Some big school districts in King County say they plan to start the school year off virtually instead of in person. Those districts include Seattle, Bellevue, Renton and Highline.
The news comes as a relief to a lot of teachers, who have been worried that in-person school would jeopardize their health. And while some families also prefer remote school amid the COVID-19 pandemic, it presents significant challenges for working parents. And some students are at risk of falling behind.
“I would like to see an opportunity for us to take this time to find and engage our students who have gone missing, students who are homeless, students in foster care,” said Molly Mitchell with the Seattle Council PTSA. “How can we provide mental health support and community support for young people who are maybe living in trauma?”
Public Health — Seattle & King County says it’s been offering information and data to school district leaders making plans for fall. The agency says COVID-19 transmission is of serious concern right now, and the average daily number of new cases is now more than four times what it was in early June.
