The Spokane Public Schools board of directors is expected to approve guidelines for high school credit and graduation requirements at its meeting Wednesday night.

Mirroring recommendations from the state superintendent’s office, the guidelines are intended to provide flexibility for high school seniors during school closures forced by the COVID-19 pandemic.

High school seniors will have three choices for each course: a pass/fail grade on their high school transcript (for those who don’t want to negatively impact their cumulative grade-point average); a letter grade (for those who hope to improve their GPA); or a credit waiver from the school (for students with Fs and those who do not need certain credits to graduate or provide competency-based model to get to Pass (P) grade.)

Individual teachers will use their professional judgment to determine competency-based credit opportunities to address the compression of available class time due to the school closure period.

The district also has widened its food distribution network, sending buses to neighborhoods near Arlington, Audubon, Cooper, Sheridan and Stevens elementary schools. Meal distribution continues at 24 sites from 11 a.m. to noon every weekday.

Meanwhile, families are receiving more online resources and guides. The SPS Learning at Home page contains sample schedules, guides and resources for use during the school closures.

All districts in the area continue to issue regular updates during the closures via their websites, social media or direct emails to families.

Here is a district-by-district rundown of plans as of Monday afternoon:

In the Central Valley School District, this will be a transition week “for families and teachers to adjust” to a regular distance learning model, the district said in a statement on Sunday. On April 20, the district will “implement the scheduled learning and teaching times across all levels.”

• The district has expanded its free food program, adding four additional sites. The district also is moving ahead with plans for child care and academic support. The district has opened school buildings to provide child care for health care workers and first responders.

The Mead School District will “move from providing remote optional enrichment activities to new active learning for students, it announced last weekend. For K-3 students this will include 2.5 hours per week of learning time and for 4-5 grades the time increases to 3 hours per week. For K-5 students 30 minutes of the learning time will be on a digital platform that provides face-to-face interaction between students and the teacher.

• At the secondary level (6-12 grades) there will be 2.5 hours per week per subject of learning time, 30 minutes of which will be on a digital platform that provides face-to-face interaction between students and the teacher.
• Those who need a Chromebook but did not complete the Family Needs Survey may still request a device by calling (509) 465-6014. Food distribution is ongoing at selected sites. For families of health service workers and first responders, day care is ongoing.

In the Coeur d’Alene School District, Chromebook checkout has begun for those who fill out a form. Online learning materials have been posted, and food pickup for school-age children is available with distribution via buses from 11-11:30 a.m. at the following locations: Fernan STEM Academy, Bryan and Skyway elementary schools, Lakes Middle School (front parking lot) and Ramsey Magnet School of Science (west parking lot). Emergency K-5 child care is available at Ramsey Magnet School and will be limited to district students whose parents or guardians work in health care or emergency services. The hours are 6:45 a.m. to 6 p.m. weekdays.

The West Valley School District child care is ongoing for students who attend district schools and are children of first responders, medical field employees, grocery store and pharmacy employees and active military families. Those who have not contacted the district should call Heather Awbery at (509) 340-7191. YMCA child care at Pasadena or Seth Woodard elementary schools will continue for those already enrolled. Grab-and-go breakfasts and lunches are available at Pasadena Park, Seth Woodard, Ness and Orchard Center elementary schools. Children must be present to receive meals. The district also has released online learning resources.

The East Valley School District has finalized details for food distribution at sites throughout the district. To receive child care, families of first responders and medical workers must fill out an online form.

Cheney Public Schools finalized plans for breakfast and lunch, which began last week. The district also has posted at-home learning materials and laptop checkout. The district is partnering with Cheney Parks and Recreation to provide drop-in services to students between the ages of 4 years and fifth-grade who are children of first responders and health care workers. For those unable to complete the child care survey, indicating a need for child care, or if your circumstances have changed, please call the parent/community COVID-19 question line at (509) 559-4580.

The Medical Lake School District is providing grab-and-go lunches that include provisions for the following day’s breakfast, and will be delivered by bus. The district has created a survey with distribution locations to identify the number of meals needed. The district is still working on a plan to provide child care.

The Deer Park School District has announced details of laptop checkout. The district also is offering child care for children ages 3-13 of health services personnel and first responders, but a questionnaire must be completed first. Free grab-and-go lunches are being provided from 11 a.m. to noon.

In the Riverside School District, free child care is being provided for preschool through fifth-graders in families of medical field workers and first responders. Sack breakfasts and lunches are available at off-school sites.

The Freeman School District is offering free sack breakfasts and lunches; applicants must fill out a form.

In the Nine Mile Falls School District, learning enrichment packets are available at the front entry of each school building. Lakeside High School students without access to technology should contact the school. Packets for elementary and middle school students are available during Free Meals for Kids lunch delivery.