|
Date: December 31, 2020
To: Superintendents, Principals, Charter School Leaders, Private School Leaders
From: Colt Gill, Director of the Oregon Department of Education
RE: Final 2020 Update for Ready Schools, Safe Learners Guidance
Thank you for leading our students and educators through a challenging and unpredictable 2020. Your efforts made it possible for Oregon’s students to continue learning even through this unprecedented year.
Today’s message includes an update to Ready Schools, Safe Learners (RSSL) guidance that corresponds with the Governor’s December 23 announcement. The primary change you’ll notice is that the Health Metrics for Returning to In-Person Instruction have transitioned from mandatory to advisory. Other changes include alignment to the CDC’s new recommendations on quarantining (see the updated “Planning for COVID-19 Scenarios in Schools” guidance), and a few additional clarifications as outlined in the release notes table on page 1.
Note: On December 16, I sent a message regarding changes to the “Safe Harbor” clause in the RSSL guidance. As the Health Metrics for Returning to In-Person Instruction have now transitioned to advisory, a safe harbor for schools operating under previous metrics is no longer needed. Schools may consider previous success in mitigating transmission on-site as they consider continuing in-person instruction after January 1, 2021.
What to Expect Next Month
A review and possible update to the advisory Health Metrics for Returning to In-Person Instruction and other RSSL guidance will be published on or around Tuesday, January 19, 2021.
Early in January, ODE will engage with school and community partners to inform and refine any updates to the advisory Health Metrics for Returning to In-Person Instruction and Ready Schools, Safe Learners in general. We will use the input from these engagements to inform any updates. My hope is that we can provide you with thoughtful health and equity considerations along with engagement processes that can set you up for success as you consider moves to in-person instruction for your students and staff.
If you have questions, do not hesitate to email ODECOVID19@ode.state.or.us.
|
