ODE shrinks social distancing limit
By Terry Murry on Tuesday, March 23rd, 2021 in Columbia Basin News More Top Stories
PENDLETON – The Oregon Health Authority and the Oregon Department of Education are allowing the school social distancing limit to be lowered from six to three feet in most cases. The decision to employ the lower limit must be made by local school boards before it can become policy. The decision, based on new standards by the Centers for Disease Control, applies to both public and private schools.
“It will be a game changer,” InterMountain Education Service District Superintendent Mark Mulvihill said. “K-5 can basically go all day. High school will be close to normal, where you can either have high school kids go a half-day every day, or a full day every other day.”
The six-foot requirement still must be maintained when students from different classrooms are passing in hallways or when students are eating. Staff members must continue to maintain at least six feet of physical distance.
There are a number of other updates to the Ready Schools, Safe Learners program.
“I strongly encourage school districts and schools to take the time they need to collaborate across school administrators, teachers, and staff to convene school planning teams to review the new requirements and recommendations and to consider updating your school’s operational blueprint to reflect any changes you will make under the new guidance,” ODE Director Colt Gill said.
