April 30, 2021

Dear Skykomish Families,

Happy Spring! We have had some fantastic weather here in Skykomish.

I hope that each of you had a restful and recuperative Spring Break with your friends and family. We are now preparing for the final few weeks of the 2020-2021 school year. This last quarter of the year is always chockfull with final instructional moments and graduation.

As per Governor Jay Inslee’s Emergency Proclamation 21-05 Children and Youth Mental Health Crisis on April 12^th, we welcomed our 4^th through 7^th grade students back into the building for in-person instruction. On April 19^th, we greeted our 8^th through 12^th grade students back into the building for in-person instruction. All students K-12 have the option to attend in-person or remote learning.

It is hard to believe that we have thirty plus days remaining! Where has the time gone? The past couple of months, have certainly involved finesse, and constant change as we receive new guidance from the State, the Department of Health, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention weekly. We appreciate your patience and resilience as we have navigated this pandemic year.

As we look forward to the 2021-2022 school year there are many unknowns, but we all hope that we can bring back all students full-time so that we can continue to make certain that every child in our District succeeds so that they might become responsible and respectful global citizens, to contribute to their economic well-being and that of their families and their community, to explore and understand different perspectives, and to enjoy productive and satisfying lives.

Our graduation ceremony is planned for June 11, 2021 at 6:00PM outside on our covered playground area. Graduation participation and attendance will be very limited and by invitation only. All graduation participants and attendees will sign-up electronically, attest to be COVID-19 symptom free, wear a mask, and follow all State and Department of Health guidelines.

Enjoy all the fun that lies ahead this spring!

Sincerely,

Thomas Jay

Superintendent

State Testing Update

By: Sonia Bartosek, School Counselor

As you may have heard from Chris Reykdal, Washington State Superintendent of Public Instruction, the State of Washington has sent in appeals to the federal government to either cancel, or make modifications to State testing for this school year. Those appeals have not been accepted. Therefore, Superintendent Reykdal has announced that there will be no Smarter Balance ELA, Smarter Balance Math, or WA Comprehensive Assessment in Science (WCAS) testing this spring.

Federal guidelines must still be met, however. To do this, the current plan is to conduct the state’s Smarter Balance tests and WCAS in the Fall, which stays within the federal window for testing. What that means for you and/or your children is students will be tested in the following manner:

• In the Fall of the 2021-2022 school year, 4^th -9^th & 11^th grade students will be assessed using the Smarter Balance testing for grades 3-8, & 10. Students in grades 6, 9, & 12 will be assessed in science using the 5^th, 8^th, and 11^th grade assessments.

• Any seniors who were relying on state testing to graduate this school year can apply for a waiver since they did not have the opportunity to retake the test either last year, or this year due to COVID-19 emergency rules. The waiver form will be provided to those who need it.

• These testing procedures only meet the requirements for School Year 2020-2021. At this time, the Smarter Balance and WCAS for School Year 2021-2022 will continue in the Spring of next school year.

I will let you know of any definitive changes. Questions or concerns please contact me: sbartosek@skykomish.wednet.edu or 360-677-2623 x 201.