FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - July 29, 2020
Brookings-Harbor School District Families,
Yesterday (Tuesday, July 28), Oregon Governor Kate Brown announced a new set of metrics that will determine when schools can safely reopen their buildings to return to in-person learning. The key metrics are based on both state-level infection and positive test rates as well as local county-level infection and positive test rates. Link to detailed metrics released 7/28/20.
The target metrics need to be achieved for 3 consecutive weeks state-wide and within Curry County:
- 10 or fewer active cases per 100,000 people
- Positive test rate of 5% or less
In the past three weeks, Oregon has recorded rates of 45.9-57.1 active cases per 100,000 people, and positive test rates ranging from 5.1 to 5.9 percent. These fail to meet the standard set for reopening.
Here’s a detailed look at the Curry County numbers for the past three weeks:
- 7/5: 4.44 active cases/100,000 people; 0.0% positive test rate
- 7/12: 4.4/100,000; 6.3% positive test rate
- 7/19: 13.1/100,000; 0.0% positive test rate
At the local level, Curry County is near the range of metrics to allow for us to open in person, however, the state-level rates are not at this point in time. If Oregon’s numbers improve and stabilize, and Curry County stays at or below current levels, there is a chance that we may be able to safely open in person as planned with half the students attending a morning session and the other half in an afternoon session. However, it is likely that we may have to open school with online learning.
K-3 Exception
There is also an exception in the new guidance that allows districts to open in person grades K-3 if county-level metrics are met for 3 consecutive weeks.
- Fewer than 30 cases per 100,000 people
- Test positivity rate of 5% or less
We will continue our planning to build schedules and develop the processes and protocols for in-person operation as well as planning for full online instruction as well. In the coming weeks, we will be sharing more details of what our in-person and online offerings will look like.
The district has made significant investments in technology to ensure all students will have a device and access to online learning platforms and resources. We are taking the lessons learned from spring and are committed to quality instruction and opportunities regardless of the format.
The district will continue to provide services for students on IEPs, those with 504 plans, and other established programs such as English Language Learners, Indian Education, etc. We are developing programs to integrate these supports into all of our instructional delivery approaches into the Distance Learning model.
As we have seen throughout this summer, things can and do change quickly. We are committed to keeping you informed as these changes occur. Our guiding principles as we look forward to this fall are student safety; equity; student engagement and connection; and student learning.
As our plans continue to develop and as information and guidelines are released, we will continue to post this information on our website and specifically on our 2020 Fall Planning webpage. Please feel free to email me, call the district office to set up an appointment, or join me for a walking conversation on the BHHS track (the next one is scheduled for noon Thursday, July 30).
We look forward to reconnecting with you soon.
David Marshall
Superintendent
Brookings-Harbor School District
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Brookings-Harbor School District: “Every Student Can Succeed”