• Coronavirus Disease  (COVID-19)

    Updates

     

    September 2020


    Sheridan Families,


    The first day of school will be September 21st. This letter contains important information, so please read it carefully. We want all parents and students to be informed about the start of the 2020 school year.

    First of all, due to COVID-19 data, we are unable at this time to open for in-person instruction for all students. What we can do is provide instruction to students in groups of 10 for up to two hours a day. Plans are underway to create the groups of students based on social/emotional and academic needs.

    Our Comprehensive Distance Learning program will be through Canvas and SeeSaw. Canvas will be for students grades 4-12 and SeeSaw will be used by K-3 students. Canvas is used by online charter schools and universities. SeeSaw is used by many districts as a great tool for primary students to access online learning.

    The parent/student orientation is set for September 14-15 and the schedule is included. If you are unable to attend the orientation during the grade level time, please attend during the “Open” time slot, 5:00 – 7:00 PM at both schools. During the parent/student orientation students will check out Chromebooks and parents will learn how to access Canvas and SeeSaw. We will also have our school photographer there, so come prepared for school pictures! It is important that parent and student attends the orientation in order to be prepared for the first day of school.

    If you have not registered your child, please call the school office to complete the process. All new and returning students must register for the 2020-21 school.
    Lunch and breakfast will be available for pick-up at the schools and additional sites. More information will be sent out soon.

    Over the last several weeks the Sheridan School District staff have been working hard to prepare for the school year. We are confident that Canvas and SeeSaw will provide an engaging learning opportunity for our students. We look forward to seeing our students at the parent/student orientation!

    Sincerely,


    Dorie Vickery, Ed.D 

     

     

    August 13, 2020

    Sheridan Families,

    Earlier this week the Oregon Department of Education released an update of Ready Schools, Safe Learners.  This guidance provides new information that impacts how we determine when to safely open schools and how to best serve students within the current safety and health requirements.  The new guidance can be accessed here:  https://www.oregon.gov/ode/students-and-family/healthsafety/Documents/Ready%20Schools%20Safe%20Learners%202020-21%20Guidance.pdf

    First of all, the guidance says “For a school district that draws >10% of students or staff from one or more other counties, the rate of new “cases per 100,000” and percent of “test positivity” should be considered in each of those counties. (Pg. 19)  Currently Sheridan School District has more than 10% of staff living in Polk County, therefore we must include the Polk County COVID data in the decision to reopen.

    Keep in mind that to safely reopen for K-3 in-person instruction, both counties must have less than 30 cases per 100,000 three weeks in a row and test positivity less than 5% three weeks in a row.  Here’s the latest COVID data by county:  https://www.oregon.gov/oha/PH/DISEASESCONDITIONS/DISEASESAZ/Emerging%20Respitory%20Infections/Weekly-County-Metrics.pdf

    Secondly, the guidance allows for 10 students (cohort group) to attend in-person instruction for up to 2 hours, having contact with no more than 2 adults.  Furthermore, students cannot be in more than 2 cohorts.  For example, if a student is in a group for math skills for an hour and CTE for an hour, those would be the only two groups.  Link:  https://www.oregon.gov/ode/students-and-family/healthsafety/Documents/Guidance%20for%20Limited%20In-Person%20instruction%20during%20CDL.pdf

    Currently we are working on a plan to bring in several groups of 10 students for two hours for a variety of learning activities.  More information to come!

    In the next few days more information will be coming out about registration and our new online learning system Canvas.  Thank you for being patient as we prepare for the start of the 2020-21 school year.

      

    Dorie Vickery

    Superintendent

     

     

    July 29, 2020

    Dear Sheridan Families,

    Yesterday afternoon the Oregon Department of Education, with the Governor’s office and the Oregon Health Authority, released the criteria for reopening schools.  At this time, Yamhill and Polk Counties do not meet the criteria.  Sheridan School District will offer Comprehensive Distance Learning to start the school year.

    Additionally, there is a level of criteria that allows for providing in-person instruction for K-3 and other specialized groups of students.  The criteria states that the county must be under 30 cases of Covid per 100,000 for three weeks and the test positivity rate must be under 5%.  Currently, Yamhill and Polk Counties do not meet that criteria either.

    If the numbers change over the next few weeks, we will begin the transition process for K-3 in-person instruction and teaching specialized groups of students.

    In the next couple of weeks more information will be provided regarding the Comprehensive Distance Learning model. 

    It is my hope that the numbers will improve in both counties as everyone continues to wear face coverings and practice social distancing.