Stanwood Camano School District to close Wednesday; Snohomish SD will reopen

Some Western Washington schools announced closures and others will reopen on Wednesday, March 11 amid the coronavirus outbreak. We'll update this page as we learn more from local districts:

Stanwood Camano School District

The Stanwood Camano School District said it would close all schools beginning Wednesday, March 11 through the rest of the week:

Seattle: Aki Kurose Middle School

A staff member at Aki Kurose Middle School in Seattle tested positive for COVID-19 on Tuesday. The Seattle School District said Aki Kurose will be closed on Wednesday, March 11:

Tacoma Public Schools

Four schools in Tacoma also have closures this week after individuals tested "presumptive positive" for coronavirus at Sheridan Elementary, Lowell Elementary and Wilson High School.

Administrators said this is in addition to the presumptive positive test that forced the closure of Mary Lyon Elementary.

"The decision to close schools is not taken lightly. We know that family schedules often revolve around students. We also understand that this news can be upsetting," administrators wrote in the letter. "We will be in close communication with the health department and will communicate with you any additional information or guidance they provide."

According to Tacoma Public Schools:

Meridian School District

A staff member at a Meridian School District middle school in Whatcom County has been exposed to someone who tested positive for COVID-19, prompting officials to close all schools in the district on Tuesday, March 10, and Wednesday, March 11.

"Since our staff member has been in school all last week and today, they have been in contact with our other staff and students," Dr. James Everett, Meridian Schools Superintendent, said. "Given the size of our district, most of our staff wear many hats and interact with each of our buildings. Our middle school students visit the high school for athletics and math. All our students ride the same buses. Student and staff safety is our primary concern and it is this interconnectedness that has driven the decision to close the district for two days out of precaution."

Snohomish School District

All schools in the Snohomish School District were closed Tuesday, March 10, but will be back open on Wednesday, March 11.

The district said Tuesday that the employee who tested positive is quarantined:

Shorecrest High School in Shoreline

A Shorecrest staff member has a confirmed case of COVID-19. The staff member has not been at work since Thursday, March 5. Based on consultation and guidance provided by Public Health, any staff and students who are determined to have been in close contact with the staff member while the staff member exhibited symptoms will be notified and provided guidance.

Shorecrest will be closed Wednesday, March 11, to allow for a deep cleaning of the school. Shorecrest will reopen on Thursday, March 12. All other schools will be open and operating normally. If there is any change to this, we will make another announcement.