Dear Wolves
We appreciate your patience and understanding as we once again had to switch to remote learning, albeit for a much shorter duration of six days. The goal is to reopen for in-person learning on January 21, and stay open, as we know the best place for learning to happen is at school. However, we also know a lot more than when we closed the first time on March 12, 2020. We expect a seamless transition into and out of remote learning, and from what we have learned in the past, we know we can deliver more effective remote instruction.
As previously shared, students will have asynchronous learning today and tomorrow and resume the normal bell schedule in a remote setting on Friday. Students cannot be on other open school campuses during asynchronous days.
Currently teachers are working to provide quality remote instruction for four days and adjusting their plans for the end of the semester and Finals.
Rationale for School Closure
The school closure became necessary due to a staffing shortage. Over the last few school days, we have averaged over 20 staff absences and 8 uncovered teaching positions. For months, Eastlake teachers have stepped up to fill these vacancies, but this was no longer feasible. Regardless, we also did not have the staffing resources to adequately contact trace positive Covid cases. Finally, we had 531 students absent yesterday, meaning almost 25 percent of our students missed instruction, requiring teachers to support them in-person, concurrently and asynchronously.
Prior to reopening, we will need to revisit our processes to both cover classes and contact trace, as well as double down on our prevention measures.
If you are interested in becoming an emergency sub to support Eastlake and the rest of the LWSD, please contact me.
Wolf Strong Pack Strong
Chris Bede, Principal
Eastlake High School