School Closure: What Yakima families need to know

YAKIMA, Wash.-- The Yakima School District announced Sunday that schools throughout the district will close on Monday, and remain closed for the next week in an effort to reduce the spread of COVID-19.

The closure comes on the heels of Gov. Jay Inslee's announcement Friday that all schools across the state need to close no later than Tuesday, March 17, and remain closed through April 24, 2020.

Inslee also asked schools to continue providing meals to students, and provide distance learning opportunities for 11th and 12th grade students, so they remain on track to graduate on time.

The Yakima School District provided families and caregivers with some information as the closure goes into effect on Monday:

Student Medication: A member of the district's health services team will contact the parents or guardians of students who have medication at the school to schedule a time and procedure for collecting the medication.

Food Services: Beginning Tuesday, March 17, 2020, Grab-and-Go meals will be available on weekdays in the parking lots at all YSD schools between the hours of 10:30 am and 12:30 pm. Sacks of food will be available for youth ages 1-18, with each bag containing one lunch and one breakfast per day. A child must be present to receive food.

YSD Employees Work Status: Supervisors will contact employees who need to report to work. Some staff are essential and will be asked to report; some will have job assignments and professional development that can be accomplished via telecommuting.

Child Care for first responders and health care providers begins Monday, March 23. Anyone in one of those essential jobs with children in the Yakima School District, can email work credentials to responderschildcare@yakimaschools.org and notify the district of their need for care. More information will be provided at that time.

Extended Learning: At this time, YSD is unable to provide formal extended learning opportunities equitably to all students. However, the district will provide learning activities and opportunities on its website.

Continue to check here, and on the Yakima Public Schools Website for updates.