On July 28 Governor Kate Brown released new metrics to guide school district decisions about when it is safe to resume in-person instruction, and when a transition to comprehensive distance learning is necessary.
“We are taking a cautious and careful approach that protects public health, just as we have over the past five months in responding to this disease,” the governor said. “If we don’t do this right, then the impacts of COVID-19 on students and the very functioning of our schools could deepen existing disparities in opportunity and outcomes for our children, and widen racial and socioeconomic inequality in our society.”
In order to resume in-person instruction in any form, including hybrid instruction models when students are only sometimes in the classroom, the following conditions must be met:
County Metrics – Must be met three weeks in a row
• 10 or fewer cases per 100,000 people over 7 days
• Test positivity of 5% or less over 7 days
Statewide Metrics – Must be met three weeks in a row
• Test positivity of 5% or less over 7 days
For school districts where in-person instruction is occurring, planning for a switch to comprehensive distance learning should take place, if one or both conditions are met:
• 20 cases or greater per 100,000 over 7 days;
• Test positivity of 7.5% or greater over 7 days.
All school districts must implement comprehensive distance learning if the following conditions are met in their county:
• 30 or more cases per 100,000 over 7 days;
• Test positivity of 10% or greater over 7 days.
Based on the new metrics, and with the increasing spread of COVID-19 in both rural and urban Oregon this summer, the governor predicted many, if not most, Oregon students will begin school in the fall by focusing on online distance learning or will have a hybrid model that combines remote online education and in-person classroom time.
“We are considering a slower start, to make sure that staff is thoroughly trained and then students are trained as well. Our primary focus will be the safety of students and staff,” said Andy Gardner, superintendent of the North Santiam School District.
Gardner said the district intends to adhere closely to Oregon’s “Ready Schools, Safe Learners Guidelines,” available on ODE’s website for parents and the community to view.
“It is important to remember that the guidance is updated at intervals throughout the summer, as conditions change,” Gardner said. “There is great concern from all of our stakeholders related to re-opening. We have met regularly with our teachers and classified and received input on how our schedules will work. We have sent videos to parents explaining updates, and published a second survey the week of July 27.”
Prior to the release of the new metrics, NSSD had planned to open school in the fall with K-5 students going every day, and 6-12 students attending every other day.
According to Gardner, the district is currently building a new online academy.
“We have contracted with FuelEducation to provide our online curriculum and will use NSSD teachers,” he said. “We will communicate to all parents when the website and registration are ready.”
The basic and most fundamental change will be a focus on safety procedures first at all levels, Gardner said.
“Students will need to adjust as well as staff, and we expect these to normalize and become habit once we get through the first couple of weeks,” he said. “We know that the last few months have been challenging for our parents, students and staff. We appreciate the work that parents have done in their homes with their children, and we understand fully the trust that parents will place in us by returning their children to school.
“If we can do it safely, we know that the best place for our students to learn is in school,” he added. “We will continue to face changing circumstances, and will strive to keep parents updated and appreciate their feedback to surveys that can help us further plan as we move into August.”
Regis St. Mary Catholic School also had plans for a full return to school in the fall.
“We’ve reduced class sizes for our K-8 students and will be utilizing all of our available space on both campuses to make sure we can facilitate in-person learning in the safest environment possible,” said Candi Hedrick, principal. “Distance learning will still be an available option for middle and high school students.”
Hedrick said Regis St. Mary will closely follow the guidelines from the Archdiocese of Portland, Oregon Department of Education and the Oregon Health Authority.
“Our plans include temperature screenings, social distancing and increased cleaning protocols,” she said. “Some of these mandates have required extra purchasing of cleaning supplies, classroom furniture and school supplies, but we are doing everything we can to make the return possible. Being flexible, collaborative and creative is necessary now more than ever!”
Santiam Canyon School District has been working on developing safety plans and protocols, too.
“All our planning is now a collaborative effort with input and support from our District nurse and the Linn County representative from the Oregon Health Authority,” Superintendent Todd Miller told parents in late June.
Miller cited ongoing moves by the district to include planning for: increased cleaning and sanitation; creating smaller groupings of students; ways to limit interactions amongst different groups of students; purchases of personal protective equipment and sanitation products; and changing schedules to accommodate both in-person learning and distance learning options.
“It is still our goal to be able to offer all families an option this fall based on their health needs and comfort levels, either in-person or via distance learning,” Miller said.
The Cascade School District will also follow ODE and OHA mandates, including requiring face coverings for staff, physical distancing, staggering where students enter and exit buildings, tracking who goes in a comes out, sanitizing playgrounds between use, keeping student groups together as much as possible, and working with the health department in the event of a case.
“Our main goal is and will continue to be getting every student into the classroom,” Superintendent Darin Drill told parents June 16. “If you are uncomfortable with the plans we create, we will do everything in our power to meet you at your level and find a solution that woks best for you and your student(s).
“Just like we did in the spring, we will get through this together!” he added. “Please know that, throughout our planning, we will always keep in mind that our schools must continue to be warm, caring communities, even with these new rules.”
