Oregon releases guidelines for re-opening schools in fall

“There is no doubt this spring was hard on students, families, and educators,” said a statement signed by state education and health directors Colt Gill and Pat Allen. “And yet, we believe returning to school, the planning it will require, and the shifts in adult and student behavior it will require will be even more difficult.”

Much of the state’s long list of re-opening requirements and recommendations fall under a few ideals: Keep students and staff at a distance from each other, wipe down and sanitize objects frequently, and make sure everyone washes their hands as often as possible.

Schools will be required to keep students in isolated groups, or cohorts, whenever possible. Cohorts must allow for at least 35 square feet per person, including staff, and they’ll be assigned certain spaces only for their use. That includes bathrooms as well as classrooms, according to the state.

The state guidelines admit keeping students in rigid cohorts is harder in middle and high schools — where students see multiple teachers in a day — but the state still recommends that all schools make plans to reduce mixing student cohorts.

School schedules will also be modified to keep as few students in hallways and shared spaces as possible.

Furthermore, just about every object in schools that students touch, from desks to school bus seats to library books, should be sanitized frequently, according to the state.

Face masks and coverings will be required for all staff who are regularly within 6 feet of other people in school, bus drivers, staff who prepare and/or serve meals, and school visitors. Front office staff will be required to wear larger, plastic face shields, or be behind a plastic barrier.

Students will not be required to wear face masks — although it is recommended, particularly for middle and high school students, who will have to mix with other students more often — and schools must continue to educate students who don’t wear masks.

Frequent hand washing will be recommended for students and staff, and required before eating meals. Elementary students will be required to wash their hands before and after using playground equipment.

Before walking into a school building or school bus, each student and staff member must be screened for COVID-19 symptoms. This can be done with a parent or guardian’s confirmation, or through a visual check.

Every school district and private school will need to fill out a state form, a blueprint for reopening with checklists of requirements to keep students and staff safe.

If a school district chooses to stick with temporary distance learning, or a hybrid of in-school and distance learning, the district must describe how that will look for its students and staff. Districts must also have plans in place in case of a local spike of COVID-19 cases.

Districts receiving federal grants for disadvantaged students must also consult with local tribal agencies before sending in its completed checklist. School districts should also meet with students, families and other community groups to shape their individual plan, the state recommended.

Then, school districts’ re-entry forms must be approved by a series of groups, in this order: The local school board, the local public health agency and the Oregon Department of Education. These blueprints for re-entry must also be posted to school district and school websites for the public to see.