peace arch inside orange circle

Good evening students, staff, families and community,

As I mentioned in my message last evening, the Governor’s office and the Department of Health have come out with a new decision making “tool kit” with revised metrics, guiding schools toward more in-person learning based on a growing research base that strongly indicates how safe our schools are. 

While there is always a possibility of a positive case entering a school, research does not support that cases are spreading there. We believe in our well thought out protocols and procedures to mitigate transmission in the school setting and have seen them work well in our K-5 environment. We will continue to follow Whatcom County Health Department’s recommendations and safety measures. 

We were able to meet with local health department officials as well as our labor representatives this morning, and we are happy to announce a plan to return to hybrid learning. We will remain on the schedule of half-day in-person learning and alternating weeks.

  • Wednesday, January 6, 2021 - Grades 6-9 Start Hybrid Learning

  • Monday, January 11, 2021 - Grades 10-12 Start Hybrid Learning 

Additional important dates are below. Watch for links to these events to be published in the coming week. 

  • Monday, January 4, 2021, 6:00 P.M. - Community Q&A

  • Tuesday, January 5, 2021, 6:00 P.M. - Middle School Hybrid Learning Information Night

  • Wednesday, January 6, 2021 6:00 P.M. - High School Hybrid Learning Information Night

Please review your student’s schedule assignment. If you requested a change to hybrid learning from online in the beginning of the year please know those changes will not take effect until Monday, January 25th. Those who requested schedule changes will receive confirmation from the district by January 15th. 

While this is a wonderful step in the right direction, we are not out of this health situation. Our ability to continue with in-person learning is impacted by county metrics. We want you all to enjoy this holiday season, but please continue to follow the recommendations of distancing, masking, frequent hand washing, cleaning and limiting gatherings. 

I want to thank all the administrators and teachers for their collaboration and support for a return to in-person learning. Through all of this, our team has never wavered in our advocacy for students to be in the building learning with our exceptional staff. We are so excited to share the news of this next step with you and can think of no better gift for our community this holiday season. If you have any questions or concerns please feel free to contact me. I remain committed to making myself available and accessible to our families. 

It is a great night to be a Borderite, and, as always, a great night to be your superintendent. 

Dr. Christopher Granger 

Every Student. Every Day. In a New Way!