Dear Bethel School District families,

In consultation with the Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department, regarding the spread of COVID-19 cases, all staff and students at Liberty Middle School will switch to remote learning starting Monday, Oct. 25 through Friday, October 29, 2021. As previously scheduled, October 27 through 29 will be early dismissal days for student conferences. We hope to return to in-person learning at Liberty Middle School on Monday, Nov. 1.  
 
Liberty Middle School families will be receiving additional information regarding remote learning schedules soon. If students do not have their iPads at home, please contact the main office 253-800-6500 to set up a time to pick it up.

Why is Liberty Middle School switching to remote learning?
In the last seven days, there were 24 COVID cases at Liberty Middle School. Of the 850 enrolled students, 228 students and staff have been identified as COVID-19 close contacts.

The Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department strongly recommends and supports the decision to move Liberty Middle School to remote learning next week to help slow the transmission of COVID-19. This aligns with the latest guidance from the Washington State Department of Health. 

Close contacts already in quarantine will still need to quarantine until the date previously given by the school, and should not go to other activities or child care. 

Students and staff not notified as being a close contact do not need to quarantine, but should seek testing and monitor for symptoms. The Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department strongly recommends that all Liberty Middle School students seek out testing for COVID-19. If your child tests positive, please notify the school immediately.
 
Our staff’s experience with remote learning last year will be called upon again as we make this brief adjustment out of caution. Though this disruption to in-person learning is not welcome, it was certainly not unexpected. Even though our staff and students are following the mask and social distancing guidance from the health department, COVID-19 and its many variants are a reality we must continue to face together. I remain a proponent of getting vaccinated against COVID-19 if you are able.
 
We appreciate your understanding as we do everything we can to ensure the health and safety of our students and staff.

Sincerely,

Tom Seigel
Superintendent, Bethel School District