We want to thank the many Washington Roundtable members who have stepped up to create resources or support educational initiatives for students, families, and educators during this time. See below for just a handful of examples.

• For families searching for at-home activities, the Seahawks launch a fun new challenge every week from a player or staff member. Past challenges for Junior 12s include meditation, cooking, poetry, and acts of kindness.
• Educational nonprofit Khan Academy – which offers free, standards-aligned learning materials for K-12 students and free tools for teachers and parents – has expanded its offerings with support from Bank of America. Khan Academy’s new initiatives to help families and teachers through school building closures include detailed daily schedules for students, webinars to support parents and teachers, and more.
• FUTURE U., a collaboration between Boeing and Discovery Education, provides free online videos and standards-aligned STEM lessons for students and tools for educators. Students can learn about topics like welding and space ergonomics and take virtual field trips to learn about aerospace innovation, sustainability, and more.
• Every school day in May through June 12, students can explore companies and industries in Washington through CareerConnect@Home, which connects Washington students to employers in the state, including Avista, Alaska Airlines, Microsoft, Boeing, and Puget Sound Energy.
• Microsoft provides numerous resources, tools, and training to help ease the transition to remote learning. Free tools to support students’ wellbeing include a template for teachers to use for student check-ins, a course on teacher-student connections, and a podcast series on social and emotional learning.

Across Washington, businesses are planning for how they will ensure a safe, confident return for employees and customers. Here are just a handful of examples of how Washington businesses are putting workers and community first, and providing resources or guidance to others as they plan to reopen.

• Nordstrom shared its phased approach to thoughtfully reopen stores in a way that prioritizes the health of its employees and customers. The company is working to ensure everyone’s safety and wellbeing through employee health screenings, providing face coverings, allowing for social distancing, increasing cleaning and sanitization, modifying the fitting-room experience, continuing to offer contactless curbside services at certain stores, and more. More here.
• Starting in early May, Starbucks began responsibly reopening over 85 percent of its company-owned U.S. stores, with the expectation that 90 percent of stores will be open by early June. The company is adapting protocols that have worked in China, where more than 98 percent of its stores are open. Stores will follow enhanced cleaning protocols and offer drive-thru service and optimized mobile ordering for contactless pickup and delivery through new app features. CEO Kevin Johnson’s letter demonstrates Starbucks’ appreciation for its employees and its dedication to remaining a “third place.”
• McKinstry provides expert HVAC “must-dos” and recommendations for a safe return to the workplace after buildings have been mostly vacant for weeks or months. McKinstry addresses timely questions about building capacity and virus-laden particles. Read the blog post to learn what should be done with air filtration, ventilation, and other components of HVAC systems.
• Alaska Airlines is transporting critical supplies, welcoming those who need to travel, and setting new standards around social distancing and cleanliness to keep guests and employees safe. This includes mandatory masks for all guest-facing employees, and beginning May 11, mandatory masks for all guests. See president Ben Minicucci share how the company is providing “next level” care here, and get answers to mask FAQs here.
• As an essential service provider, Avista is taking a “measured, gradual and strategic” approach to returning to business, and is prepared to continue doing important work that can be completed safety. Avista employees may soon be seen trimming trees, maintaining natural gas infrastructure, supporting construction projects and more.
• On May 5, Everett Clinic reopened for select in-person primary, specialty, and surgical care. In addition, the clinic continues to offer virtual care 7 days a week.