School days extend and sports gets a spike and a kick-off

DAYTON–The School Board approved extending class hours to 2 p.m. beginning March 1 at the February 17 meeting.

It has been nearly one year since Secondary students have had a full day of in-person learning and the Board voted unanimously to extend class time from 12:30 p.m. release for distance learning to all in-person learning until 2 p.m. beginning March 1.

The elementary students have had this schedule since the beginning of the school year. Now, with COVID cases down in the community and a strong safety plan in place, the District feels the change will help many of the students in middle and high school improve their grades.

As the South-Central region has finally eased into Phase 2 of the Governor's Road to Recovery Plan, the modified athletics schedule can move forward. Volleyball practices have already begun and the first match is scheduled for February 23 at Mabton. All practices and home game will be in Dayton. The first home match will be on February 25 against Kittitas.

Football practices have also begun with the first game on February 27 at home against Highland. All practices and home games will be in Waitsburg. The practice and game designation are based on discussion of the DW Combine Committee of the use of the best facility. The Dayton gym is considered a better fit for volleyball and the Waitsburg football field better for football.

Secondary Principal Kristina Brown said Dayton and Waitsburg Associated Student Body met with graphic designers, Bo Stevenson and Ross Hamann about creating mock-up logos for the three DW mascot choices. Before the logos are presented to the students of both schools for voting, they will be reviewed by the two ASB groups, the principals with the designers at another meeting scheduled for February 25.

Superintendent Guy Strot reported that additional government funding for the District in the amount of $464,000 is expected for COVID-related expenses, including education intervention to be used by September, 2023.

Some recent in-school events reported include:

-Children in Ginger Bryan's and Dawn McGhan's classes took an excursion to walk to deliver Valentines to Booker. They were delivered to the door and then the children paraded along the windows to greet the residents.

-The Associated Student Body worked to personalize Valentine's Day envelopes for the students in the upper grades.

-Renee Slaybaugh is working with students in Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) to participate in the Winter Regional Leadership Competition, which is being held virtually.