Check here for the latest impacts to Pierce County schools from coronavirus
School districts in Pierce County are continuing to make changes in response to coronavirus impacts and a recent mandate by Gov. Jay Inslee to ban public gatherings with more than 250 people.
As of 5 p.m. Wednesday, here’s the latest updates from Pierce County School Districts.
Tacoma Public Schools
Middle school athletics practices and games are postponed until further notice, Tacoma Public Schools said Wednesday.
Mary Lyon, Sheridan and Lowell elementary schools will remain closed Thursday, March 12. Sheridan and Lowell are also closed Friday. All other schools remain open.
Students affected by school closures can still receive meals.
Schools will operate under a normal schedule on Thursday, the district said Wednesday night, but is prepared for potential long-term closures.
“Please note we have been informed that we will receive more direction from the Governor’s office on Thursday and will update the community as soon as we have additional information to share,” the district said.
For more information, visit tacomaschools.org.
Puyallup School District
Puyallup School District said Wednesday high school athletic competitions and events are suspended until further notice.
That’s in addition to the district’s Tuesday announcement that a variety of activities would be canceled, including junior high sports, face-to-face parent-teacher conferences, clubs, dances and field trips.
Schools remain open during regular school hours.
For more information, visit puyallup.k12.wa.us.
Clover Park School District
Clover Park School District announced that in-person parent-teacher conferences are canceled through the rest of the week.
Instead, teachers will call families during their regularly scheduled time for phone conferences.
Schools will remain open as usual.
For more information, visit cloverpark.k12.wa.us.
Bethel School District
Bethel school officials said Wednesday that the following activities will be prohibited:
- All performances and events open to parents and the community
- School volunteers
Building use by other external community groups
The district said athletic practices and competitions will continue, but attendance will be monitored.
Schools will remain open at this time.
For more information, visit bethelsd.org.
Fife Public Schools
Fife Public Schools announced Wednesday that various activities would be canceled, including:
Use of district facilities by outside groups
All field trips
All work-related travel by district staff
Volunteer work
All concerts, dances, plays and evening events
In-person student conferences through March 13
These changes will continue until April 3 or longer if recommended by the state.
School will remain open during regular hours.
For more information, visit fifeschools.com.
Peninsula School District
The Peninsula school district announced Wednesday it is canceling all events, including plays, concerts, dances, assemblies, with anticipated attendance of 250 or more people. Schools will remain open as usual.
The following events are postponed:
- Band/music concerts scheduled at Peninsula High School, Harbor Heights and Voyager elementary schools
- Voyager STEAM night
- All assemblies
- Middle school basketball jamboree at Harbor Ridge Middle School
- The “Mr. Gig Harbor” event and Spring Fling at Gig Harbor High School
The district has also canceled mentoring by adult volunteers from Communities in Schools Peninsula.
The district has asked parents to consult its website frequently for schedule changes.
Sumner-Bonney Lake School District
The Sumner-Bonney Lake School District said Wednesday it’s suspending or canceling the following beginning March 13 until the end of April:
- Parent-teacher conferences
- School events including performances, dances, fundraisers
- Community events including Community Cultural Celebration, Sumner High School Benefit Night
- All indoor facility rentals
- Outdoor facility for events with an expected attendce of more than 250 people
- Field trips
- Volunteers
- Athletics contests and games between March 13-15
- After-school clubs and activities
Schools will be open during regular school hours. For more information, visit sumnersd.org.
Steilacoom Historical School District
Steilacoom school district announced Wednesday that the following events will be canceled following Inslee’s ban on large gatherings:
- Steilacoom High School Band Concert — March 12
- Pioneer Band Concert — March 17
- Saltar’s Point Drama Club Performance — March 19
- District Choral Festival — March 24
- Steilacoom High School CTE Showcase — March 25
Schools will remain open. For more information, visit steilacoom.k12.wa.us.
White River School District
White River schools will remain open during regular class hours.
The district announced Monday it would be postponing the following activities through March 23:
- Use of district facilities by outside groups
- All field trips
- All work-related travel by district staff
- Volunteer work
- All concerts, dances, plays and evening events
For more information, visit whiteriver.wednet.edu.
Orting School District
Orting School Distirct announced Wednesday it would postpone the following events due to Inslee’s mandate on public gatherings:
- Future Falcon Night
- March concerts and performances
- Annual Cardinal Relay
Schools will remain open during regular hours.
For more information, visit ortingschools.org.
Annie Wright Schools
Annie Wright Schools said Wednesday night that the private school in Tacoma will be closing from March 13 to April 13.
“Our virtual education program will begin March 16, and spring break is March 21-April 5,” Annie Wright spokesperson Lisa Isenman said.
Charles Wright Academy
Charles Wright Academy in Tacoma will move to a “closed campus” effective Monday, March 16, continuing until the end of Spring Break, the school said Wednesday night. Students will not attend classes on campus during this time.
Starting March 18, all students will have remote learning opportunities.
Bellarmine Preparatory School
Bellarmine Preparatory School, a private serving around 900 students in the greater Tacoma area, announced Wednesday evening that school will close starting Friday, March 13.
On Monday, March 16, distance learning will take place through the end of Bellarmine’s scheduled spring break, April 12th.
At this time, there are no confirmed cases of COVID-19 on campus.
For more information, bellarmineprep.org.
Gateway editor Kerry Webster contributed to this report.
This story was originally published March 11, 2020 at 5:26 PM.
