Ask SPS

Hi Stephanie, Thanks for asking. That data is from the current school year and the most recent data that we have.

Hi Bess, I'm sorry you are having trouble finding the COVID dashboard. It is always on the SPS homepage, under Headlines. You can also just go to spokaneschools.org/COVIDdashboard

Hi Elizabeth, Thanks for your message. The COVID dashboard is always on the SPS homepage, under Headlines. You can also just go to spokaneschools.org/COVIDdashboard

Critical Race Theory is not included in any SPS curriculum.

Hi Kassie, We are in close contact with state and local health officials and have plans in place for various scenarios. We will continue to follow their guidance regarding when we would need to return to hybrid or online learning.

Hi Bethany, You can find our COVID dashboard here. Our district is continuing to follow the guidance of state and local health officials, who base their decisions on existing science, expert public health guidance, current policies, stakeholder input, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) COVID-19 Guidance for K-12 Schools.

The Department of Health recognizes that what we and other districts do every day is fundamental to the development and well-being of children. Schools provide academic instruction, support for developing social and emotional skills, safety, reliable nutrition, physical/speech and mental health therapy, and opportunities for physical activity.

But in order to stay in person, we must maintain masking, contact tracing, testing, social distancing, staff vaccination, and other mitigation measures to reduce infection rates.

HI Andrea, I shared your concern with Huttton Principal LaTonya Simmons who responded: I was quite surprised to read this. This is not the DNA of our school and how we serve and support our kiddos. We are a PBIS school focused on modeling and teaching expectations for behavior school-wide. We believe that teaching and reviewing expectations, supports positive behavior and high academic achievement for ALL students. We believe in building strong relationships to create a safe, caring school that is focused on teaching and learning. When students struggle, we implement interventions and supports to help them be successful. We believe that behavior, when it occurs, is a form of communication that must be acknowledged and understood. Every student at Hutton is valued and we want to ensure that kids feel safe and supported in this learning space. What was shared with her is not our practice and not who we are. I would love to speak with Andrea. She can call me anytime at 509-354-3053.

LaTonya Simmons Principal

Hi Heather, Thanks for asking. We are anticipating updated guidelines this week, but currently the guidelines are: Screening testing is required for all unvaccinated athletes in high contact indoor sports (basketball, wrestling). Fully vaccinated athletes do not have to participate in screening testing. Screening testing must be performed twice weekly using a molecular or antigen test.

Hi! You can find the laptop checkout form here.

Hi Concerned Parent, Superintendent Swinyard was asking the SPS community to stay engaged with our district in various ways. Vimeo is among the least effective ways to reach us, which is why we don't lead people to that platform. Here are several ways you can reach out and give comment on whatever is on your mind:

• Attend a school board meeting (virtually or in person) and give comment
• Contact a school board member directly.
• Reach out to a specific individual within our district.
• Engage with us and others in the community via SPS social media channels.
• Route your question through AskSPS@spokaneschools.org, and we'll do our best to get you answers.

Hi Miya, Thanks for the extra information. There is a temporary hold on choice transfers as staffing numbers are examined. Jeannie Brown from Student Services will follow up with you next week.

Meals are free for all students this year!

Hi Samantha, I am so sorry this happened to you. I hope that someone at the school was able to help you this morning. Please connect with staff at Linwood directly to share any feedback or concerns.

You'll be able to get your schedule on the first day of school tomorrow (Sept. 2).

Hi Rob, Sorry for the delay in responding. Our HVAC Foreman, Nick Goodman, shared that we do have the ability to bring in more outside air with portable classrooms if needed. We have control of the schedules remotely and have extended the run times per the L&I, DOH and AHSRAE standards, which in turn increases our daily air exchange rates.

Hi Sarah, We are in close contact with state and local health officials and have plans in place for various scenarios.

Hi Amy, You are always welcome to connect with any teacher or school staff -- you can email or call them to make an appointment.

Hi Abby, Students should be sitting at their own desk during class and while eating lunch. Whenever someone in a school tests positive for COVID, everyone in the school will receive notificatiion. If it is determined that your child had close contact with that person, you will receive additional instruction.

Hi Miya, Can you please provide a little more information about where you heard this?

Hi Jenni, Unvaccinated parents will be allowed to walk their students to class, but in-school volunteers will need to be vaccinated.

Hi Michelle, Thanks for your question. It is rare that mask exceptions are given, but when they are, it's because a health care provider has determined mask wearing to be detrimental to an individual. That is private health care information that cannot be shared.

Thanks for your feedback, Annalisa!

HI Kendra, Thanks for your question. Just like last year, voluntary COVID-19 testing will be free for all SPS staff, students and families whenever they feel they need a test.

Hi Leslie, We have not heard about this. Can you please tell me which high school you are referring to?

Hi Dawn, We are in close contact with state and local health officials and have plans in place for various scenarios. We will continue to follow their guidance regarding when we would need to return to hybrid or online learning.

Hi Nathen, You should be able to find your schedule in PowerSchool, which you can access through Clever, or directly right here. If you have trouble, please reach out to the office staff at Shadle. Their directory is here.

Hi Taylor, It looks like your house is too close to Rogers to qualify for transportation services. Could you possibly get a ride with a friend? If you have trouble finding a way to school, please connect with your counselor.

Hi Krista, All students will return to in-person learning this year, Monday through Friday. Find more back-to-school information here.

Hi Kindra, Please contact your school directly. The office staff should be able to help you. You can find the SPS staff directory here.

Hi Kristine, The Woodridge office staff will best be able to answer that question for you. Find our staff directory here.

Hi Kailey, If all safety protocols are followed, no classroom cohorts will be necessary this year. That being said, kindergarteners will be starting the year in A/B groups for one day only. If you have a kindergartener, your group assignment should have been communicated to you.

Hi Brittane, Please connect with the office staff at Logan to find out when they will be sharing that information. You can find the staff directory here.

Hi Alicia,
Here is the contact info for SVA: Grades K-8: 509.354.7580 Grades 9-12: 509.354.7545

Hi Melissa, Thank you so much for bringing this to our attention. The Durham Safety manager looked into it and responded: "I drove by the stop in question and it needs to be moved one block east to Lincoln and Yale. The stop at Lincoln and Julia has a lot of truck traffic. We will make it happen." Thanks again!

Hi Nikki, Masks will not be required while students are eating.

Not currently. But 6th graders will join Sac when boundary adjustments are implemented on the South side of the school district starting August 2023.

Hi Kaye, Check [Glover's homepage,])https://www.spokaneschools.org/glover) under "Headlines."

Hi Michelle, Thanks for your question! Schools will be reaching out to families this week with information about teachers/class assignments. If you have additional questions, please connect with the Arlington office staff.

Hi Kim, At this time, it looks like field trips will be allowed with all protocols being followed.

Hi Lisa, Please contact the office staff at your school for help with this question. You can find the staff directory here.

Hi Peggy, Boundary adjustments will be implemented on the North side of the school district starting in the August 2022 -- that's next school year. Find out more about the approved boundary changes here.

Hi Margaret, Thanks for your questions. The. COVID vaccine is not currently a requirement for students of any age. On Aug. 18, Governor Inslee announced a new directive legally requiring all K–12 school district employees to get a COVID-19 vaccination or have a medical or religious exemption by Oct. 18, 2021. The Governor’s directive means that all SPS employees, including contractors, will be required to be fully vaccinated by Oct. 18.

Hi Warren, As has been our consistent practice, SPS will continue to follow the guidance of health officials.

Hi Connie, Thanks for your question. The Department of Health is not requiring health checks, and we are following their health guidance as closely as possible. Last year, we found that we didn’t catch any cases of COVID through the attestation, but rather all through contact tracing.

Hi Melory, Please have her contact a counselor at her school. You can find the SPS staff directory here.

Yes, your student can still attend school in person.