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Date: March 12, 2020
To: Superintendents and Principals
From: Colt Gill, Director of the Oregon Department of Education and Deputy Superintendent of Public Instruction
RE: Updated Mitigation Measures on COVID-19 Response
Governor Kate Brown today set new rules to slow the spread of COVID-19 in Oregon. She issued Executive Order 20-05 which outlines rules addressing large gatherings and social distancing. Governor Brown also issued guidelines for workplaces, schools, care facilities, and other community-wide mitigation efforts to help protect vulnerable and high-risk Oregonians and to protect our state’s health care system capacity. The measures are based on the recommendations of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Oregon public health experts, epidemiologists, and health professionals.
The measures are based on the recommendations of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Oregon public health experts, epidemiologists, and health professionals.
Here are the new guidelines for schools:
- In addition to previous guidance from the Oregon Health Authority, schools should, to
the extent possible, cancel or limit all non-essential gatherings and group activities,
including but not limited to:
- Group parent meetings and parent education activities;
- Field trips;
- Competitions;
- Concerts and plays;
- Arena-based conferences;
- Group trainings and professional learning activities.
*These recommendations apply whether or not the activities are specifically sponsored by a
school or school district.
Schools should also:
- Limit interscholastic athletics and activities to student participants, essential
personnel, and credentialed media. This recommendation includes any
organized youth athletic programs, club sports, intramural activities and
competitions, whether or not they are affiliated with or sponsored by a school
or school district;
- Coordinate with and make this information available to all onsite partners
(preschools, childcare centers, afterschool programs, etc.);
- Consider staggering recess and lunch periods to reduce the number of students
coming into close contact with each other.
- Students at high risk for severe illness should consult with their health care providers
about specific steps to lower their risk of illness.
- School district employees and students, volunteers and visitors who are ill should stay home until their fever is gone and symptoms are better for at least 24 hours to stay
home.
- Colleges and universities are also advised to follow these protocols, modified as
necessary to apply within a higher education setting.
I know you will have questions about these guidelines and implementation challenges, in a separate email I will be inviting superintendents to an online meeting tomorrow to discuss these guidelines and collect your questions.
It is important to note:
At this time the advice from the Governor, the Oregon Health Authority, and the Oregon Department of Education is for schools to remain open and serving our children. This is a time when our students need your steady care. If COVID-19 presents at your school, the the local health department will collaborate with you to determine whether closure is warranted or helpful in reducing the spread of the illness.
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