Despite having a far smaller population than the Tri-Cities, Walla Walla School DIstrict will not be returning their high school students full time this year.

Tuesday night, Superintendent Dr. Wade Smith and the Board announced a full time return to class for K-8th grade as of April 26th.

According to the District's information release, school times for K-8 will be as follows:

"School hours:
•    Elementary: 8 a.m. to 2:40 p.m. – Wednesday Early Release – 1:40 p.m.
•    Middle School: 8:50 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. – Wednesday Early Release – 2:30 p.m."

These will go into effect April 26th. Dr. Smith said communications have begun immediately with parents and students:

“Schools will begin communicating and coordinating with families today via flyers being sent home with elementary students, mailings for middle school students, and school messenger calls this evening."

More information will be released soon about middle school sports and activities, which will affect Pioneer and Garrison Middle Schools.  It is not known if they will be facing other area teams; not likely Kennewick or Tri Cities, as their MS school sports have already begun weeks ago.

It's interesting that despite their much smaller population, and essentially lower COVID case counts as opposed to the Tri-Cities, that WWSD is one of the last in our region to return to full time in person education. It's also surprising HS students will not be joining them, but will have to finish their year in the AM PM hybrid plan.

WW High students, however, have been competing against the rest of the Mid Columbia Conference in various sports.

Walla Walla County's total population is slightly less than the City of Kennewick, by the way.

 

In Pictures: What Education Looks Like Around the World During a Pandemic

 

 

 

More From 105.3 KISS FM