Ready Schools Safe Learner and mask mandate UPDATE!

Throughout the COVID-19 Pandemic, FRSD has followed all requirements set forth by both OHA and ODE.  On Wednesday, ODE released an update to the COVID health and safety protocols school districts in Oregon are expected to follow beginning on March 12th, the date the mask mandate ends in Oregon for K-12 schools.  Beginning the 12th, the vast majority of COVID mitigation guideline decisions will happen at the local level.

While the District will put out more specific and detailed information prior to the 12th, for now, a brief summary of the new guidelines that FRSD will follow, are listed below:

• Contract tracing is no longer required:  FRSD will not require it.
• Students who are exposed will not need to quarantine if exposed, unless symptomatic:  FRSD will follow this.  We are still working on the best way to provide notification to parents when their child has been exposed at school.
• Students and staff who test positive, or become symptomatic after an exposure, must isolate:  FRSD will follow this exclusion requirement.
• Testing:  We will continue to offer testing to families that request it.
• Masks are no longer required for staff or students at school or on buses:  FRSD will will not require them.

If you have questions or concerns about the new guidelines, please feel free to contact me at 541-935-2253 or gcarpenter@fernridge.k12.or.us.  A complete update/graphic is in the works that outlines all critical information and will be released soon.

Please remember that there are still some staff and students who will choose to wear a mask within the school setting.  We will respect EVERYONE’S choice and as a District will not tolerate anything short of full support for this choice, as the state mandate is now lifted.

To those that have continued to show grace and patience throughout the pandemic, your support is appreciated.  Our GOAL remains the ability to continue to provide in-person instruction daily while keeping staff and students healthy and at school!  THE SINGLE BIGGEST THING OUR FAMILIES CAN DO TO HELP SUPPORT THIS GOAL IS TO REMAIN HOME WHEN SICK!

We all are looking forward to a return to something more normal, while remaining vigilant to ensure instruction is not impacted in the months to come.

Gary E. Carpenter, Jr. Superintendent, FRSD