Cascade plans to reopen the schools beginning in January of 2021

Following the Cashmere School Boards unanimous decision to begin reopening of all of their schools to in person learning on Nov. 30 we contacted Cascade to get an update regarding the Cascade School District.

Alpine Lakes and Beaver Valley were opened to Cascade’s Hybrid education model on Nov. 9 for classes K-5. Icicle River Middle School and Cascade High School will open on Jan. 19. The beginning of the second semester.

Superintendent Glenn Johnson explained that the Cashmere School District decided to take action based on alarming academic data and concerns over students’ mental health. Johnson went on to explain that approximately half of the high school students are struggling. Currently half of them have a D or F or combinations of both and there is a growing concern from staff that a number of seniors will not be ready to graduate in June. Johnson said, “while on-line attendance is still high, academic production and true engagement is waning.” Johnson said a closer look also reveals that the most vulnerable students are struggling the most so the equity gap is increasing.

Superintendent Tracy Beckendorf-Edu was not available last Friday to discuss the current situation in the Cascade School District but Cascade High School Principle Elia Ala’ilima-Daley offered insight regarding Cascade’s position.

Ala’ilima-Dailey said that the principles visited Cashmere schools last week to see what steps they were taking to insure a safe environment. He said it was clear that Cashmere is doing an exceptional job with their program. Daley didn’t believe Cascade was experiencing the same problems as those in the Cashmere School District.

Cascade made their decision some time ago to open at the beginning of the second semester, Jan. 19. The district is also concerned about the recent spike in cases and decided to wait until after the holidays before opening.

Cascade’s Executive Director of Finance & Operations, Dwight Remick, also pointed out that it was much more difficult for Cascade to do what is being done in Cashmere. “Cashmere covers one community while we cover 5,” said Remick. “From a bussing issue alone we can’t cover all of those communities with our existing staff.”

Many of Cashmere’s concerns are being expressed across the country as teachers and parents are finding it harder to maintain the increased demands on their families and their jobs. King 5 television included an interview with a teacher last Saturday evening who said he was facing burnout from the increased demands of trying to balance his teaching duties and his family’s needs. He said he was considering changing professions and he knew a lot of teachers who were contemplating the same decision.

Finally, Cashmere’s Superintendent Johnson points out that in-person learning is also important to student’s social and emotional well-being. Johnson pointed out that the Chelan County Sheriff’s Department has reported that the number of wellness calls and home visits are increasing dramatically in the Cashmere community.

“We have seen the joy and excitement the in-person option has brought our K – 6 grade students, and we believe it would be remiss not to offer an in-person option to our 7-12^th students to provide the social and emotional support that is as important, if not more, than the academics they receive.”

Johnson and the Cashmere School Board are not alone in their concerns aver social and emotional support. Last Saturday a large number of students from Puyallup held a protest rally on the steps of the Capitol in Olympia to demand Governor Inslee remove the ban on youth sports activity.

“When I can't express myself on the court I can't let that anger or sadness out. It builds up and it really hurts more than normal,” said 16-year-old Madison Brauner to a reporter covering the rally.