Embracing the way we do school this year has been difficult for many of our families. To help ease the burden on our local schools, Clackamas County has been assisting with their reopening plans, prevention and response protocols, and consulting on infectious disease management planning.
The Governor has developed a framework using science and scenario forecasting to determine a series of metrics and guidance for schools to follow. These limitations are in place to create the safest environment possible with the information that we have today. As we continue to learn how to manage COVID-19, these indicators may change.
Kudos to our students, parents and teachers for adapting to these circumstances with such courage and grace. This school year will have challenges, and we will meet them together. Together we can keep each other safe while preparing our next generation to meet the challenges of tomorrow.
School reopening criteria and Clackamas County COVID-19 data
Governor Brown’s Executive Order 21-06 requires no later than the week of March 29, 2021 for grades K-5, and the week of April 19, 2021 for grades 6-12, all public schools in Oregon shall be in operation to deliver educational services through either a hybrid or on-site instructional model.
As part of its planned guidance and metrics review process with the Oregon Health Authority, the Oregon Department of Education released an update to the Ready Schools, Safe Learners guidance on March 15, 2021. These updates include new metrics in accordance to Governor Brown’s Executive Order 21-06. These metrics are required for public schools, school districts, and public charter schools, and advisory for private schools.
As of April 23, 2021, Clackamas County moved to the “Public Elementary schools must offer an On-Site or Hybrid option."
| Our risk level | |||
| Metrics and Models | On-site and hybrid (Public k-12 schools) |
On-site and hybrid (Public elementary schools) |
Distance learning |
|---|---|---|---|
| County Case Rate Per 100,000 people over 14 days in large counties |
<200 | 200 to ≤350 | >350 |
| County Case Count Over 14 days for small and medium counties |
<60 | 60 to ≤90 | >90 |
| County Test Positivity Over 14 days for medium and large counties |
<10% | >90 | >10% |
| Advisory Instructional Model | Public middle and high schools are not required to initially open to in-person instruction and may limit to CDL only as needed to address any current transmission within a school. | K-12 public schools are not required to initially open to in-person instruction and may limit to CDL exclusively if needed to address any current transmission within a school. |
See Metrics for Returning to In-Person Instruction Through the On-Site or Hybrid Model.
Below is a trend of our metrics.
| Period | Cases/100,000 population | % test positivity |
|---|---|---|
| 4/18–5/1 | 283.4 | 7.7% |
| 4/11–4/24 | 245.4 | 6.7% |
| 4/4–4/17 | 211.4 | 6.8% |
Here are some helpful links:
- Oregon Department of Education (ODE) news release
- Comprehensive Distance Learning (CDL) Guidance (as of Jan. 19, 2021)
- Ensuring Equity and Access Guidance
- Guidance for Limited In-Person Instruction During CDL
- Metrics Explainer
- Research Informing Changes in K-12 COVID-19 Guidance
- Updated Operational Blueprint for School Reentry
Additional Tools and Resources:
- OHA Guidance for On-Site Testing
- Statewide Mask, Face Covering, and Face Shield Guidance
- Face Coverings and FAPE Supplemental Guidance
- Update to Returning to In-Person Instruction family resource (translations to be posted as soon as available)
- Addressing Grades and Credit Options
- Outdoor School Programs Guidance
- Youth Program Guidance
- Indoor Recreation Guidance
- Outdoor Recreation Guidance
- Field Trip Guidance
- Learning Outside Guidance
- Community and School Health Responsibilities Regarding FAPE during CDL and Hybrid Instructional Models
- Attendance Best Practices
- Contact Tracing Guidance
- Sector Risk Level Guidance Chart
An increase in on-site learning will most likely lead to more COVID-19 cases.
Parents and families should realize that any school that provides on-site learning could experience COVID-19 cases and outbreaks. Oregon public health rules require individual schools to be prepared to work with local public health officials in responding to cases and outbreaks and, if necessary, switch back to distance learning. Parents and families need to be prepared to return to distance learning, as well.
The best tools to protect individuals remain physical distancing, face coverings and hygiene.
County public health officials continue to work with the 170 schools in Clackamas County to ensure safe practices and protocols (added hyperlink) to allow for safe on-site learning when the time is right. These safe practices and protocols include:
- Physical distancing
- Face coverings
- Hand hygiene
- Cleaning and disinfecting
- Airflow and ventilation
- Effective screening and response to cases, with quick access to testing and implementing isolation and quarantining
Outbreak information
An exposure is defined as an individual who has close contact (less than 6 feet) for longer than 15 cumulative minutes in a 24-hour period with a person with a confirmed or presumptive case of COVID-19.
Each school is responsible for determining who is considered a close contact and sending such information to the county's Public Health department. If a school cannot confirm that 6 feet of distancing was consistently maintained during the school day, then each person the case was in contact with will need to quarantine. This can include all members of a stable cohort. The name and other identifiable information of the COVID-19 case will remain confidential.
Close contacts are not permitted to return to school until the 14-day quarantine is complete. There is no “testing out” option for quarantine.
Quarantine
Clackamas County Public Health has updated our quarantine requirements to align with OHA recommendations and to be responsive to increasing cases, hospitalizations and variants that are more transmissible.
A 14-day quarantine is required for all unvaccinated close contacts in all school settings. Only those who are fully-vaccinated will not have to quarantine. We consider fully vaccinated to mean that it been at least 2 weeks since getting your second dose of the vaccine (for vaccines requiring two doses) or at least two weeks following a single-dose vaccine . Fully-vaccinated close contacts should monitor themselves for symptoms for 14 days and isolate if they develop symptoms.
Individuals who live in the same household as someone with COVID-19 are required to quarantine for 14 days, starting the date after last exposure. They will need to continue to quarantine from the school environment for the full required 14 days.
Indoor and outdoor sports guidance
Can parents watch sport events?
- Yes. Schools must follow the maximum capacity limits for the county’s current risk level using the risk level sector chart. Spectators should remain in their own designated area throughout the event.
- Note that capacity limits do not apply to public outdoor areas. For all events, spectators must maintain at least 6 feet of physical distance and wear a face covering at all times
Reopening Plans
We are coordinating with over 170 schools on the Blue Print for Ready Schools, Safe Learners to plan for the 2020-21 school year.
Additional Resources
Contacts
Clackamas County-specific questions:
- School inquiries COVIDschoolliaison@clackamas.us
- PH-CommunicationsTeam@clackamas.us
General Ready School, Safe Learners initiative questions:
- Oregon Health Authority COVID19.Reopening@dhsoha.state.or.us
- Oregon Department of Education readySchools@ode.state.or.us
