Weekly Update from the Superintendent

August 25, 2021

Dear students, staff, families and community, 

School starts for grades 1 – 12 in eight days, September 2, 2021.  We look forward to seeing our students and staff as we embark on a new school year and educational journey together.  Thanks to the many families who have reached out to communicate understanding and support for all that Mount Baker staff members are doing to ensure a healthy and positive environment for learning.  Thanks too for the people who have communicated directly with me to seek clarification regarding questions and concerns. 

Back to school events at the elementary level will take place on September 1st from 2:30 to 3:30 p.m. at each of our elementary schools.  Seventh and ninth grade orientation will be September 1st from 12:45. to 2:00 p.m. Families will be receiving more information directly from their school. 

Complete meals for breakfast and lunch will be at no cost to families for the 2021/22 school year.  This is true for every student nation-wide as well as in Mount Baker School District.  Our Child Nutrition Department is proud to provide this service.  If you have questions, please call Child Nutrition at 360-383-2024.

There continues to be questions, concerns, controversy, and unfortunately misinformation circulating regarding the K-12 Health and Safety Guidelines, especially regarding masks and vaccines.  I have put together a document in this link regarding masks.  Since vaccines pertain to staff members at this time, I will share more information in the next couple days regarding religious and medical exemptions and waivers.

We will be holding the Mount Baker School Board Meeting tomorrow at 8:30 a.m. outside in the courtyard adjacent to the high school office.  If you are attending, please park in the junior high parking lot off Mitchell Road. Attendance is also accessible through Zoom.  Several people communicated a desire to be able to attend this meeting in person but without a mask.  As a courtesy we have arranged this for this meeting only.  Outdoor meetings with the technology needed to conduct necessary business is challenging and an extra expense.  Unless there is an unusual circumstance all future meetings will be held inside with accessibility through Zoom if attendees do not want to follow the guidelines for indoor spaces or just prefer to attend remotely. 

There are some fun events this week.  The traditional Red and Black football game will be this Friday, August 27th at 7:00 p.m. at Tisdale Field.  The Mount Baker Academic and Athletics Night at Deming Speedway is back.  There will be a silent auction and chili cook off along with the races which start at 7:00 p.m. this Friday.   We truly appreciate the support from Deming Speedway, so come on out and have some fun! 

Go Baker! Sincerely,

Mary Sewright, Superintendent | msewright@mtbaker.wednet.edu | (360) 617-4600