On December 16, Gov. Jay Inslee, Superintendent Chris Reykdal, and the Washington State Department of Health (WSDOH) released updated guidance for the phased reopening of schools for in-person instruction.

Currently, our region is experiencing high levels of COVID-19 transmission, as defined by this guidance. Federal Way Public Schools will continue with 100% remote learning when we return from Winter Break on January 4, 2021, and we will continue to review data and plan for a return to hybrid instruction following this new guidance.

With this new guidance, there are three categories of COVID-19 activity levels defined, with recommendations for remote, hybrid, or in-person instruction for each category.

• If the transmission rate is high, defined as greater than 350 cases per 100K over 14 days, the recommendation is to phase-in in-person instruction in groups of 15 or fewer students, prioritizing grades PreK-5 and those with the highest need.
• If the transmission rate is moderate, defined as 50-350 cases per 100K over 14 days, then the recommendation is to phase-in in-person learning, prioritizing Elementary and Middle school scholars.
• If the transmission rate is low, defined as less than 50 cases per 100K over 14 days, then schools may begin full time in-person instruction for all scholars.

More information will be shared as soon as it’s available .

This updated state guidance can be found on WSDOH's website at https://www.doh.wa.gov/Portals/1/Documents/1600/coronavirus/FallGuidanceK-12.pdf.