Today we received new guidance from the Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department which shows that Pierce County has now transitioned from the high level to the moderate level of COVID-19 infection.

This is good news for our staff, students and their families. Please see the attached letter from 14 Pierce County Superintendents about the timeline for resuming in-person teaching and learning.

We want our students and staff back in school as soon as it’s safe to do so, but with Labor Day weekend before us, we are concerned that the positive trend of reduced infections could relapse with the long weekend’s activities.

We want to encourage all residents of Pierce County to continue to wear their masks and observe social distancing standards while they enjoy the weekend with their friends and family.

Doug Boyles
Director of Communications
Bethel School District

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This is a message from the following Pierce County School Districts: Bethel, Carbonado Historical, Clover Park, Dieringer, Eatonville, Fife, Franklin Pierce, Orting, Puyallup, Steilacoom Historical, Sumner-Bonney Lake, Tacoma, University Place, and White River.

Now that some of our districts have started school remotely, there has been a lot of speculation about when schools will reopen for in-person learning.
Today we received new guidance from the Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department which shows that Pierce County has now transitioned from the high level to the moderate level of COVID-19 infection.

Between now and Sept. 21, districts will be monitoring data and developing transition plans. None of our districts will bring students back before Sept. 22. Once a district decides to bring students back to school, they may need at least two weeks of operational transition time before they reopen their doors at the elementary level.

The districts will continue to monitor county trends and work with public health officials to determine when secondary students may return in the future.

With Labor Day weekend before us, we are concerned that the positive trend of reduced infections could relapse with the long weekend’s activities. We want to encourage all residents of Pierce County to continue to wear their masks and observe social distancing standards while they enjoy the weekend with their friends and family.

Tom Seigel – Bethel School District
Jessie Sprouse – Carbonado Historical School District
Ron Banner – Clover Park School District
Michael Farmer – Dieringer School District
Krestin Bahr – Eatonville School District
Kevin Alfano – Fife Public Schools
Lance Goodpaster – Franklin Pierce Schools
Dr. Tony Apostle – Orting School District
Dr. John Polm – Puyallup School District
Janel Keating Hambly – White River School District
Dr. Kathi Weight – Steilacoom Historical School District
Dr. Laurie Dent – Sumner-Bonney Lake School District
Carla Santorno – Tacoma Public Schools
Jeff Chamberlin – University Place School District