School reaps COVID funding rewards

DAYTON–Public Health Administrator Martha Lanman indicated because the department has not done as much contact tracing as anticipated, they have money that could be given to the District to cover COVID related expenses including the Chromebooks now provided for students or for further COVID related purchases including picnic tables to allow for outdoor seating.

The School District has received $120,000 in CARES funding but the FEMA money is taking extra time to be distributed to the District.

Additionally, the District has been notified they could qualify for grant money from Innovia for up to around $5000 for COVID expenditures.

Dayton schools have just completed their ninth week of school with the first quarter ending on October 28 and conference coming up. These can be held either in person, over the phone or by Zoom.

Superintendent Guy Strot reported that kids and staff seem to doing well with both the health guidelines and meeting class expectations. He said that the district has “a good partnership with Public Health” but that Public Health’s interest in protecting kids and the Department of Labor & Industry is about protecting staff so he’s inviting them in to evaluate ways the District can better protect them.

Middle and High School Principal, Kristina Brown said that the distance learning component seems to be going well for most high school students but is more challenging getting the middle school kids to engage.

This week in place of the usual Homecoming events, the Dayton Associated Student Body has planned a week of festivities to build school spirit, according to Brown. The activities include student’s decorating their own mask and treat bags, playing Halloween themed games and trick-or-treating through the schools.

Strot reported the elementary school is trying to keep things as normal as possible including with annual events. The school just held the Fall Book Fair and will have another in the Spring. The children will be receiving pumpkins from the Washington State Penitentiary as they have in other years. And Blue Mountain Counseling has provided the children with the fall coloring contest of which Strot indicated his favorite was a jack-o-lantern with a mask.

Paula Moisio, reported that with 386 students enrolled is under the projected number making the District under budget.