Oregon Department of Education - Oregon Achieves Together

Resources for Healthy and Safe Learning this Summer

Oregon Department of Education sent this bulletin at 05/31/2022 09:00 AM PDT

Having trouble viewing this email? View it as a Web page.

To: Superintendents, Principals, Charter School Leaders, Reopening Advisors, Counselors, School Nurses
From: Kati Moseley, Ready Schools, Safe Learners Resiliency Manager
Date: May 31, 2022
Re: Resources for Healthy and Safe Learning this Summer

Dear Partners,

As the school year draws to a close and summer programs begin, we are sharing the resources in this email to support school health and safety during summer programming.

We deeply appreciate your continued partnership as we all work to provide the best summer learning experience and environment for students and staff across the state.

COVID-19 Prevention and Mitigation

Schools should continue to operate as described in the school or district’s current Safe Return to In Person Instruction & Continuity of Services plan through summer programming. These plans reflect the content of the Ready Schools, Safe Learners Resiliency Framework.
Continue to refer to the actions named in the ODE/OHA School Health Advisory issued on May 13, 2022. More details on these key actions are in the School Health Advisory. Continue to closely monitor COVID-19 transmission within your county through COVID-19 Community Levels.

Schools should continue implementing free COVID-19 testing programs for students and staff.
When districts or schools are considering a shift to remote instruction, they should first maximize implementation of layered mitigation strategies, including recommending face coverings or implementing universal use of face coverings, prior to contemplating a move to remote instruction or other closure of in-person learning.
Schools should monitor unusual absenteeism or illness within a cohort and notify their LPHA about unusual respiratory disease activity if the following thresholds are met.
- At the school level: ≥ 30% absenteeism, with at least 10 students/staff absent.
- At the cohort level: ≥ 20% absenteeism, with at least 3 students/staff absent.
If students or staff have COVID-like symptoms, schools must exclude the individual per OAR 333-019-0010 (3) & (4).
Learning outdoors is an opportunity for summer programs. COVID-19 transmission rates are much lower outdoors. Schools are encouraged to use outdoor learning to help support safety and reduce the number of students and staff gathered indoors. Conduct learning in natural environments that allow for place-based learning, STEM exploration, and outdoor play. Supplemental Guidance for Learning Outside, is available as a reference to support incorporating outdoor learning into summer programs to reduce the spread of COVID-19.

Non-school or non-school district programs may reference and follow Oregon Health Authority (OHA) youth program guidance for summer programs. OHA offers COVID-19 Testing Resources to K-12 summer programs and summer camps, including screening and diagnostic testing.

Other Health and Safety Concerns for the Summer

Extreme Heat: The Oregon Health Authority’s extreme heat webpage provides easily accessible resources for members of the public, local health departments and other organizations to assist ongoing outreach efforts to those most vulnerable to extreme heat events. Tools include knowing the warning signs and symptoms, health threats from extreme heat, and fact sheets in multiple languages.

Reducing Health Effects of Wildfire Smoke: Wildfires and smoke can create dangerous conditions for youth, especially those with chronic health conditions. The Oregon Health Authority’s wildfires and smoke webpage offers information about current wildfires, wildfire smoke conditions, and what you can do to reduce the health effects of wildfire smoke with tools such as wildfires in Oregon, health threats from wildfire smoke, and FAQs in multiple languages.

ODE’s Summer Learning Resources

On May 19, ODE released the companion toolkit to the Summer Learning Best Practice Guide. The toolkit supports the planning, managing, and implementation of robust, equity-driven summer programs by offering practical tools and resources. Please visit the Summer Learning website to find resources and additional information.

The leadership and commitment you have shown this past year is extraordinary. Working tirelessly to welcome students and families with an open heart, compassion, and grace; leaning into updated guidance to manage COVID-19 with layered mitigation strategies; implementing test to stay programs; hosting vaccination clinics and notifying families of disease exposure all required an incredible amount of flexibility, fortitude, and resilience. Our COVID-19 management planning for the 2022-23 school year will take lessons learned and build on them to strengthen our schools and the health and safety of everyone who enters through the doors. These lessons will continue to be important in the coming months as COVID-19 continues to circulate in our communities.

As always, we are here to support you, answer your questions and hear your comments. Please reach out to ODECOVID19@ode.oregon.gov.

Stay Connected with the Oregon Department of Education

SUBSCRIBER SERVICES:
Manage Subscriptions | Help

It is a policy of the State Board of Education and a priority of the Oregon Department of Education that there will be no discrimination or harassment on the grounds of race, color, sex, marital status, religion, national origin, age, sexual orientation, or disability in any educational programs, activities or employment. For more information, visit the Anti-Discrimination Policy page.