Grays Harbor and Pacific County school superintendents were already meeting Friday with local public health officials to discuss possible school closures when Gov. Jay Inslee made the decision to close schools statewide.

Inslee’s order starts Tuesday and goes through at least April 24. Aberdeen schools Superintendent Alicia Henderson said she and her team would work through the weekend. She said they will use Monday to prepare students for the leave and to share more information with families. She said the meeting involving the districts in Grays Harbor and Pacific counties was very productive and that the districts have a lot of work to do to implement the closure.

“We’re working on it, and I believe all the school districts in the area are moving forward to put together the many preparations to close the districts,“ she said.

Henderson said the district would be providing a meal service for students and that more information would be available on the district web page

“Our teachers are doing an amazing job of working on some instructional resources for students … so they can still move forward in their learning. We will be checking out Chromebooks to any students who need them and we’re working to provide internet access for students,” she said.

“We’re also looking at how we will follow through with the governor’s requirement that we provide child care to children of our first responders and health care workers,” she added.

Henderson said she met with Mayor Pete Schave and Grays Harbor County Commissioner Randy Ross in the afternoon to coordinate efforts and find a good child care location.

Updated information can be found at the district’s coronavirus web page: https://www.asd5.org/domain/1543

Hoquiam Schools

The Hoquiam School District will be closed starting Monday, March 16, according to a statement from the district Friday afternoon. All extra-curricular activities are canceled.

All school district staff will report to the high school gym Monday at 8 a.m. for a preparation day.

Updates will be posted on the district Facebook page and website, hoquiam.net.

Grays Harbor College

At Grays Harbor College, starting Tuesday, classes will shift to online delivery except for labs and hands-on career technical programs.

Core student support services remain open as of Friday, but social distancing will be practiced to avoid convening large groups of people.