The COVID-19 virus situation is changing rapidly, and local school districts are working hard to prepare for challenges posed by the pandemic.
In an effort to slow the spread of the virus, Gov. Kate Brown issued an executive order extending the closure of all Oregon public schools through April 28.
Local districts are taking steps to keep students safe and engaged during the closure, which also includes mandatory stay-at-home measures statewide.
North Santiam School District
“Our first priority now is to support the governor’s plan,” said Andy Gardner, North Santiam School District superintendent. “With that in mind, we are engaged in serving meals daily, we are putting together supplemental education activities for our students, and we are working through setting up a daycare to support local essential health care workers.”
In his website address, Gardner told parents, “So that we may continue to keep you informed, we will be sending out a lot of important updates over the next few weeks via email, social media or robocalls.”
All updates will be posted to the NSSD website, including information on how students can continue to learn through this time, he said.
“First and foremost, districts are required to deliver learning opportunities for students,” Gardner said. “As this may sound simple, there are many elements to be considered, including meeting the learning needs of ALL students equitably.”
Gardner told parents during the week of March 30, staff will work on a solid plan, develop lessons, and assess student technology needs. Lessons will be ready for students on Monday, April 6, and information on supplemental learning opportunities will be made available to families on or before Friday, April 3
he said.
“In addition, we have links under the ‘for students’ tab on each school website that include lots of fun activities that can help keep kids busy and learn a little something in the process!” Gardner said. “High school seniors and graduation requirements are a top priority. Please rest assured the State is very aware of this and is working on a process to allow seniors meet their requirements.”
NSSD will continue to serve breakfast and lunch to students. A list of sites and times has been published on social media and the website and is in Our Town’s Datebook.
“I’ve been very impressed with our staff at all levels,” Gardner said. “They are really stepping up!”
Santiam Canyon School District
“Much of our daily routines are now disrupted, and education is no exception,” said Todd Miller, Santiam Canyon School District superintendent, in a letter to parents. “In an attempt to minimize this, we will be pulling together materials and resources for Santiam Canyon families to ease this burden and continue to support our wonderful kids.”
During this closure, schools will continue to receive funding so that employees will not be laid off and vital services, including meals for students, can continue, Miller said.
“We will continue our daily deliveries of lunches and breakfasts free for all kids,” he added.
SCSD asked Santiam Canyon families with students to take a survey to assess what measures to take to better serve their educational needs during this time.
“Based on initial information we have received from parents, we will be offering both paper packet educational resources and we will be loaning out school district Chromebook laptops for families to use during the closure,” Miller said. “This is a major shift in how we traditionally do things, but our staff are working hard to pull together supports to keep students engaged in learning.
“We are all navigating this new experience together, but please know we are doing our best to support our broader community and students as this situation evolves,” he added.
Cascade School District
Cascade School District is following other districts by continuing to serve free meals through April 28, including a grab-and-go breakfast for the following morning. Anyone from age 1-18 can pick up food from noon to 12:30 p.m. at Aumsville or Turner elementary school. The child must be present to receive a meal.
On March 20, Superintendent Darin Drill told parents, “This morning our district administrative team met to talk about our supplemental education plan and here’s what you can expect from us. Next week, we will send out a survey to find out more about your home technology resources. We will use this information to assess options and evaluate how to provide supplemental educational resources to our students. Turner families, this survey was already sent home to you, so you will not receive an email next week.”
Drill said the survey will also be available on the district website.
“So that we may continue to keep you informed, we will be sending out a lot of important updates over the next few weeks via email, social media or robocalls,” he said. “All of these updates will be posted to our website as well.”
Drill thanked parents for their support and understanding as the district continues to navigate the state mandates.
“We are doing our best to provide you with the latest information and resources that are available,” he said. “We also know you have a lot of questions. Keep them coming. We hear you. We are all adjusting to this new reality. We are working with our leaders, the Oregon Dept. of Education, Oregon Health Authority and other partners to provide the information you need right now.”
Drill asked parents to “please stick with us as we navigate this unpredictable and difficult situation, and we thank you for your cooperation and patience.”
Regis St. Mary Catholic Schools
School administrators in the Archdiocese of Portland have attempted to respond deftly to the new coronavirus, based on the latest information along with “forethought, ongoing communication with parents, and calm.”
“We know that many families are facing hardships during this unusual time,” said Jeannie Ray-Timoney, Catholic schools superintendent, in a statement March 13. “It is affecting everyone in different ways. We pray that each of you will experience God’s grace to guide you through.”
Schools have plans in place for distance/digital learning to keep the educational process moving forward, according to the schools, and each school has communicated its plan to students and parents. Both schools had been asked to create strategies that would allow for continued instruction if they were forced to close temporarily.
Regis-St. Mary in Stayton joins Marist in Eugene and Central Catholic in Portland in following directives from the schools department. Non-archdiocesan high schools are also choosing to move to online learning, including Valley Catholic in Beaverton and St. Mary in Medford.
“Regis St Mary’s students all have computers at home and are engaged in distance learning,” said Mike Bauer, business teacher. “Teachers prepare lessons daily.”
District Websites
North Santiam School District
www.nsantiam.k12.or.us
Santiam Canyon School District
www.santiam.k12.or.us
Cascade School District
www.cascade.k12.or.us
Archdiosese of Portland – Department of Catholic Schools
schools.archdpdx.org/coronavirus
