Coronavirus Information & Resources
All children age 18 and younger may receive free meals at Richland schools or through delivery at select locations throughout the district while schools are closed.
Through technology, innovative teaching and collaboration with families, our students will continue to learn so they can be successful now and in the future.
Boys & Girls Clubs of Benton and Franklin Counties will provide emergency childcare to support first responders, healthcare workers and essential community personnel.
You have shared your questions about how schools being closed in response to novel coronavirus COVID-19 affects our students, services and staff. Here are the answers we have so far.
Prior RSD Coronavirus Messages
- May 21, 2020
- May 14, 2020
- May 7, 2020
- April 24, 2020
- April 22, 2020
- April 9, 2020
- April 6, 2020
- April 4, 2020
- March 20, 2020
- March 19, 2020
- March 17, 2020
- March 16, 2020
- March 15, 2020
- March 13, 2020
- March 12, 2020
- March 9, 2020
- Feb. 27, 2020
- Feb. 7, 2020
May 21, 2020
To Our Richland Families,
We have a little less than three weeks of At-Home Learning left this school year and we want to thank all of you for the tremendous efforts you are making to help your children stay engaged in learning from home. Our staff, teachers, and administrators greatly appreciate your patience and your assistance as we work together to help students finish their studies for the 2019-20 school year.
We are committed to continue doing all we can to keep students engaged in learning until the last day on June 16. We are surveying parents, staff and students to get feedback about our At-Home Learning Plan. This feedback is helping us adapt our current efforts as well as prepare for school in the fall.
As much as everyone wants to resume normal school operations in the fall, we do not yet have any good, reliable information to share about what the fall might look like in our schools. The state Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI) has convened a “Reopening Schools Work Group” to discuss potential models for reopening. This workgroup includes 123 people from across the state, including teachers, administrators, education support professionals, elected officials, businesses, and community-based organization representatives. This group is looking at health data and different options for how to safely reopen schools. They are scheduled to complete their work between June 8-12, when they will forward it to the Governor for his consideration and possible action. We expect to receive some guidelines with both state rules and local flexibility. Once this state level work is complete, we will be able to move forward with building our road back to school in the fall. We have already put together our own Return To School Committee so we can be ready to act quickly.
We know our current approach of serving students remotely with At-Home Learning will not work for our students and families beyond this school year. The current situation is a hardship for families. We miss our students, and we are eager to engage them in learning as we have always done so—face-to-face. But we also know that it will be most difficult to resume school in September without some significant changes to protect the health and safety of students and staff. We will be communicating with you, and asking for your opinions, on a variety of topics, issues, and plans throughout June, July, and August as we prepare for the start of school in the fall. Please watch for further information and please participate in our surveys and opportunities for feedback. We value your insights and experiences and we will use your new-found expertise to inform our future plans.
Sincerely,
Dr. Rick Schulte, Superintendent
May 14, 2020
The last day of school will be June 16, per direction from the state Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI) to add five days to the end of the school year to make up days and instructional hours lost in the initial days of schools closing due to COVID-19. Friday, May 22 will remain a non-school day so students and staff may enjoy the Memorial Day weekend.
With the extension of the school year through June 16, the district must offer seniors opportunities for instruction at least through Tuesday, June 9, which will be two school days after graduation on June 5. This is required by the state, which permits districts to use no more than the last five days of the school year for graduation and early release of seniors.
Accordingly, seniors may complete assignments necessary for graded courses at least through June 9. In addition, seniors are invited to contact teachers, counselors, or administrators through June 9 for advice or assistance with college or career plans, financial aid, references, or preparation of resumes.
May 7, 2020
We have some important updates for our students, families and the whole community regarding student participation in At-Home Learning and plans for graduation.
STUDENT PARTICIPATION IN AT-HOME LEARNING
Beginning Monday, May 11 and continuing each Monday until the end of the 2019-20 academic year, teachers will report weekly student participation in At-Home Learning, per direction from the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction.
Parents of students who have not participated in At-Home Learning the previous week will receive a call from the district noting their child was marked as “NP” or “Not Participating.” Middle and high school students in credit-bearing courses who do not participate weekly in At-Home Learning and/or have not communicated with their teacher may receive an Incomplete, requiring they fulfill the course requirements at a future time to receive a grade.
Parents notified of their child’s lack of participation are encouraged to review their child’s participation in PowerSchool and contact the teacher to learn how the student may stay engaged and complete the course if it is for credit.
GRADUATION
Hanford, Richland and River’s Edge high schools and Three Rivers HomeLink will have virtual graduation celebrations at their originally scheduled times on June 5 that will be broadcast online. These decisions were determined by direction from state officials, consideration of various options and timelines and a survey of our graduating seniors. We understand this is not how many in our community had hoped to celebrate our graduates. School administrators and student leaders are working hard to craft virtual graduation experiences to mark this important accomplishment by the Class of 2020.
Schools are communicating with graduating seniors about what they need to do to be included in the virtual celebrations, such as picking up their cap and gown and having their photo taken, and how they, their families and friends can watch. If a graduating senior has not received those details, they should contact their school.
Virtual Graduation Schedule For Friday, June 5:
11 a.m. – River’s Edge High School
1:30 p.m. – Three Rivers HomeLink
4:30 p.m. – Hanford High School
7:30 p.m. – Richland High School
Many seniors responding to our graduation survey indicated they are interested in attending some type of in-person celebration in August if social distancing guidelines were eased by that time to allow for gatherings. Schools are tentatively planning for in-person celebrations of the Class of 2020 in early August in the hope of fulfilling that request. Stay tuned for more details on those possible events.
Delta High School’s graduation plans will be coordinated through the Pasco School District.
April 24, 2020
UPDATE ON GRADING & ACADEMIC WORK: Teachers, principals and district administrators have updated At-Home Learning to align with the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction's (OSPI's) most recent guidance regarding secondary grading and academic work.
Grades 9–12 and middle school students taking credit-bearing high school level work will be graded using the following principles:
- Do no harm!
- Every student will get an opportunity to improve their grade with their March 17 status as a baseline.
- No student will receive a “pass,” “fail,” or “no credit” grade for any course.
- Teachers will assign an “incomplete” for students who cannot engage in an equitable way.
- Every class taken during the closure period will be given a statewide designator on the high school transcript to denote the unique environment in which the course was taken.
- Students assigned an “incomplete” for a course will be given opportunities to reengage in the learning standards based on local school district decisions in consultation with the student/parents/guardians, including but not limited to: Summer school; courses in the following term or year; independent study; competency-based courses; online courses, or backfilling the incomplete grade with the letter grade obtained in the next course taken in that subject area
- Are assignments or work from April 27 to the last day of the semester required?
YES, those assignments are required in order to get a grade instead of an Incomplete (I).
- What happens if a student does not continue to do required assignments after April 27?
The student will receive an Incomplete (I) instead of a grade. The student will not receive the grade as of March 17 because the course was not yet completed.
The student will NOT receive a failing grade or a reduced grade (a grade lower than what they had on March 17). The student will be given additional opportunities to complete the course at other times.
Seniors who are on track to graduate also have an option on an individual student basis to receive a waiver of certain graduation credit requirements.
View the updated Parent's Guide To At-Home Learning: bit.ly/2VEMOox
April 22, 2020
UPDATE: Teachers, principals and district administrators are reviewing the new OSPI guidance and rules on grading. We will update families with any needed modifications to assure state and local district practices match. The district is committed to providing continuous learning as called for by OSPI. This includes students in kindergarten through Grade 8 being challenged to demonstrate effort and success in learning standards established by their teachers. High school students will have the opportunity to complete their courses for credit. For those high school students unable to complete courses they are enrolled in, the district is reviewing options to ensure students demonstrate competency through other forms of academic reengagement.
ORIGINAL POST: Our schools may be closed but learning continues! Our teachers, school principals and district administrators have updated our At-Home Learning program so students stay engaged in their education through the remainder of the 2019-20 school year as we maintain social distancing to slow the novel coronavirus.
Here’s a quick breakdown of how we are moving forward:
WHAT’S STAYING THE SAME?
- Weekly communication between teachers and their students and families
- Instruction provided by individual teachers on currently established schedules
- Supplemental resources and activities for students at all levels
- Use and support of district-issued Chromebooks
- Support for our students with unique needs
WHAT’S NEW?
These new elements follow the latest guidance from the Office of the Superintendent For Public Instruction (OSPI) and the Washington State Board of Education calling for continuous learning.
- Teachers will monitor student participation on a weekly basis
- Monitoring of elementary student work
- Grading of academic work for middle and high school students
- Distribution of materials for students to use at home, such as learning kits for Career & Technical Education courses and Chromebooks for first grade students
- Assistance for seniors to navigate emergency changes to state graduation requirements and other needs so they can graduate in June
- Enhanced support and monitoring for students receiving special education and English Language Learner services
Learn more about these enhancements: bit.ly/3awaPSy
April 9, 2020
April 6, 2020
Gov. Jay Inslee has extended the closure of all schools in Washington state for the remainder of the 2019-20 school year and expects instruction to move toward a distance learning model. While our district looked forward to the possibility of schools reopening at some point this spring, the health of our community is our priority. Limiting social contact is crucial to slowing the spread of the novel coronavirus and ensuring health care providers have the resources to provide care.
This closure means our middle and high school students have lost most of their second semester in the classroom and our elementary students have lost the entirety of their third trimester. This will have a significant impact on our students, from course credits and student preparation for the next grade level to how we provide services to students with unique needs.
We are having conversations with teachers about how to move our At-Home Learning program to the next level so students can keep learning. We are working with nutrition services and bus drivers about maintaining our Student Meal Assistance program so students continue to receive the meals they need. And our maintenance and operations staff continue to work to keep our schools in top shape so they are ready for students and staff when classes resume.
Addressing this new challenge will require planning, cooperation and patience from everyone in our community, from school staff and administrators to parents and community partners. We will continue to inform the community as we are able to answer questions and determine a path forward. We are deeply grateful for our community’s support and hope everyone will join us in making sure we continue to educate every student for success.
April 4, 2020
As we come to the end of our third week of school closures in response to the coronavirus, we want to thank everyone again for their patience, understanding and spirit. We have students who are working hard to keep learning in a completely new way. We have parents who are doing their best to support their children’s education as well as provide for their families and maintain their homes. We have staff who, like their students, are working hard to teach in a completely new way. We see you and we appreciate you.
April 6-10 is Spring Break and since it will be a rather non-traditional one, we wanted to share some updates and the status of some of our efforts:
- Teachers and students are free to continue working together and communicating through break but there is no requirement. We also think it is critical that everyone make time to recharge even if that means doing so at home instead of through a planned Spring Break trip. The district will release the next round of weekly resources such as Beyond The Classroom activities and learning packets for elementary students on Monday, April 6 for those who are interested.
- Our student meal assistance program will continue through all of Spring Break, with meals available to pick up at many of our schools and at several delivery locations throughout the district. Learn more about the Student Meal Assistance program.
- District IT staff will be available to assist families with issues with district-issued Chromebooks. Please send those inquiries to ChromebookHelp@rsd.edu or call (509) 967-6162
- The Boys & Girls Clubs of Benton and Franklin Counties will continue to provide emergency childcare to support first responders, healthcare workers and essential community personnel.
Stay home and stay safe, everyone.
March 20, 2020
March 19, 2020
March 17, 2020
March 16, 2020
March 15, 2020
A Message To Our Community
The novel coronavirus COVID-19 has had a profound impact on our state. As the situation with the virus has evolved over recent weeks, we have regularly consulted with local and state health officials, collaborated with our neighboring school districts and community partners and reviewed our plans and options should the virus make its way here.
While the full effects of infection are not yet being felt in our community, experts indicate that is a matter of time. Slowing the spread of the virus is now the goal. That is why we have closed our schools beginning Monday, March 16 and until Friday, April 24 in compliance with Gov. Jay Inslee’s executive order to close all schools across the state.
We understand the challenges this unprecedented closure places on those who depend on our schools not only for education but other essential support and resources. We know that many of our students, staff and families have questions about the impacts this closure will have in a variety of areas. District administrators are putting together answers, developing plans and looking at options to provide what services we can, including learning resources, student meals and childcare for essential workers. Details about all these efforts are forthcoming.
We want to express our gratitude to the entire community for its patience and partnership. We ask everyone to take care of themselves and others in this uncertain time. Help your loved ones and your neighbors. We know this community is capable of great things as it so often has come together to support our students and their success. Together, we will find a path forward.
Sincerely,
Rick Jansons Dr. Rick Schulte
Board President . Superintendent
March 13, 2020
4:30 P.M.: Following Gov. Jay Inslee’s executive order to close all schools in the state through Friday, April 24 in response to the novel coronavirus COVID-19, the Richland School District will close all its schools beginning Monday, March 16. Students will have the opportunity to visit schools Tuesday, March 17 through Friday, March 20 to gather personal items and other materials they may need during the closure. Further details will be forthcoming and be shared at www.rsd.edu, district social media channels and direct electronic communication.
2:15 P.M.: Gov. Jay Inslee has closed all schools beginning Tuesday, March 17 through Friday, April 24. We will be sharing more information and answers for frequently asked questions soon.
11:45 A.M. 3/13/2020: Based on local and state health officials recommendations to limit large gatherings, guidance encouraging social distancing and measures taken by neighboring school districts, after school activities, athletics and performances in Richland School District are canceled for Friday, March 13 and until further notice. SAT testing at Hanford High School on March 14 will continue.
March 12, 2020
The Richland School Board and district administrators will be in emergency meetings on March 13 to discuss when and how to close schools in response to the novel coronavirus COVID-19. The district asks families to begin making plans for their children in the event that schools close with short notice and for an indefinite extended period of time.
District administrators are closely reviewing how to reduce the negative impacts of a potential closure to students, families, and staff as much as possible. We will share any updates about a closure or other changes to our operations with the community through multiple channels as soon as possible.
Thank you for your patience and partnership as we work through this unprecedented time.
March 9, 2020
Everyone in the Richland School District is working to ensure our schools are safe for students and staff and that we are fully prepared in light of the evolving situation with the novel coronavirus (COVID-19).
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and Washington State Department of Health (DOH) continue to report that COVID-19 poses a low risk to the general public in Washington and the United States. No cases of COVID-19 have been documented by local health officials in Benton or Franklin counties, nor are any county residents under investigation for possible infection.
Our schools are open and local student activities are proceeding as scheduled. We will notify our families, staff and broader community should we need to make any changes to our operations in response to COVID-19. Sign up to receive RSD email updates.
We have received a number of questions about the novel coronavirus and its effect on schools. We have collected answers to those questions along with additional resources and our past messages at www.rsd.edu/coronavirus. We will continue to update this page as we monitor the situation surrounding the virus.
State and local health officials continue to advise school districts to take the same preventative measures they normally would to prevent the spread of viruses during the regular cold and flu season. Common preventative measures recommended for students and staff include:
- Staying home when they are sick and/or running a fever.
- Frequent hand washing with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after going to the bathroom, before eating, and after they blow their nose. If hands are visibly dirty, use soap and water to clean hands.
- If soap and water are not readily available, using an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol.
- Advising persons to avoid touching their eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
- Covering coughs or sneezes with a tissue, then throwing the tissue in the trash and cleaning hands with soap and water or hand sanitizer (if soap and water are not readily available).
- Urging students and staff to get a flu shot during the flu season.
- Providing adequate supplies for good hygiene, including clean and functional handwashing stations, soap, paper towels, and alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
- In addition, the district’s custodial and maintenance programs continue to emphasize and implement best practices in cleaning, disinfecting, and sanitizing methods.
More information about COVID-19 can be accessed at the links below, by calling the Washington State Department of Health at 1-800-525-0127, or our local Benton-Franklin Health District at 509-460-4200.
- Novel Coronavirus In Washington State, Benton-Franklin County Health District
- Novel Coronavirus Outbreak 2020, Washington State Department of Health
- 2019 Novel Coronavirus, U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Don’t see an answer to your question? Send it to info@rsd.edu or call (509) 967-6000.
Feb. 27, 2020
As global attention continues to rise regarding the 2019 Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19), Richland School District wants to share its preparedness, prevention and information plans with students, staff, and families.
Although the Washington State Department of Health confirms that there is no evidence that COVID-19 is spreading in Washington at this time, and that the immediate risk to the general public in Washington and the United States is considered to be low, the district believes that proactive communication and community education is warranted.
The Department of Health advises school districts to take the same preventative measures it normally would to prevent the spread of viruses during the regular cold and flu season. Common preventative measures recommended for students and staff include:
- Staying home when they are sick and/or running a fever.
- Frequent hand washing with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after going to the bathroom, before eating, and after they blow their nose. If hands are visibly dirty, use soap and water to clean hands.
- If soap and water are not readily available, using an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol.
- Advising persons to avoid touching their eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
- Covering coughs or sneezes with a tissue, then throwing the tissue in the trash and cleaning hands with soap and water or hand sanitizer (if soap and water are not readily available).
- Urging students and staff to get a flu shot during the flu season.
- Providing adequate supplies for good hygiene, including clean and functional handwashing stations, soap, paper towels, and alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
In addition, the district’s custodial and maintenance programs continue to emphasize and implement best practices in cleaning, disinfecting, and sanitizing methods.
District officials are in contact with Benton-Franklin County Health District officials and reviewing emergency response plans should COVID-19 arise locally. If this were to occur, the district’s emergency response plan includes following the direction and guidance of local and state health officials and will immediately communicate our response plan with parents and the greater community.
More information about COVID-19 can be accessed at the links below, by calling the Washington State Department of Health at 1-800-525-0127, or our local Benton-Franklin Health District at 509-460-4200.
- Novel Coronavirus Outbreak 2020, Washington State Department of Health
- 2019 Novel Coronavirus, U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Feb. 7, 2020
Corona Virus: Public Health Information for Families
There has been a lot of attention on the spread of the 2019 Novel Coronavirus (2019-nCoV) and Kennewick, Pasco and Richland school districts want to share some resource information with our families provided by the Washington State Department of Health and the U.S. Center for Disease Control and Prevention.
According to the Washington State Department of Health, the risk to the general public is low and there is no evidence the virus is spreading in Washington and the United States. At this time, most people are not considered at risk for 2019-nCoV infection and do not need to seek medical evaluation for the virus.
The normal precautions during cold and flu season to prevent the spread of germs apply.
- Wash hands with soap and water for 20 seconds; use alcohol-based sanitizer if no water is available Avoid touching eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands
- Avoid close contact (within 6 feet) with those who are sick
- Stay home if sick
- Cover cough or sneeze with tissue, throw tissue in trash, wash hands immediately
- Clean and disinfect frequently touched object and surfaces
You can find more about coronavirus at the links below or call the Washington State Department of Health at 1-800-525-0127 and press the # key.
- Novel Coronavirus Outbreak 2020, Washington State Department of Health
- 2019 Novel Coronavirus, U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Our local school districts will continue to closely monitoring the situation regarding the coronavirus and will update the community in the event of any steps being taken to protect students and staff.
- Additional Novel Coronavirus Information & Updates
- Coronavirus Prevention Resources
- Resources for kids
Additional Novel Coronavirus Information & Updates
- Novel Coronavirus In Washington State, Benton-Franklin County Health District
- Coronavirus Response (COVID-19), Washington State Department of Health
- 2019 Novel Coronavirus, U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention