To: Superintendents, Charter School Leaders, Private School Leaders, Principals, School Nurses, Reopening Advisors
From: Kati Moseley, Ready Schools Resiliency Manager
Date: June 9, 2022
Re: Updated CDC Guidance for Schools; Reminder: School-level COVID-19 Management Plan due in August 2022
School Year 2022-2023 COVID-19 Plan Requirements
On April 28, Oregon Department of Education (ODE) shared requirements for the 2022-23 school year under Section 2001(i)(1) of the ARP ESSER and the US Department of Education’s Interim Final Requirements for Safe Return to In Person Instruction & Continuity of Services Plan. Education Service Districts, school districts and public charter schools must ensure that every public school and program has a completed COVID-19 Management Plan submitting a set of assurances regarding readiness of schools to respond to increased COVID-19 transmission during the school year. Assurances are due to ODE before the start of the district's school year or by August 26, whichever is sooner.
Template, Instructions & Tools:
ODE, the Oregon Health Authority (OHA) and the Oregon School Nurses Association (OSNA) co-developed this template, instructions and tools as a guide to school-level COVID-19 management planning for the 2022-23 school year. Districts, schools, or programs may use a format that best supports planning and alignment locally while ensuring that the plan includes the content laid out in the template’s three sections:
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Clarifying Roles and Responsibilities
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Equity and Mental Health Supports: Preparing a plan which centers equity and mental health supports
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COVID-19 Outbreak Prevention, Response, & Recovery: Implementing mitigation activities, responding to increases in transmission, resuming regular activities, and debriefing actions to improve process
A recording of the May 2, 2022, Ready Schools Safe Learners office hours is available which reviews this requirement, gives an overview of the COVID-19 Management Plan template and answers questions about the process. Additionally, representatives from your Education Service District (ESD) are offering training and support for fall planning. Please reach out to your ESD representative or to ODECOVID19@ode.state.or.us with any questions.
CDC School Guidance Update
On May 27, the CDC released operational guidance describing how schools can support safe, in-person instruction while managing the spread of COVID-19. The updated guidance aligns with current ODE/OHA recommendations including exposure notification, test to stay, and school-level COVID-19 management planning during times of high transmission.
ODE Website Updates for the 2022-23 School Year
Over the summer, ODE will work to update materials for your use in the coming school year. New letter templates, social cards, presentation slides and a revised communicable disease guidance for school document will be available at the beginning of August. We will update you when these documents are posted to the website.
Thank you again for providing safe instructional environments for students across Oregon this past school year, and into the summer. Our two years of experience mitigating COVID-19 will serve us well this next school year, allowing an even greater focus on connection, acceleration and belonging in our school communities. Your wisdom in all these areas is a critical contribution to planning for the year to come.
