Sherwood Schools: District Updates
Preparing to Return to In-Person Hybrid Instruction
With all of the schools in our district moving towards the start of in-person Hybrid instruction this spring, our staff and administrators are working diligently to implement all of the health and safety protocols within the Ready Schools, Safe Learners guidance to create the safest learning environments possible within our buildings. In addition to this work, reopening our schools for Hybrid instruction -- and keeping them open -- will require the efforts of students, families, and our whole Sherwood community to help minimize the spread of the COVID-19 virus.
Preventing exposures and outbreaks within our facilities will be essential to the ongoing success of the Hybrid instructional model. As you and your student(s) prepare for the important transition back to the classroom, there are many things you can do to help our district minimize the risk of COVID-19 spread in our buildings. The next two sections of this newsletter include information on how you and your students will play an important role in our successful reopening.
Symptom Screening - It Starts at Home!
One of the most important things that can help prevent the spread of COVID-19 in our schools will be for families to keep all children who are sick or symptomatic home from school. While all students entering our buildings will be screened for primary COVID-19 symptoms, we ask that families develop a daily routine of symptom screening at home, and erring on the side of caution by keeping their children home from school when they show any of the following primary COVID-19 symptoms:
- Fever of 100.4° or higher
- Chills
- Cough
- Shortness of breath
- Difficulty breathing
- New loss of taste or loss of smell
In addition to the above symptoms, students should also be kept at home if:
- Another member of your household has any of the primary COVID-19 symptoms listed above
- Student has had contact with someone who has a confirmed COVID-19 case
- Student has had a positive COVID-19 diagnostic test
In addition to keeping your student home, contact your student’s school to alert them of the symptoms, potential exposure, or positive test. Our school offices, in collaboration with our district nurses, can work with your family to assess your student’s COVID-19 risk status and provide guidance on next steps. Please note that any student arriving at school with any primary COVID-19 symptoms will be isolated and sent home immediately.
Practicing Prevention at School and at Home
As students and families prepare for the transition to in-person Hybrid instruction, it is a great time to review -- and practice! -- the basic hygiene habits children will use at school that help prevent the spread of germs and viruses. These habits include:
Practicing social distancing at all times when interacting with individuals from outside your household
Proper use of masks and face coverings
Washing hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, and using hand sanitizer
Travel Advisory and Spring Break
Spring Break is just around the corner, and with the timing of our upcoming return to in-person instruction dates, we know many of our families and staff have questions about the statewide guidance for travel. Please note that it is recommended that people who are not vaccinated and who travel outside of the state of Oregon consider quarantining upon returning home. Per the Oregon Statewide Guidance for Travel, people are recommended to practice self-quarantine for 14 days after returning to Oregon following out-of-state travel, and limit their interactions to their immediate household. People may consider ending quarantine if they have had no symptoms after 10 days with no testing or after 7 days with an antigen or PCR test.
While the Sherwood School District is asking families and staff who travel over Spring Break to consider quarantining, schools will not be keeping track of travel plans, and it is ultimately up to individuals and families to make those decisions. If your family will be under quarantine, please contact your school’s office.
SSD Employment Opportunities
Sherwood School District has some great part-time, temporary and substitute job opportunities! Please check our District website, or call Jodi Jacobs in Human Resources for more information at 503-825-5022.
Current Openings - Week of February 22, 2021
Instructional Assistants - Special Education - District
Instructional Assistants - General Education - District
Custodian I - District
School Bus Driver - District
Nutrition Services I - District
Assistant Girls Tennis Coach - Sherwood High School
