Superintendent's September 13, 2021 Weekly Update

In the 1980s, I taught in a very rural area and also worked as a volunteer EMT for the regional ambulance service. In the best of conditions, we were a two hour drive on gravel and paved roads to a hospital. Unfortunately, there were times when this was too far for our patients. In our region, we have excellent medical care within minutes, but only if they have both beds and trained staff available to respond. Today, we have Eastmont parents and neighbors who work in regional medical care who will all share stories of shortages of beds, staff, and supplies within our own valley. None of us know if the next patient who needs a bed in a hospital may be a family member, friend, neighbor, or our self.     I share this because like medical providers, Eastmont is working hard to offer daily on campus services to our student, but just barely keeping up. We need your help to help us meet compliance requirements, but also be understanding when lines are long, messages don't always get returned as fast as usual, or unusual things might happen.  As are many employers, we have staff shortages due to our employees needing to be home for a personal, family, or close friend exposure to COVID or other related situations.   We are also experiencing shortages in supplies, curriculum, and parts for both minor and major repairs. Fortunately, Eastmont has one of the top school district maintenance departments in the State along with some professional trades people who are geniuses at finding solutions to very challenging problems.   Eastmont continues to comply with and implement the COVID safeguards as issued by the Governor, WA Department of Health, and Chelan-Douglas Health District. Though difficult, our strict compliance is protecting our workforce and allowing us to continue to provide on campus services and activities. This would not be possible if it were not for the cooperation of employees, students, parents, and visitors. Current Activities: All students are starting their third week of full days on campus other than those choosing Eastmont Academy for remote type instruction.   Fall athletic and extracurricular activities are being held. Though teams across the state are having to forfeit games or cancel competitions due to bus and official shortages as well as players being quarantined for COVID exposure.  Required Safeguards Masks covering the nose and mouth are to be worn by all employees, students, and visitors when inside our buildings. The only exception is if they are engaged in specific WIAA sporting activities. Any mask exemptions are rare and must have the approval of the County Health Officer.   Staff are only allowed to remove masks when inside if they are working alone or behind a 4 sided barrier. Ventilation of inside spaces and buses continues to be a high priority.  Though students may sit 3' from each other in school and up to 3 per bus seat, both staff and students are asked to be 6' distanced from others whenever possible. This prevents employees and students from having to quarantine should it later be found they were exposed to a COVID positive individual while on campus.   When outside, masks are not required for students, staff, or visitors other than when total participant group size is anticipated to exceed 500. COVID Dashboard for Prior Week Please know that when the opportunity is available to return to pre-pandemic operations, Eastmont will do this as quickly and as safely as possible. Sincerely, Garn Christensen Superintendent PS:  Please consider working for Eastmont as a substitute or regular bus driver. We offer free training, and competitive wages and benefits. We also have openings for paraeducators as well as substitute openings for teachers, paraeducators, and custodians.  

Monday, Sep 13 2021

Superintendent's September 7, 2021 Weekly Update

Those sick or hospitalized with COVID in our community continues to increase.  As we did last year, Eastmont will continue to comply and implement the COVID safeguards as issued by the Governor, WA Department of Health, and Chelan-Douglas Health District. The cooperation of students, parents, employees, and visitors helps keep Eastmont able to provide on-campus services and activities. Current Activities: All students are starting their third week of full days on campus other than those choosing Eastmont Academy for remote type instruction.   Fall athletic and extracurricular activities continue though many are being canceled around the state due to bus and official shortages as well as players and teams being quarantined for COVID exposure.  Required Safeguards Masks covering the nose and mouth are to be worn by all employees, students, and visitors when inside our buildings. The only exception is if they are engaged in specific WIAA sporting activities. Any mask exemptions are rare and must have the approval of the County Health Officer.   Staff are only allowed to remove masks when inside if they are working alone or behind a 4 sided barrier. Ventilation of inside spaces and buses continues to be a high priority.  Though students may sit 3' from each other in school and up to 3 per bus seat, both staff and students are asked to be 6' distanced from others whenever possible. This prevents employees and students from having to quarantine should it later be found they were exposed to a COVID positive individual while on campus.   When outside, masks are not required for students, staff, or visitors. COVID Dashboard for Prior Week Please know that when the opportunity is available to return to pre-pandemic operations, Eastmont will do this as quickly and as safely as possible. Sincerely, Garn Christensen Superintendent PS:  Please consider working for Eastmont as a substitute or regular bus driver. We offer free training, and competitive wages and benefits. We also have openings for paraeducators as well as substitute openings for teachers, paraeducators, and custodians.  

Tuesday, Sep 07 2021

Superintendent's August 30, 2021 Weekly Update

Those sick or hospitalized with COVID in our community continues to increase. Similar to many employers in our region, maintaining an adequate workforce so we can safely provide services to students and our community is our highest priority. We have communicated to our employees the latest mandate from the Governor that all school employees be vaccinated by October 18th or have an approved religious or medical accommodation request approved and in place. Since this requirement was added, we have received several requests from parents asking about the vaccination status of employees and other students who may interact with their students. Please know the vaccination status of all employees and students is private and protected information that is not shared with others. Similar to last year, identified outbreaks and high rates of infection will likely result in the class, school, program, or district being directed to return to off-campus only remote learning. Already in our region, fall athletic games and classrooms are being sent home. As we did last year, Eastmont will continue to comply and implement the COVID safeguards as issued by the Governor and State Department of Health. Current Activities:  All students are starting their second week of full days on campus other than those choosing Eastmont Academy, pre-school and kindergarten which are starting this week.  Fall athletic and extracurricular practices and activities continue. We have been required to send home athletes in all sports due to off-campus exposures. Required Safeguards  Masks covering the nose and mouth are to be worn by all employees, students, and visitors when inside our buildings. The only exception is if they are engaged in specific WIAA sporting activities. Exemptions are rare and must have the approval of the County Health Officer.   Vaccinated staff are only allowed to remove masks when inside if they are working alone or behind a 4 sided vapor barrier. Ventilation of inside spaces continues to be a high priority.  Staff and students are asked to be 6' distanced from others whenever possible. This prevents employees and students from having to quarantine should it later be found they were exposed to a COVID positive individual while on campus.   When outside, masks are not required for students, staff, or visitors. We need and appreciate your cooperation with our safeguards. Strictly complying with these will help support our efforts to maximize student time on campus, continue to offer extracurricular and athletic programs, and not be identified as a community transmission site.     Please know that when the opportunity is available to return to pre-pandemic operations, Eastmont will do this as quickly and as safely as possible. Sincerely, Garn Christensen Superintendent PS:  Please see the attached flyer and consider working for Eastmont as a substitute or regular bus driver. We offer free training, competitive wages and benefits, and the students on the bus will provide great stories and many many smiles. We also have openings for paraeducators. 

Monday, Aug 30 2021

Superintendent's August 23, 2021 Weekly Update

COVID rates, hospitalizations, and mandated safeguards have increased over the last two weeks. In response, we are tightening all safety procedures in order to maintain our workforce and continue to offer on campus instruction for students. As we did last year, Eastmont will continue to comply and implement the COVID safeguards as issued by the Governor, WA Dept. of Health, and Chelan Douglas Health Department. These will be required by all employees, students, and others who visit our campuses. This is a result of the continuing Washington State Health Emergency that requires our compliance as a state funded public service. The majority of legal opinions, include the State Attorney General, are that school districts are obligated to comply as these serve as law during a declared State Health Emergency. Current Activities:   All students are starting full time on campus with pre-pandemic weekly schedules starting August 25th other than those choosing Eastmont Academy, which is mostly remote. The other exception is pre-school and kindergarten that begin their school year with scheduled family appointments for the first week.    Fall athletic and extracurricular practices and activities have started. Masks will not be required to attend any outside games. Mask are required for spectators and sometimes for players at inside activities.  Required Safeguards  Masks covering the nose and mouth are to be worn by all employees, students, and visitors when inside our buildings. The only exception is if they are engaged in specific WIAA sporting activities. Exemptions are rare and must have the approval of the County Health Officer.   Vaccinated staff are only allowed to remove masks when inside if students and children are not present and they are working alone or behind a 4 sided vapor barrier. Ventilation of spaces continues to be high priority, though this will be balanced with securing schools and limiting access.    Staff and students are asked to be 6' distanced from others whenever possible. This prevents people from having to quarantine should it later be found they were  exposed to a COVID positive individual while on campus.   When outside, masks are not required for students, staff, or visitors. We will be preparing and sharing our weekly COVID Dashboard starting next Monday.  We need and appreciate your cooperation with our safeguards. Strictly complying with these will help support our efforts to maximize student time on campus, continue to offer extracurricular and athletic programs, and not be identified as a community transmission site.     With the recent addition of the Governor's vaccination requirement for all employees, we anticipate some employees may choose to leave employment. Because of this, our need for vaccinated substitute employees in all categories will likely be higher than ever before. Please consider applying to be on our substitute list in support of our efforts to keep schools operating as close to normal as possible. As before, our shortage of substitute bus drivers will be limiting our ability to participate in sports and other activities unless we recruit more drivers. Please know that when the opportunity is available to return to pre-pandemic operations, Eastmont will do this as quickly and as safe as possible. Sincerely, Garn Christensen Superintendent PS:  Please see the attached flyer and consider working for Eastmont as a substitute or regular bus driver. We offer free training, competitive wages and benefits, and the students on the bus will provide great stories and many many smiles. 

Monday, Aug 23 2021

Superintendent's August 12, 2021 Update for the Star...

My greatest hope was that we would be able to start this year not having to consider COVID as part of our daily activities. Unfortunately, this has not happened and we continue to work hard to be able to keep students on campus along with maintaining a work force adequate to provide services to our students and community. As we did last year, Eastmont will continue to comply and implement the COVID safeguards as issued by the Governor, WA Dept. of Health, and Chelan Douglas Health Department. These will be required by all employees, students, and others who visit our campuses given the current Washington State Health Emergency that requires our compliance as a state funded service.   There are opinions that school districts have a choice on complying with these requirements. Yet the majority of all legal opinions continues to be that a health emergency does require Washington State agencies and other public services to comply. However, please also know that when the opportunity is available to return to pre-pandemic operations, Eastmont will do this as quickly and as safe as possible. Current Activities:   All students are full time on campus with pre-pandemic weekly schedules starting August 25th. The only exception is pre-school and kindergarten begin their school year with scheduled family appointments for the first week.    Fall athletic and extracurricular practices and activities will start on August 18th for football and the 23rd for all other fall sports.   Current Safeguards  Masks are required of all students and visitors when inside our buildings. The only exception is if they are engaged in specific WIAA sporting activities.  Vaccinated staff are allowed to remove masks when inside if students and children are not present. All non-employees on campus are asked to mask when inside buildings. To maintain our workforce, staff are asked to be 6' distanced from others whenever possible. This prevents them from having to quarantine should it be found they were later exposed to a COVID positive individual while on campus.   When outside, masks are not required for students, staff, or visitors.  We will be preparing and sharing our weekly COVID Dashboard starting in September that will also include any changes to required safeguards. This bulletin will continue until rates drop and health emergency requirements have ended.     Last year Eastmont offered more on-campus instruction then over 75% of Washington School Districts. This was because of our dedicated employees and supportive parents, community members, and health professionals in the region. I thank all of you for helping to make this happen and plan to do the same this year. Sincerely, Garn Christensen Superintendent PS: Staffing shortages are again limiting our ability to provide some services especially in our transportation of students to athletics and other special events. Please consider working for Eastmont as a substitute or regular bus driver. We offer competitive wages and benefits and the students on the bus will provide the stories and smiles. 

Thursday, Aug 12 2021

Superintendent's Update for Week of June 7, 2021

Current Activities:   This Friday is our last school day for the 2020-21 school year.  Athletic competitions are being held through June 18th and will then conclude.  Future  Activities: This is our final Superintendent Update for the 2020-21 school year. These weekly updates are discontinued unless conditions deteriorate and we are obligated to reduce student time on campus or implement new or different safety requirements.   COVID Dashboard for Prior  Week I thank parents, grandparents, friends, and community members for helping students and families through this school year. I wish everyone a safe, restful, and rejuvenating summer break. Sincerely, Garn Christensen Superintendent

Monday, Jun 07 2021

Superintendent's Update for Week of June 1, 2021

Late last week, we updated our masking and distancing requirements for Eastmont Employees to align with the May 21st update from the Washington Department of Labor and Industries. The sign you will now see being put up on Eastmont campus doors is similar to what is on Washington businesses: "Masks and 6' distancing for adults is required If you are not fully vaccinated, or whenever students or children are present."  At this time, this does not apply to vaccinated students who must still mask and also distance 6' whenever possible. When students are present, all participants in schools and at Washington K-12 indoor and outdoor school events are still required to wear cloth masks that cover the nose unless eating or drinking. Any exceptions are only those allowed for WIAA activities. Current Activities:   K-12 is full-time on campus. Athletic competitions are being held as allowed with limited seasons, spectators, and required safeguards in place.  Eastmont High School is busy preparing for our June 4th graduation ceremony. Future  Activities: Summer school will be available for many of our students starting June 21st with limited transportation. Please visit with your school for more information.  We continue to train and hire substitute bus drivers to support expansion of services. Call 509.884.4621 for more information.  June 7th will be my last Superintendent Update for the 2020-21 school year. If our Statewide Health Emergency is lifted at the end of this month or over the summer these will not continue next year. If it is necessary, I will send out one on August 16th with updated requirements for when students return on August 25th.     COVID Dashboard for Prior  Week I thank you for honoring our safeguard requirements, taking advantage of vaccinations, and doing what each of you can to help us return to more normal operations. Sincerely, Garn Christensen Superintendent

Tuesday, Jun 01 2021

Superintendent's Update for Week of May 24, 2021

Staff are busy finalizing plans for Eastmont's Graduation Ceremony. As we shared last week, Eastmont will not have vaccinated or unvaccinated sections at events. Instead, we are trusting that upon entry to our campuses for events, each individual or family group will self-select where to sit. Please do this based on current vaccination guidance and the status of those in your group. As you choose your location, ensure you respect those who prefer to be 6' distanced. As of today, all participants in schools and at Washington K-12 indoor and outdoor school events continue to be asked to wear cloth masks that cover the nose unless eating or drinking, or actively participating as an athlete in an event that allows masks to be removed. Current Activities:   K-12 is full-time on campus. Athletic competitions are being held as allowed with limited seasons, spectators, and required safeguards in place.  Future Activities: Summer school will be available for many of our students starting June 21st with limited transportation. Please visit with your school for more information.  We continue to train and hire substitute bus drivers to support expansion of services. Call 509.884.4621 for more information.  COVID Dashboard for Prior  Week I thank you for honoring our safeguard requirements, taking advantage of vaccinations, and doing what each of you can to help us return to more normal operations. Sincerely, Garn Christensen Superintendent

Monday, May 24 2021

Superintendent's Update for Week of May 17, 2021

The news I shared last week that school districts could increase spectators at graduation and other events by designating vaccinated and unvaccinated sections created a bit of excitement and concern. After evaluating this new requirement, Eastmont will not be designating vaccinated and unvaccinated sections at events or asking for proof of vaccination status for those who attend. Instead, we will be trusting that upon entry to our campus for an event, each individual or family group will self-select where you prefer to sit. Please do this based on current vaccination guidance and the status of those in your group. As you choose your location, ensure you respect those who prefer to be 6' distanced. Capacity for graduation and other spectator events will be limited to ensure compliance with current health department requirements. As of today, all participants at Washington K-12 indoor and outdoor school events are asked to wear cloth masks that cover the nose unless eating or drinking, or participating in an athletic event that allows masks to be removed. We continue to have 4 bus routes at capacity and 27 routes with seats for additional students. Please call Eastmont Transportation at 509.884.4621 if you would like information on having your student ride the bus for the remainder of the school year. Please call your family's health care provider or the Chelan-Douglas Health Department at (509) 886-6400 for more information on vaccination clinics for both adults and eligible students. Current Activities:   K-12 is full-time on campus Athletic competitions are being held as allowed with limited seasons and spectators.   Because all spectators agree to comply with current masking and distancing rules when entering our school events, we are trusting you to honor these requirements.   Future Activities: Summer school will be available for many of our students starting June 21st with limited transportation. Please visit with your school for more information.  We continue to train and hire substitute bus drivers to support expansion of services. Call 509.884.4621 for more information.  COVID Dashboard for Prior  Week I thank you for honoring our safeguard requirements, taking advantage of vaccinations, and doing what each of you can to help us return to more normal operations. Sincerely, Garn Christensen Superintendent

Monday, May 17 2021

Special Superintendent Bulletin

Good Morning, This morning, Eastmont Junior High School Administrators (EJHS) received a report of a threatening social media post. The nature of the threat involved an image of a gun and reference to school. The alleged sender of the threat was a student at EJHS. Upon receiving the information (prior to school beginning), EJHS Admin called law enforcement who quickly arrived at the school. Law enforcement also went to the student's home and located the student without incident at approximately 8:35 AM. The matter is currently under investigation by both law enforcement and Eastmont School District. Sincerely, Garn Christensen Superintendent

Wednesday, May 12 2021