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Kent School District to begin school year with remote learning

By KIRO 7 News Staff

Online learing due to COVID-19 LAKEWOOD, COLORADO - MARCH 17: Maddie Vanderploeg, 11, a 5th-grade student in Jeffco Public Schools, works on her first day of online learning at her home on March 17, 2020 in Lakewood, Colorado. Jeffco Public Schools implemented a remote learning and work plan where teachers, students, and staff will educate and learn from home with online programs for an unknown period due to COVID-19. (Photo by RJ Sangosti/MediaNews Group/The Denver Post via Getty Images/Denver Post via Getty Images)

By KIRO 7 News Staff

KENT, Wash. — The Kent School District announced Monday that it will start the upcoming school year with remote learning.

The district stated it made the decision after reviewing the most recent data from staff and family surveys, guidance from health officials and the draft plans from the Back to School Task Force.

The 2020-2021 school year will start Aug. 27.

“All KSD families should plan for all students to begin the 2020-21 school year in remote learning,” said Superintendent Dr. Calvin J. Watts. “We have worked for months to identify ways to ensure the health and safety of our students and staff, and still provide a meaningful learning experience in-person. I believe beginning the school year in remote learning is the best option for our entire KSD community, given the current challenges presented by COVID-19 to both educate our students and keep everyone safe.”

Watts said the final plan will be shared with the school board and posted on the district’s website Aug. 3.

The district announced it will accept community feedback via Thoughtexchange, leading up to the Regular Board Meeting on Aug. 12, 2020, where public comment will be accepted via Zoom.

Cox Media Group

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