Superintendent responds to Browns face coverings
By Paul Hall on Monday, August 2nd, 2021 in More Top Stories Northeastern Oregon News
LA GRANDE – (Information provided by the La Grande School District) On July 29, 2021, Governor Kate Brown directed the Oregon Health Authority and the Oregon Department of Education to create rules requiring face coverings in all indoor school settings, both public and private, for all individuals two years and older, including all students, staff, contractors, volunteers, and visitors. To learn more about Governor Brown’s direction to OHA/ODE please click on the attached link: Governor Brown directed the Oregon Health Authority (OHA) and the Oregon Department of Education (ODE).
These rules will take effect upon adoption by the Oregon Health Authority. Summer school and other summer programming students and staff will also be required to wear face coverings when the mask rules are instituted.
Mask rules will include provisions for:
∙ Eating and drinking.
∙ Playing a musical instrument that requires using the mouth.
∙ Swimming or other water sports.
∙ Engaging in a sport in which wearing a mask could be a strangulation hazard such as gymnastics or wrestling. ∙ Nothing in the rule is intended to prohibit a school from complying with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), the Rehabilitation Act, or the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA).
∙ A school that violates the rule will be subject to civil penalties.
For now: Students and staff participating in our Summer Camps, JumpStart (K-8), Extended School Year (ESY), Freshman Academy will not be required to wear masks for indoor learning and outdoor activities until we receive firm mask orders/rules from our state. To be clear: Until we receive firm guidance on rules, wearing a mask will remain optional.
As parents plan for the 2021/22 school year, it is safe to assume that masks will be a requirement for students and staff during indoor learning and activities based on today’s announcement from the Governor. Masks will remain optional but strongly advised when students participate in outdoor activities unless the school and/orSuperintendent responds to Browns face coverings district case counts place schools at risk of shutdown, as we are required by the state to provide “a full-time, in-person education for all students every day.”
As this directive impacts all private and public schools, we welcome families to consider all the educational options La Grande School District provides:
∙ Our full-day in-person programming at our school sites
∙ Our online program (i.e. La Grande Virtual Learning Academy) for fully online or hybrid learning schedules ∙ Our homeschool program (i.e. Home Link) for full or hybrid learning schedules
Information on all these programs is on our district website at www.lagrandesd.org and you are welcome to contact your student’s school to discuss any of these options or programs. Students that participate in any of the educational options will maintain full access to district services, clubs, sports, and activities.
