Wahkiakum schools join others in closing for covid-19 safety

Like all other public schools in the state of Washington, Wahkiakum School District has suspended classes until April 24 because of concerns about covid-19.

All spring sports and other extracurricular activities are suspended as well.

“It’s a pause in lifestyle,” Superintendent Brent Freeman said, “we’re trying to break a transmission cycle to protect the community,” noting “because of the older, vulnerable people in the community, we are going to lean cautiously.”

While classes are suspended, school is not closed. This means staff will be in on Monday and Tuesday for meetings as they talk about what the coming weeks will mean for them.

“We’re making lemonade right now,” Freeman said. “We’ll tackle projects we didn’t think were achievable or lower on the list.”

They will continue to provide meals for any child who needs it, which Freeman described as not only a mandate, but a moral obligation. Kids don’t have to participate in the free and reduced program to receive meals at this time.

Parents should contact the school before 9 a.m. to request the meal and pick up between the hours of 10 - 11:30 a.m.

The district is working on a partnership with a local food bank to expand meals, and will also be considering ways to deliver meals if needed, but details are up in the air right now.

“It’s like building a plane while flying it,” Freeman said.

There will be no community or student access at this time, with the exception of a funeral that had already been scheduled. However, Freeman has offered the space for emergency management, if it becomes necessary.

The Eagle will continue to update this story.