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Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19)

Oregon Statewide School Closure Extension to 4/28/20

By COVID-19, Homepage

March 17, 2020

Dear SOESD Communities and Staff,

On 3/17/20, Governor Brown announced an extension of Oregon’s statewide school closure to a total of six weeks, until 4/28/20, and also issued further guidance for Oregon’s public schools. This follows the initial two-week closure of Oregon’s schools.

The governor also ordered school districts and ESDs to provide a variety of services during the closure period, such as learning supports and supplemental services to students and families, including meals and child care for health care workers. Please contact your resident district for information regarding meals distribution sites. SOESD is supporting Oregon and our local districts to implement the order intended to slow the rate of COVID-19 transmission, reduce strain on our medical system, and prevent loss of life.

The safety and well-being of staff, children, families, and the community continue to be my highest priority as we plan for COVID-19 and implement the governor’s directives.

Sincerely,

Scott Beveridge,
Southern Oregon ESD Superintendent

March 17, 2020
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Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19)

School Closure Notice

By COVID-19, Homepage

March 13, 2020

Dear SOESD Communities and Staff,

On the evening of 3/12/20, Governor Brown directed all schools in Oregon to close from 3/16/20 – 3/31/20, with plans to reopen schools on 4/1/20.

You may read the press release here:

https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/ORED/bulletins/280e897

Please know we are continuing to implement the direction of the governor along with guidance from health officials, and have your health and safety as top priority. SOESD and districts across the state will spend time during this closure on Governor Brown’s additional directives for schools to “develop plans for returning to school that accommodate ongoing impacts of coronavirus” and “for operating schools under updated measures”. Please contact your resident district for some services such as free meals that will continue during the closure.

Please note that Governor Brown stresses “sending Oregon children home will not stop the spread of the coronavirus”, as we’ve known from guidance we’ve been following from health authorities previously. Also, school closure comes with an added concern for increased exposure to the elderly, and the governor is sharing caution that during the closure, children “not be in the care of older adults or those with underlying health issues that are most at-risk from COVID-19”.

We anticipate per the press release that there will be continued guidance during the closure and “timelines will be reevaluated in late March in consultation with school administrators”.

Safety and well-being remain my very highest concern. Please continue to exercise safe practices as preventative measures during the closure such as washing hands; covering coughs and sneezes; avoiding touching your eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands; and practicing appropriate social distance.

I wish you all the best of health.

Sincerely,

Scott Beveridge,
Southern Oregon ESD Superintendent

March 13, 2020
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Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19)

Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Update

By COVID-19, Homepage

March 12, 2020

Dear SOESD Communities and Staff,

SOESD continues to prioritize student, staff, and community health and safety as we coordinate with health officials regarding COVID-19. We, like you, are all concerned about COVID-19 in southern Oregon and worldwide.

With the number of confirmed cases in Oregon increasing, Governor Brown has announced new guidance regarding group gatherings and social distancing. Following the governor’s announcement, today the Oregon Department of Education (ODE) provided guidance based on her direction. The governor, Oregon health authorities, and ODE are continuing to recommend that schools stay open. However, new guidance is to cancel or limit all non-essential gatherings and group activities. 

In accordance with this guidance and in order to minimize potential opportunities for the virus to spread, SOESD has decided to proactively begin suspending events that bring large groups of students, adults, and community members together. We will be continuing some meetings and events in electronic format.

The safety, health, and well-being of our staff and students continue to be our highest priority. In addition to implementing the new guidance, our administrative team has coordinated distribution of cleaning supplies, prioritization for cleaning high-touch surfaces, and establishment of protocols for staff and students, including asking those with COVID-19 symptoms (fever, cough, and shortness of breath) to stay home.

Employees, students, families, and everyone in our community can continue to best support efforts by:

  • Staying home when sick with fever, cough, and shortness of breath, only returning to school or work when free of COVID-19 symptoms for 72 hours without the use of fever-reducing or other symptom-altering medicines. If you are concerned about symptoms, please consult with a doctor. 
  • Covering coughs and sneezes with a tissue and then throwing the tissue in the trash.
  • Washing hands often with soap and water for 20 seconds. If soap and water are not readily available, using an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol.
  • Avoiding close contact with people who are sick.
  • Avoiding touching your eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands.
  • Cleaning and disinfecting frequently touched objects and surfaces using regular household cleaners or wipes.
  • Taking care of your health overall. Staying current on your vaccinations, including flu vaccine, eating well and exercising all help your body stay resilient.
  • A facemask should be used by people who show symptoms of COVID-19 to help prevent the spread of the disease to others. It is not recommended that people who are well wear a facemask to protect themselves from respiratory diseases, including COVID-19.

Thank you for your cooperation and understanding during this difficult time. We will continue to rely on the guidance from the CDC, Oregon Health Authority, the Department of Education, the Office of the Governor, and County Public Health, to minimize both the spread of COVID-19 and disruption to schools and students. If COVID-19 is identified at SOESD or a district we serve, the local health department will collaborate with the district to determine whether closure is warranted or helpful in reducing the spread of the illness.

Please know that this message and decisions are being made in collaboration with the State of Oregon and districts across the state and in our region. We all collectively share the utmost concern for the health and safety of our students, employees, and communities.

Sincerely,

Scott Beveridge,
Southern Oregon ESD Superintendent

 

March 12, 2020
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Mobile Maker Space

By News, School Improvement Services, School-Wide Improvement

Eagle Point Middle School became the the first school in Jackson County to check out the SOESD Mobile Maker Space. The second Space will be set-up at Hidden Valley High School and a third is about to appear at Henley Middle and High School later in March.

“Eagle Point Middle School Students are getting some hands on experience with robotics thanks to the Mobile Maker Space on loan from the Southern Oregon ESD.  Students will put their newly learned coding skills to the test with Spheros and Lego Mindstorm kits that come with the MMS.  It’s one thing to talk about engineering and robotics, but it’s the experience of actually doing it where real connections are made.” – Jason Clark

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March 10, 2020
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Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19)

Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19)

By News
Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19)

Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) [image provided by: CDC/ Alissa Eckert, MS; Dan Higgins, MAMS]

SOESD has been coordinating with regional county health departments, the Oregon Health Authority (OHA), the Center for Disease Control (CDC), and the Oregon Department of Education (ODE) regarding information and protocols to address coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in Oregon. As cases of COVID-19 are identified by OHA and local community health officials, we have been coordinating plans to address specific interventions in communities and school districts recommended by health officials and the Oregon Department of Education (ODE).

Over the weekend, OHA identified presumptive cases of COVID-19 in several communities where SOESD serves, including: Douglas, Jackson, and Klamath counties. Available information indicates there remain no known cases of COVID-19 in Douglas County, Jackson County, Josephine County, and Klamath County schools.

OHA and ODE recommend against canceling events or closing schools and campuses where no cases of COVID-19 are present. The CDC, OHA, local community health authorities, ODE, and school districts are recommending specific interventions found in the resources below, to protect you and students against the spread of COVID-19 and other respiratory infections:

  • Anyone with a fever or symptoms of acute respiratory illness are recommended to stay home until free of fever and any other symptoms for at least 24 hours, without the use of fever-reducing or other symptom-altering medicines.
  • Cover coughs and sneezes with a tissue and then throw the tissue in the trash.
  • Wash hands often with soap and water for 20 seconds. If soap and water are not readily available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol.
  • Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
  • Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands.
  • Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces using regular household cleaners or wipes.
  • Take care of your health overall. Staying current on your vaccinations, including flu vaccine, eating well and exercising all help your body stay resilient.
  • A facemask should be used by people who show symptoms of COVID-19 to help prevent the spread of the disease to others. It is not recommended that people who are well wear a facemask to protect themselves from respiratory diseases, including COVID-19.
  • Consult the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) travel website for any travel advisories and steps to protect yourself if you plan to travel outside of the US.

The following resources answer questions about COVID-19 and using preventative measures:

SOESD plans to provide information at www.soesd.k12.or.us. As always, our highest concern is for the safety and protection of our children and staff.

Sincerely,

Scott Beveridge
Southern Oregon ESD Superintendent

March 9, 2020
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Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19)

Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19)

By COVID-19
Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19)

Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) [image provided by: CDC/ Alissa Eckert, MS; Dan Higgins, MAMS]

March 9, 2020: SOESD has been coordinating with regional county health departments, the Oregon Health Authority (OHA), the Center for Disease Control (CDC), and the Oregon Department of Education (ODE) regarding information and protocols to address coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in Oregon. As cases of COVID-19 are identified by OHA and local community health officials, we have been coordinating plans to address specific interventions in communities and school districts recommended by health officials and the Oregon Department of Education (ODE).

Over the weekend, OHA identified presumptive cases of COVID-19 in several communities where SOESD serves, including: Douglas, Jackson, and Klamath counties. Available information indicates there remain no known cases of COVID-19 in Douglas County, Jackson County, Josephine County, and Klamath County schools.

OHA and ODE recommend against canceling events or closing schools and campuses where no cases of COVID-19 are present. The CDC, OHA, local community health authorities, ODE, and school districts are recommending specific interventions found in the resources below, to protect you and students against the spread of COVID-19 and other respiratory infections:

  • Anyone with a fever or symptoms of acute respiratory illness are recommended to stay home until free of fever and any other symptoms for at least 24 hours, without the use of fever-reducing or other symptom-altering medicines.
  • Cover coughs and sneezes with a tissue and then throw the tissue in the trash.
  • Wash hands often with soap and water for 20 seconds. If soap and water are not readily available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol.
  • Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
  • Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands.
  • Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces using regular household cleaners or wipes.
  • Take care of your health overall. Staying current on your vaccinations, including flu vaccine, eating well and exercising all help your body stay resilient.
  • A facemask should be used by people who show symptoms of COVID-19 to help prevent the spread of the disease to others. It is not recommended that people who are well wear a facemask to protect themselves from respiratory diseases, including COVID-19.
  • Consult the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) travel website for any travel advisories and steps to protect yourself if you plan to travel outside of the US.

The following resources answer questions about COVID-19 and using preventative measures:

SOESD plans to provide information at www.soesd.k12.or.us. As always, our highest concern is for the safety and protection of our children and staff.

Sincerely,

Scott Beveridge
Southern Oregon ESD Superintendent

March 9, 2020
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Oregon Math Standards Revision Review hosted by Mark Freed of ODE

By News, School Improvement Services, School-Wide Improvement

Please join us for the Oregon Math Standards Revision Review that will be hosted by Mark Freed from the Oregon Department of Education. Mark will be sharing the work he has been doing in preparation for revising the math standards in the State of Oregon.  The goal of this review is to interact with, and gather math teacher’s feedback regarding this work before its goals are finalized.

This opportunity is available to math, and CTE teachers.  There will be two opportunities for you to connect, and interact with Mark regarding the upcoming changes to Oregon’s math standards.  The first revision review will be on Thursday, April 16th at Klamath Union High School from 3:30-5:00 pm.

The second review will be held on Friday, April 17th at Rogue River High School from 3:30-5:00 pm.  The Oregon Department of Education and the Southern Or ESD would love to have your insight, and feedback on Oregon’s upcoming math standards.  Please join us, and see the links below to register!

Oregon Math Standards Revision Review April 16th 2020 Klamath Union High School-  http://pdnetworks.soesd.k12.or.us/public/events/view-event/7485 

Oregon Math Standards Revision Review April 17th 2020 Rogue River High School – http://pdnetworks.soesd.k12.or.us/public/events/view-event/7486

 

March 7, 2020
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