Today Gov. Inslee announced that activities and events involving more than 250 people in King, Pierce and Snohomish counties will be canceled to limit the spread of coronavirus. As a result, Vancouver Public Schools’ students and staff will not travel to athletic competitions and activities being held in those three counties.
VPS’ postponed or canceled activities and events include:
- March 14, baseball, Puyallup, (Skyview High School)
- March 20-22, Mock Trial in Olympia, (Columbia River High School)
- March 21, Jazz Festival in Fife, (Columbia River High School)
- March 23, University of Washington Math Day at University of Washington (Fort Vancouver High School)
- March 23, boys soccer, Puyallup (Skyview High School)
- March 25, boys soccer, University Place (Skyview High School)
If you have questions about additional athletic competitions or activities, please contact your child’s coach, school principal or athletic director.
New guidelines for illness:
Staff members and students should stay home when sick. Anyone who is experiencing a fever, cough, and/or shortness of breath, should stay home until fever-free for at least 72 hours.
Next steps:
Vancouver Public Schools will continue to closely monitor the evolving situation and remain in regular communication with state and local health department officials.
Answers to a few common questions:
Are VPS schools going to be closed?
As of today, March 11, our schools are open. We are communicating with the Clark County Public Health Department and relying on its guidance to help determine if school closures are necessary.
Safety is a top priority. We also take the decision to close schools very seriously, recognizing that closures can pose difficulties for families and disrupt children’s education. We would consider the facts and both the potential benefits and negative consequences of closures before making a decision.
If schools were to close, we could provide notifications a variety of ways:
- Text message
- Phone call
- Mobile app notification
- Website posts
- Social media: Facebook and Twitter
- Info line: 360-313-1401
Please ensure that your contact information is up to date with your child’s school.
What if my child is medically fragile or has other health concerns?
Please call your child’s health care professional to determine if it is safe for your child to continue attending school. If you decide to keep your child home, please let the school know about the absence.
For answers to more frequently asked questions, please visit our coronavirus webpage.
Please continue to monitor your child’s health, determine what is safe for your child and plan for childcare in the event that health officials direct schools to close.
We will continue to provide you with updates.
Thank you for your attention to this important matter.
Sincerely,
Steve Webb, Ed.D.
Superintendent