Reopening schools is now up to local districts
By Terry Murry on Tuesday, January 19th, 2021 in Columbia Basin News More Top Stories
SALEM – The Oregon Department of Education has released its guidance for schools to reopen amid the pandemic. The decision on reopening is being left to school and education service districts who are asked to follow guidance on reopening.
Among that guidance, the state requires schools offer access to COVID-19 testing if they reopen against the advice of the metrics within their counties. The state is to provide guidance for the schools to support more outside learning, field trips, contact tracing and other areas. It also recommends that each school district take the county’s case counts and metrics into account when determining the best method of learning.
The state recommends using face coverings and personal protective equipment, increasing hand washing, work with students and staff in groups as small and stable as possible, be prepared to isolate and quarantine at the first sign of illness, regularly clean and disinfect facilities, and maximize the airflow and ventilation.
The decision of whether to reopen and the format and timeline for the reopening is now up to each school district with ODE serving in an advisory capacity. The decision to loosen the regulations governing schools was made because of the need both physically and emotionally for students to return to their classrooms.
“Schools are a center of services to students and families, offering nutritious meals, access to social-emotional and mental-health supports, as well as physical health services,” ODE Director Colt Gill said.
The complete guidance document is at https://www.oregon.gov/ode/students-and-family/healthsafety/Documents/Ready%20Schools%20Safe%20Learners%202020-21%20Guidance.pdf/
