June 17, 2020

As we approach the last day of school on June 19 and plan for our reopening in the fall, please read the latest news on virtual graduation ceremonies, summer meal assistance, and reopening schools. 

Honoring the Class of 2020 
Puyallup School District graduation ceremonies will be available on the District YouTube channel beginning June 18 at 7 p.m. Please note, there is a possibility for a 24-hour delay due to final editing.   

Graduation ceremonies showcase commencement speeches and seniors receiving diplomas from Emerald Ridge High School, Puyallup Digital Learning, Puyallup High School, Governor John R. Rogers High School, and E.B. Walker High School, and Advance and Gateway Program. 

Congratulations Class of 2020! 

 
Meal Assistance
Because COVID-19 closed schools, your child(ren) may be eligible for food assistance, through the Pandemic EBT (P-EBT): Emergency School Meals Program. 
 
P-EBT provides families with funds to make up for the cost of meals while school was closed. This benefit is for Washington children in grades K-12 who receive free or reduced-price school meals. These benefits will be on an Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) card which is used like a debit card to buy groceries. 
 
If your family has lost income since schools closed, you may be eligible for free or reduced-price school meals. You can find out if you are eligible and how to apply by calling Nutrition Services at (253) 841-8773. Read more … 

Reopening in the Fall 
Our goal is to have students back in the classroom -- there is no substitute for in-person teaching and learning. But school may look different from what we’re used to, and we are planning for multiple scenarios, including the possibility of another shut-down. 

The Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction recently released guidance on how school districts across Washington should reopen schools in the fall. The overarching expectation is for schools to open for in-person instruction if health and safety requirements can be met. 

We are preparing for several different operational and instructional scenarios. To help in our planning, the District has assembled an instructional taskforce to evaluate instructional models and, just recently, a health and safety taskforce to evaluate operational aspects of reopening safely in the fall.   

We want to hear from you.  Obtaining your feedback is an important element in our planning as taskforce work continues and we plan for the re-opening of schools in September.  

• Our Continuous (Distance) Learning survey remains open through June 19.  This survey will help us gauge the at-home learning experience and use your valuable input to make instructional delivery improvements where necessary.  
• Please also consider responding to a short Reopening School Family Survey open through June 30.  Your responses will help guide safe planning efforts that will ensure students and staff have healthy learning and working environments.  

Thank you for partnering with us as we fast-track this important work.  Our work will be ongoing throughout the summer and our strategies will adjust as guidance is refined.  Stay connected to the latest news by visiting our District website or following us on social media.   

Have a safe and healthy summer!