitor county health metrics to determine the potential for providing in-person learning for our students. As of today (9/23), King County has an infection rate of 51 cases per 100,000 residents as shown by Public Health – Seattle & King County’s (PHSKC) key indicators of COVID-19 activity (data is updated weekly). This rate places the county in the moderate range for COVID-19 activity (25-75 cases/100K residents over a 14-day period). When a county reaches the moderate range, school districts can consider in-person learning for elementary students and students that receive special education services in an ILC classroom in accordance with the Washington State Department of Health’s Decision Tree for the Provision of In-Person Learning during the COVID-19 Pandemic.

Given the continuing decrease in cases, during my meeting today with representatives from PHSKC, they recommended that school districts consider having younger students be the first to gradually come back to in-person learning and implementing a phased approach to hybrid and in-person services so that schools, districts, and communities are not overwhelmed.

What this means for the Renton School District
Based on these recommendations, Renton School District staff are starting to develop plans for the potential return of our preschool and elementary students to in-person learning that prioritizes our youngest learners, uses a hybrid schedule, and phases in students by grade level.

Key to the planning process is knowing whether families intend to have their students return for in-person learning or prefer to stay with a remote learning option. To start, families with students in Preschool through 5th grade will soon receive a survey providing an opportunity to share their preference(s). 

Additionally, we are preparing for the eventual opening of school buildings by updating health and safety protocols, creating transportation plans, arranging meal distribution, and addressing a range of other necessary tasks and services. We will also continue conversations with employee groups regarding the potential return to in-person learning.

It is very difficult to predict the future during a pandemic. However, based on the current guidance from PHSKC, we are taking the first steps towards having students return to our school buildings. As we saw this summer, the context, data, and guidance can change quickly. Therefore, we must remain flexible as we move forward. No matter the decision, our guiding principle is, and will remain, the health and safety of students and staff.

We will continue to update you via email, our website, Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.

Thank you, again, for your commitment and hard work. 

Sincerely,

Damien Pattenaude, Ed.D.
Superintendent

As Renton School District prepares to eventually welcome students and staff back to school, facilities staff are making improvements to mechanical, and Heating, Ventilating, and Air Conditioning (HVAC) systems to help mitigate COVID-19 airborne transmission risks.

This presentation will summarize:​

• The functionality of Heating, Ventilating, and Air Conditioning (‘HVAC’) systems in district facilities​
• How those systems relate to COVID-19 transmission​
• Steps Renton SD is taking to mitigate risk