School Sucks!

Email received today - 

Last night the School Board met to think about a range of possible models for reopening schools this fall. Obviously the COVID-19 outbreak poses a rapidly-changing situation that will require a plan for schools that is flexible. At this point, our budget is unknown and we are still waiting to hear whether there will be federal or state assistance to lessen the impact of funding cuts.

To protect the health of our students and staff, the plan we create for each school must adhere to guidance from the Centers for Disease Control, the Oregon Health Authority, the Governor’s direction, and Oregon Department of Education guidance. Currently we are looking at three types of operating models for fall.

Hybrid Learning Model

This model gives every student some classroom instruction and some learning at home. It allows schools to follow social distancing guidelines and limit cohort intermingling while providing access to teachers and classroom materials.

Students would be divided into cohort groups, with one of these schedule types:

• Cohorts alternate days, half weeks, or weeks: For example, Cohort A attends school on Monday, while Cohort B learns at home. On Tuesday, they switch. Or cohort A attends school the first week while Cohort B does distance learning. The following week they switch.

• Cohorts alternate on a morning/afternoon daily schedule: Cohort A attends school from 8 to 11 a.m. and learns at home from noon to 3 p.m. Cohort B does distance learning from 8 to 11 a.m., and attends school from 1 to 3 p.m.

• Cohort schedules vary by grade level: For example, some elementary students attend school daily, while secondary students alternate days/weeks or morning/afternoon.

Note: Under any of these schedule types, the school will be thoroughly cleaned between cohorts.

When an outbreak of COVID-19 requires a school building to temporarily close, this model would shift Distance Learning to allow continuity of on-going classes and lessons. Then students would shift back to a mix of classroom and distance learning as the situation allows.

Comprehensive Distance Learning

This model could be used for all students if the state does not allow return to classrooms due to the spread of COVID-19. Education might include a mix of live and pre-recorded video instruction, along with online sessions for students to get academic support and social engagement from teachers and peers. Direct instruction could be enhanced using an online curriculum. Elementary families preferring paper packets could have regular pickup and dropoff times.

Full Return to Classroom Instruction

This model would only be possible if state health and social distancing mandates can be met in the school buildings we have. Reducing the spread of COVID-19 will require minimizing the number of different people with whom students and staff intermingle.  We would need to create “stable cohorts,” which resemble the elementary class model, but are very different from the typical secondary school model.

Given current guidance from health and education authorities as well as recent trends in COVID 19 diagnoses, we do not expect a full return to schools in September.

While these three models are just broad outlines of the possibilities, we welcome your input as we continue the planning process. Please email your thoughts, questions, and concerns to XXXX