Superintendent Update

September 10, 2021

Dear St. Paul Community,

As we conclude the first week of school here in St Paul I am pleased to report that the transition back to in-person learning for our students was successful and seamless. Thank you to our incredible support staff and teaching staff for all their hard work and dedication to making the reopening of schools a reality for our students. I would also like to thank the parent teacher club (PTC) for providing the welcome back display for our students; we received lots of compliments on their display. We know that this is a relatively new experience for students, staff and our parents so please communicate with us if you have any concerns or if your child is struggling or showing signs of stress related to the return to school. We have a full time counselor, Tiffany Wojtak who is here to support our students with social emotional needs. She can be reached at tiffany.wojtak@stpaul.k12.or.us. Our district remains in compliance with the Ready Schools Safe Learners guidance document and though it inconveniences us in some ways it does provide the framework that allows us to remain in person. Please continue to do self wellness checks with your family to ensure that everyone is feeling well and contact the school at the first sign of symptoms or exposure. Please do all that you can to stay informed regarding the virus and the importance of receiving the vaccine. https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/faq.html

Our athletic programs are up and running and we are allowing spectators at events however it is imperative that we follow the OSAA guidance in order for us to continue to have spectators at our events.

The following are the latest OHA clarifications pursuant to (OAR 333-019-1025). The Governor’s new statewide outdoor mask mandate is effective August 27, 2021, and requires masks for all individuals, regardless of vaccination status, in outdoor settings in which individuals from different households are unable to consistently maintain physical distance. Students are not required to wear a mask indoors or outdoors when practicing or playing a competitive sport at any level, including cheerleading and dance/drill. Students not actively participating (i.e., on the sideline during an indoor or outdoor competition, etc.) are required to wear a mask. Students are required to wear a mask when in the weight room. Coaches and support staff, regardless of vaccination status, are required to wear a mask during indoor practices and competitions. This includes weight training regardless of location. Spectators (5 years or older) are required to wear a mask, regardless of vaccination status, at indoor practices and competitions. Students are not required to wear a mask indoors when playing an instrument that requires the mouth. Choir students are required to wear a mask during indoor practices but are exempt from this requirement for performances. Coaches and support staff, regardless of vaccination status, are required to wear a mask during outdoor practices and competitions when 6’ of physical distance cannot be maintained. Spectators (5 years or older) are required to wear a mask, regardless of vaccination status, at outdoor practices and competitions when 6’ of physical distance cannot be maintained.

Elementary car lane pick up: For those parents who are picking up their elementary children in the car lane please pull all the way forward to the white line if the lane is open and do not get out of your car as this slows the progression and pickup for everyone else. When the buses are loaded please give them the right of way in departing in order for them to stay on their very tight schedule.

Once again I would like to thank you for partnering with our schools and providing support to our community of learners during these difficult times.

Sincerely,

Joseph M. Wehrli

School District Superintendent