College Place Elementary has joined two other Edmonds School District schools in shifting to remote learning due to a number of staff and students out to illness.

According to a letter that Principal Carla Carrizosa sent to families, remote learning started on Friday, Jan. 14. The school plans to return to in-person learning Monday, Jan. 24.  A total of 20% of teachers and 37% of students are out due to illness, Carrizosa said.

Lynnwood High School and Mountlake Terrace Elementary School announced earlier this week that they had temporarily shifted to remote learning due to staff and student illness:

The Edmonds School District announced in an update to families Monday night that it was “preparing for the possibility to temporarily shift to remote learning” due to the spike in COVID-19 cases. The district also said it is postponing concerts, performances and in-person meetings, and suspending snack breaks for all grade levels to minimize the time students aren’t wearing masks.

The district said its decision to transition to remote learning will be based on either the direction of the state Department of Health or the Snohomish Health District, or on “the district’s ability to have enough staff given absences due to illness.”

The district warned families in a notice Sunday that student transportation could be impacted by a severe shortage of bus drivers “due to illness and Department of Health requirements.”

Here is the complete letter to College Place Elementary families:

Dear families,

Due to the number of staff and students out due to illness, CPE is shifting to remote learning starting tomorrow, Friday, Jan. 14. We are planning to return to in-person learning on Monday, Jan. 24.

Remote learning start date

**First day will be Independent learning day for students**

Friday, Jan. 14

Estimated return to building date

Monday, Jan. 24

Why is the school shifting to remote learning?

20% of teachers are out due to illness.

37% of students are out due to illness.

Details for the shift to remote learning

The first day of remote learning will be an independent learning day for all students. Your teacher(s) will provide assignments for your student to complete. Staff will use this first day as a non-student day to prepare and plan.

The second day of remote learning will operate at the student’s regular start and end times and will include live instruction via Zoom and along with independent learning time.

**UPDATE** Meal kits for students

5-day meal kits will be available for curbside pickup at CPE from 1-2 p.m. Friday, Jan. 14. We will update you with meal kit information for next week soon.

Thank you

We know the quick shift to remote learning will cause challenges for many families. We appreciate your commitment to your student’s learning and please know we are doing everything we can to educate them during this challenging time of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Please reach out to me if you have any questions or concerns.

Sincerely,

Carla Carrizosa

Principal