FRSD students and families,

As many of you are aware, on Wednesday, December 23rd, Governor Kate Brown released a statement regarding new guidelines around returning to in-person instruction (click here to read).

The stated goal within this release is to have a larger return to in-person instruction by February 15th and to allow more local decisions based on health metrics and the local circumstances.  In short, this is good news, however, I want to ensure some finer points of the press release are communicated clearly.

1. While the move from “mandatory” to “advisory” in regards to the metrics is helpful, the current metrics of Lane County would “advise” us not to return students to in-person instruction yet.  In addition, it is expected that NEW metrics (essentially the guidelines we should follow) will be released on or before January 19th.  While I would expect those metrics to allow for a more rapid return to in-person instruction, the current metrics would advise us, due to our case count being over 200 per 100,000 to stay in distance learning, and that a case count of under 200 per 100,000 we should be transitioning back to more on-site learning.  As soon as new metrics are released, I will share them here.  You can access the CURRENT metric table and the Lane County data at this link (click here).
2. The second piece that is easily overlooked is the statement that says schools must continue “to adhere to required health and safety protocols.”  There are restrictions such as the number of students per square foot, allowable cohort size, the number of cohorts a student can be a part of in a given day/week, and transportation limitations, just to name a few.  The entire 90 page Ready Schools Safe Learners Document, the document that outlines how schools must operate (and is changed/updated often), can be found by clicking here.

Finally, to summarize, the District will be sticking with our plan made just before Winter Break to return to Limited-In-Person Instruction for around 200 students beginning Tuesday, January 5th.  Any student that is in this group should have already been contacted by their building.  By tomorrow afternoon, we will have bus routes for these students posted here:  Jan 5th bus routes.  At a minimum, we will stick with that plan through the next update to the metrics, expected around January 19th.  I hope that a significant change in the number of students on campus materializes by the start of the 2nd semester, the week of February 8th.  As always, if you have any questions, do not hesitate to email me at gcarpenter@fernridge.k12.or.us, or contact  your building administrator.

Students and Parents of FRSD,

Thank you for your continued patience and grace as the district works to navigate the limitations and restrictions being placed on us due to the pandemic.  While our staff continue to serve students in creative ways, there is a universal agreement in Fern Ridge that the current environment, while required, is not serving our student’s educational or behavioral health needs as well as in-person instruction can.  We are working on a graduated plan that could return a few students on Tuesday, January 5th, and increase to larger groups of students and grade levels beginning the start of the 2nd semester, on Tuesday, February 9th.  I advocate weekly in meetings and emails with other Lane County Superintendents, the Oregon Department of Education (ODE) and state legislators.  I am beginning to see some relief on the horizon and believe the path that ODE,  the Oregon Health Authority (OHA) and the Governor’s office are currently discussing will allow districts to make some local decisions that will change the playing field come February.

To review how we have transitioned over the last month or so.  Before Thanksgiving Break, we had a few students on campus at EHS and FRMS who received special services, were without internet, and provided some limited CTE opportunities that are allowable.  Due to the rising infection rate in Lane County, as well as numerous staff needing to quarantine, we chose to discontinue this and move to full Comprehensive Distance Learning on Tuesday, December 1st.  At the elementary school, 4th and 5th grade looked similar to 6th-12th grade students.  Our K-3 students were able to come on campus for 2 hours a day, on an every other day basis.

What has changed?  A couple things have changed over the past few weeks.  The first being we currently do not have a large group of staff needing to isolate/quarantine.  The second being that I am now sent infection rate data from LCPH specific to the zip codes that lie within our district boundaries.  This data shows the # of cases as well as infection rate (with FRSD boundaries) is significantly less than that of the county as a whole.  In addition, ODE continues to find that transmission of the virus in a school setting is limited.  Below I have pasted a quote from a recent ODE release:

“Schools in Oregon that have continued operating in counties with case rates/counts or test positivity, in the “Distance Learning” (red column) have generally not experienced transmission at the school site. Adherence to public health protocols in Ready Schools, Safe Learners Guidance Sections 1-3 appear to be effective in reducing the risk of spread. These protocols include entry screening and exclusion practices, maintaining small cohorts, wearing face coverings at all times, maintaining physical distancing, implementing hand washing routines, readiness to respond to exposure, and more.  Schools in Oregon are seeing COVID-19 cases introduced to schools. When appropriate actions are immediately implemented, the introduction of a case into a school setting does not lead to transmission to others in the school.”

WHAT IS ABOUT TO CHANGE?  While it isn’t with 100% certainty, the District is PLANNING to implement what is described below on January 5th.  We will be confirming this by Jan 1st. Please continue to watch our website for more information.

MIDDLE AND HIGH SCHOOL:  Following winter break, January 5th, middle and high school students will return to a very similar model that they were in prior to Thanksgiving Break.  Over the last day or two, FRMS and EHS staff have contacted the students that receive these special services and will have the option to return for 2 hours of limited in-person instruction (LIPI).

ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS:  Following winter break, January 5th, limited-in-person instruction will resume for Kindergarten – 5th grade students, but on a much smaller scale than we were in previously.  Much like older grades, students coming on campus will be limited to those receiving special services or have no internet.  Just like the MS and HS, over the last day or two, elementary staff have contacted the students/families that receive these special services and will have the option to return for 2 hours of limited in-person instruction DAILY Tuesday-Friday.

If you did not receive such a call, rest assured we are doing everything we can with the goal of returning many more students by the start of the 2nd semester.  Clearly, many of these decisions are out of our hands, but for the first time in awhile I am beginning to see the light at the end of the tunnel.  I am looking forward to having more options that we will be able to consider.  Finally, we would ask that anyone that is returning in January that travels out of state over the break to NOT return until they have quarantined for 14 days.  This is recommended, but not required.  We hope to get bus routes and pick-up drop off times for those that will be riding the bus, out the week before we return.

If you have any questions, do not hesitate to reach out to your building administrator or to email me directly.  The best way to contact them over the next 2 weeks will be through email:

EHS Rick Gardner: rgardner@fernridge.k12.or.us

FRMS:  Olivia Johnson:  ojohnson@fernridge.k12.or.us

VES:  Lisa Leatham:  lleatham@fernridge.k12.or.us

EES:  Michelle Marshall:  mmarshall@fernridge.k12.or.us

A reminder that Tuesday through Friday, throughout the FRSD community, there are 10 locations from 8-9 AM where any child 0-18 may receive a “meal sack” that contains a breakfast and lunch.  Click here for a list of the sites.

A new opportunity that has become available is weekend meals.  We have gotten approval to serve weekend meals.  We will do this through the site at EHS that runs every day from 11:00-12:30.  Each Friday, any family that comes by the EHS “drive through” during this time, will also have the option to receive meals for Saturday and Sunday.  Please pass along!

It has been a while since we have posted the updated 2-week lookback return to school metric “table.”  Below is that graphic with updated information as of today.  It shows that Lane County has continued to report a rising number of COVID-19 infections.  District administrators are meeting regularly to review these metrics and review them with our staff. The goal will be to share by Friday, December 18th, what the plan will be when school resumes in January.

Beginning today, all students K-12 are in Comprehensive Distance Learning.  With that being the case, the need for technology support could increase.  Below are some expanded options.

1. District Office is open from 1-3 PM for students/parents that need tech support.
2. District Office is now also open from 8-9 AM for students/parents that need tech support.
3. The Oregon Department of Education has started a technology helpdesk.  It can be found at oregonhelpdesk.org  This website will be able to answer questions in multiple languages.  It is limited in that if you need a new charger, or a new device, that isn’t something they can help with, but any general device operational questions, or questions around software or programs, they should be able to assist with.  This resource is open in the evenings and weekends.  Monday -Friday 6:00-10:00 PM, and Saturday and Sunday 4:00-8:00 PM.
4. Finally, the front offices of all the schools will remain open during CDL, so if you have an issue the building may be able to assist with, feel free to call the school as well.

In conjunction with our transportation and food service providers, we will be implementing the following meal distribution plan for as long as the District remains in CDL (Comprehensive Distance Learning). If you have any questions, do not hesitate to call your respective school.  This plan begins the week of Nov 30 – Dec 4th.

EHS Site for daily meals (Monday-Friday): From 11:00-12:30 each day of the week (Monday-Friday), food service staff will continue to serve meals through the “drive-up” in the North parking lot at EHS.  There are both hot and cold options, and all you need to do is circle around by the cafeteria door, give your last name and the number of children to receive both a lunch and breakfast for the following day.

EHS Site for a “weekly meal” pick-up (Monday night only): Every Monday night from 5:00-6:00 PM, a family may pick up a meal “kit” that contains fruit, vegetables, milk, sandwiches, and breakfast items for the week.  You need to place your order by either emailing our food service director at afullerton@fernrige.k12.or.us, or by calling your school and asking them to forward the information to Mr. Fullerton.  You just need to include the last name and number of children ages 0-18 that you will be picking up for.

Daily bus stops (Tuesday-Friday):  Every Tuesday through Friday morning, FRSD buses will be at 10 locations throughout the community from 8 – 9 AM.  The buses will have available a daily meal kit that includes lunch and breakfast for the day in one bag. The 10 sites are:

1.  Fern Ridge Child Development Center on Jeans Road

2.  The Noti Market

3.  The DS Mart

4.  5th and Woodland

5.  Veneta Elementary Parking lot

6. Ray’s Parking lot

7.  Church on the corner of Hunter & Huston

8. Baker Rd. (the end)

9. Fleck & Central

10.  Oak Island & Legacy Ct.

Please share this information however you can, and access this resource daily!  Thank you to our transportation and food service departments for working with the District to provide these opportunities!

Students and Parents of the Fern Ridge School District.  Over the past 2 weeks the district has been reviewing the new requirements imposed by the state, evaluating infection rate data, and coming up with a plan for what school will look like in the coming weeks.  On Monday the 23rd the new County infection rate data was released that has the two week “look-back” rate at an all-time high of 253.9/100,000, up from 175.5 the previous week, and 133.6 the week before that.  That information, combined with the Governors requirements released December 13th, including isolation/travel requirements placed on staff and students, necessitates this move to Comprehensive Distance Learning from December 1st-December 18th.  Below are the bullet point details of this change, and what these three weeks will look like in December:

• For the vast majority of students in grades 4th-12th, and FRSD OPTIONS program students, nothing will change.
• The primary changes will be for:
  • Kinder-3rd grade students will no longer be coming in for Limited In-Person Instruction, a daily schedule is currently being worked on by administrators, in conjunction with teaching staff and will be released soon.  Especially at the youngest grades, the amount of daily CDL will probably start a bit more slowly, and grow over time as we see what is working well, and what isn’t.
  • Our  handful of 4th-12th grade students that have been coming in either daily, or every other day, will not be able to do so during this period of CDL.
• We are working on a plan to make school meals more accessible, and will have that information posted as soon as it is available.
• While some instructional staff will be working from home, the front offices of all schools as well as the District Office Building will remain open.
• We currently have a drop in “tech-support” time at the District Office from 1-3 PM. In addition to that, we are now adding a morning time from 8-9 AM.
• Currently, this decision is being made only for the 3 weeks in December, over winter break, new information, requirements and data will be evaluated and a decision will be made regarding any changes that will occur in January.

We realize there is no replacement for face-to-face interaction with our students and we look forward to students and teachers returning to school buildings as soon as it is safe to do so.  The district is continuing to engage parents, teachers, school leaders and policymakers throughout this process. For now, our students will continue learning from home and we will do everything possible on our end to get back to in-person learning as soon as possible.

 All FRSD schools are closed from Monday, November 23 thru Friday, November, 27

Enjoy your break and stay healthy!

EHS had an accidental pull of a fire alarm on campus this afternoon.  We wanted to emphasize that this was an accident and at no time was there any concern about a fire in the building.  The fire department responded and confirmed this as well and our maintenance department quickly reset our fire alarm after the incident.  Thanks to everyone for your concern.

Reminder:  We WILL be able to offer this the week of Thanksgiving, on Monday, November 23rd (there is NO SCHOOL at all that week).  We will take orders beginning Monday, November 9th and continue through Wednesday November 18th (DEADLINE TOMORROW).  You can place your order (just need last name and number of children ages 0-18) by either emailing our food service director at afullerton@fernridge.k12.or.us, or by calling your local school and asking them to forward the information to Mr. Fullerton.  Once your order is placed you just need to show up at EHS between 5:00 and 6:00 PM on the 23rd to receive the meals.

Pre-ordering allows the food service staff to order the right amount of product, and ensure nothing is going to waste! We hope that many families will participate!  Any questions, you can also call Mr. Fullerton at 541-935-8218.