Dear Oakers,
We are winding down the school year and many questions are being asked about a summer program, mask wearing at school for the remainder of this year, as well as what does next school year hold. I am going to try to detail what I know at this time.
Mask Wearing: Here is an excerpt from ODE:
Date: May 19, 2021
From: Colt Gill, Director of the Oregon Department of Education
RE: RSSL Face Covering Requirements Clarification
- Outdoor Sports: Students, staff, volunteers, and spectators are not required to wear face coverings at outdoor sports events. Until additional updates are provided, all previous physical distancing and capacity restrictions still apply.
- Indoor Sports: Fully vaccinated students, staff, volunteers, and spectators are not required to wear face coverings at indoor sports events only when vaccination status is checked by the school in a manner described by OHA in guidance. Until additional updates are provided, all previous physical distancing and capacity restrictions still apply.
- Outdoor Graduation Ceremony: Students, staff, volunteers, and spectators are not required to wear face coverings at outdoor graduation ceremonies. Until additional updates are provided, all previous physical distancing and capacity restrictions still apply.
- Outdoors: Students, staff, volunteers, and visitors are not required to wear face coverings outdoors (including, but not limited to: Outdoor PE, outdoor music, recess, and arrival & dismissal). Until additional updates are provided, all RSSL physical distancing and other related requirements still apply.
Superintendents across Douglas County have agreed to implement these starting Thursday, May 20. At least this gives me some hope for next school year.
Summer Enrichment and Learning:
Oakland will be offering a 3-week program July 12—29, 8:00---12:30, Monday through Thursday at Lincoln Middle School. Transportation and a small breakfast snack and lunch will be provided.
Identified students K-8 who have lost learning or need some additional support to be ready for the fall will have first priority. The program will group students into grades K-2, 3-4, 5-6, and 7-8. Your school office will contact you regarding whether your student may be in need of this extra summer program. It is our intent to offer some fun activities to encourage your child to learn through science, technology, and field trips or guest speakers. While we wish we could afford all students this opportunity, we are truly hoping to assist students who have struggled to close the learning gaps in this very unusual school year.
The high school will offer a credit recovery program at the same time for students who need to recover credits in order to be on track for high school graduation within a four-year window. Your student will be contacted by OHS staff regarding whether they are on track at the end of this school year.
Next School Year:
We have no information to share as we are still waiting on ODE to provide guidance regarding school year 2021-22. I know that may come as a surprise. We are moving forward with some assumptions that we will get back to normal regarding mask requirements, physical distancing, and cohorting groups of students, but we honestly have not heard anything. Here is another excerpt from an ODE email:
"ODE is currently working with OHA on guidance for next school year. We will begin to share a discussion draft including key changes for your input the week of May 24th. We will also notify you of any updates to RSSL guidance for summer school in the coming weeks."
On behalf of the Oakland School District staff we want to sincerely thank you for your support and patience this school year. It would be an understatement to say that it has not been easy. Everything we do is because we care and want the very best for our students. In many cases, our hands have been tied and we are having to enforce guidance and rules that make us uncomfortable. This has been especially true during the compressed sports seasons. We want to share with you how much it has meant to us to know that our community understands this and has been so incredibly patient and supportive.
With sincere gratitude,
Patti
