On February 28, Governor Jay Inslee moved up the date that the statewide indoor mask requirement would end to 11:59 p.m., Friday, March 11. This includes K–12 schools and buses, since the federal government lifted the requirement that masks be worn on public transportation.
This means that, beginning Monday, March 14, masks will be encouraged in our school building and on buses, but not required.
Students will have the choice to wear a mask at school, with the expectation that others’ choices will be respected. One should not make assumptions regarding someone’s beliefs or health status, nor should they comment on them. Our district will not tolerate bullying of any kind for those who choose to continue wearing masks.
For young children, please let teachers know your wishes and they will do their best to reinforce them. Our educators will discuss the change with students in a developmentally appropriate manner, including how to respect others’ personal choice. If your child(ren) expresses any anxiety, please feel free to reach out to our school counselors or psychologists for support.
Public health modeling indicates that cases and hospitalizations from COVID-19 will continue decreasing over the coming weeks, dropping to rates similar to last summer. The decision to remove the statewide mask requirement was based on the best science and research available, as well as our experience and preparation to continue combatting this virus.
Across the state, school districts have prepared for these changes over the past two years with:
- A COVID-19 vaccination requirement for all school employees,
- Vaccinations for individuals ages 5+ widely available,
- One of the most robust school COVID-19 testing systems in the country,
- Improved ventilation systems, and
- A well-researched understanding of self-mitigation protocols.
Once the statewide mask requirement lifts, without a new requirement from our local health department, masks will become optional in our school buildings.
Remember, masks will still be required for all students, staff, and visitors in Lyle School District buildings through Friday, the 11th. Masks will continue to be provided for those who do not have them, and students who will not wear masks will be sent home. Lyle School District and our Board of Directors do not have local control over this matter. We are legally required to follow the Governor’s directive, which currently requires masks in school buildings.
We thank you for your continued flexibility as we navigate this pandemic together. We know you likely have many questions about this announcement, and we are anticipating receiving additional information from public health officials in the coming weeks. We will continue communicating with you as we learn about changes to the guidance for our district.
Sincerely,
Dr. Ann Varkados, Superintendent
Dear Families,
We understand there are conversations online, in the community and in our classrooms about the possibility of the state ending the indoor mask mandates requirement in Washington.
No changes to requirements have been made at this time, but we anticipate changes in state requirements and federal guidance in the coming weeks.
The governor shared yesterday that the outdoor mask mandate is lifted and that he will likely make an announcement next week about a timeline for an end to masking in indoor settings, including schools. The Superintendent of Public Instruction, Chris Reykdal, also shared information publicly that he would support the governor if a state-level decision was made to end mask mandates.
Until an official announcement is made we must and will continue to follow state indoor masking requirements.
We will provide information to staff and families as we learn more from the governor next week. Of course, in the event that the mask mandate is lifted, those people who wish to continue wearing masks will be able to continue to do so.
More to come,
Superintendent Ann Varkados, Ed.D.
The Washington State Department of Health is seeking parental input on whether to make the COVID-19 vaccine part of the required vaccinations to attend school.
If you tried to complete the survey Friday, but hit a roadblock, here's why: The English language survey form stopped accepting submissions Friday afternoon because it reached its maximum capacity. In response, the Board of Health has added a link at the top of the original survey form, which directs people to a new form. The deadline is still Wednesday, Feb. 2.
Here is a direct link to the new form.
Following a public hearing on January 10, 2022, the board scheduled a special meeting for Wednesday, January 12, to determine whether to convey the Dallesport Community Center lot to the county. The meeting will be by Zoom only and the legal notice is below.
In accordance with Washington State RCW 39.33.010, Lyle School District No. 406 board of directors will hold a special meeting and potentially take action regarding a proposal to convey to Klickitat County the following surplus school district property, parcel number 02133321020200 / Lot 2 BSP 2021-02; 33-2-13; 136 6th Avenue, Dallesport, WA, which is the site of the Dallesport Community Center and which will remain on the property.
The meeting will be held at 6 p.m., January 12, 2022, via Zoom. No public comment will be taken at this time. To access the meeting by PC or other device:
*** Log in from any device:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85010631742?pwd=eUVTU0p3UElGbFk5eS9UL3YzclQ3QT09
Meeting ID: 850 1063 1742 / Passcode: 044784
Or call in on any of the following numbers:
+1 669 900 6833 US (San Jose)
+1 253 215 8782 US (Tacoma)
+1 346 248 7799 US (Houston)
Parents, we are aware of the threats being posted on social media sites regarding gun violence in schools today.
We want to let you know all is well at school this morning. Kids and staff are enjoying their day and excited for the official start of Winter Break.
However, please know that, at Lyle School, we take all threats seriously and have zero tolerance for them, whether students claim to be joking or not.
Students have been reminded of this recently. We encourage you to talk to your students about this topic, too.
We also want to remind all students and parents/guardians, when you hear of a threat, report it to us or law enforcement. Please do not repost it. Reposting a threat serves no purpose other than adding to the fear and uncertainty of the situation.
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Looking for resources to help you decide how much and which social media are appropriate for your child? Here are a couple of webpages that may be helpful:
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Did you know that, in 1990, President of the United States George H. W. Bush declared the month of November as National American Indian Heritage Month?
Lyle School celebrated our Native American students and families this Monday, November 22, when Lyle High School Senior Myeengan Syrette shared his Native American heritage with the Lyle School student body through two Woodland Traditional dances of the Great Lakes region.
Myeengan is Ojibwa-Anishinaabe on his father's side from the First Nation of Batchewana, Rankin Reserve, and of the Myeengan Clan, which means Wolf Clan. On his mother's side, he is Lower Chehalis and Clatsop from Shoalwater Bay tribe and Hawaiian from the island of Maui.
The dances he shared have been passed through generations of ancestors to Myeengan’s father, and then taught to him as a young toddler. Ming wears traditional Regalia when he dances. He explained that every piece of the Regalia has special meaning and was made and gifted by family members or specially traded. His moccasins – gifted to Ming by his Uncle and Auntie Joe & Alice Martineau -- were the oldest piece of regalia he wore for the dance.
Every step of the dance is sacred and carries a story about hunting, gathering or protecting the community. Students were encouraged to listen for the drumbeat in the song and watch how the dancer’s steps matched the beat. “The beat of the drum is the heartbeat of Mother Earth and our own hearts connecting all of us,” Myeengan’s mom, Heather Lopez, explains.
The first dance, Myeengan explained, told the story of his people, their traditions and, ultimately, his story. The second dance is called a “sneak up,” and can be a dance about going to war, or as in Myeengan’s interpretation, of going on a hunt.
Myeengan now travels around the country to dance. This past summer he participated in gatherings in Michigan, Wisconsin and Indiana. He said dancing, “keeps me connected to the earth and my culture.”
Students listened and watched respectfully and asked good questions, including one asking where he found his songs. Myeengan said that every song is passed down by Elders and Ancestors. “There are hundreds of songs, and the singers and drummers are very important. They have to remember the songs, each of which tells a story.”
As we gather with family and friends for Thanksgiving, let's also remember the original inhabitants of this land, our Indigenous Peoples, and thank and honor the Ancestors who made it possible to carry on these traditions. Myeengan also conveyed his thanks to his fellow students, saying "Chi Miigwech" .... thank you in Ojibwa- Anishinaabe.
Wondering how to help your neighbors who might be having a tough time this holiday season?
There are several opportunities, including volunteering at the Lyle Good Food Pantry during food distributions every two weeks. To help out, contact Chris at 509-493-9483.
Also, if you have extras in your pantry, food can be dropped off at the Lyle Community Center on the pantry's operating days, on the first and third Wednesdays of each month. If you drop off in the am, it will go directly out to the community. The December dates are December 1 and 15.
The Lyle Lions
For as long as we all can remember, the Lyle Lions Club has gathered donations and put together food boxes for families in need during the holiday season.
Our local Lions continue to offer Christmas Food Boxes to community members and families in need of help to put enough on the table over the holidays, along with a turkey and trimmings for the holiday. This long-running effort fed 232 adults and 94 children in 2020 and around 245 individuals in 2019.
The high school Leadership Club is collecting donations of breakfast cereal through December 10, which will be provided to the Lions to add to the Christmas Food Boxes.. Parents are encouraged to buy an extra box or two and send along with their kids who attend Lyle School. In Dallesport, watch for the fire trucks collecting food donations on Tuesday, December 7. These donations, too, will go to the Lyle Lions program. (See the ELFF flyer below)
To make direct donations of food or money, individuals can contact Joan Titus at 509-365-2872.
Mugs’ Giving Tree
For the sixth year in a row, Mugs Coffee in Bingen will include Lyle families on its “Giving Tree.” Despite a fire in their original site that forced the shop to relocate in 2018, followed by a global pandemic, Mugs has determinedly continued this yearly tradition on behalf of the area’s children.
The 2021 Giving Tree located in Mugs Coffee Shop, 221 West Steuben in Bingen, has tags with information about a family, including children’s likes and sizes to help shoppers pick out great gifts.
Visitors can select one or more tags to take with them while shopping for the kids. Tags that begin with an “L” indicate they are for a Lyle family. Gifts should be wrapped and returned to Mugs, along with the original tag, by December 14, to allow time for the school to pick up and distribute the gifts to families before Winter Break begins.
For those with limited time to shop, or who may not be able to get to Bingen, here’s another way to help. Some of Lyle’s older students in particular have very specific needs. With a little financial help, they can pay for items that will help them get a job or otherwise get ahead in life. All cash gifts are carefully reviewed by Lyle School’s staff and go for very worthy uses. If you can donate cash to this fund, contact Lyle Community Schools at 509-365-2211, extension 126.
There will be no school Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, November 24, 25 and 26th for Thanksgiving Break.
Thursday the 25th is Thanksgiving Day and we also want to acknowledge that Friday, November 26, is by Presidential proclamation Native American Heritage Day.