I hope your family is finding some time to relax this summer. My dog is the best alarm clock each morning, waking us up for our daily neighborhood walk. I have also been spending time on the deck enjoying the sunshine and games of Uno with my family.
I write today to share a few updates with you. Please join me in welcoming Briana Veleber as our part-time Physical Education Teacher. She will replace Jana Kohler who has taken a full time PE position at another school. While we are sad to see Ms. Kohler go, we are excited to get to know Ms. Veleber!
The school itself has been busy this summer. The Boys and Girls Club is on site with students daily. SPS Facilities Staff have been on site this week resurfacing our parking lot and playground and will soon begin repainting the playground.
Science continues to ground the district’s response to COVID-19. On July 22, Superintendent Juneau recommended that all schools open remotely in response to the increased spread of COVID-19 in our community. That recommendation will be discussed and acted upon by the SPS Board of Directors at an upcoming meeting.
Starting school remotely may present a hardship for many families and be a disappointment for many of our students. We are looking forward to connecting with your children and committed to making this year successful. Lawton teachers learned a great deal from our experiences this past spring. A group of Lawton teachers has been meeting remotely this summer to develop school-wide systems to support and engage students and families in the upcoming school year. Once we receive detailed guidance from SPS, more information, including specifics around school schedules, will be shared with the entire Lawton community.
SPS will be training educators on how to provide live, equitable, high-quality remote instruction with a predictable and consistent schedule on common platforms. SPS will also ensure our students receiving special education services are provided instruction in alignment with Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) and 504 plans. We recognize that remote learning cannot fully meet the needs of some students with unique needs, and SPS is evaluating the ways in which we can provide support for those students while continuing to follow public health guidance. Families have shared that students’ mental health and wellness is a top concern, and these supports will be prioritized as we reopen school online.
As the environment and information around COVID-19 continues to shift and change, we will adapt and respond as quickly as possible. In the meantime, please check the SPS website for the most up-to-date information: www.seattleschools.org.
Sincerely,
Dr. Allison Deno