Ashland School District

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Email: Jacqueline.Schad@ashland.k12.or.us
Website: ashland.k12.or.us
Location: 885 Siskiyou Boulevard, Ashland, OR, USA
Phone: (541) 482-2811
Facebook: facebook.com/ashlandpublicschools/

Superintendent Smore Newsletters: https://www.smore.com/

• OHA announces change in indoor masking requirements in effect March 31
• Schools and local health authority to collaborate on local indoor masking decisions
• Limited Return of Spectators at Sporting Events
  

Ashland Families, Students and Community Members,

On February 7, 2022, the Oregon Health Authority announced a decision related to universal masking in schools. The decision allows local school districts, in collaboration with local public health authorities, to make decisions about universal masking. The change to local district decision making goes into effect on March 31, 2022.

The release from the OHA yesterday does not change any current COVID protocols in our schools at this time. Current safety practices remain in place. The District will determine how to navigate the local decision-making process and will keep you updated in the coming weeks.

Your input will be important as we consider what changes we may make to safety protocols in the future. Please look for an opportunity for direct feedback in the coming weeks.

Active cases in the school community continue to have an impact on staffing and student attendance, but are on the decline.

Thank you for your continued effort to help our students stay healthy and stay in school.

Samuel

Samuel Bogdanove

Superintendent

Ashland Public Schools

Pronouns: He, Him, His

Omicron numbers are declining but continue to have an impact on our community. The Ashland School District is implementing strategies to keep students in school and involved with activities.

In order to be able to continue athletics for our winter sports programs, guidelines have been developed and will be utilized by numerous athletic directors across the state. Simply put, we are trying to keep athletics available for our student athletes, and keep everyone as safe as we can.

Beginning on Friday, February 11, the following safety measures will be implemented at athletic events:

1. Attendees must follow masking rules at all times.

- Everyone over the age of 5 must wear a mask at all times with the exception of athletes and officials who are physically exerting themselves. Masks must be worn by athletes who are on the bench, in huddles, while walking to the locker room, and while entering or leaving district facilities.

2. Spectators will be limited to allow for increased distancing.

Each student participant will be allowed four guests for home events. Visiting teams will be allowed two guests per participating student. Attendees will be required to check in with staff prior to purchasing a ticket. Guests above the allotted amount allowed per student, will not be admitted.

3. Concessions will not be provided.

4. Hand sanitizer will be available in multiple locations.

5. Introductions/End of Game

- Players will meet parents in the parking lot/outside, not in the lobby; No handshakes before or after the game with opposing coaches/officials or students.

All attendees who choose not to comply with the above safety measures will be given an opportunity to do so. Those still not in compliance will be asked to leave, and the game may be paused until compliance is met.

We are all hopeful these limitations are temporary, and will be in place until further notice. Keeping our student athletes in school and participating in extracurricular activities is dependent upon everyone doing their part to limit the transmission of COVID-19 in our community.

Thank you for your understanding and compliance as we implement these COVID-19 changes. We will continue to monitor pandemic conditions and revisit protocols with the expectation that the above measures will be lifted as soon as it is safe to do so.

Respectfully,

Patrick Grady, CAA

Athletics and Activities Director-Ashland High School

Vaccinations against Covid-19 are available for all beginning at age 5. Boosters are recommended for everyone aged 12 and up. To be considered up to date on your vaccination, you must have received a full series of Covid-19 vaccine. If it has been five months since your Pfizer or Moderna series, you need a booster to be considered up to date. If you got the Johnson & Johnson vaccine, you need a booster after 2 months to be considered up to date. Being up to date on this vaccination will impact the length of quarantine or isolation should you become exposed.

There is an on-line vaccination locator here: https://getvaccinated.oregon.gov/#/locator?lang=en if you would like to set up an appointment on-line. Most places are scheduling a few weeks out.

Walmart and Costco are places you can get an appointment quickly:

https://www.walmart.com/cp/flu-shots-immunizations/1228302

https://www.costco.com/covid-vaccine.html?&reloaded=true

There is a drive through option at the Merck, 200 Riverside Dr. in Medford that has all three types of boosters available, AS WELL AS THE CHILD VACCINE FOR AGES 5-11! Details below

Location: The Merrick 200 Riverside Dr. Medford- This is an outdoor situation, wear layers!

Hours of Operation:

• Sunday - 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
• Monday-Saturday, 12:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.

COVID-19 Vaccines Provided: All COVID-19 vaccines for ages 5 and older. Moderna, Pfizer, J&J, Pediatric Pfizer

There is also a free vaccination clinic happening soon at SOU, flyer below.

Throughout the pandemic, the Ashland School District has taken student and staff health and safety very seriously. We have used some of the most cautious precautions in the region and have had fewer cases and more time in school as a result. We post our student and staff cases and exposures, as well as our safety protocols on our website here: https://www.ashland.k12.or.us/page/coronavirus-covid-19-response

The safety layers we have in place during the school day are:

• All staff that work with students have completed the first series of vaccinations
  
• Encouraging all eligible students to get vaccinated, including hosting vaccination clinics
• Masks are worn on campus by all, except when actively eating or drinking
• 3 foot distancing is maintained whenever possible between students
• 6 foot distancing is maintained whenever possible between students and staff, and between all individuals when masks are off for eating
• Frequent hand washing and sanitizing
• Increased filtration measures in classroom spaces
• Students and staff have the option to participate in free weekly asymptomatic testing programs
• Rapid testing for students and staff who become symptomatic while at school
• No student or staff experiencing symptoms may remain at school
• Large group events such as open house or curriculum nights are held on line
• Limited volunteer opportunities - six foot distancing must be able to be maintained, and volunteers must be vaccinated and masked