Dear Families of Harrisburg School District,
Here is the latest update concerning Harrisburg students returning to in-person instruction. Please keep in mind school districts must follow all health and safety protocols in the Oregon Department of Education Ready Schools, Safe Learners. Even though the governor changed the new metrics from mandatory to advisory, this does not mean schools can resume in-person instruction as normal; it is not going to look like regular school. We must follow all of the safety protocols of social distancing (35 sq. ft. per person), facial coverings, sanitation (washing hands and cleaning all surfaces following each cohort change). In addition, because of the 35 sq. ft. requirement, we cannot bring all of our students back as normal. We do not have enough classrooms nor do we have enough FTE (teachers). The goal is to see every student every day.
On Monday, January 11, 2021, our 4th graders will return for all day in-person instruction like grades 1-3 have safely done for the past 17 weeks. Principal Geddes has developed a plan for the kindergarten teachers to change rooms with our 4th grade teachers so we can accommodate the students in larger classrooms. The teachers will change rooms on Thursday, January 7 and prepare for the change from CDL to in-person instruction. Depending on the amount of students returning, we may have to hire a substitute teacher for an overflow classroom.
On Monday, January 11, 2021, our 5th and 6th graders will begin an in-person hybrid AM/PM schedule instruction model. They will be on the same schedule as the kindergarten students. Students will have work to do for their classes at home when they are not in school.
On Tuesday, January 19, 2021 - Grade 7 returns to campus for in-person hybrid AM/PM instruction model. These students have not been in school since last March and will need the opportunity to learn the safety protocols.
On Monday, January 25, 2021 - Grade 8 returns to campus for in-person hybrid AM/PM instruction model.
On Monday, February 1, 2021 - Grades 9-12 return to campus for in-person hybrid AM/PM instruction model. Grades 9 and 10 in the morning and grades 11 and 12 in the afternoon. The building principals will give specific details in their communications to parents.
This exciting development will help students academically, socially, and emotionally. It will also be exciting for our staff who have so missed the day-to-day interaction with students. Thank you for your patience and support through this difficult time. Those parents who want to continue with Comprehensive Distance Learning We will offer our Harrisburg Online Program, HOP, for those parents who want to continue with Comprehensive Distance Learning Contact Karena Smith our HOP coordinator, go to our website and complete an application. Let me know if you have any questions.