Plans to Reopen Schools in the Fall At a study session of the Peninsula School Board held virtually last night, board members agreed with the district’s recommended framework to start the 2020-2021 school year by inviting all students back to classrooms in September. District plans are aligned with guidance provided by the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI) that was released last week addressing what it will take to reopen in the fall. District leaders presented initial plans for learning, statutory requirements, health and safety, and reducing disease transmission to the board. “On behalf of the school board, I want to thank the district, those who served on the reopening task force, and all of the people who responded to the first reopening survey,” said School Board President, Deb Krishnadasan. “We read through all of the feedback and heard you say that we want to be back in schools. And if we want to equitably educate all of our students, then they need to be back in school.” The district is required to submit a reopening plan to OSPI two weeks before school starts on September 8. To watch a recording of the meeting, please visit the school board page on the district’s website.Grab and Go Meal Service to Continue over Summer We’re excited to share the news that PSD’s Grab & Go meal program will continue over the summer through August 28, 2020. This program was established in March to help support families during the school closures due to COVID-19. Meals are free to all students ages 18 and under. Students do not need to qualify for free or reduced meals to receive a lunch, and no forms or registration are required. Lunch and breakfast packs are available for pickup at meal hub locations Monday-Friday between 11 a.m. - 1 p.m. and are also delivered along bus routes. Lunch is a 'grab and go' sack lunch style, with either a sandwich or wrap with fruit, vegetables, and milk. A breakfast offering (to enjoy the morning of the following day) is available to pick up at the time of the Grab & Go hub or along an established meal delivery route. Weekend meal kits are also available on Fridays. You can read more about Grab & Go hub locations, meal delivery bus routes, and weekend meal kits here. Questions can be emailed to info@psd401.net. Please note the following for summer meal distributions:
PSD to Provide Navy National Defense Cadet Corps Program Located at Peninsula High School, the program will be available to all high school students ages 14 and older throughout the district. Planning will begin immediately with a goal of starting the program in 2021. The NNDCC program structure provides the same curriculum, training, and competition opportunities for students as the Navy Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps (NJROTC) program. All JROTC programs currently have waitlists, so Peninsula School District applied to host an NNDCC site in an effort to provide the important pathway option for students. Peninsula High School was awarded a unit by the Navy after a rigorous evaluation process. More information about NNDCC is available on the program’s FAQ page.Stay Strong PSD - Virtual Art Exhibition PSD invited all students to use their creative expression and show what it means to Stay Strong PSD with our virtual art exhibition. Students could choose any medium for their artistic expression, including poetry, music, painting, 3D creation, photography, baking, woodworking, and more. Digital submissions were due on June 12, and are now being posted to our website. Outstanding entries will be featured soon on social media. School Construction Update We are pleased to announce that all of our elementary school construction projects are officially under construction. Artondale Elementary School was the final school to kick off construction with a groundbreaking ceremony on June 10. The 79,000 square foot facility will be constructed on the school's existing upper playfield. After the new school is opened, the existing school will be demolished and a new playfield will be constructed. The new Artondale Elementary will house over 33 classrooms and plans to open in the fall of 2021. View our event photos here. 2019-2020 School Year in Review We want to thank you all for your hard work, patience, and understanding as we managed the interruption in our education system due to COVID-19 this school year. We have greatly missed working directly with our staff and students this spring and are excited to plan for the fall of 2020. Here’s a slideshow capturing images of this unique school year. Thank you! Stay healthy and safe this summer. |
