Superintendent's Update
Reopening Plans: March 10, 2021
Greetings Centennial Families,
Last Friday, Governor Brown ordered all Oregon schools to reopen with a hybrid or full in-person instruction. Elementary schools must open on or before the week of March 29, 2021 and secondary the week of April 19, 2021.
We had planned on offering a Limited In-Person Instruction model for a small number of our most at-risk students, so this change significantly alters those plans and processes. We have now adjusted our plans to meet the Governor’s order, a hybrid model of in-person instruction for elementary students.
Given the staggered timeline, secondary grades (7-12) plans will be shared in the coming weeks.
Fortunately, last summer Centennial School District administrators and school staff drafted Operational Blueprints for the district and each of our schools based on the guidance from the Oregon Department of Education (ODE) - copies of each school’s Blueprint can be found on the district’s website at https://or50000628.schoolwires.net/domain/107.
We are currently working to update the plans, specifically the guidance around health and safety. Over the past two days, we have had multiple meetings with administrators, who have also reached out to individual teachers to share preliminary drafts for feedback. Here is the plan/schedule for our elementary (K-6) schools.
* We are still working to determine specific timeframes for in-person instruction which will be communicated by your school in the near future.
We feel the strengths of our plans include:
Increasing the possibility of students remaining with their current teacher
Reducing the amount of time students need to follow safety protocols (masks, distancing)
Maintaining consistency with continuing elements of Comprehensive Distance Learning
Increasing safety by students eating at home as opposed to the classroom
Providing opportunities for social interaction.
We know that some of our families will favor this model while others may prefer models being utilized elsewhere, but we will give ourselves and each other grace to navigate this ever-changing landscape. As a district, we work to provide our students with the support needed to be successful.
Students who choose to remain in Comprehensive Distance Learning (CDL) have the ability to do so. The schedules are built to keep as much consistency for students as possible. Students coming to school in person should also have the same schedule and teacher, except they will be participating in-person twice a week. Your student’s Principal and teachers will share more information about this model with you prior to Spring Break.
Students who enrolled in the Centennial Virtual Academy (CVA) at the beginning of the year will remain in that program for the remainder of the year.
In the next few days, a new survey will be shared with all elementary families (other than those whose student attends CVA) asking you to choose between in-person hybrid (as outlined in the graphic above) or remaining in CDL for the remainder of the school year. We know a similar survey was done last Fall, but we realize that some families' circumstances may have changed. This new survey will ensure we have accurate numbers of students choosing the hybrid model and those choosing to remain in CDL.
We’re updating and implementing all safety protocols in our Ready Schools Safe Learners guidance in preparation of welcoming students back to school. However, we have been informed that on or before March 19, 2021, ODE is expected to provide updated guidance in connection with Governor Brown’s Executive Order. If there are additional changes, we will revise our plans accordingly.
As a district, we will continue to focus our efforts on safety, effective instruction, support, equity and access for our students and families. Together we will create the best possible learning environment for the remainder of this school year.