• All schools statewide remain closed by order of Gov. Jay Inslee.

     

    Friday, June 5
    "Staggering job" losses at schools throughout U.S., poverty areas hit hardest

    Friday, May 22
    Grays Harbor enters Phase 2

    Thursday, May 21
    From the Seattle Times: School 'as usual' unlikely as Washington weighs options for next fall

    Tuesday, April 6
    Governor Inslee extends school closure through end of school year
    "This closure is guided by science and is our greatest opportunity to keep our kids, educators and communities safe," Inslee said at a news conference Monday afternoon. "If there is any opportunity to bring students back for a few days, including graduation ceremonies for our seniors, we will continue to explore that option. That opportunity will be guided by our collective behavior and the success we can achieve with the choices we make today."

    Monday, March 30
    Grays Harbor Public Health reports second case of the virus

    Thursday, March 26
    ASD5 Weekly E-Newsletter contains important information for high school students and the Class of 2020

    Monday, March 23
    Grays Harbor Public Health has opened a bi-lingual Information Line
    Residents can call (360) 964-1850, 8:30am – 4:00pm Monday through Friday

    Friday, March 20
    Watch the governor's press conference on the importance of sheltering in place.

    Monday, March 16
    Letter to families from the Superintendent (pdf) Spanish version coming soon
    leter to families

    Food Service begins tomorrow (March 17) at five locations
    Wes Peterson Park, North End Park, Pioneer Park, Finch Playfield, and Central Park School
    food service

    Friday, March 13
    Governor Inslee orders all schools statewide closed by Tuesday, March 17

    Gov. Jay Insleee announced today (Friday, March 13) that schools across Washington state must close beginning Tuesday, March 17, and will not reopen until Monday, April 27, at the earliest in an effort to prevent the further spread of COVID-19, Gov. Jay Inslee announced Friday.

    The Aberdeen School District will use Monday, March 16, to prepare our students for an extended leave from school, such as checking out devices for students who need them and informing families how to access the Food Service program during the closure.

    "It is unfortunate but it's true that this virus is going to spread to other counties and it is spreading very rapidly. We have concluded that a county by county approach to this epidemic is not sufficient. We need to get ahead of this waive and we need to do it today," Inslee said during a news conference Friday.

    Aberdeen Superintendent Alicia Henderson is asking families and staff to be patient while plans for an extended closure are developed. 

    The district welcomes questions but urges patience into next week for non-emergency issues.

     

    Thursday, March 12
    Governor Inslee closes schools in King, Snohomish and Pierce Counties
    The closures are mandatory with April 27 as the first possible return date -- to be determined as the time nears.

    The governor stated it's likely there will be more closures in the state and all schools should immediately begin planning. Superintendent Alicia Henderson is in regular contact with health officials, neighboring superintendents, and planning in our district for a weeks-long closure has begun.

    Grays Harbor County declares state of emergency
    The Grays Harbor Board of County Commissioners has declared a state of emergency, making it easier for county departments to seek resources and funding during the COVID-19 outbreak, according to The Daily World.

    As of 5:30 p.m. Thursday, March 12, a news release or posting was not available on the county or public health websites, but the newspaper quoted County Public Health and Social Services Department Director Karolyn Holden as requesting the declaration to help facilitate the county’s preparation. Commissioners took the action Thursday at a special meeting. It is limited to 90 days.

    “Basically, it allows us to quickly contract or call in volunteers. It allows us to take advantage of laws that enable us to act quickly in circumstances when quick responses are required,” Holden said.

    But mainly this declaration makes it easier for the county to seek funding.

    “It gives us the ability of not having to go through normal contracting procedures,” Commissioner Randy Ross said. “It also sets us up for getting emergency funding from a higher level (state or federal) if that funding becomes available.”

    We will update this notice if more information is made available by the county.

    Wednesday, March 11
    First COVID-19 case identified on Grays Harbor
    T    he link above will take you to the announcement released by Grays Harbor Public Health & Social Services.
    “We have expected and planned for this,” said Dr. John Bausher, the County’s Public Health Officer.  “The public health system works every day to track and follow up on cases of disease exposure.  The virus is new, but the public health response is not.”
    Follow the link above for more information.

    Governor Inslee issues proclamation restricting large gatherings (pdf)
    The restriction is directed at King, Snohomish and Pierce counties, but the Governor's Office advises they expect it will need to be expanded.

    Tuesday, March 10
    Grays Harbor County has adjusted its recommendation on when to send students back to school who have been ill. The longstanding guidance has been that students may return to school when they been fever-free for 24 hours. That guidance is now 72 hours. The information pasted below is from the county's Coronavirus Update page:

    We do not recommend or require school closure at this time. Schools can:

    • continue standard cleaning procedures, and clean frequently touched surfaces and objects (like doorknobs and light switches). Standard cleaning products are effective. A fresh solution of 10% bleach/water (1 part bleach to 9 parts water) will kill respiratory viruses.

    • supervise handwashing before food is consumed

    • provide handwashing reminders; hand sanitizer

    • exclude students who have symptoms of COVID-19 but have not been around anyone who has been diagnosed with COVID-19 for 72 hour after the fever is gone and symptoms have resolved

    • exclude students who have been diagnosed (confirmed case) with COVID-19 for seven days OR until 72 hours after the fever is gone and symptoms have resolved, whichever is longer

    • exclude siblings in households with confirmed COVID-19 cases from school for 14 days past last exposure (last date of a household member’s fever)

    • instruct parents in households with fever and respiratory illness to monitor their other children’s temperature daily before sending them to school

    • consult public health (for discussion about closure) if school absenteeism from fever and respiratory illness exceeds 20%

    Friday, March 6
    Update from the county: No known cases on Grays Harbor (pdf)
    In addition to the update in the link above, Karolyn Holden, director of Grays Harbor Public Health & Services, released a statement saying that school closures are not recommended at this time. 

    Schools can:

    • continue standard cleaning procedures, and clean frequently touched surfaces and objects (like doorknobs and light switches). Standard cleaning products are effective. A fresh solution of 10% bleach/water (1 part bleach to 9 parts water) will kill respiratory viruses.
    • supervise handwashing before food is consumed
    • provide handwashing reminders; hand sanitizer
    • exclude students with a fever and cough to stay at home for 7 days or until their symptoms have resolved, whichever is longer
    • instruct parents in households with fever and respiratory illness to monitor their other children’s temperature daily before sending them to school
    • exclude siblings in households with confirmed COVID-19 cases from school for 14 days past last exposure (last date of contact with someone who had a fever)
    • consult public health if school absenteeism from fever and respiratory illness exceeds 20%

    Thursday, March 5, 2020
    Health departments aren't recommending school closures
    A blog post from the King County Health Department explains why health officials aren't currently recommending or ordering widespread school closures to combat the novel coronavirus.

    Fact Sheet on Novel Coronavirus (pdf)

    Wednesday, March 4, 2020
    News Release from Grays Harbor County (pdf)
    Grays Harbor County Public Health has announced that two Grays Harbor residents are being tested for the novel coronavirus.

    Monday, March 2, 2020
    Joint Letter to Parents/Families (pdf) 
    The Aberdeen, Hoquiam and Cosmopolis superintendents have issued a joint letter sharing the current response to the Coronoavirus outbreak in our state. It is being translated and will go home with students on Tuesday. (Spanish translation)

    Friday, February 28, 2020
    Letter to Parents/Families (pdf English and Span)
    S    uperintendent Alicia Henderson sent a letter home to families describing her ongoing communications with the Grays Harbor County Health Department regarding the potential for a coronavirus outbreak.