Schools canceling indoor events, limiting access in response to COVID-19

MOSES LAKE — School districts throughout the Columbia Basin are canceling indoor events in response to concerns over COVID-19, and districts are limiting access to school facilities. But instruction continues.

Moses Lake School District officials announced they would limit access to school facilities beginning March 13 and extending through at least April 12 in a letter. “All indoor sports, events, concerts and meetings involving the public” will be canceled.

All “non-school organized indoor activities” and any public meetings using school facilities are canceled, the announcement said. All athletic indoor or extracurricular activities or practices have been canceled, as well as public use of the MLSD swimming pool and any scheduled swim lessons. All school activities, such as “dances, plays, concerts, parent nights, banquets,” have been canceled also.

“Outdoor events and activities will not be affected by cancellations at this time,” the letter said.

Ephrata School District officials announced the district’s indoor facilities will be closed to public use, beginning March 16, in a letter. “We will reevaluate this decision on March 31 based on any new available data,” it said. Any “inside extracurricular activity that involves outside people” will be postponed during that period.

Ephrata School District will not have volunteers inside facilities until further notice. District officials also will limit outside guests or visitors.

Quincy School District has canceled non-essential indoor events for the rest of March, according to a letter released March 12. Outdoor events and athletics will not be affected.

Access to Quincy schools will be restricted. Volunteers and visitors will not be allowed to enter, and community groups will not be able to use the district’s indoor facilities for the rest of the month.

Othello School District officials also have canceled events that use indoor facilities. All assemblies and concerts have been canceled, according to a letter from district superintendent Chris Hurst sent to parents. “We are reviewing planned district events through the end of spring break,” Hurst wrote. For now, outdoor sports are continuing, but that could change, he said.

“Schools are being encouraged to eliminate gatherings of more than 250 people,” wrote Wilson Creek superintendent Laura Christian in a letter to parents. “While this doesn’t generally impact our school, it has resulted in the cancellation of some activities.” Among the cancellations have been the high school prom scheduled for this weekend, and the remainder of the junior high volleyball season, Christian said. “We will continue to monitor the situation and make updates as they are required.”

In a letter by Soap Lake School District, officials said they had received recommendations to “cancel non-essential school gatherings. Currently the district is considering each event independently.” Scheduled events have been canceled for this weekend. Superintendent Sunshine Pray said the district is deciding whether events, practices and games will be held on a case-by-case basis.

In a letter issued March 12, Royal School District superintendent Roger Trail said the district is following its emergency response plan, which at the moment is in Stage 2. “As a result we have limited some after-hours gatherings.” Trail said the next step in the plan would be implemented if a coronavirus case is identified in the Royal City area. “To emphasize, we are not in that stage yet and our plan is to continue with Stage 2 activities.”

Big Bend Community College President Terry Leas issued a letter March 12 announcing that all events that would attract 250 people or more are being canceled. The prohibition will be in effect at least through April 13.

Cheryl Schweizer can be reached via email at education@columbiabasinherald.com.