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Everett Public Schools expanded online learning options for students in the Mill Creek area.

On Monday, Feb. 8, first-graders and kindergarteners began a hybrid-model program. The groups were split into “Group A” and “Group B.”

All students are fully remote every Wednesday. Group A attends onsite on Mondays and Tuesdays; group B on Thursdays and Fridays. The remainder of elementary school students are still fully remote.

Parents of kindergarteners and first-graders opted-in or opted-out to two days per week of onsite learning at the following schools in Mill Creek and Bothell:

• Cedar Wood Elementary, 3414 168th St. SE, Bothell.

• Mill Creek Elementary, 3400 148th St. SE, Mill Creek.

• Tambarck Elementary, 4419 180th St. SE, Bothell.

• Woodside Elementary, 17000 23rd Ave. SE, Bothell.

Middle schoolers at Heatherwood and high schoolers at Jackson will be phased in at a later date.

About 80 students were brought back Jan. 19, across 17 school buildings in the Everett Public Schools system. The move was recommended by health officials due to the risk-benefit analysis of online versus onsite learning. Some students need in-person instruction to thrive, and some programs in that group include resources for daily nutrition.

For the first phase of onsite learning Jan. 19, developmental kindergarten, STRIVE and Life Skills programs at Everett Public Schools.

Stephanie Vignal, Mill Creek City Council member and Mayor Pro Tem, chose to opt-out of onsite learning.

“Each family has to decide what is the best option for their family and their child," Vignal said. "Our family has decided to remain virtual instead of returning under the hybrid model."

She said the consistency in scheduling was what led their decision. Her elementary schooler is used to her virtual-school routine and able to interact with her current teacher.

"Her teacher has been doing an amazing job keeping first-graders engaged on a virtual platform, and my daughter is learning and looking forward to each school day. For us, this is the most important consideration during this time of uncertainty, and I want to acknowledge the hard work of all of our educators who are doing a phenomenal job in a time that is unlike any we have seen in our lifetime.”

As the vaccination program rolls out simultaneously, the school district has plans to vaccinate teachers onsite, as soon as eligibility and supply allow.

"I can tell you as soon as we have the doses and teachers are on the docket, we will make sure that they get the shots. Right away, we'll set up clinics in our schools," said Carol Mason, Everett School Board president.

All other students will continue in 100% Remote Learning until we move to the next stage. Parents of the students eligible for onsite status can opt out, and continue with 100% online learning.

For onsite students, all standard protocols for COVID-19 prevention are in effect: frequent hand washing, social distancing of 6 feet or more, and masks.

The return of the youngest students in the student body adds to a small group of special needs students, who started onsite first, on Jan. 19.

That group included preschoolers attending the state-funded Early Childhood Education and Assistance Program (ECEAP) are in that group. ECEAP is a comprehensive state-funded program for 3- and 4-year-olds who qualify that provides instruction, nutrition, and referrals to medical and dental care.

ECEAP and preschool will be four days a week, Monday through Thursday.

For further information and updates on the status of hybrid schooling in Everett Public Schools, go to https://www.everettsd.org/Page/38776. Frequently asked questions are answered for district parents here: https://www.everettsd.org/Page/38216.