KCSD & Me: News and Updates

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Dear KCSD families,

In this newsletter, you will find information about:

• Reopening schools to 4th-12th graders

• A review of schooling options: What if I don’t want my child to return to the classroom?

• Face coverings: Recommendations and expectations

• How to determine if your child is too sick to go to school

• Health services and medications at school

We are excited to reopen our schools to more students starting Monday, Nov. 16. In our surburban and larger schools, COVID-19 metrics have kept our 4th-12th graders out of school buildings, and they have been distance learning with their classroom teachers. With the new state guidance and loosening of metrics, we are able to bring these students back into our classrooms.

Students currently distance learning with their classroom teachers will be assigned to a cohort (A-B) and attend school two days a week (Monday-Tuesday or Wednesday-Thursday). They will do distance learning the other three days. Each school will contact families with information about cohorts, schedules, transportation, and other details.

Busing is one of the challenges of reopening schools to all students. If you can help by transporting your student, please contact your school with that information.

Schools bringing back 4-12th grades for in-person learning include Henley and Mazama high schools, Brixner Junior High, Henley Middle, and Shasta, Ferguson, Peterson, Stearns and Henley elementaries. K-3 students have been attending these schools in-person under the hybrid model since Sept. 8.

Lost River, Gilchrist, Chiloquin, Bonanza, Gearhart, Keno, Malin, and Merrill are already offering in-person learning to all grade levels. Students in those schools will continue on their current schedules and models. KCSD Online programs are not impacted and will continue.

If you do not want your student to return to in-person learning, please contact your school. The district this fall offered families three schooling options (see below). If you want to change your option, please contact your school as soon as possible.

A review of KCSD schooling options:

• In School/Hybrid Plan: Students are in the classroom with their teacher two days a week. Three days a week they participate in high-quality distance learning.

• KCSD Online:This model is a 100% online program where students complete all instruction and coursework at home with the support of KCSD teachers.

• Great Basin Homeschool Center: The district’s Great Basin Homeschool Center provides a traditional homeschool experience for K-6 and a virtual, online program with certified teachers for 7-12.

Face coverings are required for students who attend school. Schools will provide disposable masks for students who need them, however, KCSD strongly encourages students to wear their own face coverings to school when possible.

“Masks are a key component to keeping our schools open,” said Steve Johnson, safety officer for the Klamath County School District. “We encourage students to find a mask with a design or color they like and is appropriate for the school setting.”

Students who choose their own face coverings are wearing them more consistently. They also can be washed and reused, unlike disposable masks. So far this school year, the district has provided more than 90,000 disposable face masks to students.

Students need to wear face coverings both indoors and outdoors, including during outdoor recess.

Appropriate face coverings include:

• Cloth and disposable masks. The student’s mask should cover both the nose and mouth.

• Neck gators. These need to cover both the nose and mouth.

• Face shields. Face shields are an acceptable alternative in certain situations, including when a person has a medical condition that prevents them from wearing a mask. See Ready Schools, Safe Learners guidelines for more details: http://www.kcsd.k12.or.us/files/RSSL_Face_Coverings.pdf.
  

Click here for information about wearing face coverings: http://www.kcsd.k12.or.us/files/Face_Covering_Facts.pdf.

As our schools prepare to open to more students, please continue to follow these guidelines to help all students stay healthy and ready to learn.

Please do not send an ill student to school. If your student is ill, please contact your student’s school office.

Contact your health care provider about any serious illness or if you are worried about your student’s health. If you need help in finding a health care provider, contact Klamath County Public Health at 541-882-8846.

If a student appears unwell, school staff will do a visual health screening to determine whether the student is too sick to remain in class. If the screening indicates the student may be unwell, he or she will receive a full health screening from a school nurse to determine whether isolation is needed. A parent or guardian will be called to come get the student.

Parents are encouraged to do their own visual health screenings at home before their child heads to class. Follow the link for information on how to do a visual screening: How to do a Visual Health Screening.

Notify the school if your student requires medications during school hours and follow protocols for medication at school. If a student's illness requires antibiotics, the student must have been on antibiotics for at least 24 hours before returning to school, and longer in some cases. Antibiotics are not effective for viral illnesses.

If your student has a chronic health condition, let your school know and we will work with you to address the condition so the student can learn. Please make sure your school nurse has current medical orders for your student from a health care provider. The school district needs annual updates for these students. To contact the school nurse or health office, please call your school secretary.

KCSD Health Services want to support your students and all their health needs. Please contact KCSD Health Services if you have questions or concerns.

Please check our webpage at www.kcsd.k12.or.us for updates and any information about school and cohort closures.

If you want to be sure to receive all of our KCSD & Me e-newsletters, sign up for our email list by clicking on the "Follow KCSD_Communications" button and filling in your contact information. Also make sure to follow us on Facebook (@KlamathCountySchoolDistrict), Instagram (klamathcountyschools), and Twitter (@KlamathCountySD)

Recent newsletters:

November 2, 2020
October 30, 3030
October 12, 2020
October 8, 2020

Sept. 26, 2020: KCSD & Me

Sept. 18, 2020: KCSD & Me

Sept. 3, 2020: KCSD & Me: Welcome Back

Aug. 14, 2020: KCSD & Me: An update for families