Washington and Oregon plan to fully reopen schools this fall as Delta variant spreads
State governors in Washington and Oregon recently lifted all major COVID-19 restrictions for schools and businesses. As of June 30, businesses have been operating at full capacity, mask requirements have been lifted for vaccinated individuals, and social distancing and capacity requirements are no longer mandatory. Additionally, K-12 public schools are scheduled to provide fully in-person instruction this fall with limited safety measures. The reopening policies are being implemented as COVID-19 cases are on the rise in both states and the Delta variant is moving quickly through the population.
Portland Public Schools looks to attract, retain more teachers of color
Two-year teachers union agreement prioritizes workforce diversity and support for BIPOC educators
A newly approved contract with the Portland Association of Teachers aims to increase diversity within the ranks of Portland Public Schools teaching staff, while offering extra compensation and support for teachers who lead affinity clubs and teach students in more than one language.
The Portland Public Schools Board unanimously approved a two-year agreement with the teachers union Tuesday, June 29. The contract, which spans the current and next academic year, was hailed as a step forward for attracting and supporting educators of color.
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Multnomah County Isn’t Sending Vaccine Clinics to Schools The opportunity is slipping away for health officials to reach teenagers who aren’t actively seeking a COVID-19 vaccination. Updated 5:30 AM One of the most diverse school districts in Oregon asked Multnomah County this month for a COVID-19 vaccination clinic at its high school and was rejected. David Douglas School District, which covers much of East Portland, sent 95 students via school bus to the vaccination clinic at the Oregon Convention Center on Friday, May 7, a week before vaccinations became available to kids between the ages of 12 and 15. (Portland Public Schools has also sent buses from its high schools.) But county officials turned down the request for a clinic at David Douglas High School.
Portland school board candidates have collected $100,000. The single largest donor? The teachers union
Today 8:35 AM
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Portland school board candidates have brought in nearly $100,000 in donations and more than one quarter of that cash has so far come from one source: the union representing the district’s educators.
With a week to go until Election Day, the Portland Association of Teachers has donated $13,000 each to the campaigns of Herman Greene and Gary Hollands, both of whom the union endorsed, campaign disclosure reports indicate.
Greene’s race, a four-way contest for the Zone 4 position currently held by Rita Moore, is among the most competitive this year.