Dear Rangers,

We have kept our schools open as long as possible, as recommended by state and local public health authorities. We know that in addition to education, schools provide vital support to our communities and that closure will have a major impact on our families. Please take a moment to read this entire message. 

As ordered by Governor Inslee, All Quilcene Public Schools will close to students, effective Tuesday, March 17 through April 24. This includes West Sound Tech.

Monday, March 16 is the last day of school in the Quilcene District through April 24, including athletics, activities and clubs. 

School offices will remain open through Friday, March 20 so families can pick up their student’s medication and other personal items. We will continue to post information, updates, and resources on our website and our Facebook page.

Our district office will remain open through the closure, should families need to contact us. Our School Board will continue to meet and govern our school district in this challenging time.

We understand that extended school closure will create hardship for many families. The school day is the centerpiece of the lives of many people. Children count on the reliable routine that a school day offers, from the classroom setting to the many people at school who know them, care for them and provide recognition of them five days a week.

Families, too, count on that routine and the knowledge that their children are cared for during the day. It allows them to tend to their workday or focus on the other pieces of life that need to be taken care of–and there are many.

Contemplating weeks without that structure and care may seem overwhelming. Please know that we are doing our very best to make decisions that will help care for all of us through this time.

Meals for Students 

Meals will be available to all youth 18 and under starting this Tuesday, March 17. We are working on a plan that will likely be a combination of limited delivery and on-site pick-up. As those details are worked out, we will send out information.

No forms or registration are required. Students can drop by to pick up a meal. Breakfast and lunch will be distributed at the same time. We encourage families to pick up the meals and eat at home, to encourage social distancing. Meals will be available Monday through Friday.

Over the next few days, we will communicate our plan to support families in the following ways:

• Providing learning support materials online, via email and hard copy. These are not meant to be a substitute for classroom instruction but will help students practice their skills and learn independently during the closure.
• Providing emergency childcare for our families of healthcare professionals and first responders, and other workers who need to continue working during our closure, and are unable to provide other means of safe supervision. Please complete the form that was sent home with students today and return it to school on Monday if you are in need of childcare.
• Providing support to our 11th and 12th-grade students to ensure they complete graduation requirements. 

We will be sending frequent updates with information and resources via email, Facebook, the website and social media channels. We know families have many questions and we are doing our best to get you answers. You may call or email me, and we will work to provide answers in our regular updates.

We are so grateful for your patience and understanding as we continue to work through this difficult situation. We will get through this challenge together. 

Thank you,

Frank Redmon