These past two years have been difficult for many of our students, families, faculty and school staff. We can’t thank you enough for your patience and resilience as we get through this pandemic together.
As of March 12, Oregon paused quarantine and contact tracing for the general population, including children and staff in K-12 and childcare settings. If you have been exposed to someone who has COVID-19, you do not have to quarantine or stay home away from others after an exposure, regardless of vaccination status.
Isolation guidelines remain the same and will still apply to people who have tested positive for COVID-19 or who have symptoms. People who have symptoms or test positive for COVID-19 should stay at home for five days, then wear a well-fitting mask for an additional five days when they are around other people.
Masking in Schools
As of March 12, the masking requirements in OAR 333-019-1015 for K-12 and childcare settings are no longer in effect. However, under the state's rules for health care settings, masks will still be required inside school health rooms, including counselor offices.
Individuals should also choose to mask based on their individual risk assessment and the CDC community levels dashboard. Every child has the right to feel safe and supported in school, regardless of their personal health decisions. Please honor and support individuals’ personal decisions to continue wearing masks. We encourage those who are immunocompromised or with underlying health conditions to continue wearing a mask around others.
Safe Schools
The best way to protect your kids aged 5 and over is to get them vaccinated and boosted. The best tools to protect kids under 5 years of age are vaccines (for their family members and the general public), physical distancing, masks and good hygiene.
County public health officials continue to work with the 170 schools in Clackamas County to ensure safe practices and protocols to allow for safe on-site learning. Individual schools and districts may choose to implement mitigation strategies, including but not limited to:
- Physical distancing
- Universal masking
- Cohorting as much as possible/assigned seating
- Airflow and ventilation
- Effective screening and response to cases, with quick access to testing and implementation of exclusion and isolation
We encourage individual schools to make decisions about adding mitigation strategies by reviewing the data at this dashboard, Oregon Covid Data for Decisions.
COVID-19 and Your Mental Health
Even if you are struggling just a little bit, Clackamas Safe+Strong can help. Email safestrong@clackamas.us or call 503-655-8585. You can schedule free, confidential services at 503-722-6200 from Monday to Friday, 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.
For Youth
YouthLine
YouthLine is a free, confidential teen-to-teen crisis and help line. No problem is too big or too small for the YouthLine. Teens are available to help daily from 4–10 p.m. Adults are available by phone at all other times. YouthLine listens, supports, and maintains your confidentiality.
Call 1-877-968-8491 Text ‘teen2teen’ to 839863
Chat online
The Trevor Project
The Trevor Project is an awesome resource and a safe space for LGBTQ+ youth to reach out for 24/7 support.
Call 1-866-488-7386 or text ‘START’ to 678-678
For Adults Who Support Young People
Oregon Family Support Network
Oregon Family Support Network has family support specialists who can work with you and support you from a position of lived experience raising children with behavioral, emotional or mental health challenges.
Reach Out Oregon
Reach Out Oregon offers many different ways (phone, text, a discussion forum, online Zoom discussion groups) to connect with a community of parents with lived experience of raising children with behavioral, emotional or mental health challenges.
Safe and Strong
Safe and Strong has resources to get through COVID-19 safely so you, your family and our communities stay strong.
Additional Resources
- Communicable Disease Guidance for Schools
- COVID-19 Testing in Oregon's K-12 Schools
- Ensuring Equity and Access Guidance
- Isolation and Exclusion Guidelines for K-12 Settings
- Mask guidance
- Mental Health and Social Support
- OHA Guidance for On-Site Testing
- Oregon Department of Education
- Oregon Department of Education Communications Toolkit
- Reduce the spread of COVID-19
- Wash your hands
- What you need to know about handwashing
Contacts
Clackamas County-specific questions:
- School inquiries COVIDschoolliaison@clackamas.us
General Ready School, Safe Learners initiative questions:
- Oregon Health Authority COVID19.Reopening@dhsoha.state.or.us
- Oregon Department of Education ODECOVID19@ode.state.or.us
