Portland Public Schools:
In the latest update from the school board, it said that it has expanded in-person learning opportunities but has not yet started hybrid learning for all K-5 students as it had intended.
In January, PPS chief of schools Dr. Shawn Bird spoke on the moves PPS was making to try and make hybrid learning possible. It hopes to begin the transition in April.
“School administrators have been identifying the students that are eligible, and they’re reaching out to families individually, making sure that families understand this is optional and we want to make sure they feel safe,” he said.
Contingent on several COVID-19-related factors, Portland Public Schools is hoping to return some students to limited in-person classes within two weeks
MESD distributes kits to kids to substitute for popular week of learning in nature
One of the countless casualties of the coronavirus pandemic has been Outdoor School, but the Multnomah Education Service District is creating and distributing Outdoor School kits for students to use as a substitute for the much-loved tradition.
The MESD is handing out 7,500 nature science kits to students across the county who would have gone to Outdoor School this year as an alternative for the cherished nature experience. It s no substitute for Outdoor School, but it s something, said Jeff Gehrig, a science teacher at Deep Creek-Damascus K-8 School.
The surprise announcement, the day before Christmas Eve, leaves decision up to districts
Gov. Kate Brown abruptly announced new rules for school re-openings on Wednesday afternoon, making former directives optional and allowing districts to open if they follow safety precautions.
In a letter to health and education agencies, she said effective Jan. 1, 2021, Oregon s COVID-19 Health Metrics for Returning to In-Person Instruction will become advisory rather than mandatory. Moving forward, the decision to resume in-person instruction must be made locally, district by district school by school.
But the announcement does not mean schoolhouse doors will be thrown open to all students right away. Districts have to plan for students to come back and only a few groups of students will likely be sitting in classrooms for the first months of opening.