After a little technical difficulty, the Forks Chamber met for the first time since COVID-19 changed the way meetings are held.

The meeting held Tuesday, June 17, was also offered on Zoom as well as at Blakeslee’s Bar and Grill.

During announcements Michelle Simpson updated the group on efforts she was involved in with regard to an ad campaign reaching out to the family involved in the June 3 incident as well as a statement for moving forward.

A letter from co-organizer Sandra Kint is on page 3 detailing those efforts.

Sasha Folkner also updated on a group she is working with called #forksgrowingtogether see the story on page 6. The group has made posters and is looking at making videos and wants to “celebrate individuality with belonging.”

Diana Reaume was the program and she updated on all things QVSD. She said that staff was currently being surveyed, “All have missed the kids tremendously.”

The school board has kept in touch via Google Hangouts. Reaume said, for now, financially QVSD is doing fine, “Next year we are expecting a downturn in State revenue, for now, we are figuring out how to make it work, all employees have continued to be paid.” Reaume said.

Since the school shutdown, QVSD has continued to feed students, “We have treated it like the Summer Lunch Program, birth to 18 years are eligible,” Reaume shared. “We offered four sites; the Hoh Tribe, Beaver, at the Hospital and at the school, it was a lot of stress at first we couldn’t find supplies.”

“Graduating our senior class was important and we didn’t give up,” Reaume said. “I felt bad for our kids but last Saturday was a special day.”

Reaume offered a special thanks to those who became teachers during the 15 weeks of no school. “Some states just gave up, we used hard copy packages and some online learning,” but Reaume said it was hard for many with limited internet access.

Reaume said some teachers became really creative, sharing how Danny Winger used short videos to engage his students.

Reaume said the stadium project, for now, is a victim of the Coronavirus. “We had rough plans ready to go.” But the project has now been put on hold. As well as what will happen with sports and some classes like band and chorus is all uncertain at this time.

She shared the plan for September is to get kids in school, but serious guidelines will need to be followed. “We are looking at a split or rotating schedule, we have not even begun to work out the logistics,” Reaume stated.

Reaume said QVSD is working under the umbrella of the Clallam County Health Department.

“I am incredibly proud of this community and staff, and I am honored and humbled to lead during this time.”

Reaume said she is confident that they can make it happen.