Class will be back in session for students of the North Kitsap School District next week … well, sort of. Though the district’s schools will remain closed following an extension of Governor Jay Inslee’s order for residents to stay home through May 4, teachers will begin remotely guiding instructional activities and tasks to support daily learning starting April 13.
Although NKSD will not be working to replicate a six-hour school day, teachers will be regularly checking in with students to ensure that learning continues throughout the closure of schools.
As for what the adaptation could mean for North Kitsap High School and Kingston High School seniors hoping to graduate in June, NKSD Communications and Community Relations Coordinator Jenn Markaryan said, that remains to be seen.
“The State Board of Education will likely be voting on the plan for seniors next week,” Markaryan said in an email to the North Kitsap Herald Friday, April 3. “We have followed current [Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction] guidance on engaging with our seniors to ensure that they continue to be on track to graduate.”
Markaryan also added that seniors with limited access to technology in their homes, were provided with laptops by the district. Markaryan also added that as of April 3, the last day of school is still June 19.
In a March 26 letter to district families, Superintendent Laurynn Evans said the district’s priority was to ensure that seniors have completed all requirements to graduate.
“Our staff are contacting all families to outline how each senior can actively work on meeting graduation requirements,” Evans said. “At this point in time, we are focused on seniors completing their High School and Beyond Plans (HSB) — a critical requirement for graduation. If you are a senior and you have not completed this, please talk with your counselor or principal to develop a plan to do so as soon as possible.”
North Kitsap School District recently added guidelines for remote learning to its website, one set of guidelines for students in kindergarten through grade 5 and a separate set for students in grades 6 through 12.
Grades K-5
Learning activities will be provided to all families to help students engage in remote learning at the following levels, per OSPI guidelines:
- Pre K: 30 minutes per day
- K-1: 45 minutes per day
- 2-3: 60 minutes per day
- 4-5: 90 minutes per day
Grades 6-12:
- Activities may look like daily worksheets, book assignments, portfolio work, projects, experiments, reading assignments and writing assignments.
- For families that do not have technology or internet access, the district will provide a guide and resources printed on paper or placed on a thumb drive, which will be available at Grab and Go meal pick-up locations, Monday through Friday from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
- All completed work should be sent to teachers directly through email, or dropped off at Grab and Go Meal locations.
- Teachers will provide feedback to students who return work.
Teacher office hours
Teachers will be available for communication, questions and support during hours published by the school.
This time is used for students to contact their teachers with questions and requests for help.
Teachers may use a virtual chat room through Zoom or they may be available to respond to emails. If Zoom is used, teachers will send out directions and an invitation for each student to use. Proper settings will be used to ensure proper security. Participation will always be optional and no student will be penalized for not participating.
