DAYTON-The recent effects of the Coronavirus in Washington State have affected Dayton schools in an unexpected way. It was announced by Governor Jay Inslee on Friday, March 13, that all K–12 public and private schools in Washington State will close starting Tuesday, March 17 through Friday, April 24, and the school year will be extended no longer than to June 19.

The news was sudden to both teachers and students, and no information was given as to how the students’ education will be affected over the next six weeks. Students were asked on Friday to return to school on for more information on Monday, March 16.

The six-week closure will include spring sport, band concerts, school clubs, FBLA and FFA activities and other social gatherings. No comments have been given as to when or if these activities will resume after the April 24 date. The coaches and their team members hold out the hope that the season may continue once school returns.

This also includes a temporary close of the local after-school program The Club, and any Teen-night activities at The Club for the high schoolers. It is also unknown the effect this shut-down will have on May activities such as Junior Prom. Given the circumstances, it will likely cause setbacks in the planning process.

While some underclassmen may see this long break in the school year as a vacation, the senior class of 2020 students are panicked, as they have been given little to no information on how their graduation will be affected by this set back. Unfortunately for the seniors, this poses the possibility of losing their last high school sport season, their last Prom, and has taken away several weeks of their last high school memories. The class is also curious as to how their community service hours may be affected, and how their grades are going to hold up through these hard times.