Shared with the Corvallis School Board during the April 9, 2020 meeting
We learned this week that schools will be closed for the remainder of the school year. While Distance Learning will continue, we know that this extended closure will cause significant impacts on students and families. Like many of the staff, families, and students that we are hearing from, I am feeling the loss of the milestones that usually take place at the end of the school year. I am sad, but I am also grateful that our primary emphasis with Distance Learning for All is on connection with students and focusing on relationships. This is at the forefront of our work. We are focused on maintaining our relationships with students and supporting their needs during this unparalleled time.
Our community’s response to COVID-19 requires a non-traditional approach to nearly every facet of our operations. We have an opportunity to be innovative and unconventional as we work to meet the educational needs of our students, with a special focus on those who are historically marginalized.
Responding to School Cancellation, then Closure Announcement
We began planning for the impacts of COVID-19 the first week of March. By March 13, schools were canceled through April 1, and on March 18, the cancellation was extended through April 28.
- We started distributing iPads and Chromebooks to students who did not have access to a home device as we prepared for supplemental learning during that time.
- Free meal sites were operational on March 18
- Staff began planning for supplemental learning
On March 23, the Governor’s Executive Order 20-12 (Stay Home, Save Lives) action, required that all CSD buildings be closed to staff and the public. This encompasses all school facilities including playgrounds and facilities. This action occurred during spring break so many of our staff were not at work. Those who were at work, immediately transitioned to working from home and access to our building was limited to only those staff that are needed to perform operational functions.
Yesterday, the Governor announced her decision to close schools for the remainder of the school year, which we have been anticipating but hoping would not be necessary.
I am extremely proud of the work our staff has been doing as we have rapidly planned, deployed, and adapted our actions to respond to these decisions as we work together to slow the advance of COVID-19.
We are navigating a new normal. The business of the district needs to continue from our bond program construction projects to budget development and staffing for next school year. Our district leaders are working harder than ever to evaluate and plan for the continuity of our operations.
Teaching and Learning from a Distance
On March 30, ODE provided guidance on Distance Learning for All. Our educators are using this 53-page document to create a plan for the coming weeks and months. We launched distance learning in our secondary schools on April 6 and we will launch distance learning for elementary students on April 13. The key elements of distance learning are care, connection, and continuity of learning.
Yesterday we received guidance on Graduation Pathways and our high school teams are meeting regularly to plan a path forward for seniors. We will be making decisions about graduation ceremonies by the end of this month.
Free Meal Sites
Our Food and Nutrition Services staff have been operating free meal sites Monday through Friday since March 18. Each day, 1,200 meals are being served. These staff are following social distancing, wearing gloves and facemasks, and connecting with students and families on a daily basis. Thank you to our food services staff for doing this important work. We encourage families to utilize this free meal opportunity for their child at Garfield, Lincoln, Wilson Elementary Schools and Clemens Primary School in Philomath.
Childcare for Health Care Workers and Emergency Responders
The Boys and Girls Club opened April 1 for all-day emergency childcare for health care workers and first responders. Pre-registration and eligibility verification is required. Call 541-757-1909, between 8 am – 6 pm, Monday through Friday. The club has put a number of safety protocols in place for the health and safety of kids and staff. Frequently asked questions are addressed on the BGCC website: http://www.bgccorvallis.org/bgcc-covid-19-update/
CSD Daily Briefing Meeting
District administration is in regular contact with City and County officials, as well as the health department and OHA. Our district leadership conducts a daily briefing to ensure that our activities are coordinated.
Community Support
We are grateful for the support of our community through donations of food and personal hygiene supplies. Our student support staff have been working closely with our most vulnerable families to provide a basic pantry bag of food once each week. We also are grateful to those who have donated to the Corvallis Public Schools Foundation to provide assistance in a variety of ways to families in need. Those donations can be made online through the Foundation’s website.
Bright Spots
Our staff are connecting with kids. These are just a few examples of what is happening throughout our district:
- Staff from the WINGS program are scheduling visits to drive to student’s homes and pull up to driveways to wave and say hello from their car.
- CHS Assistant Principal Paul Navarra and College Hill Principal Eric Wright have personally dropped off supplies at the doorstep of students.
- Linus Pauling Middle School staff are being very creative in putting together projects for students to do at home.
- Jefferson LifeSkills staff Mo Ruzek is recording storytime for kids to replay at home and Holly Deffenbacher is recording the daily calendar activity so kids can hear her familiar voice and replay the message while home.
- CHS is planning to have a virtual student assembly next week.
- District Theaters Manager Elizabeth Wyatt is volunteering to coordinate the efforts of the Corvallis Sewing Brigade to sew facemasks to slow the spread of COVID-19 in our community. https://corvallissewingbrigade.org/
I am deeply grateful for the grace, empathy, and compassion that has been on display in our district as we work together to support each other through this public health crisis.