Pause put on additional students returning to in-person learning in Puyallup

PUYALLUP, Wash. — The Puyallup School District on Thursday temporarily halted the return of additional students to the classroom due to a rising trend of COVID-19 cases in Pierce County.

The district reported it was advised by the Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department to pause students' return until there is a trending decline in the number of cases.

According to information on the school district’s website, students in K-1 will not return Oct. 6, and grades two through six will not return Oct. 13.

However, officials with the district said the health department has confirmed that students designated as high-need individuals can continue with in-person learning in small groups.

“This pause in our return to in-person instruction for elementary students does not impact self-contained special education, developmental preschool and secondary McKinney Vento students,” according to the district.

As for elementary class schedules, students will continue with a Continuous (Distance) Learning instruction model.

On Thursday, the health department confirmed 45 new COVID-19 cases in Pierce County, reaching a total of 7,974 cases and 176 deaths.

Health officials said they have seen an upward trend of confirmed cases over the past two weeks.

Cox Media Group