Clarkston School District brings students back to class in person with hybrid model

While the majority of schools around Washington are doing a remote first day of school, the Clarkston School District in southeast Washington welcomed students back to campus on Wednesday.

“We divided our students alphabetically, seventh through 12th [grades] — half of them will come two days a week, the other half will come the other two days,” Clarkston Superintendent Thaynan Knowlton said. “And then K through sixth were also divided alphabetically — half of them will come in the morning, and the other half in the afternoon.

Wednesdays are an at-home day, apart from kids who may want extra help from a teacher on-site.

Knowlton said 95% of staff and 85% of community members wanted to do in-person classes. He said case counts have been generally low since March; Asotin County was one of the first counties to move into Phase 2 and Phase 3.

Districts’ plans for reopening schools across Puget Sound

“When you combine low counts with a desire by the community and freedom to be able to start school face-to-face, we felt like we all want to do it and we’re willing to do it and we’re able to do it with numbers,” he said.

At school, masks are required at all times for all ages, desks and chairs will be cleaned before each class, and other high-touch spots will be wiped down frequently.

Instead of regular recess, the younger children will get some time outside, but teachers will monitor them to make sure they stay in small groups. Water fountains will be shut down, and students will be asked to bring water bottles instead.

Students are encouraged to go outside for lunch, and morning students can also opt to take lunch — and breakfast for the next day — home with them. Teachers are also encouraged to make use of the warm Eastern Washington weather and hold some lessons outside, as long as the season permits.

Knowlton said in a Facebook Live video to the Clarkston community Tuesday that he has gotten some pushback from parents over the mask regulation — but he is determined to stick to the rules.

“We’re heading into the most difficult year of public education in maybe 100 years — we’ve never, ever seen this before,” he said. “We’re not talking about politics or your personal philosophy about what the virus is or isn’t — I’m telling you it’s a state law. We’re going to keep everyone safe. Everyone is going to wear a mask.”

Knowlton said there will be no exceptions, noting that if one student brings a doctor’s note to get out of wearing a mask, pretty soon everyone else might do the same.

“You know what? Nobody wants to wear a mask, I don’t want to wear a mask, I hate them … I don’t disagree with you. But the problem is, I have to keep everyone safe,” he told parents. “My job is to make sure that we can keep school open.”

Students who do not wish to wear a mask, who are at-risk or have at-risk family members, or who feel safer staying at home are able to do all of their classes remotely. About one in seven students have chosen to take this route.

The current plan is intended to be in place for four to six weeks, as trends allow. There is a modified plan in the event that cases rise in the schools that involves having fewer students on campus or shifting to an entirely remote model.

KIRO Radio’s Nicole Jennings contributed to this report

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