SCHOOLS: Seattle Lutheran HS adds another day of in-person learning

Many West Seattle independent and parochial schools have offered hybrid programs this year, as we reported last fall – some in-person learning, some online. One of them, Seattle Lutheran High School, has just announced it’s adding a fourth day of in-person learning starting this week.

The Seattle Lutheran High School Board of Directors is pleased to announce the approval of a fourth day of in-building learning for all students in grades 9-12 beginning the week of March 1, 2021. Students will now attend classes in the building Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday, with Wednesday being fully remote and the last Wednesday of each month being an asynchronous workday.

“The Seattle Lutheran Board and I are excited about moving to four days a week of in-building classes. Our protocols have worked flawlessly and with the continued infection rate reductions, we are confident this is the right move for our students,” commented Tim Morgan, Interim Executive Director of Seattle Lutheran High School.

In the fall, students had the option of attending classes remotely or in-person. Safety protocols have been strictly enforced on campus with students and staff screened every morning before entering the building, including temperature checks and required mask wearing. When asked what she thought of the additional day of in-building learning, ASB SLHS President Melina Menashe replied, “I really enjoy going to school every day to be with my best friends, as well as asking teachers questions and receiving answers in person so you can get more than just a visual experience.”

Senior Emma Freeman added that she feels “adding Friday to the list of in-person days will help increase engagement in whatever classes in-person students have for that day. I know for me personally it is sometimes easier to slide off on Zoom on a Friday afternoon, but being in the building helps keep me on track.”

Seattle Lutheran High School is still accepting applications for Fall 2021, and more information can be found here or contact the Admissions Director Sally Heit at 206-937-7722, or visit www.seattlelutheran.org.

The SLHS campus is at 4100 SW Genesee, just north of The Junction. We asked if they’ve had any COVID cases; the response, “SLHS has had only one positive Covid-19 case but it was not contracted at the school nor transmitted within the school community.”

12 Replies to "SCHOOLS: Seattle Lutheran HS adds another day of in-person learning"

  • LG March 2, 2021 (10:14 pm)

    Sure. Rub it in. :) Seriously though, happy to see this. Wish SPA had the capability of reopening. 

  • Smittytheclown March 3, 2021 (5:37 am)

    I’d love to see statistics on private/Catholic school enrollments.  Must be skyrocketing.  Good for them.  Trust the science.  

  • skeeter March 3, 2021 (9:38 am)

    It’s good that students are able to safely return to the
    classroom where they can better learn. 
    But I can’t be alone in seeing the unfairness.  Private schools return to in person learning
    while public schools remain remote. 
    Until poor children have the same educational opportunities as wealthier
    children we’re going to see continued inequality.     

  • Anne March 3, 2021 (10:46 am)

    Many private school are smaller than most SPS. While not positive- guessing most teachers there have not been vaccinated yet- but smaller size combined with strict protocols have made this possible- with minimum risk to health of students & teachers & staff. Doing the same -in much larger public schools -would be problematic-without the protections offered by vaccinations. Now that teachers are eligible- hoping that extra level of safety will get all schools back in business.Also- the idea that kids that go to private schools are from “wealthy” families – is baloney. We sure as heck weren’t- anywhere remotely near wealthy. 

    • Pessoa March 3, 2021 (11:46 am)

      The CDC has vouched for the safety of returning to the classroom following the basic safety protocols, including small cohorts.  Other large public school systems have managed it safely. We have known since last fall that schools are not the drivers of the infection, but it wasn’t politically expedient to admit this publicly. 

  • sgs March 3, 2021 (1:18 pm)

    Agree that in this case, it is not an equity issue, but an issue of school size.  SeaLu is small and able to be more agile.  Part of their student body is 100% virtual, so distancing protocols are possible. 

  • Parent March 3, 2021 (2:49 pm)

    Private school is affordable.  They offer financial aid to many.  Also- the amount of money I was paying for a co-hort (I work, not remotely), private zoom tutoring (my kid was failing with computer curriculum), and child-care (for when the co-hort wasn’t in session), I have saved $700 a month with private school.  My child is doing amazing.  He is happy, has recess, is doing super fun science experiments and is way more motivated to do homework.  I drop off at 8am and pick up at 3pm… 5 days a week.  I have never been so relieved.  I pay $325 a month (his dad pays the other half)… and this is without financial aid.   It sucks, but we need to look at the big picture… costs accrued for just having him on a computer with headphones, my stress, his mental health and not having to spend money on clothes… he loves his uniform!  Maybe ask in lieu of gifts for birthdays, other holidays, etc…ask for relatives to help with tuition.  Also consider the fact that many have not spent money on extracurricular activities due to the lockdown.  I’m just encouraging those parents who think private school is only for the wealthy, it’s not.  You just need to “re-imagine” your finances and see how affordable this is.  And- he is in a class with 8 kids, with room for more (to adhere to their strict safety protocols).  St. Bernadette’s has been open since September and have not had to close. They have space for many grades and I can’t tell you how amazing the teachers are with the children.  Yes, it’s Catholic school, no I am not in their Parish or go to church.  Yes, my child has learned about the Ten Commandments etc.  If you aren’t religious, who cares?  Don’t you want your child to learn “thou shall not…”. Or do you want them to continue to look on a computer screen (only to catch them watching YouTube) and not get to hear them talk about what they learned today with a smile?  Anyway- just wanted to put some options out there for frustrated parents and give them hope that it can be done without being “wealthy”.  

    • BW March 4, 2021 (6:55 am)

      Bravo!

  • skeeter March 3, 2021 (3:26 pm)

    Seattle families with financial means to attend a private
    school have the option of in-person learning. 
    Seattle families without financial means to attend a private school do
    not have the option of in-person learning (as of 3/3/2021.)  I assure you that is the very definition of
    an equity gap.  I understand that we have
    to prioritize safety and there are variables like class size, staff ratio, etc
    that make in-person teaching more challenging for public schools.  If SPS lacks the resources and money and
    facilities to safely return to in-person learning then we have to continue
    remote learning.  But it’s still an educational
    equity gap.

  • skeeter March 3, 2021 (3:37 pm)

    Parent – I think is is fantastic your child is thriving in Catholic school.  Thank you for sharing.  Just to clarify – I never said anyone had to be “wealthy” to attend private school.  I said “wealthier.”  Keep in mind that not everyone can afford Catholic school tuition of even $325/month.  And many families have more than one child in school.  

  • Parental Unit March 3, 2021 (5:53 pm)

    Sealu is definitely small and not many in the building. However, I have heard the teachers don’t reinforce mask wearing which is why I chose to have my daughter return to virtual leaning. Not to mention the covid case was kept hidden from the community. Three of her teachers are virtual which makes it an easier choice for her to remain at home. The loss of the principal in the middle of the year doesn’t help matters. A lot of unknowns happening there right now. 

  • Parent March 3, 2021 (8:31 pm)

    Thank you.  My post wasn’t about refuting what you said, I just wanted to let those who think private school isn’t in their budget to check it out.  I have an employee (with 4 kids) go to these schools for next to nothing based on financial aid.  And I don’t want to emphasize race (as I feel this basically would come off as saying people of color cannot afford private school).  That being said, after reading the uproar about certain races being disproportionately affected by remote learning… well, my kid’s school is amazingly diverse, and my employee’s children are kid’s of color and the possibility of financial aid (she doesn’t pay a dime for her child for high school… not because of of the color of his skin, but because she is a single mother of 4 on a very limited income) is within reach for more families than most expect.  I also have an extended family member get full tuition waived for her transgender child at a very pricy private school.  I cannot attest as to if it was due to her low income and having 4 children, or if it was because they were able to provide a safe place for her child to learn based on being transgender.  This child was ridiculed in public school (not by teachers) and the private school has provided a safe haven for this child to, well, just be a kid.  Now that topic is for another thread… don’t want to make any accusations about public schools not supporting transgender children, just that this particular school made my family member feel at ease, especially since her child is in 3rd grade.  Regardless, at any rate, and in conclusion… parents, regardless of all backgrounds, I encourage all to look into options available.  They are certainly out there.  

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