Please see video link below for a message from the Superintendent.

When the news broke on Wednesday that the Governor closed schools for the remainder of the year, it caused us all to pause and reflect on what this decision means for our students. While the announcement was not unexpected, it still weighs heavily on our hearts, and on the hearts of our students and families. We know what devastating news this is to hear, but we are committed to doing the very best we can to continue to serve our students.

We know that many questions remain regarding what this means for our students. As we receive guidance from the Oregon Department of Education (ODE) and develop plans as a district, we will continue to communicate with you. We know these are pressing issues and are working tirelessly to adapt to our current reality.

While we are saddened by the governor’s decision to close school, we realize that we all have a role play to keep our society safe in the midst of a global pandemic. We are committed to playing our role of continuing to serve Sherwood students and families, and partnering with all of you to ensure our kids keep learning and stay connected to their schools and teachers.

Nutrition Services will continue to operate food distribution hubs at Hopkins Elementary and Edy Ridge Elementary, 8:30-11:00am daily at both locations. You can pick up both breakfast and lunch in one stop during this time.

Meals will be pick-up only (no students will remain on campus to eat). At Hopkins, pick-up will happen at the cafeteria entrance -- please look for the pop-up canopies. At Edy Ridge, pick-up will happen at the front entrance.

We are excited for the official launch of Distance Learning beginning Monday, April 13th. Next week should feel somewhat like the first week of school to students and families as we transition from offering optional activities and resources, to operating schools remotely.

Just like when students attend a brick-and mortar school, starting Monday, they will be accountable for engaging in school and completing assignments. More information about how that will look at each level will continue to come from your schools and teachers going forward.

While we know that Distance Learning cannot replace the brick-and-mortar classroom, we know students can continue their learning at home while schools are closed, and we are anxious to get started!

For additional information and updates, please visit our Distance Learning website at http://www.sherwood.k12.or.us/home/distance-learning

Goals for this week will include:

• Every student connects with their teacher(s)

• Teachers and students focus on the most important or relevant learning

• New content may be introduced (depending on course and grade level)

• Teachers, families, and caregivers work as a team to co-facilitate learning, design consistent routines, and establish the learning environment

• Student engagement in learning activities will be used to record progress towards learning goals and standards, grades, and attendance (depending on the course and grade level)

• General education teachers and learning specialists collaborate to provide specially designed instruction and related services to students in special education

Family and Student Roles:

• Be sure there is a place for students to work and study; develop a routine and schedule

• Ensure that students and families have access to the following platforms, as lessons and activities will be delivered through them:

• Grades pre-K through 2: Seesaw (some teachers in grades K-2 may use Google Classroom if their students are already familiar with that platform)

• Grades 3-5: Google Classroom

• Grades 6-12: Canvas

• Check email regularly

• Engage in the lessons and assignments provided by teachers; students are now expected to “attend” school and lessons are no longer optional

As students engage more fully in Distance Learning, including participation in video conferencing with their teachers and peers, we ask that students and families adhere to the following guidelines:

• All content shared in video conferencing is for educational purposes only.
• By accessing the material, students and families agree not to share content with anyone not enrolled in the class or assisting an enrolled student.
• Unauthorized distribution of any distance learning content, including sharing video recordings or screenshots on the internet or social media, is strictly prohibited.

Next week, school supply kits will be available for elementary students to assist them while learning from home. School supply kits can be picked up at either of our Nutrition Services hubs (at Hopkins and Edy Ridge) Wednesday, April 15 through Friday, April 17, from 8:30-11:00am daily.

To Access Help with Technology

• Troubleshoot on the Distance Learning Support page

• Reach out to your teacher first for support with class programs and apps

• Contact the school district’s Technology Help Desk:

• helpdesk@sherwood.k12.or.us

• 503-825-5050

• Email and phone will be monitored on school days only from 8am-4pm

• Response time may vary depending on the volume of requests

• We've received many requests for hotspots and are awaiting our shipment; in the meantime, families can access public wi-fi for free in the parking lots of several local businesses. A list of these locations can be found at https://wifi.xfinity.com/

• If you are unable to get a device during our check-out windows, please contact your school's front office for assistance.

The District remains committed to meeting the needs of our students in special education during the closure. Naturally, the provision of specially designed instruction will look different in the context of distance learning. Consistent with the reduction in general education instruction time that will be provided to all students in the District, your child will also receive a portion of the specially designed instruction and related services via teacher-led instruction during the school closure. For most students on an IEP, these services will be delivered in conjunction with the distance learning option that the building and grade level have chosen, with regular collaboration between special education case managers and general education teachers. For some students with more complex service needs, case managers will reach out and offer a virtual meeting to discuss what services will be provided during this closure.

If your student is receiving special education services, please watch for communication from our Special Programs Department with more information.

With this week's announcement of the extension of the school closure through the end of the year, we are aware of the significant impacts to important milestones and events that our graduating class of 2020 is experiencing in this, the final weeks of their K-12 education journey. To honor our seniors, starting tonight our District will be lighting the SHS stadium for 20 minutes at 8:20pm (2020 military time) each night. Please note that District properties remain closed -- we are asking community members not to gather at the high school to observe the stadium lights, and to continue following social distancing guidelines.

The District will be continuing to explore other events and celebrations for our seniors in the days and weeks ahead -- please stay tuned!

Help us keep our SHARE Center stocked as we continue to serve students and families during the closure! See flyer above for details, or visit the SHARE Center Amazon Wish List at https://a.co/dhUw80Z

Throughout the closure, the SHARE Center will operate on the following schedule:

• Monday 10:30am to 1:30pm
• Tuesday - CLOSED
• Wednesday - CLOSED
• Thursday - 10:30 am to 2:00pm
• Friday - by appointment only

For more information about services available from the SHARE Center, please visit our website at http://www.sherwood.k12.or.us/departments/special-programs/share-center

As a reminder, all Sherwood School District buildings and properties are closed to the public until further notice. This includes playgrounds, basketball courts, and other District facilities. We encourage the use of social distancing guidelines, and ask that groups not congregate on athletic fields, running tracks, or other areas on our campuses.