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I want to start by apologizing that you are going through this on your most special year of High School. That message also includes parents that are trying to help their students navigate this situation. I really wish I could wave a wand and make Prom, State FFA Convention, spring sports, and all that homework happen for you. This is not something that you asked for, or wanted, and we all recognize that.

I also am sorry that I do not have many answers for questions that you have at this point. I do want you to know that statewide we are working on answering many of the questions that you might have. I know that when we have more guidance from the State the district will work on a plan to help make you continue to be successful. In meetings, I have been involved with, that include the State Superintendent of Education, and your class is always a topic.

In the meantime, I suggest working on assignments to keep your brain engaged. We are living in a new age so recording your experiences in a diary would be something you could look back on and keep your writing skills up. Your teachers are going to work on projects for you, and I ask that you are patient with them as they are trying these things for the first time.

When I have more information that is better than me looking into a crystal ball I will let you know. Until then, know that I am thinking of your class in particular and am proud of what you have done and will do because of this situation. YOU are PIONEER Strong.

Milton-Freewater Unified School District #7 20 de Marzo de 2020

Una carta abierta a nuestros estudiantes séniors y Padres de McLoughlin High School,

Quiero comenzar disculpándome por estar pasando por esto en su año más especial de la escuela secundaria. Ese mensaje también incluye a los padres que están tratando de ayudar a sus estudiantes a navegar esta situación. Realmente desearía poder agitar una varita mágica y hacer que el baile de graduación, la Convención estatal de la FFA, los deportes de primavera y toda esa tarea te suceda. Esto no es algo que pediste o quisiste, y todos lo reconocemos.

También lamento no tener muchas respuestas a las preguntas que tiene en este momento. Quiero que sepa que en todo el estado estamos trabajando para responder muchas de las preguntas que pueda tener. Sé que cuando tengamos más orientación del Estado, el distrito trabajará en un plan para ayudarlo a continuar siendo exitoso. He estado involucrado en reuniones que incluyen al Superintendente de Educación del Estado, y su clase siempre es un tema.

Mientras tanto, sugiero trabajar en tareas para mantener tu cerebro ocupado. Estamos viviendo en una nueva era, por lo que registrar sus experiencias en un diario sería algo que podría mirar hacia atrás y mantener sus habilidades de escritura. Sus maestros van a trabajar en proyectos para usted, y le pido que sea paciente con ellos, ya que están intentando estas cosas por primera vez.

Cuando tenga más información que sea mejor que yo mirando una bola de cristal, se lo haré saber. Hasta entonces, sepa que estoy pensando en su clase en particular y estoy orgulloso de lo que ha hecho y hará debido a esta situación. Eres pionero fuerte.

Aaron Duff
Superintendente
Distrito escolar de Milton-Freewater

The Milton-Freewater School District and the the Walla Walla YMCA are teaming up to provide a new afterschool program in Milton-Freewater. The program, called the “Milton-Freewater YMCA Afterschool Program” will be based at Freewater School and will serve community youth from Kindergarten to Fifth Grade. Final details are under review with the goal of starting the program April 6. The program will align its dates of operation with the school district and will be open from 3:00 – 6:00 p.m. Monday-Thursday and Fridays from 1:00 – 6:00 p.m.

The school district will provide bus transportation to bring students to the afterschool program and will contract the program’s operations with the YMCA’s experienced early childhood education team, led by Katie Svilich.

Aaron Duff, Milton-Freewater School District superintendent said,” We have long held the vison of offering a school district-coordinated, quality-based afterschool program. We look for ways to advance our commitment to providing children with a science, technology, engineering, math and arts curriculum, while also providing children with a structured and fun environment. The YMCA was the perfect partner to help support our goals given its commitment to youth development and the Milton-Freewater community.”

Another key goal of this collaboration is the development of a sustainable community-staffed afterschool program in Milton-Freewater. To that end, the YMCA is actively recruiting a local program coordinator and four to five counselors. For information about these positions, candidates are encouraged to contact the YMCA’s HR Director, Cassie Siegal.

“The YMCA has been pleased to coordinate an 8-week summer camp with the the Milton- Freewater School District for several years,” said Karen Hedine, Walla Walla YMCA CEO. ”The planned afterschool program is a natural extension of our efforts to provide youth development programs in Milton-Freewater, and we are honored to have been asked to be the school district’s partner.”

This 2020 program is made possible in large part thanks to a grant that the school district received from the Blue Mountain Community Foundation.