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COVID-19

2023-24 Communicable Disease Management Plan

By COVID-19, School-Wide Improvement

A district’s Communicable Disease Management Plan verifies that a school and/or program is ready to:

  • Prevent, detect, respond to, and recover from communicable diseases.
  • Ensure continuity of instruction for all students, regardless of support needs.
  • Ensure continuity of learning during and after periods of increased transmission.
  • Communicate plans to their staff, students, families, and community.

This 2023-2024 Communicable Disease Management Plan is structured as an update to last year’s planning, fine-tuning the instructions to reflect the operational capacity built over the last three years as we recover from COVID-19. This year’s planning represents a shift to annual plan updates to ensure school operational readiness for communicable disease-related disruptions to operations.

SOESD has published two documents that guide our schools and staff:

SOESD aligns our plans with the plans of the districts and the communities we serve in order to provide services that meet the needs of students and families across our regional service area. Each district we serve submits their own Communicable Disease Management Plan for each of its schools where we may serve students.

SOESD assists districts with preparing and updating their management plans with resources available at https://www.oregon.gov/ode/schools-and-districts/grants/Pages/ESSER-III-District-Supplemental-Plans.aspx#resources.

The Communicable Disease Plans for all the districts in southern Oregon (and the state) are located on ODE’s web site.

August 16, 2023
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2022-23 School Year COVID-19 Management Plan

By COVID-19, News, School-Wide Improvement

Over the past two school years, schools and districts prepared Operational Blueprints (2020-21 school year) and Safe Return to In Person Instruction & Continuity of Services Plans (2021-22 school year). As Oregon emerges from the response phase of the pandemic and returns to its traditional governance model emphasizing local control and decision-making, the School-level COVID-19 Management Plan (COVID-19 Management Plan) builds upon the lessons learned of these years, including the lasting equity and mental health impacts of, and Oregon’s response to, COVID-19. The Plan is designed to align with other operational plans, emergency operational plans (EOP) and district communicable disease management plans (CDMP) that may be in place. Districts and ESDs (Education Service Districts) should build on what is already in place to ensure robust planning at the school and program level.

The COVID-19 Management Plan verifies the school or program is ready to:

  • Prevent, detect, respond to, and recover from increases in COVID-19 transmission.
  • Ensure continuity of instruction for all students, regardless of support needs.
  • Ensure continuity of learning during and after periods of increased COVID-19 transmission.
  • Communicate their plan to their staff, students, families, and community.

SOESD aligns our plans with the plans of the districts and the communities we serve in order to provide services that meet the needs of students and families across our regional service area.

Each district we serve submits a blueprint for each of their schools where we may serve students. SOESD’s other direct instructional services for students are outlined in separate SOESD COVID-19 Management Plans:

Click here to view SOESD’s Communicable Disease Management Plan (2022-2023).

SOESD assists districts with preparing and updating COVID-19 Management Plans with resources available at https://www.oregon.gov/ode/schools-and-districts/grants/Pages/ESSER-III-District-Supplemental-Plans.aspx#resources.

The COVID-19 Management Plans for all the districts in southern Oregon (and the state) are located on ODE’s web site.

September 20, 2022
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Distance Learning for All

By COVID-19, Distance Learning for All, Homepage, News

On 4-8-20, Governor Kate Brown announced that in-person classes with students will not occur for the remainder of the school year, as part of continued efforts to slow the spread of COVID-19 and keep our communities well. Instead, school and learning will continue using remote methods under Oregon’s Distance Learning for All Plan.

Additionally, under Oregon’s new 2020 Graduation Pathways Plan, high school seniors will receive passing grades for their courses and meet Oregon’s graduation requirements, if they were on-track to graduate prior to the statewide school closure in March. Schools will provide additional focus on credit-earning opportunities and learning for seniors who were not yet passing all required courses.  

Oregon’s plan maintains the 24 credit requirement for the Oregon Diploma and honors continued high standards for learning and achievement. Oregon’s public universities have supported the plan by ensuring no student admitted for fall 2020 will have their admission rescinded due to changes in grading policy or the inability to complete their coursework, so long as they graduate high school.

Districts across Oregon are providing essential services and learning supports for their students through their Distance Learning for All plans.

SOESD is providing essential services and learning supports for students, families, and districts across the region, including child care for essential workers, emotional and navigational support for families, online learning resources, physical educational materials, instruction for students, a regional Help Desk for technical and learning support, and a myriad of special services for unique student and family needs. 

Please visit SOESD’s Distance Learning for All section of our website to access these resources and services.

April 8, 2020
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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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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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