LIST: School districts determine back to school plans

July 29, 2020 3:36 PM

4 News Now Staff,

Posted: July 29, 2020 3:36 PM

Updated: October 28, 2020 9:14 AM

by 4 News Now Staff

Best, worst states for teachers — iStock/AVAVA

SPOKANE, Wash. — School districts across Eastern Washington and North Idaho are continuing to determine plans for a safe and healthy return to school in the fall.

Plans are subject to change and may fluctuate as COVID-19 conditions change. 4 News Now will update this list as districts announce plans or changes.

Eastern Washington

Adams County

Lind-Ritzville School District has expanded on-campus learning to include all PK-5 students. These students are attending in a hybrid learning model of 2 hours daily, 2 times a week in limited numbers. After two weeks of on-campus learning with no COVID-confirmed cases for students or staff, the district will look toward taking the next step. Learn more here.
Othello School District is operating in an online model. The school board has asked the district to begin creating a plan to return to in-person learning when it is safe to do so. More information can be found here.
Washtucna School District has started the year with a hybrid model. Some students are able to learn remotely, while others are back in the classroom for in-person instruction. Find more info here.

Douglas County

Bridgeport School District is operating on a hybrid schedule. Students are returning to in-person learning on a rotating schedule and in small groups. Click here to read the full plan.
Mansfield School District is operating on a hybrid model of learning. Students in grades PK through 6 are returning to in-person learning in small cohorts. You can find more information here.
Orondo School District has started the school year with remote learning. Remote learning schedules can be found here.

Grant County

Almira/Coulee-Hartline School District has started the school year with full-time remote learning, with the goal of moving to face-to-face instruction as soon as possible.
Ephrata School District has started the year with remote learning. Some students who do not have access to internet services have returned for outdoor, in-person learning. Learn more here.
Moses Lake School District has started the school year with a phased approach. High school students are learning remotely and will return to in-person learning as case status changes. Find more information here.
Quincy School District started school online this September. The district is on a 100 percent remote learning model and requires all students to participate from home Monday-Friday.
Royal School District has started the year on a rotating hybrid model of both in-person and remote learning for all students. Students are divided into two cohorts and swap days in the classroom. Learn more here.
Soap Lake School District started the school year with an online model on September 2. Starting October 12, students in preschool through 5th grade will start a hybrid in-person learning model. Learn more here.
Wahluke School District started the year with distance learning starting on September 14.
Warden School District has started the school year with full-time remote learning. High needs students have been approved to return to campus for instruction. Find more information here.
Wilson Creek School District started bringing students back to in-person instruction on October 5. Small groups started then and kindergarten will begin on the 8th. The district plans to move slowly by adding grade bands each week. More info is available here.

Ferry County

Curlew School District has started the year with both in-person or virtual learning. You can learn more here.
Inchelium School District has started the year with distancing learning (Phase 1). The district will begin to bring students back for in-person learning during Phase 2, though a date has not yet been set. Learn more here.
Keller School District has adopted a hybrid model for the start of the school year. Grades 1, 2, 3 and 6 will begin in-school instruction on September 1. Grades 4 and 5 will be in-school with in-person instruction on Mondays, Wednesdays and every other Friday. Grade 6 will be in school on Tuesday, Thursday and every other Friday. Find more info here.
Orient School District began the school year on September 1 with a distance learning model. Updates can be found here.
Republic School District has started the year with an in-person and fully online option. More info can be found here.

Lincoln County

Davenport School District has started into the “yellow” phase of its reopening plan. This means all PK-6 students are learning in-person Monday through Thursday. Students grades 7-12 are onsite four days per week, as well. Fridays include distance learning for all students. More information can be found here.
Harrington School District has a phased reopening plan that changes depending on case status. A breakdown of the phases can be found here.
Odessa School District has started the school year with a hybrid learning approach. All students in grades K-8 are in school for in-person instruction two days per week and three days are spent distance learning. Students have also been split into two groups that alternate days in the classroom. High school students are attending in-person one day per week by grade level cohort. Distance learning is scheduled on the days students are not on site. More info can be found here.
Reardan-Edwall School District has moved to the “yellow” phase of reopening with some modifications. PK-5th grade students are in-person four days a week. An Internet Cafe has also been set up for students who need access between 4-6 p.m. 7-12 grade students are on site for two days per week. More info can be found here.
Wilbur-Creston School District has moved to the moderate level of reopening. Elementary school group sizes have expanded to 15 students. Junior high school students are in a hybrid model, with 8th grade attending on Tuesday and Thursday, and 8th grade attending on Wednesdays and Friday. High school students have been split into two groups in a hybrid model, as well. Learn more here.

Okanogan County

Methow Valley School District is now open for hybrid and in-person instruction for all grades K-12. You can learn more here.
Okanogan School District is working to create a revised reopening plan to serve the entire student population in a hybrid in-person model. Parents can choose to have their student in a hybrid in-person model or remain 100 percent remote. More info can be found here.
Omak School District is planning to bring K-5 students back for in-person instruction on October 12. These students will be divided into two groups and return for face-to-face learning on a rotating schedule. Secondary students will remain in remote learning. Find more information here.
Oroville School District will bring K-6 students back for in-person learning on October 6. K-12 students will be back in class on October 13. Learn more here.
Pateros School District has brought elementary students back for in-person learning. Upper level students continue to learn remotely. More info can be found here.
Tonasket School District has brought K-5 students back for a hybrid model. These students are in-person for two days a week. Upper level students will begin hybrid in-person learning once case rates drop. More info can be found here.

Pend Oreille County

Cusick School District has a hybrid model for students in K-5. Student cohorts receive two days of on-site learning and two days of remote learning. Students in grades 6-12 are learning remotely. More info can be found here.
Newport School District has started bringing students back into school for in-person learning. K-6 students had their first day of onsite instruction on October 5. 9-10 grade students began onsite on October 5, as well. Grades 7, 11 and 12 will begin on-site on October 7. Find the latest info here.
Selkirk School District will soon begin in-person learning four days a week. More information can be found here.

Spokane County

Central Valley School District has started bringing kindergarteners and first graders in for in-person learning. About 75 percent of kindergarteners are in the classroom and the rest are continuing remote learning. First graders will alternate for two days before returning in-person fully on October 23. The district has also announced that second graders will return to in-person learning starting Nov. 4. All other students have three learning options: in-person for those who do not have access to remote services, a hybrid program or fully remote learning. More info can be found here.
Cheney School District has started phasing preschool students and students with disabilities for in-person learning. These students spend two half-days in person and two half-days distance learning. Phasing for special education students begins October 7. The district plans to bring kindergarteners into schools starting on October 12. More info can be found here.
Deer Park School District has started the year with both in-person and remote learning. In-person learning is delivered in a split/rotating schedule. Students are divided into two groups and attend school two days the first week and three days the next. Other students have opted for full-time remote/distance learning. More info can be found here.
East Valley School District has started the year with in-person learning and remote learning. Read more about the plan here.
Freeman School District has started to bring grades K-2 into school for in-person learning. These students have moved to a two-consecutive-days per week cohort model. Grades 3-6 are invited to attend in-person one day a week in a cohort model. Grades 7-12 are continuing to learn remotely until further notice. More info here.
Gonzaga Prep has allowed families to choose between digital or limited in-person learning. Students who chose in-person learning will be allowed on campus one day per week in a small group. Students must sign an agreement acknowledging new school rules and parents must also sign a document committing them to practicing proper health protocols. Learn more here.
Liberty School District has brought students back into school buildings on a rotating schedule. Other students have chosen to complete full-time remote learning. More info can be found here.
Mead School District has started the year with a hybrid learning model, with elementary students returning to the classroom and students grades 6-12 operating on a rotating A/B schedule. You can learn more here.
Medical Lake School District is beginning to phase students back in for in-person learning. The first phase will focus on preschool and kindergarten, and will begin October 12. More info can be found here.
Nine Mile Falls School District started the year with fully remote learning. The district has a phased approach and is looking to phase students back into classrooms starting in mid-October . More info can be found here.
Spokane Public Schools started the school year with a full-time distance learning plan. Kindergarteners will begin in-person instruction through a phased approach starting October 7. All other students remain remote. Learn more here.
St. George’s has started bringing elementary school students in for in-person learning. Grades 6, 7 and 8 students began a staggered return. Learn more here.
West Valley School District started the year with full-time remote learning. Kindergarten students will begin in-person instruction starting Oct. 8. You can find more information here.

Stevens County

Chewelah School District will begin phasing students back into the classroom, starting with grades 1-3 on October 13. Grades K-8 will begin on October 20 and high schoolers will return November 12. Students will be divided into two cohorts that will alternate days in school, with the other days being reserved for remote learning.
Columbia School District will begin phasing students back to school starting on October 12. Students will go to class for half days.
Colville School District has offered families the opportunity for a hybrid learning model – which includes cohort learning and rotating in-person days — or a fully remote learning option. Learn more here.
Kettle Falls School District has started the year with distance learning and move to a hybrid learning plan as soon as it is safe to do so. Once it is safe to do so, the district will begin phasing students back into the classroom. Read more about the reopening plan here.
Loon Lake School District has started the year with distance learning and is working to transition grades K-5 back to in-person learning. Learn more here.
Mary Walker School District started the school year with distance learning, but is transitioning to cohort learning. Students in preschool through 8th grade have started in-person learning one day a week. Learn more here.
Northport School District has started bringing students into school for in-person learning. K-5 attend classes each day from 9:30 to 12:30. Middle school students follow a hybrid schedule of 2 days in-person, with online learning the other days. High school students are also following a hybrid schedule of 2 days in-person and 3-days online. Learn more here.
Onion Creek School District is looking to begin bringing students back into classrooms on October 12. More info can be found here.
Valley School District has started Stage 3 of its 5-stage reopening plan. Grades K-2 will start Oct. 12, grades 3-5 and 9-12 will start Oct. 19 and grades 6-8 will start Oct. 29. Find the latest info here.
Wellpinit School District has started bringing students in for in-person learning. K-2 students are returning to school in a small group model. Middle school students will start Oct. 12 and will return for one day per week. Grades 3-5 will return in small groups on Oct. 19.

Whitman County

Colfax School District has started the year with ‘Distance Learning 2.0.’
Colton School District has started the year with two options for families. The first is in-person, on-site learning for students and the second is distance learning for students who choose that option. Read more here.
Endicott School District has started phasing P-12 students in for face-to-face learning. Information can be found here.
Garfield-Palouse School District has started bringing elementary school students for in-person learning. Middle school students will return on October 15 and high school students will start October 20. Find the latest info here.
LaCrosse School District has brought students into school through a hybrid program. They are in-person four days a week and distance learning one day a week. More info can be found here.
Oakesdale School District has brought students in for in-person learning, though students have the option of being remote. Click here for more information.
Pullman School District has started the year with two learning models: hybrid/in-person learning where students grade K-5 attend full-time and students grade 6-12 attend 2 days per week for in-person instruction. The second model is ‘Distance Learning 2.0.’
Rosalia School District started the year with in-person learning for P-5 students and students with disabilities. Students in grades 6-12 are now being phased into in-person learning. More information can be found here.
Tekoa School District has started bringing all students back for in-person learning. Learn more here.

Universities:

Eastern Washington University: the university is allowing students to live on or off campus, as well as take classes online or in-person. The university has an “online-first” model that ensures all classes are intentionally designed for both online and in-person delivery. Online learning will continue after Thanksgiving break. Find more information here.
Gonzaga University: The university is encouraging faculty to deliver course content in the best way possible based on subject matter. Some lecture courses are being taught online, while others, like science labs, are offered on campus and face-to-face. Find more information here.
Spokane Community College: Students have the choice of in-person or online instruction, and some courses have moved to a hybrid model. Students can learn more here.
Spokane Falls Community College: Students have the choice of in-person or online instruction, and some courses have moved to a hybrid model. Learn more here.
Washington State University: The university has moved all fall instruction online. Click here for more information.
Whitworth University: There are no changes to campus operations this fall, including on-campus housing, dining and student services. Classes will be taught in-person and online.

North Idaho

Boundary County

Boundary County School District is currently in the ‘green’ category, indicating no or isolated community transmission. Students are attending school in-person five days a week, with a remote option available for kids. You can find more information here. They will continue to operate dependent on three categories, which are governed by the school board. Category one, which is defined by no or isolated community transmission, allows students to attend school full time, in-person. Category two, which is defined by minimal/moderate community transmission, includes students attending school two days per week in-person and two days remotely. Students will be divided into groups that alternate. Remote learning will also be available. Category three, which would be put in place if there was substantial community transmission, will move all students home to remote learning. Find the full plan here.

Bonner County

Lake Pend Oreille School District is implementing a Green/Yellow/Orange/Red system, based on the level of COVID-19 transmission in the community. Green is traditional schooling, Yellow decreases class sizes and promotes social distancing, Orange is a modified hybrid learning model and Red is full-time remote learning.
West Bonner County School District is currently in ‘green’ category. They will operate on a Green/Yellow/Red system, indicating various levels of community spread as determined by health officials. Green means students will return for full-time schooling and activities, with health guidelines in place; Yellow means a moderate community spread, and instruction will be shifted to a hybrid model, with students attending on alternating days, and remote learning available; Red means substantial spread, in which case all learning is moved online.

Benewah County

Plummer-Worley Joint School District has students learning in-person five days a week, with remote options for students with health concerns. There are no plans to offer alternate day schedules. You can find more information here.
St. Maries Joint School District plans to open schools to students, with options available for remote learning. The district is basing its reopening plan on rate of transmission in the community, and will adjust based on recommendations from health officials. You can read the full plan HERE.

Clearwater County

Orofino Joint School District will return students to school full-time for in-person learning, with face masks and social distancing required, and stringent cleaning protocols.

Kootenai County

Coeur d’Alene School District has reversed course and is moving Coeur d’Alene, Lake City and Venture High Schools back to a hybrid model; the school board will meet Monday to determine if they should move from ‘yellow’ back to ‘orange’ category. These categories indicate the level of COVID-19 transmission. You can find more information, including COVID cases and quarantine measures, on the CDA Schools website.
Lakeland School District is currently in the ‘yellow’ category. They will operate under different designations depending on the state of COVID-19 in the community. Students will follow a traditional schedule if there is no community spread, meaning students will attend full-time and in-person. There will still be a full-time online option for students. If there is minimum community/school spread, students will move to a modified traditional schedule, meaning students will attend school four days a week, in-person. A full-time online option will still be available. If there is moderate community/school spread, students will shift to a blended learning model where they will alternate between in-person and distance learning. If community spread is substantial, the district will move to complete online learning. Find more information here.
Kootenai School District will operate on a Green/Yellow/Red system, indicating various levels of community spread as determined by health officials. Green means students will return for full-time schooling and activities, with health guidelines in place; Yellow means a moderate community spread, but school will remain full-time, five days a week with more rigorous health guidelines in place; Red means substantial spread, in which case all learning is moved online.
Post Falls School District is in ‘yellow’ category, with students returning to classrooms five days a week. They will operate on a Green-Yellow-Orange-Red system that corresponds with community spread. Green means there is evidence of isolated cases and no evidence of exposure in large communal settings. This will allow for regular in-person learning. An online option will be available. Yellow means community spread and/or sustained transmission with high likelihood or confirmed exposure in communal settings. Students will still attend school full time with implementation of a mask mandate and other procedures in accordance with the health district. Orange means there is widespread community transmission. PFSD schools will shift to an alternate day hybrid schedule with some part-time in-person learning and part-time at home. Red means there is large-scale community transmission and PFSD will shift to full-time remote learning. Find more information here.

Latah County

Genesee Joint School District is currently under ‘green’ category, with students in classrooms full time; they will operate on a Green-Yellow-Orange-Red system that will shift as case rates do. Students will go to class in-person under the Green level, restrictions will be put in place for Yellow, students will move to a hybrid level under Orange and at-home learning will be implemented if the district goes into the Red phase. More info can be found here.
Kendrick Joint School District will operate on a Green-Yellow-Red system that outlines what students, parents and staff can expect under different conditions. Green means schools will reopen and students will attend class in-person. Yellow means schools will shift to a hybrid schedule, with students alternating days in the classroom and distance learning. Red means students will stay at home and do full distance learning. Learn more here.
Moscow School District will implement a hybrid model, but will also offer full-time remote learning.
Potlatch School District is implementing a hybrid model of learning; students will attend alternating days with the goal of learning in-person at least two days per week, and the remainder of their weekly instruction will be held online. The School Board will continue meeting to determine face mask usage and other guidelines.
Troy School District will operate on a Green-Yellow-Red system that outlines what students, parents and staff can expect under different conditions. Green means schools will reopen and students will attend class in-person. Yellow means schools will shift to a hybrid schedule, with students alternating days in the classroom and distance learning. Red means students will stay at home and do full distance learning. Find more information here.
Whitepine Joint School District currently has students in the classroom five days a week. They are using a Green/Yellow/Red system indicating various levels of community spread as determined by health officials. Green will return students into school full-time for in-person instruction, Yellow indicates a hybrid learning model with students attending alternate days, and Red means all students will learn remotely.

Nez Perce County

Culdesac Joint School District has students in-person five days a week with masks only required when social distancing cannot be observed. Students exhibiting multiple symptoms of COVID-19 will be asked to stay home. You can find more information here.
Lapwai School District is having students in classes on alternating days in ‘cohorts.’ For more information, click here.
Lewiston Independent School District is implementing a Green/Yellow/Red system indicating various levels of community spread as determined by health officials. Green means students will return for full-time schooling and activities, with health guidelines in place; Yellow means a moderate community spread, and instruction will be shifted to a hybrid model, with students attending on alternating days, and remote learning available; Red means substantial spread, in which case all learning is moved online.

Shoshone County

Kellogg Joint School District has students in classes five days a week, with the county currently in ‘yellow’ category. Masks are required. You can find more information here.
Mullan School District has outlined three options for reopening based on community spread, with the goal of offering full-time in-person classes. Online options will also be available to students.
Wallace School District will operate depending on community spread. If there is no community spread, all students will return to class. If there is minimal to moderate community transmission, a limited number of students will be allowed in school buildings. Schools will transition to a soft closure if there is substantial community spread. Find information about Silver Hills Elementary here and Wallace Jr./Sr. High School here.

Universities:

North Idaho College: Instruction will be delivered through multiple methods, including face-to-face, hybrid and virtual. Classes offered in-person are being designed and prepared to seamlessly migrate to a virtual format if warranted. Additionally, general education courses will be available, but not guaranteed in all cases. Find more information here.
University of Idaho: The university is set to begin in-person classes at the start of the school year. Find more info here.

Did we miss a school, district or update? Send us an email at news4@old.kxly.com.