Friday, the Bremerton School District announced they would be closing starting Monday, March 16 through Friday, April 24 due to the COVID-19 outbreak.
“We have been following the guidance of our local and state health authorities to stay open as long as possible,” BSD Superintendent Aaron Leavell wrote in a letter Friday to district staff and families. “In light of the closure of all public and private K-12 schools in King, Pierce and Snohomish counties, and Governor Inslee’s request for all remaining school districts across the state to prepare now for closures in their regions, we have made the difficult decision to close schools in the Bremerton School District.”
“We recognize that this will have an impact on our students, our families, our staff, and our community. While educating our students is our primary mission, we also provide critical services and support to numerous families in our area.”
District leaders have been working on a contingency plan for a possible school closure and are currently preparing to:
- Provide remote educational resources for students and families to access
- Offer food options for students who rely on meals from our school nutrition program
- Provide childcare for those parents who work in healthcare and emergency services at the very least
“We are working to finalize our plans with the goal of implementing these programs as soon as possible,” Leavell wrote.
BSD will continue working with state and local partners and will communicate information with the public as it develops. Check the BSD website frequently for updates.
“The Bremerton School District is committed to supporting our children and community through these unprecedented times,” Leavell concluded. “Thank you for your support.”
As of Friday, the Kitsap Public Health District has confirmed three positive tests of COVID-19 in the county; two of which are Bainbridge Island residents and one being a South Kitsap resident. The health district has also confirmed 41 negative tests of COVID-19. At the state level, the department of health has confirmed 31 deaths and 457 cases of COVID-19 as of Friday morning.
