Ketchikan Gateway Borough School District

Educating and empowering students to be leaders, critical thinkers, and problem solvers.

    • Press Release: Update on COVID Case at Ketchikan High School

      NEWS RELEASE-Update

      October 15, 2020

      (Ketchikan, Alaska) – Ketchikan High School will reopen October 16, 2020, for staff and public use. The school building was closed for 24 hours to allow for contract tracing, disinfecting, and deep cleaning after we received notification of a positive COVID case.

      Per a previously-scheduled closure due to parent/teacher conferences, Ketchikan High School and the preschools housed in the high school building will not be in session on Friday, October 16th. 

      The following events are cleared to occur:

      • District Office personnel/departments housed in the high school building
      • CNA Clinicals for high school CNA students - Friday, 10/16 - offsite 
      • Drama Debate Forensics (DDF) Virtual Meet - Friday, 10/16 from 4pm-8pm and Saturday, 10/17 from 11am-8pm
      • PSAT - Saturday, 10/17 from 8am-noon (doors open at 7:30am)
      • Drive Thru Flu Clinic (please note this is NOT drive-thru COVID testing, as stated in the Ketchikan Daily News) - Saturday, 10/17 from 10am-2pm
      • Other activities and practices as regularly scheduled

      Normal operations will resume on Monday, 10/19. 

      Staff and students who were instructed by public health to quarantine should not return to school until after they complete their quarantine periods.

      We appreciate everyone’s cooperation and support over the past 24 hours.

      Beth Lougee, Superintendent

           
      Comments (-1)

    • Positive COVID-19 Case at Ketchikan High School

      October 14, 2020

      Alert A student at Ketchikan High School has tested positive for COVID-19.  We are working closely with the Ketchikan EOC and Public Health to respond to this news and protect the health of our community.  Each situation calls for different protocols.  In this case, we will follow the following steps:

      1. Principal will notify Ketchikan High School Staff and Parents
      2. Close down the entire school for a minimum of 24 hours.  Staff and students will be notified when they can return to school.
      3. Ketchikan Pest Control will disinfect the whole school building (first).
      4. Custodial workers will conduct a deep cleaning of the building (second).
      5. Updates to the public will go as we receive updated information.

      We appreciate everyone's cooperation while we prepare our school for re-opening.

      Beth Lougee, 
      Superintendent
      Comments (-1)

    • Sign up for Text Alerts

      Test Alerts Ketchikan Gateway Borough School District uses texting capabilities through SchoolMessenger, the same system that sends out the district’s automated phone calls and emails. This service is not intended to replace our existing means of communication- rather it will enhance them.

      The district will only use the service to provide information that is timely and relevant.

      In order to participate in the new service you must indicate your willingness to receive text messages to your phone. The process is simple and only takes a few seconds to complete.

      Simply text any one of the following words to the number 67587: subscribe, optin, yes

      You’ll know you were successful if you receive the following reply message:You are registered for SchoolMessenger notifications. Reply STOP to quit, HELP for help.

      *NOTE: In addition to performing the opt-in process above you’ll want to ensure that the district has your wireless number(s) in our student information database. If you haven’t already provided that information to your school, do so.
      Comments (-1)

    • Get information about Alaska Smart Start 2020

      Alaska Dept of Education and Early Development Logo The Department of Education and Early Development (DEED), in partnership with the Department of Health and Social Services (DHSS), developed guidance to support planning and strategies for reopening schools. ‘Alaska Smart Start 2020’ framework for K-12 schools provides a tiered approach based on COVID-19 pandemic risk levels per community. School districts and communities will work together to develop clear, actionable steps that are necessary for teaching and learning to continue throughout the 2020-2021 school year. These health parameters provide a basis for plans that are specific, actionable, and broad enough to be adaptable.

      Alaska Smart Start 2020 is built upon the guidance and recommendations of health officials and collaborative conversations with education stakeholders; it is aligned to the reopening guidelines that have been provided by our state and federal leaders; and it is designed to help districts prioritize the health and safety of students and teachers as they deliver instruction for the 2020-2021 school year.

    • COVID-19 Moderate Level

      Dear Parents and Families,

      KGBSD Logo The Ketchikan COVID 19 Community Risk Level has moved to a MODERATE LEVEL. Due to our advanced Smart Start Planning, KGBSD will continue to operate at 100% capacity with annex sites and safety measures in place. There are currently no positive cases in our school community; however, we want you to know that your health and safety is our top priority.

      We are partnering closely with Ketchikan EOC, local public health officials, the Alaska Department of Health and Social Services Division of Public Health, and the Alaska Department of Education and Early Department. They will continue to provide support and direction for managing COVID-19 related scenarios that impact our school community.

      If a significant event occurs in our school or district, you will receive information via school messenger, emails and texts.

      We need your continued help and support to protect our schools and community against COVID-19. Here are some ways to protect your family and your school:

      • Continued the awesome support and modeling of wearing a face mask at school.
      • Keep children who are sick at home. Don’t send them to school.
      • Teach your children to frequently wash hands with soap and warm water for 20 seconds. Be sure to set a good example by doing this yourself.
      • Teach your children to cover coughs and sneezes with tissues or by coughing into the inside of the elbow. Be sure to set a good example by doing this yourself.
      • Teach your children to stay at least six feet away from people, and avoid large groups outside of school where social distancing is difficult.
      • People who are sick should stay home from work or school and isolate until they are better. As much as you can, isolate sick family members from others in your household.
      • If your student has traveled out of state recently, please know that returning travelers may not attend in-person school until 14 days have passed or until they or their guardian have received two negative COVID-19 tests. For details, see State of Alaska Health Mandate 10.


      We appreciate all your efforts to help us keep school open for all students. Let’s keep COVID under control in Ketchikan! If you have any questions, please contact your child’s school principal or my office at 247-2109.

      Sincerely,

      Superintendent Lougee

      Oct 7, 2020

       
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