Yesterday, Governor Kate Brown — in a letter to the Oregon Health Authority (OHA) and the Oregon Department of Education (ODE) — called for new measures to move Oregon school districts closer to the goal of resuming in-person instruction. These measures included a review and update of the Ready Schools, Safe Learners guidance (expected by January 19, 2021), as well as a shift of the state’s K-12 reopening metrics from mandatory to advisory in nature. These new directives provide school districts with greater authority in making decisions about returning to in-person instruction, while still highlighting the necessity of collaboration with local and state health authorities and local stakeholders. The Governor has indicated her hope that more schools, particularly elementary schools, will be able to implement in-person instruction by February 15, 2021.
We will be delving deeply into what this can mean for our community and staff — and most importantly, our students — by reviewing the newest guidance from ODE and OHA in the coming weeks. Additionally, we will be engaging in important conversations on this topic with our Board of Directors, staff associations, and other stakeholders after we return from Winter Break on January 4 — please stay tuned for updates on this important work! In the meantime, we wish our students, staff and families a safe, healthy and happy holiday season.